MAKING JESUS KNOWN - BURDEN FOR THE LOST
We trust today’s message encouraged and guided you in your journey of following Jesus. These notes are meant to help you remember and reflect on the message, help you go deeper into study on the subject, or be used for a sermon group discussion. CLICK HERE to find a discussion group. Enjoy!
Sermon Title: BURDEN FOR THE LOST
Main Scripture: PSALM 96
If you’re going through this discussion with a community group this week consider taking the time to read the provided scripture to catch everyone up!
Summary:
Pastor Ryan launched our new series that discusses everyday evangelism. The first week we learned about the heart and desire God has to reach and save the lost. The Missio Dei is the mission of God and you could arguably say the entire Bible is driven by this theme. As Pastor Ryan said, “God is on a gracious, loving, valiant mission to right what was wronged and restore the fellowship that was broken in the garden.” This is God’s WHY, if you will, for sending Jesus and why Jesus sends us out in the power of the Holy Spirit. Psalm 96 gives us four motivations for seeking and reaching the lost with the gospel of Jesus. But what do you do if you don’t feel a burden or passion to reach and evangelize unbelievers? Pastor Ryan gives four ways to fan or grow the flame and burden for the lost. Read more below or watch online!
Notes:
Missio Dei
Missio Dei is a Latin Christian theological term that can be translated as the "mission of God," or the "sending of God." It is a concept that has become increasingly important in missiology and in understanding the mission of the church since the second half of the 20th century.
John 20:21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”
God’s mission and desire (will, holy and loving burden) to seek and save the lost is the grand narrative of the Bible
God promised to restore what was lost and broken in the garden. God is on a gracious, loving, valiant mission to right what was wronged and restore the fellowship that was broken in the garden.
God’s plan is executed through the promise to Abraham in his old age that he would have a son and through his lineage, all peoples and nations would be blessed (Gen. 12:3; Gen. 18:18; Gen. 22:8)
This mission became incarnate through Christ. Jesus said it himself, “For the son of man came to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19:10
Jesus shared the gospel to more than Jews, but to Samaritans and Gentiles opening the door to all nations being saved and blessed.
The life of Christ was complete obedience to the mission of God.
Jesus sent out His followers but they would be clothed in power with the personal and ongoing presence of the Holy Spirit (God) therefore, sharing the desire to fulfill the mission of God.
The book of Acts is a biography or real-life documentary if you will of the Acts of the Spirit working through believers and followers of Christ. These followers were willing to join in, be vessels empowered by the Holy Spirit to serve in the mission God initiated and was continuing to fulfill. This era continues today and we live in it. The mission is not over.
God’s WHY is my WHY - Psalm 96 NLT Four reasons we make Jesus known according to Psalm 96
God’s children are invited to join Him in the Missio Dei - Psalm 96:1-3
“Proclaim the good news…publish His good deeds.”
The vanity of this world and its false gods - Psalm 96:4-5
Isaiah 45:5; Isa. 44:6-11 NLT
The pursuit and chasing of this world are all in vain, it’s an empty promise that achieves nothing but destruction on the day of judgment.
The false gods and religions are all being pursued in vain too. In the end there will be no savior or god to rescue or give the benefits of these false gods and religions because they were all empty promises. That makes me feel compassion for those lost in these lies.
There is one true God, our creator and we all belong in relationship with Him.
God’s love for all people and nations - Psalm 96:7-9
God doesn’t delight in the perish of the wicked or lost.
Ezekiel 33:11 As surely as I live, says the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of wicked people. I only want them to turn from their wicked ways so they can live. Turn! Turn from your wickedness, O people of Israel! Why should you die?
2 Peter 3:9; 15 The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent…15 And remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved.
The Lord is returning to judge - Psalm 96:10-13
I don’t feel a burden for the mission of God, what do I do? Many are probably afraid to even admit it but the reality is I think we’ve all been there. Let me preface the following advice with this…The Holy Spirit can quicken your heart to care and feel compassion even when you’re not expecting it because God wants to work through you to minister to someone. With that being said, most of the time we have to fan the flame because it can get low.
Here are four ways to grow a burden for the lost:
Study God’s heart for the lost.
Get in tune with God’s heart. Strengthen your understanding of the heart of God. When you study the Bible seek to know the will and heart of God. If you need a boost and direction on where to read I would encourage you to dwell in the Gospels and in the book of Acts.
Are you willing to obey what you read? Are you willing to serve God today to be a witness? Are you willing to extend the truth and love of God in its various forms to those around you?
Pray for unbelievers.
Romans 10:1 Dear brothers and sisters, the longing of my heart and my prayer to God is for the people of Israel to be saved.
Do we intentionally pray for those who are lost, hurting, wicked, broken, and so on? Compassion and prayer tend to go hand in hand. Prayer is care. To pray earnestly for the unbeliever is an expression of love and compassion (1 Timothy 2:1-4). Praying for other believers who are spreading the Gospel also helps (Ephesians 6:19-20; 2 Thess. 3:1; Colossians 4:2-4).
Love like Jesus.
Matthew 9:36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
See people’s sinful condition but look further and see their need for salvation. We have to remember sin and Satan are very deceiving. Sinners are deceived by Satan and sin. Remember we all have sinned so we must check our attitudes towards the person. We can’t let our zeal against sin keep us from expressing compassion and giving the message of how to be delivered from that sin. Jesus said he came to seek and save the lost and to set the captives free. As the Bible says in Jonah, people are so lost they “don’t know their right hand from their left.” Be merciful by building a connection that provides further opportunities to share the good news.
Spend quality time with unbelievers.
Jesus ate with unbelievers and the lost so He could care, guide, heal, teach, and save (and much more). When we spend time with unbelievers we can listen to their needs, and show love and care for them in their everyday needs. When we do this our compassion grows and so will our awareness of more unbelievers.
Discussion:
What lessons stuck out to you from Psalm 96?
Overall, what stuck out to you from this sermon?
What could be the reason why our burden to reach and evangelize the lost isn’t strong?
What can we do to “fan the flame,” if you will, a burden to reach and evangelize the lost?
What steps will you take to apply the scripture and sermon presented, today?
The most important decision you will ever make!
Are you ready to experience salvation and be transformed? We encourage you to process this decision with a strong believer and when you’re ready say a simple prayer like this from your heart: Dear God, I acknowledge and admit I have sinned. I see my need for Jesus Christ. I believe in Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I believe I am forgiven and cleansed of my sin by His death. I also believe I have eternal life because of His resurrection from the dead. I repent, I turn away from my old ways and I choose to live my life to worship you and follow Jesus, amen!
We would love to know if you made the decision to accept this wonderful gift from God. Let us know here.
Pray Together
We hoped you found this AFTER THE SERMON discussion helpful for your walk with Jesus. We pray you can find ways to apply it this week!