NO CHAMPION IN A SINKING BOAT

NO CHAMPION IN A SINKING BOAT 

"That keeps us vigilant, you can be sure. It’s no light thing to know that we’ll all one day stand in that place of Judgment. That’s why we work urgently with everyone we meet to get them ready to face God. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God’s work of making things right between them. We’re speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he’s already a friend with you " - 2 Corinthians 5:11, 18  (MSG)

On the 13th of January, 2012, the massive Costa Concordia cruise ship with more than 4,200 passengers and crew on board was sailing off the coast of Italy on a tour of the Mediterranean Sea. The captain deviated from his planned course and the ship struck a reef near the shore. After taking on water for a while, the ship began to sink. Abandoning his duty to the passengers and crew, Captain Francesco Schettino left the ship instead of remaining to make sure everyone could be rescued. The captain was later arrested and jailed for 16years for his failure to do his duty, resulting in the deaths of more than thirty people. (Source: CNN.com, July 17, 2013)

This earthly ship of ours had struck a reef and may soon sink like the massive Costa Concordia cruise ship. Like in the days of Noah, the flood of judgment is fast approaching the earth and many unrepentant crew and passengers may soon be doomed for the rest of eternity. The fact that we are surrounded by these people should stir us up to do everything possible to rescue them for Christ before it will be too late. Unfortunately, many believers have abandoned their friends, colleagues and family members in the sinking ship to perish. Like captain Schettino, we have stylishly reassigned our primary duties of soul winning/witnessing/evangelism in the sinking ship of this world to other passengers and crew. It is obvious that our callous heart has fully grown and become like that of an Ostrich in the wilderness (Lamentation 4:3). Yes, our bowel of compassion that Jesus filled to overflow is now completely empty. This is very sad!  While sinners are sinking into Hell daily, many believers are raising their shoulders in church every Sunday like a confused champion. But they fail to understand that there can never be a champion in a sinking ship. That is the bitter truth!  We cannot be rejoicing on going to Heaven alone when multitudes around us are going to spend eternity in Hell fire.

"Jesus saw the many people and felt sorry for them because they were worried and helpless—like sheep without a shepherd to lead them. Jesus said to his followers, “There is such a big harvest of people to bring in. But there are only a few workers to help harvest them. God owns the harvest. Ask him to send more workers to help gather his harvest.” - Matthew 9:36-38 (ERV)

Friend, have you abandoned your unbelieving relations, colleagues or friends in this sinking ship/boat?  Abandoning those folks in there may be an unwise decision since you will give account for every soul that God put on board the ship with you (Ezekiel 33:7-9).  Don't you know that Jesus rescued you so that you can help Him rescue every other drowning soul that crosses your path from Hell. Don't wait until you are arrested like Captain Schettino or swallowed by fish like Jonah before you do the Lord's bidding. 

“You, son of man, are the watchman. I’ve made you a watchman for Israel. The minute you hear a message from me, warn them. If I say to the wicked, ‘Wicked man, wicked woman, you’re on the fast track to death!’ and you don’t speak up and warn the wicked to change their ways, the wicked will die unwarned in their sins and I’ll hold you responsible for their bloodshed"-Ezekiel 33:7-8 (MSG)

Beloved, I strongly perceived God is giving many Jonah a second chance to go back to their Nineveh and declare His judgment to everyone in that ship/city/street/town/village. Are you one of those Jonahs? I hope you will not blow this opportunity again. If you do, the consequences could be very grevious and you may not be able to bear it. Please go and preach the gospel to those helpless folks in those sinking ship around your neighbourhood, school, office, market. The Lord of the harvest himself will go with you and give you mighty harvest in Jesus name. 

"Next, God spoke to Jonah a second time: “Up on your feet and on your way to the big city of Nineveh! Preach to them. They’re in a bad way and I can’t ignore it any longer.” The people of Nineveh listened, and trusted God. They proclaimed a citywide fast and dressed in burlap to show their repentance. Everyone did it—rich and poor, famous and obscure, leaders and followers."-Jonah 3:1-2, 5 (MSG) 

One special hymn that describes that ever relevant advise that Jesus gave his disciples in Matthew 9:37 about engaging more believers for the end time rescue operations or harvest of soul is titled "A Call For Reapers". I trust the Lord will minister to you as you meditate on the lyrics of this powerful hymn below:

A CALL FOR REAPERS by James E. Thomas (1860 -1946)

The harvest is white and the reapers are few,
While thousands are dying in sin,
And the Savior above is calling for you,
To gather the lost ones in.

Refrain:
        Gather them in, the golden grain,
        Go gather from fields of sin;
       The harvest is white and the gleaners are few,
        O reapers! Gather the last ones in.

The Lord of the harvest appeals unto you,
To go out in the fields of sin,
And tell to the world this Gospel so true,
And winning the lost ones to Him.

The Savior is with us, so bury your fears;
Your labors will not be in vain;
In the morning sow seed and bathe them in tears,
Returning at eve with grain.

When life’s work is done and we gather at home,
With millions now waiting us there,
Every soul we have won will add a bright star
To the beautiful crown we shall wear.

My prayer for you and my humble self is that Holy Spirit will pour a fresh passion for lost souls in our heart. As Jonah was singlehandedly used to rescue the entire inhabitants of Nineveh, Holy Spirit will empower us and use us mightily to rescue multitudes from this sinking ship before Christ returns.  And when life's work is over, we shall wear a crown decorated with uncountable stars in the City of Gold in Jesus mighty name. Amen. 

Good morning and God bless you.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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