A LOST WORLD
Notes
Transcript
Series: Sacred Motives: 10 Reasons to Get up Tomorrow and Live for God
Date: September 16, 2012
Title: SACRED MOTIVE #2- A Lost World
Text: John 4:35
Series Introduction:
What drives you? What causes you to wake up every day and live the Christian life?
Are your motives pleasing to Christ, and are you driven by what drives Him?
Motives do matter-they are the foundations of our lives with God, our hearts are for Him, and our service unto Him.
Wrong motives produce an empty life and a ministry that is not sustainable. Pure motives sustain our passion for God and thus sustain our work for Him-even during the dry, discouraging or seemingly fruitless seasons of our lives.
Living the Christian life with less than pure and Biblical motives will produce fruitless, empty, and ultimately shipwrecked lives. Some examples of impure motives:
Guilt
Opportunity
Money
Duty
Affirmation
These motivators hinge on human resources (either our own or someone else’s) and fail to draw in the unlimited passion that God desires to give to His servants.
We need Biblical, Christ centered, and Holy motivations!!! The kind that flow from the heart of God and the pages of the Word of God!!!
Christ is worthy of our all-our purest love from our deepest devotion!!
Series Text:
6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
SACRED MOTIVE #2- A LOST WORLD
Introduction:
When we lose our perspective on the lost world around us, we lose the very purpose for ministry-the purpose for the local church. We must get past the “concept” of soulwinning, and begin to believe that it is the very heart of Jesus Christ for His Church.
Jesus’ last command must become our first priority.
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 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.
This going must be not just a priority of obligation. It should be a genuine motive-a passion to obey our Saviour’s command.
This motive should be a passion-for why we do what we do!!! A lost world-8.3 billion and counting!!!
How can we restore our passion for a lost world?
How can we restore our passion for a lost world?
I. Sense the Urgency
I. Sense the Urgency
Illustration: A farmer has just begun the fall harvest season and one evening he sees the weather report and it looks like a storm is going to blow in within the next 2-3 days. So far this storm has produced damaging winds and large hail. Completely destroying all the crops that it has come in contact with….the farmer has equipment that needs to be serviced, errands to run, and animals to look after.
Even though there are plenty of “other” things to look after, his highest priority today will be gathering his harvest before it is too late.
At this point the harvest is urgent.
A. The Urgency of Jesus- John 4:35
A. The Urgency of Jesus- John 4:35
B. The Urgency of Jeremiah-
B. The Urgency of Jeremiah-
20 The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.
C. The Urgency for us today
C. The Urgency for us today
The urgency of the harvest should move us to action.;
Charles Spurgeon-
“If sinners will be damned, at least let them leap into Hell over our bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees, imploring them to stay. If Hell must be filled, let not one go there unwarned or unprayed for.”
Illustration: Godly grandmother 88 years old- moved into a new home, and shortly after she got settled in a new young family moved into a new home on her street. This lady decided to welcome them by baking them a pie, and as she delivered it she sensed the Holy Spirit leading her to share the gospel. Within a short time that Grandmother led that young couple to the Lord.
As she shared this story with her Pastor-grandson- she made this powerful statement, ‘Paul, I knew I needed to share the Lord with them because I know that I may not have another chance!”
Who is it in your life that needs the Gospel? You may not have another chance.
We need to sense the urgency!!
II. Remember Eternity
II. Remember Eternity
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
A. There are only two choices
A. There are only two choices
John 3:36 “36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”
B. Jesus is the only way to Heaven
B. Jesus is the only way to Heaven
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
C. We are to be witnesses
C. We are to be witnesses
8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
I heard the story of a man who criticized another’s presentation of the gospel to lost people. As he spoke to the man who was doing his best to witness to people, he pointed out all of the “wrong” things he was doing.After a while, the man who was being criticized asked: “Well, tell me how you do it and maybe that will help me.”The critical Christian replied, “Well, I really don’t do it at all...”After a moment of thought, the unpolished Soulwinner finally said: “Well, I guess I like my way of doing it better than your way of not doing it.”
If you were driving down a street and noticed a house on fire and the occupants were unaware to the situation, what would you do? I don’t think you would worry very little about how your rescue efforts were perceived!!! You would probably be more concerned that your message was clear and lives were saved!!!
