Steps We Must Take To Reach Those Who Are Spiritually Lost
Luke 19:1-10
1. We must seek the Lord with all our hearts. Isaiah 55:6 - an invitation to
the thirsty
· 2 Samuel 2:1 - the need to inquire if the Lord
· Hebrews 3:7-11 - We must not harden our hearts as the Hebrews did.
· We must seek the Lord while there is still the promise of his response.
· God’s time of salvation is limited.
· A day is coming when God will refuse to be found.
2. We must pray for vision. (Proverbs 29:18) A. Where there is no
revelation there is no vision.
· When people do not follow or accept divine guidance, they run wild.
· Where there is no revelation or vision from God, people lose their Biblical convictions.
3. We must be available to God. (Isaiah 6:8)
· Only those who wholeheartedly seek the Lord and have been cleansed of their sin will be in a position to be used by God. .
· When we place all that we are and all that we have at God’s disposal, God will ask us to work for him.
· But - what he asks may be a difficult thing for us, yet we must be willing.
4. We must pray for a love for people.
· John 13:34-35 - Love one another
· 1 Cor. 13:8,13 - Love lasts forever
· Love for one another does not come naturally or easily.
· True love is a powerful thing
· Love lasts forever
· Love for people and each other shows the world that we are truly his disciples.
5. We must let the Holy Spirit probe regularly into our hearts with the
word of God.
· Ps.119:(9, 11, 105, 130) – hide God’s word in our hearts Prov. 2:1-6 – accept God’s words
· Deut. 8:3 - “Man shall not live by bread alone.”
· Col. 3:16 – “Let the words of Christ dwell richly in you.”
· Heb. 4-12 – “Do not harden your hears as the Hebrews did.”
· The “heart” is the central or most vital part of something.
· The word “heart” is used figuratively concerning our thoughts, feelings, emotions, and intentions.
· The word of God is what changes the things in our heart.
6. We need to keep on praying and not give up. (Luke 18:1)
· Persistent prayer is counted as faith.
· Jesus wants his followers to continually pray in order the they accomplish God’s will for their lives.
· In this life we have an adversary. Satan. Prayer can protect us from the evil one.
7. We must obey God. (John 15:10-17)
· Obedience results in a deep, abiding relationship with God which leads to maturity and the ability to bear much fruit. (The destiny of all believers is to bear fruit)
· Working for the conversion of others to Christ is being obedient as well as bearing fruit.
· We must obey God not because we are servants, but because we are his friends - friends who have been chooses - friends who know God’s plans.
8. We must go. (Matt. 28:18-20)
The story of Zachaeus and the parable of the king’s ten servants showed the people of that day and age that Jesus’ Kingdom would not rule the world right away. First, Jesus would have to go away for a while and his followers would need to be faithful and productive during his absence.
This story and parable apply to us today because we too are living in the same age - the time between Jesus departing and his returning. Each of us have been given something. We will be asked to account for what we do with what God gives us.
We have been given excellent resources to build and expand God’s kingdom. Jesus expects us to use these resources so that they multiply and the kingdom grows.
Let us take some steps towards reaching those who are spiritually lost!
Luke 19:1-10
1. We must seek the Lord with all our hearts. Isaiah 55:6 - an invitation to
the thirsty
· 2 Samuel 2:1 - the need to inquire if the Lord
· Hebrews 3:7-11 - We must not harden our hearts as the Hebrews did.
· We must seek the Lord while there is still the promise of his response.
· God’s time of salvation is limited.
· A day is coming when God will refuse to be found.
2. We must pray for vision. (Proverbs 29:18) A. Where there is no
revelation there is no vision.
· When people do not follow or accept divine guidance, they run wild.
· Where there is no revelation or vision from God, people lose their Biblical convictions.
3. We must be available to God. (Isaiah 6:8)
· Only those who wholeheartedly seek the Lord and have been cleansed of their sin will be in a position to be used by God. .
· When we place all that we are and all that we have at God’s disposal, God will ask us to work for him.
· But - what he asks may be a difficult thing for us, yet we must be willing.
4. We must pray for a love for people.
· John 13:34-35 - Love one another
· 1 Cor. 13:8,13 - Love lasts forever
· Love for one another does not come naturally or easily.
· True love is a powerful thing
· Love lasts forever
· Love for people and each other shows the world that we are truly his disciples.
5. We must let the Holy Spirit probe regularly into our hearts with the
word of God.
· Ps.119:(9, 11, 105, 130) – hide God’s word in our hearts Prov. 2:1-6 – accept God’s words
· Deut. 8:3 - “Man shall not live by bread alone.”
· Col. 3:16 – “Let the words of Christ dwell richly in you.”
· Heb. 4-12 – “Do not harden your hears as the Hebrews did.”
· The “heart” is the central or most vital part of something.
· The word “heart” is used figuratively concerning our thoughts, feelings, emotions, and intentions.
· The word of God is what changes the things in our heart.
6. We need to keep on praying and not give up. (Luke 18:1)
· Persistent prayer is counted as faith.
· Jesus wants his followers to continually pray in order the they accomplish God’s will for their lives.
· In this life we have an adversary. Satan. Prayer can protect us from the evil one.
7. We must obey God. (John 15:10-17)
· Obedience results in a deep, abiding relationship with God which leads to maturity and the ability to bear much fruit. (The destiny of all believers is to bear fruit)
· Working for the conversion of others to Christ is being obedient as well as bearing fruit.
· We must obey God not because we are servants, but because we are his friends - friends who have been chooses - friends who know God’s plans.
8. We must go. (Matt. 28:18-20)
The story of Zachaeus and the parable of the king’s ten servants showed the people of that day and age that Jesus’ Kingdom would not rule the world right away. First, Jesus would have to go away for a while and his followers would need to be faithful and productive during his absence.
This story and parable apply to us today because we too are living in the same age - the time between Jesus departing and his returning. Each of us have been given something. We will be asked to account for what we do with what God gives us.
We have been given excellent resources to build and expand God’s kingdom. Jesus expects us to use these resources so that they multiply and the kingdom grows.
Let us take some steps towards reaching those who are spiritually lost!