Four Principles for Reaching the Lost

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This is a message given to "kick off" our annual fall missions emphasis. The text is Matthew 9:35-38 and it presents an account of Jesus reaching out to those who needed Him.

Written Excerpts:

Introduction:

Missions emphasis this month

The Creator, the God of the Bible, is a God that seeks to save the lost.

He calls his people to be like him; to seek the lost.

I want to share some brief points from this passage of scripture, then I want to share a couple of powerful testimonies with you and close with some information about how we can be reaching the lost.

In these verses I see four principles in the words and example of Jesus for reaching the lost.

I. See as Jesus Saw  (36a, c, 37)

A. Condition of the harvest

It was great (multitudes; plenteous)

They were ravaged by sin (faint/weary; scattered)

B. Condition of the labor force

There were few laborers in comparison to the size of the harvest.

II. Feel as Jesus Felt (36b)

Moved with compassion

When he saw

III. Pray as Jesus instructed (38)

Pray for more laborers.

Be available to be the answer to your own prayer.

Provide assistance to those who do answer His call.

IV. Do as Jesus Did (35)

Went all around teaching, preaching and healing. His ministry was not always in that order. Sometimes he healed, and then he preached and taught.

You’ve heard it said, “People need to know how much we care before they’ll care how much we know.”

Don’t have to do something great, just find a way to show the love of God and be prepared to answer the question, why are you doing this.

Conclusion:

I want to use the rest of our time this morning to share some powerful testimonies of God’s work in other areas, and then talk about some things we need to be thinking about.

Read testimony of Dr. Koshy in the book, The Invested Life.

Read testimony of the suicide bomber in the letter received from Jesus Film, Inc.

Talk about Operation Christmas Child sponsored by Samaritan's Purse.