Reaching the Lost

January 6, 2008

Introduction

In Luke 19:9-10, And Jesus said to him (Zacchaeus), "Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; {10} "for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."

 

This morning, we want to notice Jesus purpose for coming to earth:  to seek and to save that which was lost.  Looking for something lost is never fun for me.  It seems to represent a lot of lost time.  If I hadn’t lost my keys or whatever it is I’m looking for, I could use this time for something else.

 

But Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost.  We put a lot of stress on His dying for our sins to save the lost, but how much do we emphasize the fact that He came to seek the lost?  On one occasion, Jesus spoke of the woman who swept the house to find a lost coin.  A lost coin has all the qualities of a coin that’s in you pocket – usually!  That’s not true of a lost person.  A lost person can have some very undesirable qualities.    

 

Body

 

I.        Who are the lost?

 

A.     One example of the lost is Zacchaeus as we just noted.

 

(Luke 19:9-10) And Jesus said to him (Zacchaeus), "Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; {10} "for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."

 

1.      Jesus was able to see the positive “because he also is a son of Abraham.”

2.      Sometimes all we can is that he was a tax collector.

 

B.     Who are the lost around us?

 

1.      They may smell like sheep.  They may be poor

2.      They may be what the Bible describes as immoral.

 

a.       Recently I receive an e-mail from a former homosexual.

 

He was objecting to my article on my website about the homosexuals.  He seemed to want me to lump all the sexual sins together, and seemed to be objecting to my singling out the homosexuals.  I mention that only to say that this is an example of a homosexual who has become a Christian, but many of us would be very uncomfortable talking to one or inviting them to attend services with us.

b.      A very common problem that we have is that of unmarried couples.

 

Can we reach out to these and teach them, or do we not want to “get our hands dirty,” so to speak?

 

c.       What about other sexual sins, such as promiscuity?

d.      What about those who are confused by doctrines being taught in other religious bodies?

 

Can we reach them with the love of Jesus?

 

II.     Why was Jesus such a great soul winner?

 

A.     Jesus could see something that sometimes we miss.

 

1.        Jesus could see the value of a human soul. 

2.        He also knew that the sun was setting, and He had to work before the sun went down.

(John 9:4 NKJV)  "I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.

           

B.     Jesus had a compassion for the lost.

 

(Mat 9:36-38 NKJV)  "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.""

 

C.     Jesus wanted us to have his same compassion and urgency about the lost.

 

(John 4:35-38 NKJV)  ""Do you not say, 'There are still four months and then comes the harvest'? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!

 

III.               With a new year, may we resolve to be more determined to reach out to the lost.

 

A.     We need a zeal for the lost.

 

1.      Jesus obviously had a zeal for the lost.

2.      Paul had a zeal for the lost.

 

(Rom 1:14-16 NKJV)  I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. {15} So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also. {16} For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

B.     Those who are lost need to be able to hear the gospel message.

 

(Rom 10:14 NKJV)  How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?

C.     The saved need to be encouraged and built up.

(Heb 10:24-25 NKJV)  And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, {25} not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

 

1.  We need to revive our first love

(Rev 2:4-5 NKJV)  "Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. {5} "Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place; unless you repent.

 

2.   We need to overcome the lukewarmness that may have crept in 

(Rev 3:15-16 NKJV)  "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. {16} "So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.

D.     What resolutions can we make that will help?

1.   Resolving to attend every service

2.   Resolving to invite others to come

3.   Resolving to be friendly to all who come

4.   Resolving to pray for God to bless our efforts.

(1 Cor 3:6 NKJV)  I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.

Conclusion

I.              What time is it?  It’s time to wake up.

(Rom 13:11-12 NKJV)  "And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. {12} The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light."

 

A.     If we are going to become soul winners, how do we do that?

 

1.      We need a name or a list of names to work on.

2.      It needs to be in writing or we may forget.

3.      If we are committed, share it with your spouse or a trusted friend.

4.      We need a date and a time to begin.

5.      Mormons are told to expect a 1,000 unreceptive people before they meet one who is receptive, yet they work and grow.

 

II.                 If you are not a Christian, we invite you to become one.

 

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