A Heart For The Lost

Introduction

Good Morning Church. It is hard to believe that we have just turned the pages of 2020 to being penning the new pages of 2121. For that matter, another year. Over the last couple years, I’ve been noticing this earth suit has begin to change. I still find myself saying, in some cases, oh yes I can, while my body is beginning to remind me other wise. Some things that hurt, are hurting a little while longer. I’ve also heart the words, “call the doctor or go see the doctor,” slightly more. I am so grateful for all our medical professionals who have decided to study these magnificent machines. Many have made it their life work to help provide medical comfort to others.

This got me thinking, wouldn’t it be a wonderful thing is a medical cure could be found to cure some of our weakness and failures? Now if there was a physical cure that could cure humanities ill, there could be just short of a stampede! Everyone would want it! Some could be thinking — yes, if there was only a cure, a cure to cure all. Others would be thinking — yes, there is a cure. That’s the best news! God has already provided the medicine that we need. God has given that in Jesus Christ. Through Jesus, the world can rejoice with the good new of the gospel, that there’s a way sin can be forgiven. Part of having that sin removed, this gives us a way that our lives cannot just be changed, but renewed!

One of the great attributes of this is that sin, confusion, and the feeling of disappointment (now some like to call it replaced) — I prefer to call it a complete fill with righteousness, joy and hope in Christ Jesus. Hope is a strong word! It speaks to our heart on so many levels. When we say we have hope, we’re looking to a future. And, a future with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Over 2ooo years ago, when Jesus Christ stepped out of eternity Jesus Christ gave humanity a hope that is more complete in every aspect. This morning we’ll be talking about A Heart For The Lost. I’d like to invite you open your Bibles with me 2nd Corinthians. Let’s begin in verse number 16.

2 Corinthians 5:16 ESV

16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer.

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

2 Corinthians 5:18 ESV

18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;

2 Corinthians 5:19 ESV

19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

Pastoral Prayer

This past October with San Juan Baptist Association had their annual meeting, Pastor Monty provided a uplifting, encouraging and challenging sermon. Pastor Monty if you’re listening — you did a great job! He spoke in part to Jesus’ second coming. An event that is coming. But also, an event many believers look forward to. I share in looking forward to our Lord’s second coming, that the encouraging part. Here’s the challenging part in light of what Pastor Monty said — WAIT! Lord we know you are due anytime and its imminent. But! Please Lord, give us just a little more time. Allow us to preach and share the good news, the gospel, just one more time, that another would come to belief in you Lord. Do you feel the same way? That we would be graced with one more day, to share the gospel one more time. This passion to share the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has over lap with Paul.

When Paul met Jesus Damascus Road, EVERYTHING CHANGED! Not in the literal sense, but you could say Paul was knocked off his horse. And knocked off in a way that His life was changed. If you have you’re Bibles open, and rewind up to verse 11. Verses 11 through 15, talks about what Jesus means to Paul. And, where we come today, Paul begins to outline part of his ministry. The way Paul sees Jesus “has given him a new understanding of ministry.” Verses 16 and 17 in our passage are some of Paul’s the conclusions .

[Display Verse 16]

We see that in verse 16 with the words “from now on, therefore.” It’s possible Paul could have been referring to his conversion of possibly Jesus’ life, death resurrection and ascension. What ever if could have been Paul was challenged and that challenge brought change. I once read, “if it doesn't challenge you, it doesn't change you!” That can apply to a lot of things. For Paul change happened. Look at what he says in the 1st half of verse 16, “we regard no one according to the flesh.”

I remember once watching a video of a pastor dressing as a homeless person and staged himself on their campus, not far from the main entry. In the video, there were many who had just walked by but acknowledged he was there. Some simply ignored him. The pastor had disappeared into the architectural features of the building. I’ve been asked a few times what I love about our church family. There are so many GREAT things about our church family. The list is never ending. The last time I was asked. I said love. This is true in every sense of the word. We love. And, when we love, we love with our whole person (as a church). We love completely. That also means we love on whoever comes through that door. It’s doesn't matter if they’re long time family members, someone who was in town for the weekend, or someone who is simply passing by. I have seen you love on others like no other. We you love, you are loving from the heart. The love you have is an overflow from Jesus Christ. His love has filled your cup, your cup is full and is flowing onto other. This means, unlike the church who walked by their pastor (where only a few stopped to acknowledge and offer help), we FBCK do not look at the exterior. I have never seen you do that. Instead, you have looked to what is more precious than these earth suites; you have looked at the soul. You have chosen to look at the inside. Paul has chosen to look at the inside. The inside is much greater. Paul even said, “even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him this no longer.” Paul is essentially saying his entire opinion of Jesus has changed, including that of people. When Stephen was being stoned, do you remember who what there? Do you remember who’s feet “the witnesses laid down their garments at? (Acts 7:58)” If you said Saul (or Paul), you’re correct. In Acts Chapter 9, we see how Ananias was toward Paul, when the Lord said to Ananias to “rise and go to … see a man named Saul.” The question was short, are you sure? Do you know who this man is? There was no mistake how the community perceived Paul. But, now he’s changed. His heart is changed. He sees people differently. He sees Jesus differently. We are seeing the new person of Paul. Paul has died a spiritual death. The new has risen. As a result of being ushered into a new creations that was launched by Jesus’ death and resurrection, Paul’s eye’s are open. Look at what he says (we have HUGE statement here!):

