HARVEST TIME 4: PASSION FOR THE LOST

Where there’s a will, there’s a way! 

Passion for the unsaved is a very important element for the harvest. Regardless of how we are encouraged to share the good news; without a passion for the lost, we cannot effectively and consistently obey the great commission.

The objective of this study therefore is to help us in developing passion for the harvest. 

​Be blessed as you read!

It does not take a careful observation to note that in many Christian circles today, the most important reason for which Jesus came seems to have been pushed to second place. Jesus said: "For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost." (Matthew 18:11). The visible expression of God’s love for humanity through the brutal punishment Christ endured on the cross was not just intended for us to be comfortable; it was to save as many as possible. This study challenges us to examine how we are faring in this most important duty the Lord requires of His disciples. 

Memory verse: For though I preach the gospel, no glory is to me. For necessity is laid on me; yea, woe is to me if I do not preach the gospel! (1Corinthians 9:16 MKJB) 

​Paul said necessity is laid upon him to preach the gospel. In other words, he considers it his responsibility for others to hear the good news. 

Reflections

1. What is the difference between feeling responsible for the people around you hearing the good news and feeling responsible for their salvation? In what ways does a great sense of responsibility, burden and care for the unsaved inspire us to evangelise effectively?  Relate this with Rom 10:13-14
2. Identify some factors that prevent us from freely proclaiming our faith in society today and discuss if there is nothing we can do about them. What lessons can we learn from Peter and John’s resilience, in order not to be intimidated by contemporary society’s views on the Christian faith? o See Mark 8:38 o Where there’s a will, there’s a way!
3. ​From Paul’s narrative and encounter with King Aggripa, discuss the importance of passion for the lost in soul winning. Considering all the examples in this lesson, what brought them to this level of passion? How can we come to this level? 

Conclusion

​We all know that it is not the will of God that anyone should perish; God wants all people to come to repentance and salvation. He desires all people to be free from the power of sin, Satan and eternal condemnation. We therefore have a responsibility to be zealous and passionate about the salvation of souls, which is the will and ultimate purpose of God. The coming to faith of any soul is a joint duty of the believer and the Holy Spirit. We MUST do the talking for the Spirit of God to bring the conviction. If they don’t hear, there is nothing to serve as the basis to convict the world of sin. It is clearly the lack of passion for the harvest that fuels all the excuses we accept today as reasonable basis not to share the gospel freely. We need to pray for God to fill us with the passion that Peter, John, Paul and others had, to win our world for Christ. The harvest indeed is plenty, but the labourers are few. Let’s heed the Lord’s exhortation to pray to the Lord of the harvest to empower many more with passion for the lost. 

This message is culled from the GVM Sunday school bulletin

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