Who's Your One?

Who’s Your One?

Our focus for the year of 2020 is “Who’s Your One?”—So… what is it all about?

What is the Gospel?

The good news that Jesus died in my place, completely satisfying the wrath of God, so that I could freely come to God and enjoy Him, both now and forever.

Our Challenge:

· It is estimated that over 3-Billion people in the world are lost and headed for an eternity of suffering separated from God!

· It is estimated that there are over 160 million lost people in America (327.2 million) (Pew… if we don’t count Catholics)

· There are 5.8 million lost people in North Carolina (10.38 million pop) (NCBC)

What about America?

· 1 in 5 Americans do not identify with any religion (Gallup 2018)

· 1 in 3 Americans are not absolutely certain they believe in God (Pew)

· 1 in 2 Americans are not Protestant Christians

· 1 in 4 Americans are not Protestant or Catholic

· 1 in 2 Americans are disengaged from the Bible (Barna)

What about the Young?

· Nearly half of Millennials (those under 35) think evangelism is wrong! (Barna)

· Yet, almost 20% of Millennials in church wish their friends would come to church (Barna)

· However, 64% of 18-29-year-olds that grew up in church have dropped out (Barna)

· Only 43% of self-identified Christians say the Bible is accurate (Barna)

· Only 60% of self-identified Christians say that they will go to heaven because they confessed their sin and accepted Christ as their Savior (Barna)

What about Non-Christians, want do they want from us when we speak?

1. They want us to listen without judging them (62%)

2. They want us to avoid forcing a conclusion (50%)

3. They want us to allow them to draw their own conclusion (43%)

Interestingly…

· 99% of Protestant Christian adults believed it was their responsibility to tell their children about God and that they were at the top of the food chain! (Barna)

· 92% of Protestant Christians adults believed the job of the church was to support them in the spiritual formation of their children—not replace them! (Barna)

· 70% of Protestant Christian adults believe the Christian community is 3rd in the pecking of order of helping to develop their children. (Barna)

· Meanwhile, 68% of Protestant Christian adults ranked the school 4th in order and the 90% ranked the government last in the order… (Barna)

According to Pastor Johnny hunt and NAMB…

THE SBC IS AT A 70 YEAR LOW IN EVANGELISM—WE ARE NOT BRINGING PEOPLE TO CHRIST!

So… what has gone wrong?

1. Do we live such a busy and fast-paced lives that we feel overwhelmed when we think about sharing the Gospel with others?

2. Do we live such hypocritical lives, that we are afraid of what others will say about us?

3. Do we think EVERYONE is an angry atheist and, thus, not worthy of our time!

4. Do we think Christianity is simply about my personal happiness regardless of what happens to others?

5. Do we not trust the Lord, do we think to live in accord with His example promises misery and not deep satisfaction?

6. Do we not fear the Lord or fear the consequences of rebellion?

7. Do we really think this life, with all of its cancers, death, poverty, broken relationships, hardships, miseries, and rampant wickedness is REALLY worth our attempt to live “just okay” within?

8. Do we not value what Jesus values?

I believe we want to, BUT I also believe we’ve given ourselves every opportunity and excuse to avoid obeying Jesus. We say:

· I don’t know enough of the Bible.

· I don’t know how to answer the hard questions.

· I’m not a gifted evangelist—I don’t have that gift!

· I don’t want to seem judgmental when I’m such a sinner.

· I don’t know what to say or how to begin the conversation.

So… for the year of 2020, beginning this week, we are going to strip every single one of our excuses away until only the truth is left:

1. Jesus I will trust and obey, for there is no other way!

–OR—

2. Jesus I will not listen to you no matter what you say.

In order to do this, I want to begin with two concepts:

1. The COMMAND from Jesus

2. Our COMMITMENT to obey Jesus

That is, we begin with the theological and, then, we obediently move into our response!

· As a church, we are going to move from the head to the heart

· As a church, we are going to both affirm and respond to the word of God

· No longer will we nod our heads in affirmation of the truth without stepping out to obey!

· What type of persons agrees that something is right while refusing to do what is right—A WICKED PERSON!

