The Cost For The Lost

Giving What You Have Will Cost You Something.

Today we start a series called “Such As You Have Give” I am excited to share this series with you as God has been stirring this theme in my heart for NBC my entire sabbatical. I don’t know how long, etc this will take but it will be multiple sermons. In fact, the topic today is written as one sermon but may take multiple weeks. So buckle up, get ready, and be prepared to start giving what you have. Some of you will find this offensive. I am more concerned about offending God and being offended by what offends Him than offending you. I love you but that is just the plain truth.

First of all, some of you have already checked out, so let me tell you a little secret. Today's message, and honestly most of what this series is about in not giving your money. I won’t say we will not talk about it, but I won’t say we will either. If we are not passionate about sharing what God has given us in the Spirit and Eternity realms, then you are just giving God what belongs to Him out of the “law” and to make sure that you get His blessings that way. I love giving financially, doing over and above, but if I am not concerned about the things God is concerned about, then what good am I?

Acts 3:6

Kind of the theme of scripture is Acts 3:6. I was going to preach this today, but yesterday morning God laid something heavy on my heart as I was praying.

We have started the Dream Team, to dream about this church’s vision, mission, and strategy. We are working hard to do our part. With that said, I honestly know the church’s growth plan. We have made it so hard. Even this week I thought after a lot of study that Acts 2:42 was the church’s growth plan, and though it is only by strategy. I can sum up the church’s growth strategy in one word: YOU

You, me, us beginning to care about our FRAN. For us to get past the point in today’s culture that we are going to offend them, lose them as friends, have them talk about us. We need to care more about their eternity than anything else.

So look at your neighbor and say : BUCKLE UP. Look at your other neighbor and say: HERE WE GO!

This past week as we had revival, and even into my sabbatical I have had renewed sense (not desire - big difference) for people to get saved. Saved, you say. That is one of those Christianese words. I believe in talking to people where they are at, speaking in a way that they can understand, but the Bible says in Romans 10:13 and Ephesians 2:8 the words saved (as well as multiple other locations.) We have come to the culturistic conclusion in the church that they don’t understand saved so we don't use that Word. The only reason they don’t understand what they are being saved from is because WE DON’T EXPLAIN IT! We had rather invite them to church instead of doing our part in leading them to salvation. I love people being saved at church, but I love people being saved outside of the church. Saved, born again, and Words like these are being thrown out of the church instead of being thrown into the world.

Saved, born again. You believe that Jesus Christ was the Messiah, the Son of God, came to this earth fully God, fully man, ministered here, was beaten, crucified, rose again on the 3rd day, ascended into heaven now seated at the right hand of the Father. You believe that John 3 where it says you MUST be born again is true. If we believe that then we understand that for those who have not been born again or saved, that they are going to spend eternity in Hell separated from the One who loves (not loved) them the most.

This 1st sermon of the series is called “The Cost for the Lost”

Talk about what we believe (Bible, Prophecy, End Times, Rapture, etc) but more importantly than believing it is living what we believe. There is a price for that. It will cost you something.

There is a cost to reach people, a cost for the loss.

There is a lot of talk in the media about our economy right now. People are still out of work, businesses are suffering, but for the economy to grow in a society people have to spend things.

There is an economy in the Kingdom of God, and you are that economy. We are going to look at a couple of Paul’s writings to the church in Corinth this morning.

1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1 (read multiple translations) use CEB as well. Explain why it goes into Chapter 11. There were no chapters when Paul wrote this.

1 Corinthians 10:31–11:1 NLT

So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Don’t give offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God. I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved. And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.

Paul was saying here that we should be driven, just as he was, about seeing others be saved. It is not because he is special, but that it should be a part of anyone who has been saved. We should be imitating Christ. Not be selfish, and have a deep concern and passion for people to be saved. This should be the most important thing we have in our heart after we have been saved. Expound.

