Sunday, 10/12/14 pm
WHY SHOULD I WANT TO
REACH THE LOST?
I
am convinced that we all realize there is a need to reach others with
the truth. For many of us,
this is one of our main areas of weakness.
But how do we do it is the question.
Why are we so hesitant to tell others about the gospel?
Are there steps we can take to prepare us and to build up our
courage so that we can be more active and effective in this work?
The Bible gives us all the answers we need.
In my studies, I am convinced that much of it has to do with our
attitudes and understanding.
So our studies will focus on proper attitudes that can motivate us to
take steps to do more. We
will also consider some practical steps we can take to direct us toward
reaching our friends, family, neighbors and acquaintances.
So
let’s get started tonight by asking, Why Should I want to reach the
lost?
a.
Which
commands of the Lord are we expected to keep?
We know the answer is ALL of them.
We would never dream of neglecting to offer the Lord’s Supper on
the first day of the week, worshipping Him His way, emphasizing the need
to live godly lives without stealing or lying, our concern for our
brethren, etc.
But what about Mark 16:15?
Go into all the world and preach the gospel…
What about Hebrews 5:12 which says, “For though by this time you ought
to be teachers,…”?
Is one command more important than the other?
b.
The great
commission applies to all of us.
Mark 16:16, Matthew 28:18-20, etc.
Colossians 1:23 says, “If indeed
you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved
away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to
every creature under heaven, of which I Paul, became a minister.”
It is estimated that the time between the events when the church
was established in Acts 2 and this text was about 30 years.
How was the gospel spread and preached.
It was NOT a command limited to the apostles, but one that THEY
taught to others who in turn kept the process going.
See 2 Tim. 2:2.
c.
We are
commanded to bear fruit
John 15:1-2, 5-8. Jesus spoke of bearing fruit and what happens if we
don’t.
Luke 13:6-9 – Jesus taught in a parable about a useful tree is one that
bears fruit.
d.
We are
priests, ALL of us! 1 Peter
2:9 says, “But you are a chosen
generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people,
that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness
into His marvelous light…”
What was the job of the priests? They offered sacrifices, blessed
the people and they also administered the law and taught it to the
people. As we worship we
sacrifice. What about
teaching others? How do we
bless others? One way we can bless others is by studying God’s word and
teaching it to others. Consider
Matt. 5:13 where we are seasoning to the world.
Eventually, our example should lead to further teaching.
That is something to think about.
a.
As
disciples of Christ, we ought to study about His life with the intent of
living as He did to the best of our ability.
1 Cor. 11:1. 1 Peter
2:21, He left us an example that we should follow in His steps.
b.
Jesus
continually taught others.
He is the ultimate example -
He went to the undesirable of society at times – Zacchaeus (Luke 19:5),
the Samaritan woman (John 4), and a house of “sinners and tax
collectors” (Matt. 9:9-11).
He was not afraid to confront evil and hypocrisy.
He acted and spoke with wisdom and courage.
What did He say His purpose for coming was? “to
seek and save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10, Matt. 9:12-13 – He
came to call sinners to repentance)
We could go on and on about Jesus the personal worker.
c.
The
question is: As we strive to be like Jesus, does this include a desire
to seek and save the lost?
a.
How is it
that the gospel was preached “to every creature under heaven” in about 3
decades? It was not just 12
men doing it, but those they taught took it with them (Acts 8:4)
EVERYWHERE preaching the word.
b.
The church
is the “pillar and ground of the truth.”
(1 Tim. 3:15)
One of its jobs is to support the preaching of the truth and ensuring
its members are well grounded in the truth.
There is no question that such is what the churches we read of in
the New Testament that were pleasing to God did.
c.
Paul
commended the church at Thessalonica, “For from you the word of the Lord
has sounded forth…” (1 Thess. 1:8).
Furthermore, read Revelation 3 and note what God thought of a church
that didn’t grow or was apathetic and indifferent (cf. Sardis and
Laodicea).
d.
The church
we read about in the first century evangelized and kept growing.
In just a few months, the church in Jerusalem went from 3000
souls to 5000 men and kept growing.
When persecutions finally came, they did not keep it to
themselves, but went everywhere preaching the word (Acts 8:4).
e.
We profess
a desire to RESTORE the New Testament church.
What about in this area?
a.
