Seeking The Lost

Church of Christ site GahannaJeffersonChurchOfChrist.org links to an online bible

New Site at TheGJCOC.com!

Home   Salvation   Our Mission   Sermon Central   Guest Book   Search This Site   Contact Us

This Page Has Moved!

Luke 19:10 tells us, "... the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost."

In the Great Commission we learn how as Jesus gave the command that His people were to be an evangelistic church.  That we are to be seeking the lost and teaching them the Gospel.

Mark 16:15, "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."

Matthew 28:19-20 "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

The Bible grants us both the privilege and the responsibility of “taking the Name of Jesus with us" wherever we go. We can and must have a part in reaching the lost.  We are to preach the Gospel, for God has chosen to use preaching to reach the world (I Corinthians 1:21)!  But what exactly does preaching or teaching "The Gospel" entail?  The Gospel consists of: Facts to believe, Commands to obey and Promises to enjoy.

The Facts to Believe:

All have sinned and stand in need of a savior, one who can remove the guilt of sin and reconcile us to God (Romans 3:23).

I Corinthians 15:3-4 teaches that Jesus died on the Cross for the sins of mankind, He was buried and rose again on “third day according to the Scriptures.”  In doing so, he became that savior.  Because he rose from death, we can be alive to God through Him (Romans 6:5-11).

The Commands to Obey:

Believe that Jesus is who He says He is, the Son of God - We are taught in Hebrews 11:6, "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him".

Repent of sin - We are taught in Luke 13:3, "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."

Confess Him (Christ) before men - Matthew 10:32-33, "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.  But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven".

Be buried with Him (Christ) in baptism - Galatians 3:27, "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ".  I Peter 3:20-21, "Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.  The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ".

Walk in the light to enjoy fellowship with The Church and continuing forgiveness - I John 1:7, "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin."

The Promises to Enjoy:

Having your sins forgiven and receiving the Gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:28-39).

Enjoying the fruits of the Spirit:  Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meekness, Temperance or Self-Control (Galatians 5:22-23).

Do you believe the facts?  Are you obeying the commands and enjoying the promises?  Are you an ambassador for the Lord everywhere you go, seeking to save the lost as you also have been saved?

We must lift Jesus up before the lost world as the ONLY hope of salvation from sin, remembering that when we accept the facts and obey His commands He will come to bring us to heaven (John 14:1-6).  Seek the lost and preach the Gospel at every opportunity, with words and with the living example of your life.