Do You Know Someone Who Needs the Lord

Do You Know Someone Who Needs the Lord?

August 28, 2005

Introduction

Many of you have heard me refer to the Bible forums of which Carolyn and I are members of several. This last week, this message came up:

“There are many things that are mysteries to me. One mystery that I use to think I knew the answer to ...now I don't

”What happens to the sinners who didn't accept Jesus as the Christ? Do they get a spiritual body when they die and then they stand before God for judging and He tells them all the wrong things they have done. Such as not accepting Him? It was clear to me that the lost would burn in a hell of fire. But when I think about it, how can a spirit burn in a physical fire? Now some have come up with the idea that when the sinners (those who do not accept Christ or who did but didn't use their lives for Him) will simply be like the dog Rover. When they die they will die all over.

”Maybe we don't know the answers to this. My oldest brother was the prodigal who never returned. He had a good heart and helped all who came his way. As I stood at his death bed in the Tulsa hospital, I reminded him he was a child of God and he could pray for forgiveness for his sins. Later, he did pray....out loud. Then the next day he died. If God does not accept death bed repentance, then I hope the theory of "dead all over" at his death is correct.

”Any comments?”

I don’t know your reaction to that story. But this morning, I ask the question, “Do You Know Someone Who Needs the Lord?” Is there someone close to you who could cause you to think some of these same thoughts if they were to die?

Body

I. Do you have a love for the lost?

Jesus was moved with compassion.

(Mat 9:35-38 NKJV) Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. {36} But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. {37} Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. {38} "Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest."

Are we moved with compassion by the lost? Do we care?

II. Do we have the same concepts of the soul that Jesus did?

He ask about the value of a soul.

(Mark 8:35-36 NKJV) "For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it. {36} "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?

1. Which is of greater value? Gaining the world, or saving our soul?

2. Are we really concerned about eternity, or are we mainly concerned about now?

Where are our values?

1. We sing songs that jar the conscience.

a. You never mentioned Him to me.

b. Lead me to some soul today, teach me Lord just what to say, friends of mine are lost in sin, and cannot find the way. Few there are who seem to care, and few there are who pray. Melt my heart and fill my life, give me one soul today.

2. But do we have a plan for reaching out to those who are out of Christ?

III. What is the process of reaching those who are lost?

(1 Cor 3:6-7 NKJV) I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. {7} So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.

A. If we take Paul seriously, it all begins with prayer.

B. Jesus said the same thing in the passage we considered earlier.

1. Are we praying for those who are lost?

2. Do you have a list of those who are lost?

a. On my left, we have what we call our “prayer board.” Basically everyone on that board has a physical health need.

b. On my right, we have what I call our “invisible board,” but on it are the names of those who have spiritual needs.

c. Do you have a list?

1) Do you know who they are?

2) Do you pray for them?

C. What else can you do?

1. You can invite them to come to services with you.

2. You can share with them what the Lord has done for you.

(Mark 5:18-20 NKJV) And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him. {19} However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, "Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you." {20} And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.

3. You can ask others to invite your friends or relatives,

4. Or ask if they can talk to them about the church, or about becoming a Christian.

IV. What can we do to reach those who need the Lord?

A. We need to pray for them.

B. We need to talk to them.

C. We need to ask others to talk to them.

D. We need to have compassion for them.

Conclusion

I. Is your life right with God?

II. Do you need to obey the Gospel?

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