Simply put, in this age, this generation, there is an increase in those who are claiming a message from God. An application of common sense indicates that if the laborers of the vineyard are increased then the harvest should increase. Churches and expensive sanctuaries dot the landscape, yet there is a generation, a generation that grew up in the church, is walking away from God. As you look around your worship setting, ask yourself what age group is missing or is in low attendance. Understanding this reality should not force you to change your worship style or doctrine, rather it should allow you to search for the spiritual means of becoming effective soul winners for Christ in a modernist age.
Many have responded, “Jesus said if we lift him up, he will draw all men unto him.” A rather cavalier approach to Jesus command to go into the highway and hedges and "compel". There are those who believe that to attract, we must changing the worship setting to more of an entertainment format. This format will allow the church to compete in a world filled with football games and nightclubs. The end result is now many come to church to be entertained by entertainers. The art of preaching and a fully staffed band holds sway as the spirit of God moves. When the pastor is screaming and the music is playing how many will sit and wonder, “why they don’t believe?”
When worship service becomes a form of entertainment, a sacrifice becomes relevant to the amount of money you put in the offering. Miracles and blessing are the promised reward, thus fueling a hidden sense of doubt for many as they recede back into their same painful situation. Was it necessary to dumb-down the meaning of blessings and miracles, thus allowing everyone to expect and enjoy the experience? Have we become so complacent in our walk with God that we are willing to write bogus checks in Jesus name? If we look closely at our antics it is easy to see why they don't believe us.
In a group discussion, I posed the question, “why they (non-Christian) don’t believe us”? Poll after poll indicates that the believability of God is at an all-time low. This falling away is nothing new. Jesus spoke of it and even Paul preached about it. As far back as I can remember people have been walking away from the church and God. A pious gentleman responded, “all we can do is tell them about Jesus, the rest is up to them.” He finalized his position by referencing John 12:13 out of context, misquoting and misapplying the text. Jesus said, “If we lift him up, he will do the drawing.”
The proper rendering of the verse should allow for the verse after to provide the context and meaning. John 12:32-33 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. This he said, signifying what death he should die. Christ used a word which has a double meaning, which is common in the Hebrew language, it signifies either to lift up or to get out of the way. He intended for them to think of his death, but the Jews seemed to take it another way, the same as many Christians do today.
Sadly, many uses misquoted John 12:13 to justify their failure to win souls for Christ. In this modern and pessimistic society walking in the woods preaching to trees, or standing on the street corner screaming Jesus love you, may not be the most effective way to win souls for Christ. Showing up on Bible study nights and on Sundays is for the edification of the saints and not a soul winning technique. Somewhere in the midst of soul winning the words of Jesus stands out, “Go into the ‘highways and hedges’ and compel them”.
Before we began our extrapolation of the verse we should understand the meaning of the Hebrew phrase “Highways and Hedges”.Luke 14:23, And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges. The parable-story has been dealing with the past and the present Israel; it now becomes prophetic, and speaks of a state of things to be. The third series of invitations is not addressed to the inhabitants of a (Church) city. No walls hem in (unbelievers) these far-scattered dwellers among the “highways and hedges” of the world. This time, the master of the house asks to his great banquet those who live in the isles of the (the streets) Gentiles. And compel them to come in. A greater pressure is put in this class of outsiders than was tried upon the favored that was first invited.
Highways and hedges—outside the city (church) altogether; historically, the heathen, sunk in the lowest depths of spiritual wretchedness, as being beyond the pale of all that is revealed and saving, "without Christ, strangers from the covenant of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world" (Ephesians 2:12); generally, all such still. Thus, this parable prophetically contemplates the extension of the kingdom of God to the whole world; and spiritually, directs the Gospel invitations to be carried to the lowest strata, and be brought in contact with the outermost circles, of human society.
To be continued in
Part #2
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