Discipling as Many as Possible
A successful ministry prioritizes quality over quantity, and is concerned with winning many souls for Christ.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the importance of reaching as many people as possible for Christ, arguing that while the serious Christian seeks to understand God's will for their ministry, they should not overlook the significance of numbers in evangelism. He illustrates this by comparing the urgency of feeding the hungry during a famine and rescuing lives from a sinking ship, highlighting that it is better to save and disciple many rather than few. Tozer asserts that Christ was concerned about the multitudes, and His followers should share that same passion for evangelism and missions, as a church indifferent to these efforts is in dire need of revival.
Text
Now the serious Christian wants to escape both extremes. Yet he is much concerned about the whole matter of numbers and is eager to find the will of God for his life and ministry. Should he go out for larger crowds or accept smaller ones as the will of God for him? Does success in the Lord's work depend upon numbers? Is it possible to make up in quantity what is lacking in quality and so accomplish the same result?
Perhaps an illustration or two might help. If our country should be visited by a famine and you were put in charge of feeding the starving in your section of the city, would numbers matter? Most surely they would. Would it not be better to feed five hungry children than two? Would you not feel obligated to feed hundreds rather than tens, thousands rather than hundreds? Certainly you would. Or if a ship sank and your church were given a rescue boat, would numbers mean anything? Again the answer is yes. Would it not be better to save ten than two, 100 than fifty?
So with the work of God. It is better to win many than few. Each lost one brought home increases the joy among the angels and adds another voice to the choir that shall sing the praises of the Lamb. Plainly Christ when He was on earth was concerned about the multitudes. And so should His followers be. A church that takes no interest in evangelism or missions is sub-normal in every way and desperately in need of revival.
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Numbers in Ministry
- The Priority of Quality over Quantity
- The Example of Christ's Ministry
- Christ's concern for the multitudes
- The church's responsibility in evangelism and missions
Key Quotes
“It is better to win many than few. Each lost one brought home increases the joy among the angels and adds another voice to the choir that shall sing the praises of the Lamb.” — A.W. Tozer
“A church that takes no interest in evangelism or missions is sub-normal in every way and desperately in need of revival.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- Prioritize quality over quantity in your ministry, focusing on building a smaller group of committed followers.
- Take an active interest in evangelism and missions, and be concerned about the multitudes.
- Recognize the importance of numbers in ministry, and strive to win as many souls for Christ as possible.