Evangelistically Faithful | Pastor Dre Burgs

Evangelistically Faithful: Matthew 28:19-20

Jesus Followers place their confidence (Romans 1:16) in the authority of Christ (1 Corinthians 1:18) by a willingness to instruct all whom they encounter (Romans 10:14-15) on the revealed truth of Jesus Christ as lead by the Holy Spirit.

•Disciple Others (Timothy 2:1-2; Titus 2)
•Prepared to give out the gospel of hope (1 Peter 3:15-16)
•Frequently shares faith in both word (2 Timothy 4:2) and deed (1 Peter 1:14-16)
•Prayerfully asks that God might call those around them to place their faith in Christ 
(Romans 10:1)

This week Pastor Dre asks a few questions to get us thinking about the Apostle Pauls’s heart for the loss and then gives four reasons why to be effective and fruitful followers of Jesus we must cultivate a heart for the lost.  

•Should not our heart feel what Paul felt? 
•Should we not grieve over the misery of the lost—especially over our kinsmen? 
•Should we not have the same desire for their salvation that Paul had?
•Should we not look upon the people at our workplaces with a mixture of sorrow for their condition and longing for their conversion? 
•Can we claim to be biblical Christians if, day in and day out, we work and eat and laugh with unbelievers and feel none of these things? 

FOUR REASONS TO CULTIVATE A HEART FOR THE LOST

1. Because the Secret Things Belong to God 

The secret things belong to the Lord our God; but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law. Deuteronomy 29:29

Don't Meddle With God's Prerogatives 

•Love your enemy, and pray for those who persecute you" Matthew 5:44
•"Do good to one another and to all men" 1 Thessalonians 5:15
•"Whosoever will, let him take the water of life without price" Revelation 22:17 
•"All who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved" Romans 10:13 

2. Because God Takes No Pleasure in Their Death 

Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, says the Lord God, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live? Ezekiel 18:23 

I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, says the Lord God; so turn, and live. Ezekiel 18:32

3. Because They Were Made in the Image of God 

We should feel a desire for the salvation of the unbelieving.
 
Their potential to live for his glory is there as long as they live on the earth. 

4. Because Our Own Salvation Is an Undeserved Gift we must feel compassion for the perishing and a longing for their conversion