(I spoke on this subject today as a guest speaker to a dearly beloved group of brothers and sisters in Christ. It was a real privilege and honour to stand in His grace and presence with you all. - Lord Bless you. Forever in the Lord, Shane.)
"Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, "This Man receives sinners and eats with them." So He spoke this parable to them, saying: "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!' I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance."Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!' Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." - Luke 15:1-10 (NKJV)
The other day, I could not help to think that if there is much joy in the presence of angels of God over one sinner who repents, I can't imagine how it must deeply grieve the Lord and the hosts of heaven over one soul that is lost for eternity. Today, I would like to focus on the value of one soul and reaching the lost with the good news, the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. The hope is that we, as the Church, may gain a new revelation on the true value of ones soul so that our hearts may be stirred with compassion with a deep burden to reach a dying world with the message of the divine light of the Gospel.
Personal Testimony
Back in 2003, I met a couple, who in turn, introduced me to Jesus. There names were Shane and Sarah. I will never forget that day when I met Shane in front of a coffee shop, in midst of a food court, in the heart of Mount Royal College campus. From our initial introduction, I immediately began to open up to him. As soon as I made mention of my past as being a Jehovah's Wittness, Shane took a special interest in learning more of my history and background.
From that day forward, week after week, Shane and his wife began to invest their time into my life sowing seeds of hope and destiny into my heart. Shane and I would often meet at least once a week for coffee. Some days we spent anywhere from two to three hours talking about various topics, mostly related to school. At one point of the conversation, Shane would almost always begin to talk about Jesus. As he did this, his eyes would be lit with so much joy. Through Shane and Sarah's testimonies, I also began to understand what it meant to be born again as spoken by the Lord in the Gospel of John Chapter 3. I began to see from Shane and his wife Sarah's life, that life in Christ was based on a relationship with Him that ultimately would transform ones heart from the moment of repentance and complete surrender. The more time I spent with Shane and Sarah, the more I wanted what they had. As they carefully explained and lived the gospel before me, my heart began to open to their life giving words of salvation. February of 2004, I received Jesus as the Lord of my soul and Master of my life. The decision to commit ones life for Christ is most important decision anyone can have ever make.
As I mentioned, I saw the living gospel in action through two of my good friends, Shane and Sarah. Their acts of love towards me opened the eyes of my heart to see the living God for who He really is and what He is really like. Jesus is same yesterday, today, and forever. God IS love. And through Shane and Sarah’s acts of love, His Spirit freely wooed me unto Himself until the day when I finally returned to my Shepard and Guardian of my soul (1 Peter 2:25). What an unspeakable joy it is to know that you have been purchased and bought by the Blood of Jesus! We all belong to Him.
What motivated Shane and his wife to share about what God did to reconcile man to Himself? Surely it was their love for God and love for people. Through the eyes of Jesus, the were able to see the value of my soul.
Mission Calling
"...Behold, I say to you, lift your eyes and look at the field, for they are already white for harvest!" - John 4:35.
I have a heart for the nations. Nations, regions, and continents such as Japan, North Korea, all of Asia, Israel, Middle East and all of Africa are all on my heart. Last year, the Lord opened the door to go on a three week missions trip to Japan. Japan is a nation that has yet to see a real harvest of souls. It is estimated that 0.5% of the a population of 127,000,000 people are Christian. Ever since my return my heart often repeats the words of the prophet Isaiah, "Here am I! Send me!" If the Lord wills, the door to Japan or another nation will surely open. Upon my return from my mission trip to Japan last spring, I began to see my own community here in Calgary in a new light. The Lord began to show me that many of the people who were walking outside and around my community, or in my office, were also lost without Him. I also remember how my pastor once said that our families are our first mission field. How true this is for many of us who have unsaved family members. If we take a look around us, we find ourselves in a sea of lost souls. Many people right here in this city are perishing without hope. I believe many of these precious souls are longing to hear life giving words of hope and salvation.
Some statistics on death and suicide in and outside Canada
Last month, the Government of Canada dedicated one week to mental health awareness. According to a 1998 Canadian study on death and suicide, approximately 3,700 Canadians took their own lives, and average of 10 suicides a day (Langois, p.1 stat Canada). In Japan, it is estimated that about 100 people commit suicide each day. Hundreds of souls lost for eternity. These grievous statistics may cause our hearts to break, but how much more does God's heart break over those who are slipping into eternal separation from Him? Many of these people, who cross our paths each day could be having suicidal ideations without displaying any real outward signs. Our hearts must be sensitive to the Holy Spirit when reaching out the lost at any given time so that the hope of glory in us may also touch and transform their lives with the love of Jesus.
What does the Bible say about the value of ones soul?
"Now when He had departed from there, He went into their synagogue. And behold, there was a man who had a withered hand. And they asked Him, saying, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?"--that they might accuse Him. Then He said to them, "What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out? Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep?" - Matthew 12:9-13
So here Jesus gives us an illustration of a common situation between a man and his lost sheep while contrasting sheep and man, thus emphasising the value of a person's soul.
"Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will. But the very hairs of your head are numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are more value than many sparrows." - Matthew 10: 30,31
Within the context, Jesus teaches us to fear God and not man. Yet, the value of person's life is again emphasised. Sparrows during Christ's time on earth were considered of little value. If sparrows, which were considered little in value have a place and purpose in God's creation, how more value is a human life to God?
"For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" - Matthew 16:26
Not even all the riches and wealth in the whole world can measure the value of one soul. The other day, I heard a testimony of a very rich man who lived right here in Calgary. The man's profession was in the field of developing custom made dentures. He owned a half million dollar house along with all trimmings of a nice car as well as expensive clothing. The man thought he had it all, even to the point of boasting in all his riches. His wife, who was a believer, had spent many years praying for him. His heart, however, always seem to be closed to the gospel. In recent months, this man suffered from a brain aneurysm which left him physically disabled and confined to a hospital bed. One day, he saw as it were in a vision where the ground beside him had opened up revealing the depth and darkness of hell below. It was if he was on the very threshold of being lost for eternity. In the next moment, Jesus came and swept him away preventing him from swallowed into the depth of the dark pit. The prayers of his wife and others were finally answered. In the midst of near death and a significant loss of all his wealth, this dear man found his life in Christ. He is more alive than he ever was without Jesus.
This testimony reminds me of the passage in Luke 18:25-27:
"For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle then for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God. And those who heard it said, "Who can be saved?" But He said, "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God."
Perhaps one of verses in scripture that best and clearly proves God's heart on the value of the human soul is found in John 3:16.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
Being a witness for Christ
The Bible says in Romans 6:23: "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Are we as the Church willing to be yielded vessels and share about the gift of God that we received by grace through faith with the lost? As King David of old said, "Is there not a cause?" Jesus has not only entrusted us with the gospel to reach lost souls but He also has commissioned us.
And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." - Mark 16:15-18
Let us also take heed to the Lord's reminder to those He has commissioned.
"Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven." - Matthew 10:32,33
What an "awesome responsibility", as Billy Graham once said, to share the divine message of the gospel with people. I heard a person once say, "People are more willing to listen than we are willing to share." If this is true, than we as the church must turn the tide and be the Church to our neighbors, in our classrooms, offices, homes and street corners. But are we truly willing to deny self, take up our cross and follow after Him?
Kingdom keys to reach out to the lost
1-It all begins with our walk with God. Daily and intimate fellowship with the Holy Spirit through prayer, praise and worship.
2-Daily studying and reading of the Word of God. This will help us to grow in deeper relationship with the Lord, equip us with the full armour of God and enable us to be ready to preach the gospel both in and out of season. Washing and renewing our minds with the watering of the Word of God will also help us to fully appreciate who we are in Christ and empower us to withstand the attacks of the devil.
3-Now step out of the boat and put your full trust in Jesus! Some of us may feel shy in opening up a discussion with others. Most of us however have felt the prompting of the Holy Spirit to speak into a persons life. I often find that once I open my mouth (when being prompted by His Spirit), God will take it the rest of the way. Also remember these words of truth and encouragement: "....the word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart." - Romans 10:8
Recently, before meeting people who don't know the Lord, I open my Bible and claim Isaiah 61:1-3 knowing that just as the Father sent Him, now He sends us empowered by the Holy Spirit.
"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified." - Isaiah 61: 1-3
4-Intercede for your unsaved family and friends. I encourage you to continue to stand in the gap for them and remember the precious promise in 2 Peter 3:8,9:
"The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance."
Pray that God's will be done for your dad, mother, brother, sister, relatives and friends.
5-Finally, being a witness for Jesus may involve sowing a seed of love and blessing into a person's and even a stranger's life. One day my friend and brother in Christ, Rick White, said to me, “Imagine how one act of love can impact a life?”. He then paused in thought and continued saying, “Imagine how 400 acts of love can impact our city?”
Rick White's Testimony
As it is his daily custom, Rick will often stop by at Starbucks after work. Whether it is the store on 8th & 12th, or 8th & 5th, most of the staff know him by name and know exactly to make him. Rick in turn also knows most, if not all, the employees by name. Over time he built relationships, and got to know many of them on a personal level. On one particular occasion, a Starbucks employee opened up to Rick and told him about her struggle in making ends meet. The young woman was paying an exceedingly high rental fee while not having money enough left over to buy groceries. Rick came prepared that day. In his pocket was a small gift card for a local grocery store that just happened to have her name on it. With tears welling up in her eyes, she thanked him over and over. I can’t imagine how much that one act of love has already impacted her life. I thank You Jesus for Rick's unwavering acts of love and obedience to Your word. I pray that that door of that woman's heart will only continue to hear the knock of Your Holy love and kindness.
"Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?" - Romans 2:4 (NASB)
Perhaps the Lord has put one soul, a number of people, a city, or a nation on your heart? I challenge you today to begin to see the true value in the souls around you. Step out of the boat and reach out to them. Whoever God causes to cross our path or whatever mission field He has us labouring in, my prayer is that each of us would be faithful and obedient to The Great Commission. I pray that we may be bold and uncompromising like Daniel while we let our lights shine for His glory and Namesake. I pray that we may see many lost souls enter into the kingdom of Light from the kingdom of darkness.