American Culture and even modern Christianity have changed the theory of what happens to people who don't get saved. They deny statements like Jesus is the only way to Heaven in fear of not selling books or having people watch their tv broadcasts and come to their mega events. And somehow, it has become the cool thing in culture to come to church just to be seen, be blessed, be in a good environment, for a good kids program, to get some morals in my life. I need God to help me with my situations or addictions, or this is the way I have been raised. All of those are well and good, but it is deeper than that. The Bible is clear that you must be SAVED. No if’s, ands, or buts about it. Salvation is the only way and it is only obtained through Jesus. This should be the most important thing in our heart after we get saved.

During Sabbatical and the revival this week my heart was re-ignited. Our greatest fear for those of us who have been saved is that people are going to go to hell without hearing this gospel message. This is what all this Christianity stuff is about. Saved from what? Hell! Eternal damnation! This is why Paul says “I don't just do what is best for me.” I live my whole life trying not to be an offense to the Jew or Gentile, Democrat or Republican, Jayhawk or Wildcat, black or white or brown, or whatever, I am not going to get myself caught up in all that, I am going to live my life not to be a stumbling block to any and to see some saved! We are getting more concerned in the church with who you voted for than where people are going. When we get more upset about stuff like that in the church today than upset that people are dying and going to hell, we have lost our way. That STUFF in NON-ESSENTIAL, Salvation is eternally essential. If you are concerned about the second coming of Trump than the second coming of Jesus, as evidenced by the amount of time you talk about each of them, you my friend are a part of the problem. If you are more concerned about keeping President Biden in office, you are a part of the problem. If you are more concerned about the border crisis than you are the hell crisis, you are a part of the problem. If you are more concerned about the CDC guidelines and the deaths related to Covid 19 than you are about where they will go when they die, you are a part of the problem. We must resolve to be a part of the solution rather than part of the problem.

Sermon 2 ( plus refresher from Sermon 1)

As I have set and thought extensively about where I am, where our church is going, where the Church is going, I am disturbed. It seems everything is inward and not outward. We are supposed to be evangelical Christians. According to city-data.com in 2019 the population of Seward Co. Kansas was 22369. Of that 54.1% had no religious affiliation. Less than 20% identified as protestant with only 15.3% being Evangelical Protestant. All this to say statistically speaking that over 12101 people in our community do not know Jesus or have any religious affiliation.

And yet most everything the church wants to do is with the mindset of me/us over they/them. Even Christmas and Easter become more inward. Even if not we do big events to get the seats full, rather than to see the lost saved. What you invest in is where your reward is. (reference JJ Vasquez sermon.)

Paul had laid this down for the Corinthian church. The Corinthian church is a great church, but it had some issues. It had gotten caught up in a lot of non essentials. It had gotten caught up in some ridiculous debates, in self serving Communion. He writes to them a second time in 2 Corinthians 12:11-19.

The gospel in a nutshell is to see the lost come to God through the belief in Jesus Christ, his death that brought redemption, and the resurrection that we follow for those that believe in Him. Even though we don’t often want to talk about it, it is about Heaven or Hell. It is about yours and others eternity. The reality is without Jesus Christ you cannot have Heaven as your home. Jesus said unless a man be born again you will not even see the Kingdom of God. That is our theology. How much does that theology affect our life. What you say you believe is not truly what you believe, what you truly believe is how you live your life. And yet…...

Give at least some of the numbers that Pastor Terry and other staticians have given about the lost. For our region (5 states), the unchurched would stretch across America arm in arm over 10 times.

What you say you believe

If you are saved, I pray you are moved today to what matters the most, what breaks God’s Heart. If you are not saved, I pray you turn to Jesus today because He is who matters the most. Why? Both are essential. Salvation and caring about the salvation of others is THE ESSENTIAL AREA of our lives!

Paul had laid this down for the Corinthian church. The Corinthian church is a great church, but it had some issues. It had gotten caught up in a lot of non essentials. It had gotten caught up in some ridiculous debates, in self serving Communion. He writes to them a second time in 2 Corinthians 12:11-19.

