Proverbs 11:30 “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
And he who is wise wins souls.”
“Must I go, and empty-handed,”
Thus my dear Redeemer meet?
Not one day of service give Him,
Lay no trophy at His feet?
Refrain:
“Must I go, and empty-handed?”
Must I meet my Savior so?
Not one soul with which to greet Him,
Must I empty-handed go?
The Crown of rejoicing. Sometimes it is called the soul winners’ crown.
How much thought have you given to meeting Jesus empty handed?
The hymns says, “not one day of service give Him”. Will that be me or you? What service have we given that pleases Jesus?
One day we will stand before Jesus and give an account for every word and every deed. For some it will be a thrilling to meet with Jesus and receive rewards for service to the King of Kings.
Daniel 12:3 tells us, “Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.” For the Christians who have led others to Jesus, they will shine brightly like stars forever. In heaven, there is rejoicing any time souls are converted. Luke 15:10. “In the same, way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Paul writes to the church at Thessalonica, “For this cause also we thank God without ceasing, because when you received the Word of God you heard from us, you received it not as from men but as it is truth.” (I Thessalonians 2:13.)
They received the Word as the truth.. They were saved by believing. Paul continues in verses 19-20. “For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? For you are our glory and joy.”
Philippians 4:1 Paul writes again to the church at Philippi. “Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.”
Paul loved God’s people. He loved that he was an instrument used by God to bring people out of the darkness into His marvelous light.
The song “Thank You” in the 90’s was a wonderful reminder that there will be those in heaven that we helped along the way. Those we walk along side on this earth will be our crown of rejoicing. Hopefully, we will have been obedient to the call of service. Winning others to Christ is the last command Jesus gave before He left. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you, always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
In 2 Corinthians 5:11, we read, ”It is because of this solemn fear of the Lord, which is ever present in our minds, that we work so hard to win others.” Paul’s greatest desire was to bring others to the saving faith and knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He continues in verse 14 of the same chapter in Corinthians,” the love of Christ constrains (compels) me so that I do not rest–I will not rest–until I have expended every effort to win men to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ” (II Corinthians 5:11 & 14). The Living Bible.
Do we have a solemn fear of the Lord? Is it ever present in our minds so that we work hard to win others? Does the love of Christ compel us to talk to others about Jesus?
Will we be like the verse in I John 2:28 below?
I John 2:28 “And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.”
Reaching the lost for Christ is NOT a request from Jesus but a command. Don’t let Satan steal your joy and your crown! Evangelism is simple. It should not be hard. It is only the story of how you came to know Jesus. Telling your story. Telling His story. Let the Holy Spirit do His work. We never save anyone! Only the power of the Holy Spirit working in a person’s life will bring them to the truth.
Father I pray we will awaken from our slumber and finish the race set before. May we desire, as Paul, to win others for the kingdom. May we have confidence in your appearing and not be ashamed at your coming.
In Jesus Name,
If you have emotional courage, listen to these songs. These four songs will challenge your heart for soul winning.
Must I go and empty-handed (Hymn) https://youtu.be/28NHRB5vew8
Each One Reach One- by Babbie Mason https://youtu.be/rJXIugwiN7Qhttps://youtu.be/rz15fa9g9IA
https://youtu.be/rJXIugwiN7Qhttps://youtu.be/rz15fa9g9IA
Casting Crowns -Jesus Friend of Sinners https://youtu.be/rJXIugwiN7Q
Thank you -Ray Boltz https://youtu.be/UFrdJ2V3r7Y
