|
Introduction:
Last week we learned how we are to add "brotherly kindness" to
our faith and then note also in verse 7 that we are to add..."charity".
The word translated "charity" is from the Greek word, agape. Agape is
the kind of love that the Lord loves us with. Tonight we have come to
the final habit that we need to be building into our lives - The Habit
of....Sharing Christ's Love. I think it is significant to note
that..."brotherly kindness" focuses on our relationships within the
family of God. We are to love each other. But....We are also to love the
unsaved. How can we show the unsaved, the Love of Christ? I think first
we can show them the Love of Christ by...
I.
ESTABLISHING SINCERE
RELATIONSHIPS
Jesus is our example here. He was known as..." a
friend of publicans and sinners!" His love and concern for the sinner
was evident. Jesus had a heart for the lost. It did not matter to Him
one’s background or status.
Jesus loved them and treated them as friends.
Just think of the different individuals we have record
of Jesus reaching out to.
1) Legion...a demon possessed man.
2) The Woman at the Well...a woman who was living
immorally.
3) Zacchaeus...a crooked, thieving IRS agent.
4) Nicodemus...a well respected teacher of the Law.
We like Jesus need to be trying to establish
friendships with those who are lost. If we isolate ourselves from those
who need Jesus how will we ever win them to the Savior?
II.
EARNESTLY PRAYING
REGULARLY
A huge factor in evangelism is prayer. Psalm
126:5, 6 gives the promise that…"They
that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth,
bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing,
bringing his sheaves with him." Every Christian needs to understand
their responsibility to pray for the salvation of the lost.
Do you spend time praying for the lost? Have you called any
unsaved persons name before the Lord today? You probably won't pray for
the lost unless...
A.
You have the right
BELIEF
Do you believe that Jesus meant it when he said
to enter the
kingdom of God, a person, "…must
be born again" (John 3:3-7). Was Jesus speaking the truth when He
said, " I am the way, the truth,
and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6)
I recently read that when W. C. Fields was on
his deathbed, a friend of his dropped by and found him reading the
Bible. Surprised to see Fields actually reading the Bible, he couldn't
help but ask what he was up to. Fields said, "Looking for loopholes, my
friend - Looking for loopholes." I hope you don't believe that there are
any loopholes for friends and family members who have not received Jesus
Christ.
What Jesus has said is true! You probably won't pray for the lost
unless...
B.
You have the right
BURDEN
Indifference is one of the greatest hindrances
to prayer. Our hearts get cold about the eternal destiny of others.
We let everything in the world keep us so busy that many
Christians neglect time spent in prayer for the lost. Paul had a burden
for the lost. In Romans 9:2 he described the deep desire he had to see
his kinsmen saved by saying that he had a "…great
heaviness and continual sorrow…" in his heart.
In Romans 10:1 Paul went on to say, "…my
heart's desire and prayer to God for
Israel
is, that they might be saved." Oh let's love the lost enough
to pray for them. Let's:
·
Pray that they will be exposed to a clear presentation of the gospel.
Look at (Rom 10:13-14; 17)
"For whosoever shall call upon
the name of the Lord shall be saved. {14} 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?"{17} "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word
of God."
·
Pray for the Lord to use the Holy Spirit to convict them of their sin.
Look with me at (John 16:7-8) "Nevertheless
I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I
go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I
will send him unto you. {8} And when he is come, he will reprove the
world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:"
·
Pray for those who minister the word. In 2 Thessalonians 3:1,
Paul asked the Thessalonians to "...pray
for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be
glorified…"
·
Pray for the Lord to give you opportunities to spread the gospel.
That brings me to the final thing I want to say.
Let's show them Christ love by...
III.
EAGERLY SEEKING THEIR
REDEMPTION
It is not enough for us to be-friend the lost.
It is not enough to pray for the lost. We need to be willing and ready
to speak to them about Jesus Christ. In the Gospel of Mark we have a
story that I mentioned earlier of the conversion of Legion... the Demon
Possessed Man. Note MARK 5:18-20. Compare that with LUKE'S account.
LUKE 8:38-40.
Conclusion:
It is not enough for us to be-friend the lost. It is not
enough to pray for the lost. We need to be willing and ready to speak to
them about Jesus Christ. Let’s tell those around us who need Jesus what
great things He has done.
|
