We often sing and talk about "the Macedonian call," that cry to "come over into Macedonia, and help us" (Acts 16:9). Did you ever pay close attention to the response of Paul and his co-laborers to that call for help? The next verse tells us that they immediately endeavored to go there, and later in the chapter we read that once they arrived in Macedonia they taught the gospel to those on the European continent. But why go to Macedonia, and why be in such a hurry about it? Verse ten records that their conclusion was that "the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them."

Brethren, when Paul, Luke, Silas, and Timothy marched into Macedonia, they had no doubts as to what they were doing there. They were there on a divine mission – God sent them. They were there to preach the gospel, because that is what God wanted them to do. That explains why they were in such a hurry. However, let us not miss another point. Those brethren went to Macedonia because they wanted to be there. Yes, their attitude was, if God wants us to go to Macedonia, then that is where we will go!

Is there not an urgent Macedonia call in the 21^st century? Indeed there is, brethren. No, not a miraculous vision or direct revelation, but the lost masses of the world crying out for help, the help which only Jesus and His gospel can provide. At the same time, the Christ through His word calls for us to take the gospel to those lost multitudes. No doubt about it, the Macedonian call is still ringing in our ears today, but are we responding to such opportunities as Paul and others did by immediately going to preach the gospel?

Why should you and I respond at once to take the gospel to all parts of the world? Let's consider together a few reasons.

First, Jesus wants all men to hear the gospel. Who can deny this fact? When Jesus Himself commanded the apostles, "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15), is it not clear that He is FOR the idea of world evangelism? Yes, it is the desire of the Son of God that every person under heaven hear the gospel! He is the one Who taught, "Repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations" (Luke 24:47). Brethren, the idea of teaching the gospel to every person in the world did not come from one man or a group of men, but rather that "Great Commission" came from the Son of God Himself. That being the case, should we not respond by going immediately to teach the lost, even as Paul and his co-workers did?

Second, it is the mission of the church to preach the gospel to all men.. Okay, so Jesus wants somebody to preach the gospel in all the world. But whose responsibility is it? Certainly not the civil government’s, nor is it the work of the public schools or social clubs. The church – it is the church of our Lord that has the task and privilege of teaching the gospel to all nations! Jesus came "to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10). As His spiritual body, how can we have any other mission than the one which our Savior had? Let us not shun the responsibility, yea, let us be glad that we have it. Let us make up our minds that we are going to reach out and "go for it," even as the early disciples went everywhere preaching the word (Acts 8:4). As the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15), the church is not only to defend the truth against error, but we must also give our greatest effort ("our best") to see to it that every human being hears "the word of the truth of the gospel" (Colossians 1:5). The first century church took that task seriously, and may God help us to do the same.

Third, we need to go immediately to preach the gospel to every person under heaven because men need the gospel, and they need it right now! By transgressing God’s law, all men have sinned, and the awful consequence of their sin is to be separated from Jehovah (Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:2). Only the blood of Jesus can remedy this situation and reconcile man to God (Romans 5:8-11). How does man learn of God’s plan of reconciling men to Himself? Only through the gospel, which in every generation is God’s power unto salvation (Romans 1:16). For that reason, every person under heaven needs to hear and obey the gospel.

Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh to the Father, but by me" (John 14:6). Jesus is the only way of salvation. Thus, mankind can never be saved by Muhammad, Confucius, Gautama the Buddha, or any other human. The whole world needs Jesus the Messiah! People in every location, from the tiniest island in the ocean, to the largest metropolitan areas, need to hear and obey the gospel.

Brethren, we must be serious about teaching the gospel to every person of every nation. Without it, people remain lost in sin and cannot be saved. They need the gospel, and we need to take it to them. Let’s keep on singing, "We have heard the Macedonian call today, Send the light …"At the same time, with no delay, we need to be busy sowing the seed.

-- Roger D. Campbell