Wednesday Night, December 10, 2003  

 

 

Chuck began his Sunday Night sermon talking about the EMT who saved the little boy’s iguana by providing CPR. Would you give CPR to an iguana? What would motivate you to do that?  

How important is “training our vision” as we develop a heart for the lost? 

 

Who do you “see” when you encounter a person in the world? 

___ An enemy? 

___ Just another warm body (nobody to worry about)? 

___ A potential friend? 

___ A person who is lost? 

___ A person dead in sin? 

___ Someone who deserves his/her fate? 

___ Nothing (you don't see the person at all)? 

___ A person for whom Christ died? 

 

 

 

Chuck used Michael Greene's material which outlines three motives for sharing the Gospel with the lost.  The first of these motives is a sense of gratitude. How should gratitude prompt us to reach out to the lost?  

 

Why is this “sense of gratitude” the proper impetus for reaching out to the lost? Relate this thought to Jesus encounter with the sinful woman in Luke 7:36-50 and especially his words, “. . .her many sins have been forgiven – for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.”  

The second motive that should prompt us to share with the lost is a sense of responsibility. What is God’s expectation of us as “ambassadors for Christ”? Chuck cited the passage of II Corinthians 5:7-11.  Verse 11 says, "Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men."  What is it to "fear the Lord" and how do you understand fearing the Lord in the context of "persuading men"? 

To support the motive of a sense of responsibility, Chuck used some examples of individuals in extreme and dire situations (i.e., The story of the monk who was burned at the stake by the Roman Catholic church for trying to take a bible in German to his home country.)  Perhaps there is a chance our sensitivity to our motive of responsibility is less when our lives are not threatened by such extreme circumstances.  Have you found this to be true? Should it take such threats before we feel prompted to answer the call of sharing the Gospel?  How can we be more sensitive to our responsibility in our sometimes bland, cushy lifestyles? 

 

The last motive is a sense of concern. Chuck noted the divisions that are often mentioned in scripture: the acceptance of Christ, the broad and narrow roads, the rulers of God or money, the living in Christ or dying without him.  It was suggested that our concern for those on the wrong side of these divisions should gnaw at us.  If it doesn't gnaw at us, why not?  Is there a chance we make ourselves numb to our concern because it makes us feel guilty?  How can this become a motive that propels us to action?  

 

 

 

Which of these three motives challenges you the most?  Why? 

James uttered some profound words in chapter 5:19-20, "My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover a multitude of sins." 

 

Who needs to be brought back? Whose responsibility is it to do it? 

 

 

 

After our discussion this evening, how can you begin to see the lost 

differently?  What will it take for you to become more 

compassionate and ready to share your faith with those who do not 

know Jesus?