Life in the Spirit · Evangelism and Mission

Do We Seek the Lost? Do We Introduce Them to Jesus?

5 min read, approximately

Matthew 18:11-14
“For the Son of Man has come to save what was lost. What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go into the hills to look for the one that wandered away? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices over that sheep more than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. In the same way, it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost.”

“You should also know this: In the last days, dangerous times will come. People will be lovers of themselves, greedy, boastful, arrogant, blasphemous, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, ungodly, without natural affection, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, cruel, haters of what is good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God. They will have the appearance of godliness but deny its power…” (2 Timothy 3:1-5a)

Some Have Strayed, Others Have Been Singled Out for Blame, Others Are Confused, and Others Are Led by the Flesh and Its Desires

“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]: fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousies, wraths, factions, divisions, parties, envyings, drunkenness, revellings, and such like; of which I forewarn you, even as I did forewarn you, that they who practise such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:19-21)

And in Their Present State, They Will Not Inherit God’s Kingdom, Because

“… this is the judgment: Light came into the world, but people loved darkness more than light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light and does not come to the light, so that their deeds will not be exposed.” (John 3:19-20)

But Wait! I Am Not Here to Point Fingers, but to Remind You That We Too Once Belonged to This Group. Do You Remember?

“for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;” (Romans 3:23)

And Do You Know What Was Most Beautiful?

We went from not belonging to belonging! Someone came along and did not focus on our failings. They simply saw that we had lost our way, had mercy, and stepped outside their comfort zone. They gave us their time, were patient with us, and chose to share God’s Word. They brought good news into our lost lives. That person came to tell us about Jesus and his redeeming work on the cross of Calvary, and about the hope that really existed for us, that lost and wandering sheep. Then we chose to believe and accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior… but…

What has become of:

“… Freely you have received; freely give” (Matthew 10:8b)?

What has become of:

“He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, from within him shall flow rivers of living water.” (John 7:38)?

Winning Souls for Christ? What For, and Why?

\1. Because Winning Souls Is Wise

“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; And he that is wise winneth souls.” (Proverbs 11:30)

\2. Because If We Follow Jesus, We Should Seek the Sheep That Has Been Lost

“So all the generations from Abraham unto David are fourteen generations; and from David unto the carrying away to Babylon fourteen generations; and from the carrying away to Babylon unto the Christ fourteen generations.” (Matthew 1:17)

\3. Because They Need Support. Will We Tell Them about Jesus?

“let him know, that he who converteth a sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall cover a multitude of sins.” (James 5:20)

“And on some have mercy, who are in doubt; and some save, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.” (Jude 1:22-23)

\4. Because Nothing Prevents Us from Helping Them. Are We Not the Light of the World?

“Ye are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do [men] light a lamp, and put it under the bushel, but on the stand; and it shineth unto all that are in the house. Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)

\5. Because We Should Be God’s Answer to Their Need. How Can We See the Lost, the Confused, and the Downcast without Helping Them Up?

“How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? and how shall they preach, except they be sent? even as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that bring glad tidings of good things!” (Romans 10:14-15)

Are we wise?

“And they that are wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” (Daniel 12:3)

They need to know that Jesus is:

“… the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

Will we reach out our hands to the lost, just as someone once did for us?

_**Remember to stop by the Songbook

May God continue to bless you, and may you continue to have a wonderful day in Christ Jesus!