Serving Lost Friends Series

This morning, I want to convince you, who are believers, to serve your unchurched friends with the intention of sharing the gospel with them. I want to see you make an impact on those closest to you through a simple campaign we are doing called Prayer, Care, Share.

Find John 13 with me, if you will.

Many of you already have this insert. If you have this with you, would you just lift your hand and hold it up? Prayer, Care, Share is a simple plan to reach anyone with the gospel.

The goal of prayer-care-share is to create natural relationships with people in your life and then find a way to tell them how Christ has changed you. The process begins with you choosing someone you want to introduce to Christ. This is likely someone who is already in your life – a family member, coworker, or friend. Then, you pray for discernment, direction, and love toward that person. On the back of the card, you’ll see a schedule that you can follow for the entire emphasis. Notice Prayer Care Share culminates on Easter Sunday, when you would invite the person you’re praying for to church with you. For now, focus on the small card inside.

This morning, I want to focus on serving your unchurched friends and neighbors. I want to introduce you to servant evangelism.

Today’s Scripture

“Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them” (John 13:1-5, 12-17).

There are 3 layers to Prayer, Care, Share. You might think of them as three lanes or three stages. First, you pray for your unchurched friends and loved ones daily. You call out to God to bring the people closest to you close to Him. I’m happy to report that our church is praying for a little over 1,000 friends and family members who need the love of Jesus Christ. You’ll have an opportunity to add your loved one to this growing number today through your BFG.

Second, you actively show love and serve those closest to you. You can serve in a thousand ways. You cook a meal for neighbors or invite them over or out to eat with you. It’s offering to help with yard work or give them a ride – whatever is needed. You are watching for packages when your neighbor is away. All this builds trust.

Trust is the invisible but vital piece of any relationship. Trust is at historically low levels in American society, while cynicism is at historically high levels. We care and love to build trust.

Third and lastly, you share the gospel with those you love the most. Prayer, Care, Share combines two of the greatest commands Jesus gave to us: the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.

In the moments to come, I want to develop YOUR SERVE for your unchurched loved ones.

Sermon Preview

3. It’s Fueled by Humility

2. It’s Tailored to Needs

1. It’s Motivated by Love

1. It’s Motivated by Love

“Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end” (John 13:1).

Jesus was motivated by love. I love how verse 1 describes Jesus in that He “having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end” (John 13:1b).