Can We Reach a City for Christ?

1 Timothy 2:4-6 NIV - 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people.

God has two main desires for mankind V.4 - V.6 reveals the legal side of salvation and the right for knowledge of the truth.

2 Peter 3:9 NIV - The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

God desires all to repent - that no one perishes (however we are destroyed for lack of knowledge).

1 Timothy 2:4-6 - Wants - (desires) to be or become delivered or rescued from sin and its consequences (judgment - harm, disease, death).

Knowledge - (truth) to find out, to learn about, to come to know - coming to understand something clearly or as true and valid.

The statement is truthful, dependable, upright.

Ransom - what is given in exchange (as payment) for the release of someone held captive.

Repentance - change one’s heart and mind, to change one’s way - it is the change of self (heart/mind) - abandons the former self and lives from the new self.

Acts 1:8 NIV - And you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

3 step process - cities are central to God’s redemptive strategy (all repent, all are saved, that none perish, come to the knowledge of the truth).

The great commission starts with a city - it will finish with a city, the new Jerusalem - it starts with repentance, but finishes with the glory of God - it started with a cross outside, but finishes as God’s eternal dwelling - it starts with people brought near, but finishes with people complete in Christ.

Therefore, what is my message - we must reach every city on earth with the gospel.

Matthew 19:28 - Read