What you don't know...

You have probably heard the phrase, "What you don't know can't hurt you."

Recently, Jessica and I were driving when we heard someone say this phrase on the radio.

Jessica turned to me and commented, “You know, that’s not true when it comes to the Gospel.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“If a woman in Africa does not know Jesus, and she dies, then her lack of knowledge will hurt her for all of eternity.”

“Jessica, that’s a tragic thought,” I said, “I’ve never heard that before.”

She continued, “If a man does not know Jesus is a Healer, then he continues to live with sickness in his body. If a family does not know that love, joy, and peace can be found in Jesus, then that family continues to live in strife.”

She finished by saying, “If people don’t know, they can’t believe.”

What you don’t know…can hurt you!

Hosea 4:6 says, “People are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” It’s true. People who have not heard that Jesus saves are destined to an eternity in hell. This fact is a great tragedy but at the same time it creates a great urgency in my heart. If I do not go preach the Gospel, who will? 

In North America, there are many opportunities for people to hear about Jesus, but in some parts of the world, the Gospel has barely penetrated. Oswald J. Smith, a Canadian pastor said, "No one has the right to hear the Gospel twice, while there remains someone who has not heard it once." This is why it is so vital for you to send us to the least reached parts of the world. The world must hear about Jesus.

What about my father?

I am reminded of a tribal woman in Ethiopia who cried after she accepted Jesus as her Savior. She said, “This is wonderful news! I am so happy to learn about Jesus.” But she then asked a question, “My father died one month ago and he never had an opportunity to give his life to Jesus. What will happen to him?” Her question captures the urgency I feel today. For every person we reach, the Gospel is good news. But for those who don’t hear the Gospel, it is a tragedy. Carl F.H. Henry said, "The Gospel is only good news if it gets there in time."

Some have questioned God for allowing the lost to perish. But, God has done everything He needs to do in order for the entire world to be saved. God gave His Only Son as a sacrifice to make salvation available for all of humankind. Right before Jesus returned to heaven, He commanded all who follow Him to “preach the good news” (Mark 16:15). If someone has not heard the Gospel, the fault does not lie with God, the fault rests on the Church. It is our responsibility to take the good news of Jesus Christ to the world!

Charles Spurgeon wrote, "Someone asked, ‘Will the heathen who have never heard the Gospel be saved?’ It is more a question with me whether we, who have the Gospel and fail to give it to those who have not, can be saved." This puts the responsibility right back in our laps.

How can they know, unless we tell them?

God has chosen to use us, you and me, to take the Gospel to the world. “For whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent?” (Romans 10:13-15). How many people are participants in this verse? Let’s count them.

1. The unsaved person who needs to hear.

2. Jesus, the One whose Name brings salvation for those who believe.

3. The preacher.

4. The person sending the preacher.

Who are these four people today? The world is full of unsaved people. Jesus is ready to save. Jessica and I are willing to go and preach the Gospel. You are the fourth person.

Jessica and I cannot preach to people unless we are sent. Who does the sending? You do! You see, without your help, we cannot go to those who desperately need to hear about Jesus.

Will you send us to the unsaved? Will you join with us to make a difference? Will you help us reach people who are dying and going to hell? Thank you for your faithful giving. Every time you give, you help us change an eternal destiny.