· Thus, as New Hope Baptist Church we will not live in wickedness—we will step-out in obedience and entrust ourselves to our great God.

Let’s move on and see what the Scripture says to us…

Our Command:

Psalm 96:3-6

Psalm 96:3–6 ESV

Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the Lord made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

I want you to see two things from this Psalm:

1. The basis of our testimony is the WORK of GOD

2. The reason for our testimony is to announce that all other gods are useless garbage

Bearing this in mind, we must realize that EVERYONE we know, unless they come to the Lord Jesus Christ in salvation, will ABSOLUTELY perish because:

1. Their minds and intellects cannot save them

2. Their fit bodies, strength of armies, and technological advancements cannot save them

3. Their relationships, loves and lovers, friends and families, and mighty heroes cannot save them

4. Their stored and horded wealth, treasure, possessions, and impressive homes cannot save them.

5. DEATH COMES FOR US ALL… AND THEN JUGDMENT!

The message of the Gospel—and our proclamation of it—is absolutely vital to EVERY single person you know, meet, or can think of!

Everyone lives for the following in an unrelenting and all-out pursuit:

1. A deep and passionate romantic relationship

2. A close and comforting family

3. Friends that are supportive and empowering

4. Bodies that are healthy, high functioning, and enduring

5. Minds that are learned, insightful, aware (woke), and perceptive

6. Careers that provides wealth, security, and satisfaction

7. Possessions that comfort, protect, enthuse, entertain, and exalt

8. Homes that distinguish, separate, and are magnificent

But all of this will be left behind when we die, or it will come to ruin even if we do not die!

1. In short, every person you know (including ourselves) lives their life in a direction that promises destruction, isolation, and utter poverty instead of the opposite that we seek after!

2. We want love, but we avoid it from God!

3. We want security, but we live our lives outside of His presence!

4. We want peace, but we raise our hand against God!

5. We want success, but we strive to obtain what we have no hope achieving!

The Gospel says:

1. God died in my place so He could offer me life!

2. God judged my sins on Christ so He could avoid judging me.

3. God says DONE, now come to me all of you who are sick, lame, and burdened with sin and I will give you healing, joy, and soul-satisfying life!

This is a great time for me to remind you of our gospel summary statement:

What is the Gospel?

The good news that Jesus died in my place, completely satisfying the wrath of God, so that I could freely come to God and enjoy Him, both now and forever.

With this Gospel we go… because Jesus commands it.

Matthew 28:18-20

Matthew 28:18–20 ESV

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

The Three Things We Need to See from this Passage:

1. Jesus is the authoritative God and King—what He speaks is not optional!

2. Jesus COMMANDS that we—not just the pastor—make disciples!

3. Jesus is with us in this endeavor—He will not abandon us!

Why does God want us to carry the gospel to others? Because He Loves Us!

Luke 15

Luke 15 ESV

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” So he told them this parable: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. “Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.” ’ And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate. “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’ ”

Here’s what we need to see:

1. Jesus ABSOLUTELY VALUES THE ONE!

2. Jesus and all of heaven REJOICES WHEN ONE PERSON IS SAVED!

Think about it like this…

1. The basis for evangelism is the LOVE of God

2. The command of evangelism is the AUTHORITY of God

3. The means for evangelism is the POWER of God

4. The three-fold result of evangelism:

a. SALVATION of the Lost,

b. PRAISE of God, and

c. REJOICING in heaven!

Will you commit to obediently engage others for God’s glory and our good?

Our Commitment:

Who’s My One?

1. John Pass (my brother-in-law)

2. My Neighbors

Who’s Your One?

1. Write that person’s name down on the card in your seat

2. For the next 30 days, pray for that person

3. At the end of this month, turn the card in and see what God did (we will do it again!)

What Do We Do Now?

1. Pray (right here, right now)

2. Keep Praying!

3. Fill the card out—PRAY SOME MORE!

4. Look for opportunities to invite that person to church with you

5. Look for opportunities to share the Gospel

6. Look for opportunities to encourage your one

7. Look for opportunities to spend time with your one.