2 Corinthians 12:11–19 NLT

You have made me act like a fool. You ought to be writing commendations for me, for I am not at all inferior to these “super apostles,” even though I am nothing at all. When I was with you, I certainly gave you proof that I am an apostle. For I patiently did many signs and wonders and miracles among you. The only thing I failed to do, which I do in the other churches, was to become a financial burden to you. Please forgive me for this wrong! Now I am coming to you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you. I don’t want what you have—I want you. After all, children don’t provide for their parents. Rather, parents provide for their children. I will gladly spend myself and all I have for you, even though it seems that the more I love you, the less you love me. Some of you admit I was not a burden to you. But others still think I was sneaky and took advantage of you by trickery. But how? Did any of the men I sent to you take advantage of you? When I urged Titus to visit you and sent our other brother with him, did Titus take advantage of you? No! For we have the same spirit and walk in each other’s steps, doing things the same way. Perhaps you think we’re saying these things just to defend ourselves. No, we tell you this as Christ’s servants, and with God as our witness. Everything we do, dear friends, is to strengthen you.

There is so much information that we could unpack here. Paul is being questioned about his motives about him caring for their souls. He has to give them a little reminder. He almost could seem like an evangelist, but there are those he imparted his life too. Paul had told them in the first letter to follow him as he followed Jesus. Timothy and Titus, amongst others, did this. Imitate me literally means a “carbon copy.” Do you live your life as if you were making that. Understand, according to statistics, kids often imitate what we see in the home. Do as I say not as I do really does not affect their future like having been modeled in front of them.

We live in a society where we now say don't follow me but follow Jesus. Is this because this holds us accountable to our actions? There is a truth in saying that but the reality is that the church is called to LIVE OUT THE GOSPEL. Jesus said we are the light of the world, the image of Christ. The only Jesus they are going to see is in us. Look at your neighbor and say “WHAT ARE THEY SEEING IN YOU?” Look at your other neighbor and say “What ARE THEY SEEING IN ME?” Yes Jesus is the only perfect one, and yes they should be modeling their life after Jesus, but remember, THEY DON'T KNOW HIM BUT THEY DO KNOW YOU! Paul is saying that I am trying to pattern my life as a carbon copy of Jesus and so should you. Get over your personal stuff, the thoughts of liberty and freedom that you think you have through Jesus Christ to live the way you want to live. Paul says don't be a stumbling block to others. Lead them with your life, not just your words.

Can I ask you a question? If you were lost, and you were patterning Christ for yourself, and your eternity with Him hung in the balance, how would you be doing? We are the light of the world!

Here goes back to what I said earlier. Quit just inviting them to church (not quit, but quit letting that be the only thing you do). What good is it to have a church full of pew sitters that if the rapture happened while they were here they would still be sitting. Explain to those who are here that if you don't know Jesus, that being here is not enough. (EXPOUND).

Matthew 28:19-20 (NLT)

At the end of the day (or days) that is all that matters. I am all for church marketing, branding, websites, apps, facebooks, livestream. I want our service to be done with excellence. I am all about our greeters doing it the right way. I am about our worship team leading us into the presence of God. I am about our tithes and offering to show God our hearts of love for Him. But we are selfish and no good to the Kingdom of God if we are consumers only. If we are not sharing what God has done for us, telling our story, and the good news of the gospel with others then we are not what God asked us to be.

Jesus said if YOU want my Kingdom to grow that it is up to YOU and US! Paul says in Romans 10 “how will they hear without a preacher.” Note he did not say “Pastor.” Talk about the old Jackson’s Chapel bulletins back in the day.

We were COMMANDED by Jesus to:

Matthew 28:19–20 NLT

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Jesus said if YOU want my Kingdom to grow that it is up to YOU and US! Paul says in Romans 10 “how will they hear without a preacher.” Note he did not say “Pastor.” Talk about the old Jackson’s Chapel bulletins back in the day.

To make the economy grow, things must be spent. Paul is saying to God that you can spend me, and do so willingly. I am here and ready to have my life spent for souls for your kingdom.

