God’s Divine Plan
Matthew 28:19-20
Intro:
1. An illegitimate baby girl is left at an orphanage - unwanted - lonely - scorned. But, then, a family adopts her. She becomes one of the family - socially acceptable - the object of love. She loses all her right to her old family but becomes heir to her new father’s estate. She acquires a new name & a new character. In essence, she becomes a new person!
2. Gal 4:7 - So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.
3. You are adopted by God. You lose your rights to the old life but become heir to everything your Heavenly Father has. Your life changes. You acquire a new name. You become a different person!
4. Surely everyone wants this & God wishes that none would perish but have eternal life - Jn 3:16.
5. So - why isn’t everyone a Christian?
a. Because some will not accept the Lord no matter what you do or say.
b. Because some know about Jesus but have never been introduced to Him.
c. Because they have never been shown the way, the truth & the life! - Jn 14:6.
6. You have the responsibility to share the gospel with those around you. But how?
7. Here is God’s Divine Plan!
I. Step 1: Begin Seeking the Lost!
A. This was our Lord’s mission. Lk 19:10 - For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.
1. The angel appeared to Joseph & said, She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. - Matt 1:21.
2. According to Matt 15:24, Jesus went to the lost sheep of Israel first - & then said, I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. - Jn 10:16.
3. The Lord will not be satisfied until everyone has had a chance to receive eternal life!
4. ILL: The One Lost Sheep (Lk 15:3-7).
B. This is still our Lord’s mission as He lives His post resurrection life in you!
1. He told you to Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. - Mk 16:15. He wants to continue the job in & through you.
2. In II Cor 5:20, He calls you His ambassadors!
3. Notice His strategy in Rom 10:14 - How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
4. No one can come to the Lord until he has first been taught! We have quite a responsibility, don’t we?
II. Step 2: Continue Seeking the Lost!
A. Finding is the reason for seeking, right?
1. To stop seeking without finding is to fall short of your responsibility. But how many of you, if you seek at all, quit without finding?
2. How many of you ignore the opportunities you have?
a. Who in your own family have you really talked to about God?
b. Does your next door neighbor go to church anywhere? Do you even know?
c. How about the people you work with throughout the week?
3. If you are prayerful, diligent & persistent, you will find!
4. With The One Lost Sheep; the shepherd looked for that lost lamb until He found it!
B. The reward for finding is joy. (Lk 15:1-32)
1. The Parable of the Lost Lamb.
a. v5 - And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders.
b. v7 - I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
2. The Parable of the Lost Coin.
a. v9 - And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.
b. v10 - In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.
3. The Parable of the Lost Son. v24 - For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
4. Remember this, says Jam 5:20, whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
5. There is no joy like watching someone you’ve witnessed to commit their life to the Lord!
Make this your evening prayer:
“Lord, use me to witness to someone this week.
With Your power, help me to
introduce them to You”!
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