Written by Christopher Mentzer and Ben Franklin Introduction There are times when I wonder what it will take to convert people to the Lord.  We preach the gospel every week, show them book, chapter, and verse of where it can be found in scripture; warn them that they might not have tomorrow; and yet, no one goes forward to answer the invitation of our Lord.   Sometimes I believe certain people expect Jesus himself should come down and get people’s attention.  Of course, if that were to happen, we’d get more that we’d expect; as that would be the end of all things (1 Pet. 4:7; 1 Thess. 4:16-17). Other people might want their deceased relatives to come back from the dead and tell them to change their lives before it’s too late. A perfect example of this is found in Jesus’ discussion of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Lk. 16:20-31). Let’s picks up the story in verse 27, "Then he said, 'I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father's h...

This week's Gospel Vault feature is an excerpt from one of Benjamin Franklin's sermons written circa 1869. Brother Franklin is the nephew of the statesman by the same name. ~ Excerpt from sermon, “The Course to Pursue to be Infallibly Safe”, The Gospel Preacher , Vol. 1 (1869) "Some preachers say that justification is by faith only, and others say it is not by faith only. I know not how to decide," says one. What if you never do decide? You know that it is commanded to "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ." Then, it is clearly right to believe. So far, there is no difficulty. You know that God has commanded all men everywhere to repent. Then, it is right to repent. So far, the way is clear. Baptism is commanded: "Then Peter commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord." Then, it is right to be baptized. So far, the way is clear. It is always safe to do what you know to be right. You know it is right to believe w...