While God
is the only one who can add to the church, he depends on us to do the
multiplication.
b.
The
pattern we read of in the New Testament ALWAYS involved men teaching
others. There is not a
single example of conversion where one was not taught by a man.
Even Saul (Paul) was taught by Ananias and Cornelius was taught
by Peter, and the multitude on Pentecost was taught by the apostles.
Growth in the first century happened by word of mouth.
It is just as true today.
c.
Do we have
the fervor for teaching others they had? Will there be a TRUE church
for our children and grand-children? Brethren, there are going to be
churches around for our children and multitudes of generations if the
Lord permits the world to last that long, but will the TRUE church be
around.
It will NOT if we don’t take
personal responsibility to do all we can for this generation.
That involves teaching our families (which is personal
evangelism) and others as well.
a.
Our love
for God stems from His love for us – 1 John 4:19.
He loved us enough to save us (if we obey Him).
b.
1 John
5:2-3 notes that our love is demonstrated in keeping His commandments.
This includes the commandments we have mentioned in this lesson.
c.
Can you
think of a better way to show your love for God than to tell others
about Him? In fact, the more
you love Him the more you will WANT to tell others about Him.
Are we ashamed of Him?
d.
Furthermore, I ought to want to glorify God.
How do I do that?
Matt. 5:16 by letting my light shine and
John 15:8, “By this the
Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My
disciples.”
a.
We must
never forget that we live in a lost and dying world.
Untold millions are dying untold!
That ought to stir our spirit.
Consider Paul in Acts 17:16 where his spirit was provoked when he
saw the city given over to idols.
Friends, whether we like it or not, the Bible warns clearly of a
place of torments that awaits the lost (2 Thess. 1:8-9).
b.
Inherent
in being a Christian is love for others.
Not just our brethren, but our neighbors AND even our enemies.
James 2:8 describes the command
to love your neighbor as yourself as the royal law.
Matt. 5:44 tells us to love our enemies and to pray for and do good for
them. Our goal is to win
them so that they will no longer be our enemies.
c.
Inherent
in love is caring. How much
do we care about others? Do
we care enough to sacrifice for what is best? What is more important
than caring for their souls?
d.
Never
forget 2 Cor. 5:11, “Knowing the
terror of the Lord, we persuade men!”
Brethren do we get this?
e.
In Romans
1:14-17, Paul said, “I am debtor
both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise.”
Why was Paul a debtor?
Could it be that he had been taught the truth and delivered from
the condemnation of hell and thus he saw a need to teach others that
very thing?
How grateful are we that someone cared and took the time to teach us?
What is the best way we can express that gratitude?
By paying it forward!
a.
We
continually emphasize the need to grow as Christians.
1 Pet. 2:1, 2 Pet. 3:18, etc.
b.
We grow
personally through study and prayer and application of what we learn.
c.
But we can
also grow through teaching others – in fact it is one of the most
effective ways to grow. Why?
Because teaching others makes you study harder and confirms your
faith. It helps you develop
so that you can, “Sanctify the
Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to
everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you , with
meekness and fear.” (1 Peter 3:15)
d.
Proverbs
11:30 says, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who
wins souls is wise.”
In this, does God consider me wise?
Am I growing in wisdom in this?
a.
God
rejoices, as do the angels in heaven when sinners repent.
We know God desires that all men everywhere be saved (1 Tim. 2:4).
Luke 15:7 says that the angels
rejoice over one sinner who repents.
b.
Those who
hear the truth and obey will rejoice.
The Jailer rejoiced having been baptized (Acts 16:34), the Eunuch went
on his way rejoicing (Act 8:39), etc.).
How did you feel when you obeyed the gospel?
Do you not want others to experience that joy?
c.
Other
brethren rejoice as they see spiritual success in the lives of others.
They see hope for the future of the church.
d.
Finally,
it will bring joy into our own lives.
Anyone who has worked at teaching one who finally obeyed the
gospel knows what I am talking about.
This even applies to parents when their children finally obey the
gospel. What a joy it is to
know that you have done things right.
Further, knowing that you have helped bring hope into the life of
another and you have done what God wants ought to make you smile.
I think of Paul in Phil 4:1 who described the brethren as, “my beloved
and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown,…”
I think of John who said, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my
children walk in truth.” (3 John 4)