"THE LOSTNESS OF THE LOST"
INTRODUCTION
1. Seemingly absent in many churches and among Christians today is a
strong concern for the lost...
a. Manifested by lack of personal evangelism
b. Evidenced by failure to actively support foreign evangelism
2. It is as though many have adopted the doctrine of universalism...
a. That many, if not all, people will ultimately be saved
b. That all sincere people, no matter their religion, will go to
heaven
[Do we find ourselves not concerned for the souls of those who are lost?
If so, then let Jesus and His apostles remind us of "The Lostness Of The
Lost"...]
I. AS PROCLAIMED BY JESUS
A. IN HIS SERMON ON THE MOUNT...
1. Jesus spoke of the reality of hell - Mt 5:22,29-30
2. He warned that few will find the way that leads to life - Mt 7:
13-14
3. Even many religious people who believe in Him will find
themselves lost - Mt 7:21-23
-- Did Jesus not teach that most, even the religious, will be
lost?
B. IN HIS PARABLES...
1. Warning that many in His kingdom will be lost - Mt 13:41-43
2. Speaking of the separation of the wicked from the just - Mt 13:
49-50
-- Did Jesus not teach even many in His kingdom will be lost?
C. IN HIS GREAT COMMISSION...
1. Commanding His apostles to preach of salvation and condemnation
- Mk 16:15-16
2. Requiring that repentance be preached in His name to all
nations - Lk 24:46-47
-- Why give such a charge, unless Jesus believed in "The Lostness
Of The Lost"?
[Jesus not only proclaimed "The Lostness Of The Lost", but also made it
clear that He is the only way to God and salvation (cf. Jn 14:6). Note
also the lostness of the lost...]
II. AS PROCLAIMED BY HIS APOSTLES
A. PETER...
1. Calling on the need to repent - Ac 3:19
2. Claiming salvation only in the name of Jesus - Ac 4:10-12
3. Who wrote of judgment and the scarcity of salvation - 1Pe 4:
17-18
4. Who described the fiery judgment of the ungodly, thus the need
for repentance - 2Pe 3:7-12
-- Peter clearly believed in "The Lostness Of The Lost"
B. PAUL...
1. Who also preached of judgment, and the need for all to repent
- Ac 17:30-31
2. Who wrote of God's wrath, the need for mercy, and the judgment
to come - Ro 1:18; 2:4-11; 3:23; 14:10-12; 2Co 5:10
3. Who warned of the end of those who do not obey the gospel
- 2Th 1:7-9
-- Paul clearly proclaimed "The Lostness Of The Lost"
C. JOHN...
1. Who wrote that eternal life is only in the Son (Jesus) - 1Jn
5:11-13
2. Who taught that we must abide in the doctrine of Christ to have
God - 2Jn 9
3. Who foresaw the judgment, and the terrible end of the wicked
- Re 20:11-15; 21:8
-- Even John, "the apostle of love", believed in "The Lostness Of
The Lost"!
[Who can deny that Jesus and His apostles believed and taught that
people are lost, and that a terrible end awaits those who do not repent
and obey the gospel of Christ?
What then, should be evident among Christians today who truly believe in
"The Lostness Of The Lost"...?]
III. AS BELIEVED BY HIS DISCIPLES
A. THEY TAKE THEIR OWN SALVATION SERIOUSLY...
1. As exemplified by the apostle Paul - cf. 1Co 9:24-27; Php 3:
12-14
2. Growing in grace and knowledge, as instructed by Peter - cf.
2Pe 3:17-18; 1:5-11
-- Does concern for your own salvation reflect belief in "The
Lostness Of The Lost"?
B. THEY ARE CONCERNED FOR THE SALVATION OF OTHERS...
1. They will have compassion for the lost, like Jesus and Paul
- cf. Mt 9:35-36; Ro 10:1-4
2. Such compassion, accompanied by a knowledge the lostness of
others, will move them to act like Jesus and Paul did - cf.
Mt 9:37-38; 10:1,5-7; 2Co 5:10-11
3. They will either go to the lost themselves, or send others to
go - cf. Ro 10:14-15
-- Does your concern for others' salvation reflect belief in "The
Lostness Of The Lost"?
CONCLUSION
1. Certainly the gospel of Christ is not all "fire, hell, and
damnation"...
a. It is good news of God's grace, love, and mercy to sinners - 1 Ti
2:3-6
b. Whatever delay there may seem to be regarding the Lord's return is
due to God's desire that all be saved - 2Pe 3:9
2. But neither is the gospel of Christ a doctrine of universal
salvation...
a. In which a benign God accepts everyone as they are with no need to
repent
b. In which there is no compelling need to share the gospel of
salvation to others
If we are to be properly motivated to save others, we need to be moved
not only by the love of Christ, but also by a proper understanding of
"The Lostness Of The Lost"...
"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that
each one may receive the things done in the body, according to
what he has done, whether good or bad. Knowing, therefore, the
terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to
God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences."
- 2Co 5:10-11
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Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2009
