Manna in the Morning Bringing Others to Jesus
E.A. Johnston emphasizes the urgent Christian responsibility to bring others to Jesus for salvation without delay.
In this evangelistic sermon, E.A. Johnston highlights the biblical example of Andrew bringing his brother to Jesus, underscoring the believer's dual calling to glorify God and lead others to salvation. Drawing on the poignant story of evangelist D.O. Moody's regret after the Chicago fire, Johnston urges Christians to share the gospel with urgency and compassion. This message challenges listeners to embrace immediate action in their witness for Christ.
Full Transcript
Hello friends, this is man in the morning, and our devotion today is bringing others to Jesus. Our scripture passage is found in John's gospel in chapter 1 and verses 40 to 42. We see in God's word, one of the two which heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.
He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messiah, which is being interpreted to Christ, and he brought him to Jesus. As believers, we have two main priorities. First, to glorify God with our lives, and secondly, to bring others to Christ so he can save them.
I want to share a story with you today, friends, about D.O. Moody, who looked back upon the Chicago fire of 1871, when the entire city became an inferno as it engulfed the area near Moody's church, and how he spoke of his deep regret for not calling his hearers to Christ that fateful night. Listen to his words. What a mistake! I have never dared to give an audience a week to think of their salvation since.
If they were lost, they might rise up in the judgment against me. I remember Mr. Sankey singing, and how his voice rang when he came to the pleading verse, Today the Savior calls, for refuge fly, the storm of justice falls, and death is nigh. I have hard work to keep back the tears today.
Twenty-two years have passed away, and I have not seen that congregation since, and I will never meet those people again until I see them in another world. I have asked God many times to forgive me for telling people that night to take a week to think it over, and if he spares my life I will never do it again. One lesson I learned that night which I've never forgotten, and that is when I preach, I press Christ upon the people then and there.
Great God, give us an urgency to call sinners to Christ, to be the ones to bring others to Jesus so they can be saved. It is in the strong name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
Sermon Outline
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I
- Introduction to bringing others to Jesus
- Scripture focus on Andrew bringing Simon Peter to Christ
- Believers' two main priorities: glorify God and bring others to Christ
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II
- Story of D.O. Moody and the Chicago fire
- Moody's regret for delaying the call to salvation
- The lesson of urgent evangelism
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III
- The importance of pressing Christ upon people immediately
- Prayer for God-given urgency to evangelize
- Encouragement to act now in sharing the gospel
Key Quotes
“As believers, we have two main priorities. First, to glorify God with our lives, and secondly, to bring others to Christ so he can save them.” — E.A. Johnston
“I have asked God many times to forgive me for telling people that night to take a week to think it over, and if he spares my life I will never do it again.” — E.A. Johnston
“One lesson I learned that night which I've never forgotten, and that is when I preach, I press Christ upon the people then and there.” — E.A. Johnston
Application Points
- Act immediately in sharing the gospel without postponing the call to salvation.
- Prioritize bringing others to Jesus as a vital part of your Christian walk.
- Pray for God to give you boldness and urgency in evangelism.