OceanSide church of Christ

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BRING US ON OUR JOURNEY

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   Souls in sin need salvation.

1.     Soul

a.    Definition:  The soul is an invisible, spiritual element of man.  It centers in the mind, the conscience, the emotions, and the will of man.  It is that part of man that will live on after death.

b.    The soul of man is of major concern to God.  He, and He alone, deals with the destiny of the soul (Matt. 10:28).

c.    The soul is man’s most important possession (Matt. 16:26).

 

For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?  Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

 

2.    Sin

a.    Sin is the transgression of God’s holy law (I John 3:4).

b.    Those in sin are dead in the sight of God (Eph. 2:1, 5; Col. 2:13).  They are walking dead men.

c.    At some point, every person is in sin (Rom. 3:23).

 

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.

 

3.     Salvation

a.    Salvation is defined as deliverance, rescue, and freedom.

b.    Souls that are in sin are lost and condemned to death (Rom. 6:23).

 

For the wages of sin is death…

 

c.    God’s grace has provided a means to rescue these lost souls (Tit. 2:12).

 

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.

 

d.    This salvation is found only in Jesus Christ.

1)     Acts 4:12

 

Neither is there salvation in any other:  for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

 

2)    This is the “good news” of the gospel of Christ.

3)     It is this “good news” that Jesus commanded to be preached to every creature in the world (Mark 16:15).

 

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

 

4)    Those who take the message to others have beautiful feet in the sight of God (Rom. 10:15b).

 

…And as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

 

B.   All of these concepts are what have prompted the elders to send eleven members of our congregation on a mission trip to Costa Rica during the week of July 7th – 14th.

1.     There are souls there that are in sin and need salvation.

2.    At this time, we want to exhort the congregation here to “bring us on our journey.”

a.    This phrase is a New Testament expression.  It is used several times to refer to financial support given by churches and individuals to those who were traveling to preach the gospel of Christ.

b.    I Corinthians 16:6

 

And it may be that I abide with you, yea, and minister with you, that ye may bring me on my journey withesoever I go.

 

C.   For our study, we want to look at two other passages that use this phrase.  In them we will find the “how” of being another on his journey.

1.     Titus 3:13

 

Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them.

 

2.    III John 6-8

 

Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church:  whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well.  Because that for his name’s sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.  We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.

 

I.          BRING THEM ON THEIR JOURNEY DILIGENTLY (Tit. 3:13)

 

Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently…

 

A.   Diligently:

1.     Strong (4709):  earnestly, promptly

2.    Thayer:  with haste, earnestly

 

B.   When individuals are ready to take the gospel to the lost, we should hurry to assist to the best of our ability.

1.     The days are passing.

2.    Each day that passes find more lost souls that are dying.

3.     What a joyful thought to find and convert a lost soul before it is eternally too late.

 

 

II.        BRING THEM ON THEIR JOURNEY WITH NOTHING WANTING (Tit. 3:13)

 

…that nothing be wanting unto them.

 

A.   Nothing wanting:  not even one thing to leave off, or, to fail

 

B.   Those supporting missionaries should try to provide all that is needed for their journey:  travel, hotel, meals, equipment, leaders, translators, materials, ect.

1.     All of these things cost money.  Just our airline tickets were over $800.00 each.

2.    The Philippians were often supporters of the apostle Paul in his labors to preach the gospel of Christ.  They sought to provide him with all that he needed (Phil. 4:18).

 

But I have all, and abound:  I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing unto God.

 

C.   The group has need of an addition $4000.00 to make this trip.  This is the amount over the amount the elders originally budgeted.  On June 3rd, it is hoped that we can provide these funds with nothing wanting.

 

III.      BRING THEM ON THEIR JOURNEY INVOLVES YOUR LOVE (III John 6)

 

Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church…

 

A.   Background

1.     John was writing to a faithful Christian named Gaius (III John 1).

2.    Gaius had done much good for brethren and strangers (III John 5).

3.     These individuals had testified of Gaius’ charity (III John 6).

4.    His charitable heart is what caused John to urge him to continue to bring them forward on their journey.

 

B.   Charity, or love, wants to assist others.  Charity wants faithful proclaimers of the gospel to prosper in their efforts.  This love prompts them to assist to the best of their ability.

 

C.   If you love the 11 members of this congregation, you will bring them forward on their journey.  You will assist them liberally in their labors for the cause of Christ.

 

IV.       BRINGING THEM FORWARD INVOLVES A GODLY MANNER (III John 6)

 

…whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort…

 

A.   After a godly sort

1.     Definition:

a.    Worthy, suitable

b.    In a manner worthy of God

2.    Two explanations:

a.    “In a manner worthy of God, and of your relations and obligations to him.”

b.    “Since they are God’s representatives, treat them as you would God.”

 

B.   John makes it impossible not to assist.  He also makes it very difficult not to assist in a big way.  If God Himself came to your door needing assistance, what would you do for Him?  Whatever that is, do the same for your brethren.

 

V.        BRINGING THEM ON THEIR JOURNEY INVOLV ES DOING WELL (III John 6)

 

…whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well.

 

A.   “Doing well” should be the desire of every child of God.

1.     Thayer’s definition of “doing well.”

a.    Beautifully, finely, excellently, well

b.    Rightly, so that there shall be no room for blame

2.    When we support our brethren in their labors to spread the gospel, and do it after a godly sort, there should be no room for us to be blamed.

 

B.   When we do well, God will reward us with a “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” (Matt. 25:21, 23).

 

VI.       BRINGING THEM ON THEIR JOURNEY INVOLVES BEING FELLOWHELPERS TO THE TRUTH (III John 8)

 

We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.

 

A.   The word “fellowhelpers” means “co-laborer, companion in labor, and laborers together with.”

1.     When an individual financially supports another in a mission effort, he is a co-laborer.

2.    Even though he cannot go himself, he is involved in the labor through the efforts he supports.

3.     Any conversions or restorations, both the missionary and the supporter are responsible for.

 

B.   In Philippians 1:3-5, Paul refers to this as “fellowship in the gospel.”

 

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   Brethren, eleven of us at OceanSide need to rest of you to ‘bring us on our journey.”

 

B.   You role as supporters is absolutely essential to the salvation of lost souls (Rom. 10:13-15a).

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?