In a day and time where we see people protesting almost everything on just about every day, some rightfully so, where is the Church in protesting Hell. How do we protest Hell? Glad you asked. We Love, Live, Learn, Lead Like Jesus. We protest in the Spirt realm when we see the ungodliness, and we ask the Holy Spirit to use us. WE SPEND OF OURSELVES to protest. In watching protests where people drive hundreds, even thousands, of miles, spend their own money, their own time, their own resources, their own selves to protest something they believe in. Friends, there is no greater injustice to what God has done that to not give all we have to prevent others from going to hell. That is kind of hard when we cannot even get up off the couch, out of the bed, off the lake, out of the park to go to church, much less witness to our FRAN’s. We say “oh its our Sabbath (and I am learning to be all about the Sabbath) but we use that as a crutch to do what we want. We forget Ezekiel 20 that tells us to keep the Sabbath day holy. We take our Sabbath and binge on Netflix, make plans all day, run here and there, and call it a Sabbath. If we truly read and study the sabbath, it is a day a week to rest in the Lord to be prepared for what we can do for Him the next week. (Do everything as unto God).

How did this church get here? How did you get here? Somewhere down the line there was someone who said “I am willing, God, to be spent for souls. What would you like me to do? How can I serve you today?” We must have the urgency to tell people that Jesus is the only way to Heaven.

People today don’t get mad as much as we think they do (or the media says they do) over politics. Even in politics the most uprising issues are religious issues, more accurately Christians and our beliefs. That is coming because the spirit of the Anti-Christ is at work more than ever. It happening. This is going down! There is a hatred toward the church and to Christ more than ever. It does puzzle me more that ever though the enemies timing. We as the church I personally believe are in a season when we are less like Christ than in my lifetime or from some of my reading. Now, I realize there have been maybe greater seasons where there was a lack of Christianity, but not so in those who claimed to be. In a time where Christians are more concerned about what they can get away with rather than LEADING others to an encounter with Jesus (expound). If you read Revelation and the Word, are you not wondering if their this is not it? Christians around the country watching on live streams at home, sitting in beautiful sanctuaries like this one all across the Nation today, singing, worshiping, listening to the Word, then go out on Monday and live their lives for nothing that is Biblical. They wont pray, witness, open their Bible. What they hear today is all they get. They wont use the Holy Spirit to use them.

In a day and time where we see people protesting almost everything on just about every day, some rightfully so, where is the Church in protesting Hell. How do we protest Hell? Glad you asked. We Love, Live, Learn, Lead Like Jesus. We protest in the Spirt realm when we see the ungodliness, and we ask the Holy Spirit to use us. WE SPEND OF OURSELVES to protest. In watching protests where people drive hundreds, even thousands, of miles, spend their own money, their own time, their own resources, their own selves to protest something they believe in. Friends, there is no greater injustice to what God has done that to not give all we have to prevent others from going to hell. That is kind of hard when we cannot even get up off the couch, out of the bed, off the lake, out of the park to go to church, much less witness to our FRAN’s. We say “oh its our Sabbath (and I am learning to be all about the Sabbath) but we use that as a crutch to do what we want. We forget Ezekiel 20 that tells us to keep the Sabbath day holy. We take our Sabbath and binge on Netflix, make plans all day, run here and there, and call it a Sabbath. If we truly read and study the sabbath, it is a day a week to rest in the Lord to be prepared for what we can do for Him the next week. (Do everything as unto God).

People today are ready to die for what they believe. That is most everyone but a large part of the church. Where is the “church?” More than protesting, we should be preaching. We have the Word of God that says the only way to the Father is Jesus. We have the answer! Where is the righteous indignation for the next generations and the sin that is coming. We stand back silently because we are afraid of being ridiculed, embarrassed, canceled, or whatever they want to call it now. The Bible refers to in as persecution. But the Bible also says that blessed are those of you who are persecuted for doing right, as theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. DOING RIGHT, not just BELIEVING right. That is the opposite of the spirit of this world. I think the enemy looks at the church right now and thinks he has us where he wants us.

