Many are the needs of our day. The need for peace in war-torn areas around the world, the need for food and clothing in poverty-stricken countries, the need for loving families, civil rights, good paying jobs, etc.
Yet, I suggest the greatest need for our world is evangelism. Sharing the gospel with every person (Mark 16:15) and preaching the word everywhere (Acts 8:5) was a need aggressively met in the first century AD (Col. 1:23).
This need is so great because of the condition of the world and the condition of the church. Many in this world are lost and dying, for all have sinned (Rom. 3:23), and without the Christ, they will die in their sins (John 8:24). Close to home this means that relatives, friends and neighbors will be lost if we as Christians continue to do little if anything to teach them. Many congregations have lost their focus and are declining in number because as Christians die or fall away, little is being done to convert others. Unless we meet this need, many churches will cease to exist.
There have been many reasons offered for why this need has not been met. It could be due to a lack of concern, knowledge, courage, faith, or focus. Our Lord was concerned as He came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10) and Paul also had great concern for the lost (Rom. 10:1). Are we in need of being taught again so we may teach others (Heb. 5:12)? Remember, our starting point can be as simple as Philip’s challenge to Nathaniel, “Come and see” (John 1:4546). Are we fearful of being rejected by loved ones, ridiculed by friends and strangers? If we are reviled for the name of Christ, we are blessed (Matt. 5:11-12). Do we believe in God’s ability to give us strength (Phil. 4:13), wisdom (James 1:5), and courage (II Tim. 1:7-8)? Have we allowed the things of this world to distract us from bearing fruit for the Lord (Luke 8:14)?
We all need to be personal workers to fulfill the command of Christ, to show our love for others, and to be like the early church. Jesus commanded that disciples be made (Matt. 28:19). Love for others is the second greatest commandment (Matt. 22:39). We need to emulate the Lord’s church, not only in pattern, but in function as well by demonstrating the same zeal for the Lord’s cause and the same love for the lost (Acts).
My purpose here is to stress that the greatest need of the church is to get back to its original mission of evangelism, and the greatest need of Christians is to be personal workers in the vineyard of the Lord. Let’s all get busy, for there is much to do.
Gregg Woodall