“Numbers Matter”

I would like to speak…

Into something that has been on my heart for a very long time that is important for the body of Christ. I pray that you will be edified.

Over the years many believers have said to me, “Why are the numbers so important? It shouldn’t be about the numbers. Even one person coming to Christ is a big deal and reason to celebrate. Right?”  My answer is yes one person is worth it. But God also wants to save many, many people. As a matter of fact, 2 Peter 3:9 says, “God does not want anyone to perish but He desires that all would come to repentance.”

John 3:17 says, “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”  

So, why is mass evangelism so important? Because very clearly, God wants to save everyone, not just a person here and there.

Since God loves the whole world, and Jesus died to save the whole world (John 3:16), shouldn’t we be willing to tell the whole world? If yes, then numbers do matter. As a matter of fact, the very first sermon preached in the New Testament is in Acts 2:41 and God makes sure to give us the number, “and there were added that day about 3,000 souls.” In Peter’s second sermon in Acts 4:4 the Bible again makes sure to communicate the number, “many who heard the word believed, and the number of men was about 5,000.” God also gives the number of people fed and the number of leftovers (5,000 and 12 baskets). The number of people gathered in an upper room (120). The number of disciples sent out to minister (70). The number of angels worshipping God in heaven. The Word of God is full of recorded numbers, including number of conversions. In the first two sermons of the New Testament, we know eight thousand people believed in Jesus because God was counting. On the surface when we share numbers it may sound like boasting, but it really isn’t about notches in the belt. It is impossible to share thousands of names to personalize the decisions. Nevertheless, we know every recorded number has a face and name attached to it.

Dear friend, if the schoolhouse was on fire and the teacher was in the parking lot taking a head count, wouldn’t that number be important? Of course. You would want every single child to be with you, and you would do everything you could to try and rescue those who were not. This is why it is of dire importance and urgency to preach the gospel, because it is God’s power to save people. Without it people perish.

“How will they call on Him of whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard of? And how shall they hear without a preacher?”  Romans 10:14

At Life Nations we tell you about the numbers. We know it is scriptural because God gave us numbers. We celebrate the numbers. We want those numbers to be as many as possible. Why? Because every number represents an individual person, and every person has a name, and every name is being recorded in the Lamb’s Book of Life (Rev. 20:15).

Our heart is the heart of the Father. His heart is to save everyone. None excluded. As long as there are people in the burning building, we are going to keep going in. As long as there are people drowning in the sea, we are going to keep throwing life preservers. Our lives are but a moment in eternity, but our moment can make a difference in eternity.

That is Life Nation’s mission, and I sincerely hope you’ll join us and make it yours as well. The numbers are about people… and people matter.