Make It Personal - Paul Chappel's Outline

Introduction

The boy saving starfish amongst thousands of dying starfish on the sea shore. He remains unpersuaded to quit by a man who accuses him of wasting time when obviously all of them cannot and will not be rescued. Yet, the boy takes one in hand and tosses it back in the ocean and says well it made a difference for that one.

That is the way we need to see souls. We will not personally talk to all the billions of people in our world, but we can tell “that one.”

1. The Value of One.

Luke 15 is a chapter about the value of one.

The parable of the lost sheep - Luke 15:1-7

The parable of the lost coin. - Luke 15:8-10

The parable of the lost Son. - Luke 15:11-32

Why does God have these parables in the Bible? To teach us that he values even the little things. In this vast universe God takes a special interest in each soul. He wants each person to hear the Gospel. Why? Luke 15:10 “Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.”

a. A Soul is Eternal

One resemblance we have to God since we are each created in his image is an eternal soul. (Genesis 1:27)

Psalm 49:8 “(For the redemption of their soul is precious, And it ceaseth for ever:)”

When sin entered the world through Adam, death also entered, for the consequence of sin is death. Every human being has an appointment with death. We are doomed to die.

This is a fact that most people don’t want to think about. You probably didn’t wake up wondering when you’d die this morning. They are distracted by the things of this life. Yet, death is something we should think about.

Jesus said. Mark 8:36 “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”

Why should I think about death? because...

b. Heaven and Hell are Real.

In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus the fires of hell and its perpetual torments are portrayed vividly.

Luke 16:22–24 “And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.”

Scripture teaches that those who do not put their trust in Christ as Savior will go to hell. And those who put their trust in Jesus will go to heaven.

Revelation 20:15 “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”

1 Peter 1:3–5 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

We as Christians often forget that the people we see every day will spend eternity somewhere. Your neighbor, classmates, the people at the restaurant, your doctor, nurses, the guy walking rails to trails, the grocery clerk. Everyone is going to spend eternity in heaven or hell.

We must tell them about Jesus. Why? Because...

c. Jesus is the only way to heaven.

John Dyer a Poet and Pastor wrote, “A man may go to heaven without health, without riches, without honors, without learning, without without friends, but he can never go there without Christ.” If you are a Christian you are a Christian because at some point you came to the realization that Christ was your only hope of heaven and you could not save yourself.

One of the challenges with the message of Jesus is the only way is that we live in a pluralistic society that disapproves of such an exclusive message. Nevertheless, Jesus stated. John 14:6 “...I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

I have had people tell me, that it’s fine to believe what you believe and for them to believe what they believe, but when I tell them it salvation is only through Jesus by and by they are offended. But Peter states rightly. Acts 4:12 “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

Acts 4:12 “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

You live among people who believe that all roads lead to heaven. That is especially hard to counter when it is a dear loved one who tells you this is the case. But that damnable teaching has led many to hell.

God does not let us be accommodating on the truth. He tells us to share the Gospel.

You sharing the Gospel will make a difference. Remember every person will spend eternity in heaven or hell. Hell is not made up. Jesus taught about it often because he wanted people to know he is the way the truth an the life.

However, if people will know this life saving truth, we must seek and save the lost like Jesus.

2. To Seek and to Save

What is your purpose here on earth? How would you describe it in one sentence. Jesus purpose is defined for us in Luke 19:10 “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Jesus didn’t come to get honor, to be noticed, or enjoy the comforts of this life. He came on a mission to seek and save lost sinners. Christ’s heartbeat was souls and he sends us as he was sent. What is your heartbeat?

Jesus came to those who needed salvation. When the Pharisees confronted him for associating with lost sinners, Jesus told them the healthy don’t need a doctor, but the sick. He invested time in people who realized they had a need.

Jesus also was willing to take interruptions to his schedule to win people to Jesus Christ. It wasn’t just the organized visitation time in which Jesus witnessed. Jesus made time for people. They were who he came to save. May we have the same mindset. In the interruptions we face, they are likely blessings in disguise, giving us opportunity to witness for Christ.