All of the problems in society today all have one thing in common, that is the answer and His name is Jesus, and we have a church who is scared to invoke the answer for fear someone might make a bad social media post about them.

The church has lost the value of people. We put value on everything else but people. Programs, worship (songs),what someone is wearing or not wearing, tattoos, hats, etc. and the opinions in this and all churches on that is varied. I have people ask me about all of these, and how they should not be allowed in “our church.” Let me set the record straight this morning just in case you have forgotten. This is not our church, we are HIS CHURCH. And his church is a WHOSOEVER church. If you want to ask be what I think about that, you had better be prepared to answer the question on when was the last time you led someone to an encounter with Jesus? How many people have you witnessed to in the last month? Some of you blank out on when was the last time you even invited someone to church because you are more worried about who is wearing a hat or not. Yes, I have personal preferences, but they are overruled by the COMMAND of JESUS that we are to be making disciples!.

I love you all but you need to hear this (including myself). Whenever you and your preferences about how this or any other church should be is gone, either vertically or horizontally, the gospel of Jesus Christ will still be relevant, it will still be real, and hopefully it will still be being preached in truth and love from this pulpit. Is it being preached in truth and love into your life and the lives of others, both those who are here and those who are not in here. Christians have run more people off from church than the devil has ever had to in recent history, and I am sure before.

If the shoe, fits you today, please own it and fix it. If you are offended today, then there is time to repent, and return to the gospel. We all say this gospel is offensive to those out there, and that is true. But when it comes to the gospel being offensive in the church house or in the lives of Christians, well Houston we have a problem, and honey we have a problem. How would you feel this morning if God decided to download into your Spirit the number of people destined for Hell because of your actions or inactions. What if He said “Kevin, x number of people are watching you and have a greater chance of eternal damnation if you are not willing to spend of yourself.” How will we respond to that?

This morning, let’s change our hearts and minds so we are prepared to say God spend who I am!

Altar Call Sermon 2

Video at 50:49

Sermon 3 - Cost for the Lost

As we start back up this morning, I want to begin with this thought. Between 2018 and 2020 there were 230 anti-government protests in over 120 nations around the world. We seen people protest angrily, ready to fight, and even fighting for something that most of them feel passionately about, be it right or wrong. I ask one question, where is the church. Do we not feel so passionately about Heaven that we will protest others going to hell. Where are we? I see the world ready to give their life up for their cause, but the church as a whole sits not even willing to surrender their lives to Christ to live for Him, much less spend of themselves so others can be saved. We are often quick to bash those protesting things that we disagree with, but what if we showed that much energy for the Kingdom of Heaven and against eternity in Hell.

Now please hear me, I am not saying you are or are not necessarily that way. You must decide for yourself. The only church that protests anything (and I am not saying I agree) is Westboro Baptist. Also hear me, I am not saying we should protest like the world. What if we protested hell by our prayer life. I devote my life, Our life of worship. Sharing our story. Protesting does not mean be louder, etc, but it does mean taking action against that which you stand against.

As we protest against hell, we should show the answer. In many protests today they are protesting and stating what is wrong without a logical solution to the problem. WE HAVE THE ANSWER! HE LIVES INSIDE OF US!

John 8:35–37 NIV

Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. I know that you are Abraham’s descendants. Yet you are looking for a way to kill me, because you have no room for my word.

We have this freedom to share. The freedom only Jesus can save. But what Jesus do they see as they watch you. Do we, as the church, feel we have something worthy to give in protest to what we oppose? If so, why are we not sharing it with others? So we have to ask ourselves the church, in the day and time many of us believe it is, do we believe in this gospel to give our life to and for it? God, give us compassion for the lost. Give us a desire to see people set free.

