Reaching The Lost

Reaching the lost

Introduction- Prayer

When talking about witnessing, reaching people for Christ, some people panic and get defensive.

When talking about reaching people for Christ

it has a lot of elements of fear

elements of shyness

Perceived rejection, and maybe a lack of scripture readiness.

The Lord tells us in over 70 verses of Scripture that as a believer we are to witness Christ to people we come in contact with.

“Let your light shine before men”…..

Apostle Paul prayed Ephesians 6:19

“Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel for which I am an ambassador in chains.”

I want to put your mind at ease this morning that witnessing what Christ has done for you is more than quoting scriptures at someone and drawing attention to all of their faults.

We may not all be called to be pastors, but we all called to be ministers. (Repeat)

As a believer, we have a responsibility to share with unbelievers the gospel that Jesus gave to all of a His disciples.

Jesus gave the Great Commission to all of us who profess Jesus Christ as Lord.

Matthew 28:18-20 Text

Jesus in numerous verses gave each of us the commandment to reach the lost for Christ.

Jesus calls all people who do not have a relationship with Christ as being lost.

Matt. 4:19

”Follow me, and I will make you fisher s of men.”

Mark 16:15-

“Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation (people)”

Acts 1:8-

“And you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

(For us today)

Highspire, Middletown, Harrisburg, and anywhere that He puts you in contact with people.

I don’t think anyone would disagree with God’s calling, it is how we will get the job done.

It is overcoming fear and not letting it stop us from talking to others.

Illustration

There was a man that was deeply moved by the preacher’s sermon on evangelism one Sunday. Before he left the church, he decided to pray this particular prayer every morning. “Lord, if you want me to witness to someone today, please give me a sign to show me who it is”. And he did. One day the following week, he was walking through the city park and sat down on one of the benches. A big, rough-looking man sat down next to him. The man’s size and tough exterior frightened him so he went to stand up and walk away. Just then, the big man burst into tears and cried out loud; “My life is miserable.” I am a lost man. I need the Lord. I need to be saved. Won’t someone tell me how I can be saved? He then turned to the Christian, grabbed him by the shoulders, and pleaded in a desperate voice, “Please mister, can you tell me how to be saved? The believer immediately bowed his head and prayed.”Lord, is this a sign?”

Really ?

Because of our fears, we desire signs from God, we want a special invitation to do what the Lord has already called us to do.

Barna Group has done a study

Women are more religious than men. (3 to 1 )

Southerners are more religious than Northerners.

Married are more likely than singles to be in church.

Uneducated more than educated (Gospel is too simple)

84% believe Jesus Christ to be the Son of God

66% claim to have a committed relationship to Christ

71% believe in life after death

66% are members of a church, but 76% of them believe they don’t need to go to church to be a good Christian.

This morning I put a challenge to each one of us.

To be sensitive to what part each of us play in the kingdom of God.

Each believer will stand before God and give account of what we did for the kingdom of God.

Jesus silenced the religious Pharisees with all their rules and regulations, all their actions of righteousness and their hearts being far from God. They tried to silence Jesus by asking him “What are the greatest Commandments”?

Matt 22:37-40

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest Commandment. And the second is like it; Love your neighbor as yourself, all the law and the prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, and mind.

Love people

With these commandments in mind, how are we doing?

How are we doing as a church? As a denomination?

How are we doing in our families?