Written by Nathan Manion.

Men Wanted!

Men of thought, men of action. Men who are not for sale. Men who are honest to the heart’s core. Men who will condemn wrong in friend or foe, in themselves as well as others. Men whose consciences are as steady as the needle of the pole. Men who will stand for right if the heavens totter and the earth reels. Men who can tell the truth, and look the world and the devil right in the eye. Men who neither stagger nor flinch. Men who are quick at figures. Men who can have courage without whistling for it, and joy without shouting to bring it. Men through whom the current of everlasting life runs deep and still and strong. Men too large for certain limits, and too strong for sectarian bands. Men who know their message and tell it. Men who know duty and do it. Men who know their place and fill it. Men who mind their own business. Men who will not lie. Men who are not too lazy to work, nor too proud to be poor. When in office, in the workshop, in the counting room, in the bank … in every place of trust and responsibility. When we can have such men as these, we shall have a Christian civilization—the highest and best the world ever saw. —Taken from McGuffey Reader

Job description: Die to yourself, and let Christ live through you. Preach the Gospel to every creature. Suffer persecution and possibly martyrdom for the name of Christ. Love and obey the word of God. Stand for the truth, even if you are the only one to do so. Be so sold out to Jesus that whatever persecution that you face, you can rejoice that you were counted worthy to suffer for Him.

Qualifications: A sinner in need of a Savior, or a redeemed sinner.

Compensation: Eternal riches, spiritual riches in heavenly places, Eternal Life. Everything that we need in life will be provided for us as we seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness. Persecution, being hated by the whole world.

There is a great dearth in the world of godly young men; men who can serve in the local church, and fulfill the Great Commission.

The church as a whole is lacking young men to serve as preachers, teachers of the Word, and as evangelists.

Where are the godly young men?

Why is it that we have a lot of complacent young men who are not on fire for God? I think it is because they are in love with the world. The world is too interesting, too entertaining, so fun to be around. The world has crept into the church and has stolen the hearts of the young men. They may not know it yet.

Are the trappings of this world and eternity in hell worth trading for persecution in this life, and eternal life in the world to come?

Young man, you have a choice: the world and all the pleasures of this life and a miserable life without Christ, or a spiritually blessed life in Christ, with the promised persecution. The choice is yours.

This is your choice: life in Christ, or this present world and eternity separated from God.

What will you choose? Your whole future rests in this decision.

So, if you decided to follow Christ, here are a few things to think about. The Great Commission commands you to go and make disciples out of all nations. With that in mind, here is something to think about:

1. What are the qualifications of a preacher/evangelist?

You need to have a calling.

But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen. Ga. 1:15-16a

There has to be a calling. Here Paul is sharing his calling to preach the gospel. The Lord told Ananias that Paul would bear His name before kings. Here is Isaiah’s commission from the Lord to preach:

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound. Isaiah 61:1

2. How did the Master Preacher (Jesus) start out his ministry, and how did He preach?

From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Mt. 4:17

3. There is a reason that Jesus ties repentance and the kingdom of God:

And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Mt. 10:7

And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. Mt. 24:14

And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth. And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils. Mk.. 1:38-39

And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach. Mk. 3:14

4. Here is what Jesus told His disciples, and how they responded:

And they went out, and preached that men should repent. Mk. 6:12

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Mk. 16:15

And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. Mk. 16:20

5. When we obey God, He will help us, and take care of us:

The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth. Ec. 12:10

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Ti. 2:15

We need to have such a grasp of the Scriptures that we know what they are saying, and to be able to refute the naysayers. We need to hide God’s Word in our hearts, so that we don’t sin against Him. Ps. 119:11

The harvest is ripe, so get busy and start sharing Christ!

Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe … for the day of the LORD is near … Jl. 3:13-14

The return of the LORD is very soon, so we need to be out spreading the good news everywhere we go.

And, Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. Re. 22:12

He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Re. 22:20

Jesus is returning quickly; where is the evangelistic fervor to get the gospel to the ends of the earth?
Where are some young men who are willing to give their all for the kingdom?

Where are some young men who are willing to give their all for the kingdom?

Are you willing to preach the gospel for Christ?

Where are the young men who are to rise up and be the next generation church leaders, pastors, evangelists, teachers, and church planters?

I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest. Ps. 40:9

Which of us can say “Amen” to this in all sincerity?

Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word. Ac. 8:4

When there was persecution, the disciples were obedient and spread the gospel as they went.

So young man, what is your choice?

Is it the world? This is what you will find: an empty life without Christ, broken relationships, anger, resentment, bitterness, hate, dishonesty, guilt, sorrow, worry, anxiety, and a guilty conscience, just to name a few of the things that you will experience. This will lead an eternity separated from the Risen Savior.

Or is it the Risen, Almighty, Returning Savior of the World?

If so, the Lord bless you and prosper your walk with Him. A few things you will experience are: agape love, the joy of the Lord, the peace that passes all understanding, spiritual blessings in heavenly places, a life lost for Christ, persecution, imprisonment, and death.

The stakes are high. The question is, will you lose your life to save it in eternity? Or will you seek to save your life in this present evil age, just to lose it in the world to come?

Young man, the choice is yours. I can’t choose for you.

What will you choose? ~