Give this a thought for a minute. Much of the “Christian” church today has lost the value of people. We see crowds but God sees souls and everything about them. The reality is we somehow give value to different types of people. Expound if someone popular walked in here right now. (use Lecrae, Patrick Mahomes, Donald Trump, and more) Expound…. To meet this person you will often walk by someone you don’t know their name to get to them, not knowing, or possibly even caring about their story. You would not even smile or shake one’s hand to get to a person you think is more valuable. We often assess someone’s value by their talents, their money, or their fame instead of the way God sees them. Apart from the Gospel we will never get a clear picture of someone's value without looking through the eyes of Jesus. Salvation should give us a new set of eyes through grace to see others.

2 Corinthians 8:9

Here is what the scripture really means. Jesus, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, who sits at the right hand of the Father, became poor, came as a humble servant to die on a cross, bankrupt himself, so that you, I, your neighbor, and others can have an opportunity to have Heaven for eternity. He gave up everything for souls. We talk about Jesus’s ministry. The miracles, all the awesome stories in the Bible of what He did. Friend, can I tell you something this morning? It did not cost him something, it cost Him EVERYTHING. His heart was seen in all His actions.

Mark 4-5 Jesus gets in the boat to leave the crowd, the big platform to cross the sea with his 12 apostles. We know about the storm, where Jesus questions them about their faith. Then he arrives on the other side.

Every step Jesus took on Earth had a purpose. He did not just roam around. He was going somewhere. So He lands on the other side;

Mark 5:1–5 NIV

They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.

Man with unclean spirit. Expound on man shackled with chains in a graveyard, demon possessed. Who put him there? Someone in society put him up and said we don’t want to have to deal with him any more. Someone that no one wanted to invest in anymore. No one but Jesus. Jesus leaves, if you would, the big lights of ministry, the big platform to cross the sea for this guy. This man ran TO Jesus who had showed up for him. Why?

From those who have been to the Holy Lands, they say that this graveyard is in an elevated position over the sea. Could it be that he saw the storm. In the midst of that, and his storm, could he have heard the words “PEACE BE STILL.” I don't know, but the one thing the scripture says is that he knew WHOM had arrived.

We know the rest of the story, the demons, the pigs, the sea, the people. But what about this man. The one no one wanted to invest in. He wasn't popular enough, in fact, he was down right scary.

Mark 5:15 NIV

When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.

So then here come all the herdsmen, asking Jesus to leave as they were more concerned about their financial investment more than that man. Why are we talking about this story? It is the story of many people to this day.

Tell personal stories. Jesus came for a guy in the tomb who had a soul. No money to put in the offering, no special talents to offer, just one soul. I wonder what the disciples thought. He risked us for this guy. Can I tell you the ONE is WORTH it. What are you willing to risk to see the one won? I wonder if the disciples really ever understood that? If so, when? That going after souls is dangerous, you have to take a risk, and yes, it will probably be unpopular. BUT IT IS WORTH IT?

1 Corinthians 4:15 The Message

There are a lot of people around who can’t wait to tell you what you’ve done wrong, but there aren’t many fathers willing to take the time and effort to help you grow up. It was as Jesus helped me proclaim God’s Message to you that I became your father.

While at GC21, we heard Pastor JJ Vasquez. He made this statement: “ If you won’t risk it, you can't raise it.” He was preaching this in a whole different way and different topic, but I think it can apply here after I have prayed about this a lot. We cannot raise faith that we are not willing to risk.

What are you talking about? We have to take a risk on what we have faith in. Our story of what Jesus Christ did for us.

Revelation 12:10–12 NKJV

Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.”

I talked above about how we value, or lack thereof, people. But more than that, I see the church not seeing the value of their story and what God has done for them. Why is the church so defeated. We do not value our story of what God has done for us. We think it has less value than those around us, who think the same thing and so on and so forth.

It says here by the WORD of our testimony. Here is what the word testimony says here: Strongs Concordance 3456 μαρτυρία (martyria), ας (as), ἡ (hē): n.fem.; ≡ Str 3141; TDNT 4.474—1. LN 33.262 witness, through first hand knowledge (Jn 1:7); 2. LN 33.264 testimony, the content of what a witness tells (Mk 14:55); 3. LN 33.265 reputation (1Ti 3:7)

Conclusion: Bottom Line: We must value what God values

Altar Call