"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
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
-- Isn’t it true that Jesus
taught 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
-- Isn’t it true that Jesus taught
that 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(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 –1 Pe 4:17-18
4. Who described the fiery judgment of
the ungodly, thus the need for repentance - 2 Pe 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 Co 5:10
3. Who warned of the end of those who do
not obey the gospel- 2 Th 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) - 1 Jn 5:11-13
2. Who taught that we must abide in the
doctrine of Christ to have God - 2 Jn 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. 1 Co 9:24-27;
2. Growing in grace and knowledge, as
instructed by Peter - cf. 2 Pe 3:17-18
-- 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; 2 Co 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 - 2 Pe
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." -
2 Co 5:10-11