Christ First Forum

Seeking the Lost
By Frank Holmes

When Christ came to this earth His emphasis was on seeking the lost.
Luke 19:10 for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

How is this accomplished? Jesus gave us the answer when He said follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men. Matthew 4:19

In this world full of lost people how can we reach the lost who are in need of the Great Physician? We must learn to deal with each patient separately. And that involves personal contact. Jesus Said; Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel.

Here I want to share with you some guidelines that will help us when seeking the lost and what to do when we find them.

1. We should live what we preach.
I can't say to others, do as I say do, but don't do as I do. They need to see Jesus in you. 1 Corinthians 4:9 For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men.
My strongest testimony to others is how I live my own life.

2. We must Love people.
We cannot pretend that we care. People quickly recognize weather you are sencire in your love for them or not and your motive. Love for our neighbor is commanded. Matthew 5:43

3. We need to meet the people where they are (Public)
weather it be in the local Wal-Mart, in your neighborhood, at work, on a bus, or just in passing. Jesus never met a stranger and He was constantly going to the people. Paul testified that he became all things to all people that he might by all means save some. 1 Corinthians 9:22

4. We need to look for the need of that person.
Remember, Jesus said those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance. Mark 2:17 You may be surprised to how many people are willing to talk and share there life with you. Often they are just looking for someone to confide in. If we will listen, truly listen then we can see the need from a spiritual perspective rather then the physical perspective.

5. Learn how to be a good communicator.
Keep away from technicalities, refuse to become involved in useless debates and futile arguments. John 4:20-21 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.”
21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father.
The women at the well tried to divert Jesus, but Jesus cut to the chase and the heart of the matter and saw her real need. In verse 22 through 26 He said; You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews.
23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.
24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
25 The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, He will tell us all things.”
26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.”

Lear to communicate what the Lord wants to be said through communicating with the Lord regularly.

6. Our concentration and focus should be fixed on the Lord.
Never let your personal life or testimony draw more attention to self then the Lord. Remember John 3:30-32 He must increase, but I must decrease. My goal is to present Jesus. He Is the attraction, not I.

7. We should use tact.
We should be sensitive to the other persons feelings. It is with tjhe spirit of discernment. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally, and without reproach, and it will be given to him. James 1:5
Be natural, be real, but be courteous. Above all be a good listener. Ask wise questions.

8. We should try and bring a person to a dececission.
A lot of the churches of today do not believe in giving invitations anymore.
One of the last things Jesus did was give an invitation in Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.
This is accomplished through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit John 16:8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.
This chance that God gives us may never come again and that opportunity to lead some one to Christ is God given. Now is the day of salvation. Don't let it pass you by. We receive not because we ask not. James 4:2. Don't let that person on judgement day say that you never asked them to come to Jesus or accept Him as there Lord and Saviour.

9. Make it clear that they understand the scriptures that you speak are from the Lord.
Jesus said that man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.
John 5:24 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. These words are from the Son of God and they are meant and spoken to you. They are spoken with finality and authority.

Finally
10. Make it clear that there is a difference between knowing God and knowing about God. People attend church every week and speak about God often with there mouth but there heart is far from Him. They are forever learning but never coming to the knowledge of truth.
The devil believes and knows about God, but he will not go to heaven.
Knowing God involves getting down to business and making a decision to accept Him or reject Him as your Lord and Saviour. The first step to getting there is Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you. James 4:8
Repent and believe in the gospel. Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Confess Him with your mouth and believe in your heart that He was raised from the dead and you will be saved. Romans 10:9
These are the steps to knowing God instead of just knowing about Him.

Remember if we are seeking after the Lost we must have personal contact with them. Go ye into all the world preaching the Gospel. Compelling them to come into the house of God. Allow Him to make you fisher of men for the field is ripe unto harvest.

Great post Bro. Frank. This is what we are going through at church, being 100%. Are we giving our all.
When you really look at it, what is expected of us, is not that much. Amazing how we make it out to
be more than it is. Our soul purpose today (especially) should be to seek the lost and share the
gospel with them before it's too late.

The Holy Spirit does the saving,but God has allowed me to be 'part' of someone accepting the Lord.

It's our 'obedience to Him',and we're not to worry about how we dress or speak or know.

God will give us the 'words of God' to speak through the HS...

God said in His Word, 'His Word will not come back VOID.'

If you pray, God will send someone for you to witness with.

It's on God's time...

To experience Him at work IN AND THROUGH YOU, you must obey Him.

When you OBEY Him, He will ACCOMPLISH His work though You; and you will come to KNOW HIM BY EXPERIENCE...

OBEDIENCE IS THE OUTWARD EXPRESSION OF YOUR LOVE OF GOD..

OBEDIENCE IS THE OUTWARD EXPRESSION OF YOUR LOVE TO THAT PERSON...