The Call to Reach the

Lost

1 Cor. 9:16

“For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for

necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the

gospel.”1 Corinthians 9:16

A “calling” from above• God commands it• Directly – The great

commission Mark 16:16, Matt. 28:18-20

• The apostles and those they taught – cf. Philip (Ac. 8), Ac. 8:4, 2 Tim. 2:2, Col. 1:23

A “calling” from above• Christ set the example –

1 Cor. 11:1, 1 Jn. 2:6Luke 19:10; 4:43

• The church supports preaching the gospel – 1 Tim. 3:15, 1 Thess. 1:6-8

A “calling” from above• 1st Century Examples –

Acts 8:4, 20:20• Such examples ought to

“move” us to seek the lost around us.

A “calling” from without• The need of mankind• The need of sin - Rom.

3:23, 6:23• Because of sin, man needs a

Savior – Jesus – Matt. 9:36-38, Jn. 4:34

• Rom. 5:6-8

A “calling” from without• How does man learn of his

need? • Through the gospel - Rom.

1:16 1 Cor. 15:1-4• 1 Cor. 1:20-25 – The

foolishness of the message preached!

A “calling” from without• WE have the gospel. Will we

share it with others? • Through the gospel –

Rom. 10:13-171 Cor. 9:19-23 – All things to all men

A “calling” from within• My conscience tells me I

need to do this! • Psalm 39:1-3, cf. 2 Kn. 7:9• The “spirit within” – Ac.

17:16, 2 Pet. 2:8, Rom. 9:1-2

A “calling” from within• Do we feel compassion for

the lost? Do we really care?• Where would I be if someone

did not take the time to teach me?

A “calling” from below• Considering the eternal

destiny of the lost – eternity in torments - Matt. 25:46, 2 Thess. 1:9, Rev. 21:8

• We ought to do all we can to keep others out of hell - Jude 23

A “calling” from below• The rich man (and Lazarus) –

Luke 16:27-31• 2 Cor. 5:10-11, 2 Thess.

1:6-9 - Knowing the terror of the Lord we persuade men

A “calling” from below• This danger may be real to

us as well – if we FAIL to seek the lost! Ezek. 3:15-21, 1 Cor. 9:16

Will we answer our “calling”

toward the lost?