By All Means Save Some

1 Cor. 9:19-23, For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak, I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. Now this I do for the gospel's sake, that I may be partaker of it with you."

Introduction:

A. The Consuming Passion of Paul's life and ministry was to save some.

1. Paul lived and was willing to die for the salvation of souls.

Rom. 9:1-3, "I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh.

2. There was a Constant Burden resting upon him that others might be saved.

Rom. 10:1-3, "Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to estabish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God."

B. This should be the Great Concern of Every Christian.

1. John Knox prayed "O God, give me Scotland or I die!"

2. Do we share this Consuming Passion for the salvation of souls?

3. Have we any Real Concern to see men and women saved?

4. Are we Doing Anything to get them saved?

C. It is so easy to be engaged with many other matters, Secondary Matters, and to be failing in this great and supreme objective --- winning souls.

I. The Supreme Objective In Every Christian's Life Should Be The Salvation of Souls.

A. The consuming passion of our Saviour's life was:

1. Luke 19:10, "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."

2. 1 Tim. 1:15, "This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners,..."

3. John 18:11, "Then Jesus said to Peter, Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?"

4. Matt. 9:36, "But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd."

B. He has Commissioned Us To Do The Same --- and entrusted us with the Gospel..

1. John 20:21, "Then Jesus said to them again, Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you."

2. 2 Corinthians 5:18-21, "And all things <are> of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; {19} To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. {20} Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech <you> by us: we pray <you> in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. {21} For he hath made him <to be> sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."

3. Rom. 10:13-15, "For whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!"

C. Presenting the Gospel should be the Ministry And Objective of Every Christian.

1. It was not the Apostles but the Rank And File Members of the church who preached the Word.

Acts 8:1, "At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scatered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles." - V. 4, "Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word."

2. It was the Samaritan Woman, not the apostles, whose testimony won large numbers of people.

John 4:39, "And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, He told me all that I ever did."

D. It is so easy for us to :

1. Become Inward Looking and not Outward Reaching.

2. "Holding Fast the faithful word" (Titus 1:9), without "holding Forth the word of life" (Phil. 2:16).

II. Every Soul We Touch Is To Be Regarded As A Potential Christian.

A. 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."

B. Paul said in Acts 20:31, "By the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears."

C. 2 Peter 3:9, "The Lord is not slack concedrning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

III. We Are To Adopt Every Means Available To Secure The Salvation of Souls

A. We have never done it that way before .....

B. What have we denied ourselves in order that one lost sinner might be saved?

C. What means should we adopt? ---

D. We Should Be At The Disposal Of The Holy Spirit!

1. He will certainly lay upon us a Burden of Prayer.

Rom. 10:1, "Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved."

2. He Will Direct Us to the needy souls whom He Has Prepared to receive our testimony.

a. Acts 8:26, "Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. --- and behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch..."

b. Acts 16:9, "And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, Come over to Macedonia and help us."

3. He will enable us to "Steer" Our Conversations into the right channels.

a. Prov. 3:6, "In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

b. Psa. 107:2, "Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy."

4. The important thing is for us to really Be In Touch With The Lord.

Prov. 8:34, "Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors."

The Only Thing You Can Take To Heaven With You Is --- Souls That You Have Won To The Lord!

1 Thess. 2:19, "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?"

A Search For The Truth

If You Are Not "Saved", Nothing Else Matters!
(Click On The Word "Saved" To Find God's Plan)

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