Jesus ultimately came to give his life as a sacrifice for sin. Without his sacrifice on the cross, we would be on our way to hell. Jesus’ death was necessary for you to be saved. His blood paid the price and his resurrection three days later showed him to be the prince of life and our Savior. After his resurrection Jesus gave us the great commission. Matthew 28:18–20 “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” There are for parts to these instructions.

a. Go

Jesus has all the power, so he tells us to go. The word power also has the sense of authority. When we go we go to tell the Gospel we go with the authority of Jesus Christ behind us.

The nature of “go” is not staying where you are at. It involves action. When we don’t go we actually are fighting against the authority of Jesus. We can go to church and support missions, but if that is all we do we are disobedient. We must personally go.

Most of us know that most people don’t come up and ask you how to be saved. You must go and tell. Romans 10:14 “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?”

b. Win.

We are to teach all nations. The word teach means to tell the Gospel and in Mark 16:15 “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” is used as preach.

We are to go with the intent of winning people to Jesus Christ. We will look at that next week and the following week.

c. Baptize

Our job doesn’t end with getting the person to say a prayer and receive Christ as their Savior. The decision to trust Christ as Savior is just the beginning. Baptism is the next step to which we must guide them. Baptism is that step whereby the believer publically professes faith in Christ and intentions to live for Christ. More that will be discussed in a couple of weeks.

d. Teach

The Word teach occurs again, but this time the underlying word means teaching about how to behave as a Christian, making disciples, or discipleship.

Discipleship is the process to help a believer need to know what the Scripture says about living the Christian. The goal of discipleship is to help a Christian to lifelong commitment of living by Christ’s commands of which one of those commands is to be a witness.

The blessing at the end is that Jesus is with us always to the end of the world. If you are a nervous about being a witness, the promise of Jesus’ presence can be a comfort to your soul.

3. Owning the Mission

Illustration: The Deacon: Oh touch the unsaved with thy finger, O God.

God: Thou art the finger.

Every born again Christian wants people to be saved and wants to obey the great commission. However, sometimes we forget that it is our responsibility to tell. If you want to take the responsibility to obey the Great Commission you must take it personally by...

a. Make a Commitment

Illustration: D.L. Moody criticized by a disobedient Christian by how he obeyed the great commission. I’ll keep doing it my way then.

Go, witness, baptize, and teach are the how, but that means little if we have not committed to do the what.

What are you doing about the great commission. I invite you personally to tell God right now that you will seek to be committed to tell others the Gospel.

b. Set a plan

What you plan you often do. What you don’t plan on you do not do. When will you plan on going witnessing. Our church has scheduled times for witnessing, but you can be a witness outside those times too. I would be happy to give you follow-up for prospects if you would like.

What will you plan to do to be a witness. Make a plan to be a witness at the doctors office, the restaurant. And if you want to go out witnessing at the scheduled visitation times that will work too.

Make a specific plan to witness.

c. Seek God’s help

It is important for you to know how to witness. But be sure to not depend on your personality. Depend on the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 2:3–5 “For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:”

Soul-winning is a biblical term. Proverbs 11:30 “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; And he that winneth souls is wise.”

The reality is we tell people about Jesus, but God does the saving. Our job is to tell. The Holy Spirit is the one that convicts the sinner of their need of salvation. (John 16:8-11)

Pray for God’s help when you witness. 1 Thessalonians 1:5“For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.”

d. Prepare a Message

Most people who don’t witness are not sure what to say. If you make a plan about how you will witness, that will at least get you over the hump of breaking the ice and witnessing. If you have trusted Christ, you know the Gospel. Jesus died on the cross for our sins, was buried, and rose again three days later. The question is how to communicate that message in a way that makes sense.

We will look at this in greater detail next week. But the thing to keep in mind is that no amount of knowledge can compensate for the Christian who simply won’t go and tell the Gospel.

Let’s commit to be Christians who go and tell the Gospel.