And so it is with our personal soulwinning. When we truly become motivated by the eternal destinies of men, we will compassionately but courageously confront others with their need for Christ.
Remembering that a person’s soul will live eternally will motivate us to personal action-to speak to them about their souls, to give generously to mission efforts around the world.
We can all do something. We must go, we must give, we must pray. People’s eternity hangs in the balance!!!
III. Pray for Labourers
III. Pray for Labourers
37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
Has this prayer request made it to your prayer list?
Are you specifically asking the Lord to raise up soulwinners with hearts of compassion to reach the lost?
Two specific benefits to praying like this:
A. Benefit #1-praying for this need reminds us to personally labor in the harvest fields.
A. Benefit #1-praying for this need reminds us to personally labor in the harvest fields.
Note- it is difficult to pray very long for dedicated soulwinners without being compelled to win souls ourselves.
B. Benefit #2-praying on the behalf of a lost world stirs your own heart for this need.
B. Benefit #2-praying on the behalf of a lost world stirs your own heart for this need.
Note-praying for laborers will reignite our passion and rekindle our motivation.
IV. Develop Christlike Compassion
IV. Develop Christlike Compassion
Note- compassion will move us to action. Genuine compassion will create a need to be tangibly(visibly) expressed.
A. Compassion in the heart of Jesus moved Him to do something
A. Compassion in the heart of Jesus moved Him to do something
34 And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.
1. Duty may compel you to attend a visitation meeting, work in the fair booth or hand out tracts once a week out of obligation.
1. Duty may compel you to attend a visitation meeting, work in the fair booth or hand out tracts once a week out of obligation.
2. Compassion will motivate you to witness to others anytime, anywhere, simply because the love of Christ stirs your heart for the lost.
2. Compassion will motivate you to witness to others anytime, anywhere, simply because the love of Christ stirs your heart for the lost.
3. Notice what happened when the Apostle Paul was moved with compassion:
3. Notice what happened when the Apostle Paul was moved with compassion:
16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. 17 Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.
With the same type of compassion which moved Christ to action, Paul saw the eternal needs of the people, and his heart was stirred.
With the same type of compassion which moved Christ to action, Paul saw the eternal needs of the people, and his heart was stirred.
Like Athens, our communities need the Gospel of Jesus Christ because they too are wholly given over to idolatary.
V. Anticipate a Reward
V. Anticipate a Reward
5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
Note- compassionate soulwinning is an investment of physical, emotional, financial resources that will have guaranteed eternal returns.
A. At the end of our life our greatest joy will be wrapped up in those that we have led to Christ.
19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
This life carries many needs, all of them calling and demanding our attention. Because of the pace of life it is easy for us to lose sight of why were are here…to lead others to Jesus Christ!!
Has the thought of someone spending eternity in Hell motivated you recently?
Has the thought of someone spending eternity in Hell motivated you recently?
Why do I need to get up tomorrow and live for God?
Why do I need to get up tomorrow and live for God?
Because there is a Lost World that needs Jesus Christ!
Because there is a Lost World that needs Jesus Christ!
Have you grown cold toward the condition of lost men?
How long has it been since you truly cared for another person’s soul?
When you find yourself discourage, weary, lost in the fog of WHY you should remain faithful, you need a reason to continue serving and living for Him….
Someone’s eternal destiny is the answer to your search for a reason to press on!!!
GO-share the Gospel with a lost soul!!!
Putting the Motive into Practice: What specific steps can you take to stir this motivation in your own heart?
Pray for Laborers. Start today to pray regularly that God would send forth laborers into the harvest. Pray that He would burden your heart and use you to lead others to Him.
Carry Gospel tracts and anticipate opportunities. Wake up tomorrow asking the Lord to give you opportunities to share Christ with others.
Express courage in the moment. When that opportunity to witness presents itself, step up in courage and confidence in Christ and share the truth. God will guide your words.
Maintain a prospect list. Keep a list of people you are praying for and actively sharing Christ with. Pray over that list every day. Reach out to people on that list every week.
Schedule specific times to get out of your comfort zone and share Christ. At least once a week or more, get out into your neighborhood, knock on some doors, introduce yourself, invite someone to your church, and seek to share the Gospel with people.
Expect fruit. In time, as you are faithful in these practices, God will give you fruit in the harvest.