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

For the believer in Jesus Christ the things of the former times, the worldview, are in the past. It’s now water under the bridge. Let’s read that again, Therefore … and I love this … if anyone is in Christ, he is … what? … a new creation. The old has passed away; behold (this is important, it’s like saying — hey over here and look) the new has come!

When we see the word “anyone.” I don’t know who the all who died in Christ, who Jesus paid in full for their sins. What I’m confident about is that anyone who believers fits into this category and believers who is in Christ is a new creation. All the benefits of the gospel come to the believer in Jesus! Justification comes, sanctification comes, reconciliation (which we’ll touch on in a minute) comes, adoption comes, glorification comes, and so on. THIS IS GREAT!!!! The old has passed away. This mean old values, ideas, plans, loves desires begin to fade. I remember asking once if I would still be able to enjoy mountain biking. The short answer is maybe. I’m not saying you wouldn’t be able to mountain bike, hunt or whatever you like doing. God will plant a whole news set of desires and loves. Like Paul, we’ll still live on this rock. But, we’ll live with a new creation perspective! Paul was still living in many of the same area. But, Paul had been united with Jesus. Paul had seen believers as new creations, and unbelievers as people in need of Jesus. Paul doesn't affirm these internal changes were of his doing. He says:

2 Corinthians 5:18 ESV

18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;

Jesus Christ is the key. He always has been! Only God could satisfy His own righteous requirements. And, only Jesus Christ could satisfy those. Notice what Paul says here, “who through Christ reconciled.” The word reconciled means to be restored from enmity to friendship. Peace can begin to flow where there was once strife. What was the problem. The problem goes all the way back to Genesis Chapter 3. This is where God’s Word talks about the fall of humanity. Sin entered and caused huge problems between us and God. We caused the great divide. But! Take a look at who initiated the reconciliation. It was God! God took the initiative. How did God do this. The middle of verse 18 is the answer — through Christ. Jesus Christ is the key! He is the key to EVERYTHING! God didn’t just casually overlook our rebellion against him. God was proactive! He sent his son to pay the penalty for our sins, wiping away all that was between us, restoring our fellowship.

Not only did God reconciles back to himself, he “gave us ministry of reconciliation.” Paul had not forgotten his main theme, his own ministry. The word ministry is a service. That service is a service to other’s on God’s behalf. Paul’s life following His conversion was devoted in sharing the gospel. The gospel of our Lord brings salvation, which means it also brings peace and hope. That hope we have is in Jesus Christ!

When Jesus Christ died, everything changed. Humanities position was changed. Because of Jesus Christ, God has a hand out reaching into a lost and dying world. As our Lord says in:

Matthew 11:28 ESV

28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

We can come to him. Even the worst. You might be feeling, there is no way I can come. You might feel that you are the worst of all sinners. I want you to know that you are not alone in this feeling. Look with me what Paul said in:

1 Timothy 1:15 NIV

15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.

Jesus Christ came for Paul. Jesus Christ didn’t come to charge our sins; He came to pay our sin debt. That means, He came for you!

Application

That is some GREAT NEWS! It’s great news to understand God has a heart for the lost! One of our attributes as a church is the love for others. I believe we generally have a heart for the lost. I also believe that we look past what the world see and seek to reach into the soul level. I believe we look forward in sharing in the ministry of reconciliation with our Lord.

Okay. We’re going to do two things. First, does everyone have a bulletin.

Would you all do something for me. Take a look around. Who do you see? I see some looking over here and over there. I see you looking at your neighbor across the way. Did you see the empty space either next to you, perhaps in front of your, and for those who looked behind you, did you see the empty space behind you?

My question for you this morning — who can you see sitting in that empty seat? Can it be a church family member we haven’t seen in a while? Can it be a son, a daughter, a grandchild? Could it be your neighbor? Can it be a coworker?

We share in the ministry of reconciliation with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Inside your bulletin is an invitation card to invite someone to church. I’d like to challenge you this week. I know we have a heart for the lost. Be bold this week and invite someone to church. Who are you going to give that invitation card to?

Perhaps today, you feel the need to be reconciled with Jesus Christ. This is your invitation to come.

Closing Prayer