No More Rusty Christians - Part 5 · The Disciple Machine

No More Rusty Christians - Part 5

Get Your Flares Out

We are living in a time when the church does not need more couch potatoes for Jesus. We need Christians who would rather burn out than rust out. There are too many rusty Christians sitting around while the world races toward the cliff. There are too many churches babysitting instead of equipping. Too many pastors managing crowds instead of leading the flock. Too many believers have turned church into take, take, take. They want social activities, programs, entertainment, and something to keep the kids busy, but where are the flares? Where is the warning? Where is the burden for souls?

I am not against fellowship. I am not against believers gathering and encouraging one another. But if socializing is the main reason people go to church, something is wrong. The church is not a religious social club. The church is not a babysitting unit. The church is supposed to proclaim Christ, teach the Word, strengthen believers, warn sinners, and prepare people for what is ahead. There are too many Christians who have no flares in their hands. They may not be called to preach, but there is no excuse for doing nothing. You can point people to the Word. You can hand someone a card. You can share a message. You can tell them where they can hear about Jesus. You can speak when God gives you an opening.

I am going to be honest. At this point in my life, you cannot shut me up. If there is an opening, people are going to hear about Jesus whether they want to or not. And I am finding that people are more receptive now because of the confusion and chaos in this world. People are uncertain. They are concerned about war, nuclear threats, economic collapse, moral insanity, and what the future holds. There are so many avenues now to tell them about Jesus and why they do not need to fear the future if He is the captain of their ship. We know what is coming after this age is done. We know who wins. We know who saves. His name is Jesus Christ.

Jesus said, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” More than likely, you will not be called to die on a cross. But you can lay down your comfort. You can lay down your pride. You can lay down your fear. You can lay down your need to be liked. You can lay down an informational card. You can lay down time. You can participate in warning people that danger is ahead. You can stand on the highway with the flares and say, “Stop now, or you are going to crash with the rest of them.”

This is not about being popular. It is about being faithful. It is not about winning arguments. It is about pointing people to Christ. It is not about humiliating people. It is about warning them before they stand before God unprepared. Philippians 2:10-11 tells us every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. That day is coming. For some, it will be joyful. For others, it will be humiliation. But everyone will bow. That should sober us. That should move us. That should make us get our flares out while there is still time.

History in this age has not yet closed, but it is closing. The door of grace is still open, but it will not stay open forever. Noah warned until the door of the ark closed. We must warn while the gospel is still being preached. We must point people to the Savior who laid down His life, shed His blood, rose again, and offers salvation to all who put their faith and confidence in Him. The world is dark, but the flares still shine. The gospel still saves. The blood of Jesus still speaks. Grace is still available.

So get your flares out. Stop hiding in the salt shaker. Stop waiting for someone else to do what God has placed in front of you. Be faithful where you are. Speak when God opens the door. Warn in love. Stand in humility. Point to Jesus. Let God handle the results. We are in the very last of the last days, and there are people, including Christians, who still need to understand what Jesus provided. This is no time to rust. This is the time to burn bright, hold the flares high, and be a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ.

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No More Rusty Christians - Part 5