Introduction: Scripture Reading- Matt. 28:16-20
B. Introduce the hymn:
a. Written by James Rowe (pseudonym- James S. Apple)
b. Born in 1865 in Dublin, Ireland
c. He came to America in 1890 where he worked for 10 years for the NY Central & Hudson R.R. Co.
d. He became a writer of songs and hymns in about 1896 (more than 9,000 published hymns, poems, recitations, and other works)
C. Setting the tone for the sermon on the hymn "Ring Out the Message"
a. Mark 16:15 "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."
Discussion:
I. Verse 1 - The Mandate to Proclaim
A. All Christians are commanded to proclaim the glad news to all
a. Isaiah 52:7 "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!"
b. Ezek. 33:1-9 IF the watchman warns and the people heed the warning then they save their souls but if they don’t heed the warning then their blood is on them. IF the watchman does not warn then the blood of the people is on the watchman.
B. There is a joyous responsibility in proclaiming the Gospel
a. I Cor. 9:14-19 [Read] We should be like Paul and be willing to proclaim the Gospel
C. God's good news gives courage to all
a. We too will have a reward like Paul but we need to encourage and convince the lost to believe.
i. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
ii. Luke 13:3 “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”
II. Chorus - The Call to Action
A. The command from Matthew 28 and Mark 16 is more than just a command it is a call to action like calling troops to order.
a. Matthew 28:19-20 "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you..."
B. Discussing the call to make disciples and spread the message
a. Teaching implies that we are learning first, so that we know what to teach.
b. The first thing we learn is how to obey the Gospel, we can teach that.
c. Everything else comes after that
C. We must put on the whole armor of God and march out. If we don’t put on the whole armor, then we won’t be prepared for Satan’s attacks and we won’t be prepared to answer people’s questions.
a. I Pet. 3:15 “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:”
b. The lost are in darkness and doubt and might be asking us why we have hope because they want the same hope. Are we prepared to give them an answer and not our words but God’s . Or in other words an answer that would acceptable to God
III. Verse 3 – Keep Marching Till That Great Day Comes
A. There is a great day coming and we must keep teaching and preaching till that day comes.
a. Jude 1:6 “And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.”
b. 2 Pet. 2:9 “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:”
B. The good news of the Gospel has the power to save
a. Rom. 1:16 Power unto salvation
Conclusion:
B. Let’s keep teaching, keep marching, and keep Ringing Out the Message that God has left for all on how to get to heaven.
C. Invitation