Going After the lost

I. Introduction and Context Pastor’s introduction of Brother Lawrence and connection to his preaching in Liberia. Purpose: prepare God’s people for the coming harvest (Easter, witnessing, inviting, praying for family and friends). II. Liberia Experiences and Personal Testimony Brother Lawrence’s joy in returning “home” to Victory Church. Repeated trips to Liberia (and Israel) despite earlier reluctance to travel to West Africa. Observation: high percentage of professing Christians in Liberia; strong biblical knowledge, even among children. Humbling experiences with Liberian believers’ excellence in dress and worship; story of being underdressed and then over-preparing, only to need borrowed attire. III. Transition to the Message and Text Framing the message as a serious word from the Holy Spirit and a “gift from Liberia.” Link to upcoming events: Easter, baby dedications, baptisms. Call to open hearts and ears. Scripture text announced: Luke 16:19–31 (rich man and Lazarus). IV. Reading and Setting of Luke 16:19–31 Jesus speaking in the presence of disciples, tax collectors, sinners, and Pharisees. Pharisees questioning Jesus for associating with sinners and tax collectors. Reading the parable: Rich man clothed in purple and fine linen, living in luxury. Beggar Lazarus at his gate, full of sores, longing for crumbs; dogs licking his sores. Death of both men: Lazarus carried to Abraham’s side, rich man in torment in Hades. Rich man’s plea for relief and Abraham’s answer about the great fixed gulf. Rich man’s request to warn his brothers; Abraham’s reply about Moses and the prophets and the refusal to believe even if one rises from the dead. V. Clarifying the Real Issue: Pride, Not Possessions Warning against quickly judging the rich man and assuming wealth itself is evil. Affirmation: God gives power to get wealth and desires to bless His children. Real problem: pride and selfishness—wealth becoming an idol that controls the heart. Evidence of selfishness: refusal to help Lazarus despite great abundance and space. VI. Jesus’ Definition of True Wealth Reference to Matthew 13:44–46: Treasure hidden in a field, man sells all to buy it. Merchant finding one pearl of great price, selling all to get it. Teaching: the kingdom of heaven is the true treasure and lasting wealth. Contrast between God’s definition of wealth and the world’s (cars, status, luxury). Scripture as our manual for teaching, correction, and equipping; having answers but still making wrong choices. VII. Applying the Parable Personally: “I Am the Rich Man” Call for each believer to identify as the rich man spiritually. Believers are “filthy rich” in spiritual terms—rich in the gospel and knowledge of Christ. Question: Are there spiritually hungry “Lazaruses” we pass every day? Description of spiritually starving people: Coming for prayer, asking questions, clearly in need. Trying to fill their inner void with sin, addictions, relationships, and pleasures. Challenge: how many such Lazaruses are ignored or postponed (“I’ll talk to them tomorrow”)? VIII. Illustrative Story: Daniel and Mike Daniel as a faithful Christian, hard worker, devoted family man, regular church attender. Coworker Mike searching spiritually, marriage failing, feeling empty. Daniel intending to share the gospel “when things slow down,” continually postponing. Mike moves away amid crisis; Daniel never shares Christ with him. Daniel’s conviction and resolve afterward: no longer treating evangelism as optional or “when I have time.” IX. Scriptural Call to Kingdom Priority and Mission Matthew 6:33: seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Mark 8:36: what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul? Matthew 28:19–20: the Great Commission—go, make disciples, baptize, teach. Acknowledgment of ongoing worries (finances, health, stress), but insistence that they must not block obedience. Question: how many Lazaruses suffer or die spiritually because of our worries and delays? X. Heaven’s Joy over the Lost: Luke 15 Context before the parable: Luke 15 (the “lost” chapter). Parable of the lost sheep (leaving the 99 for the one; joy in heaven over one sinner who repents). Parable of the lost coin (diligent search, rejoicing with neighbors when found). Emphasis: explicit description of joy in heaven and among the angels over one repentant sinner. Point: this is what makes heaven rejoice; this is God’s heart. XI. Identity and Responsibility of Believers Believers as spiritually rich and left on earth for a mission, not taken immediately to heaven. We are ambassadors for Christ, with God pleading through us for people to be reconciled. We are co-laborers with Christ—He works through us, but we must say “yes” and step out. Reframing the rich man: rather than condemning him, examine our own response to the ...