“For the Son of Man is come to
save that which is lost” (Matt
18:11).
“What man of you, having an
hundred sheep, if he lose one of
them, doth not leave the ninety
and nine in the wilderness, and go
after that which is lost, until he
find it? And when he hath found
it, he layeth it on his shoulders,
rejoicing. And when he cometh
home, he calleth together his
friends and neighbors, saying
unto them, “rejoice with me; for I
have found my sheep which was
lost.” I say unto you, that likewise
joy shall be in heaven over one
sinner that repenteth, more than
over ninety and nine just persons,
which need no repentance” (Luke
15:4-7).
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THE CHURCH REGAINING ITS PASSION FOR THE LOST
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The gospels are replete with
sayings and actions by
Jesus that affirm his great
concern for the lost. He said, “For
the Son of Man is come to seek
and to save that which was lost”
(Luke 19:10). Jesus’ mission on
earth was to the lost. He gave His
life on Calvary for the lost. His
parting words to the church were,
“go and seek’ the lost. If the church
is to be the church, it must have
the same love and passion for the
lost. I want to suggest that collectively
some churches and individuals
have lost their zeal for seeking
the lost.
While these people are “at ease
in Zion” (Amos 6:1a), shouting,
singing and testifying inside the
church building; many people are
dying and going to hell! There are
some churches that have no need
for a baptismal pool. After salvation,
Christians’ primary concerns
should be maturity and the lost.
When we come together on Sunday,
it should be to give adoration to
God and to celebrate our discipleship
work done during the week.
For many, their celebration is only
because of something that God has
given to them—new car, new
house, etc. While it is good and
right to be thankful to God for His
goodness, we should also make ourselves
available to God, to seek and
witness to the lost.
I am convinced that there is a
great need for the church to regain
its passion for the lost. I believe
there has risen “up a generation
that knew not God.” Like in the
days of the Judges, “In those days
there was no king in Israel: every
man did that which was right in his
own eyes (Judges 21:25).” In times
past, it was very difficult to find a
family where the child, parent and
grandparent had no knowledge
about God. However, today in a
world where bibles are plentiful,
many types of religions exist and
religious broadcasts are abundant;
yet, a large segment of the population
does not know God. Despite
the rise of mega-churches and
great television audiences, there
are more lost people than ever
before. Most of the growth we see is
just “transfers”, not new converts.
The lost are not only those in “a far
country” but also those that are at
home (inside the church). Our looking for the lost should start in
Jerusalem (at home), Judea (the
community), Samaria (those who
may be different from you), and the
uttermost part of the earth (the
world).
How can a church or an individual
regain their passion for the lost?
First, consider hell, a place of eternal
torment. Second, heaven, a
place of everlasting bliss and being
in the presence of the Lord. Third,
ask yourself this question, “Do I
really want my children, my spouse,
my neighbor, my friend, or anybody
to go to hell? Let us regain our passion
for the lost!
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