Reaching The Lost
Reaching the lost is the heartbeat of the church: going, seeing with compassion, praying, and ministering beyond the church walls.
Teacher: Min. Michaelle Barcena
35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 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. 37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. Matthew 9:35-38 KJV
Since this is the fourth week of the month, ang ating focus as a church ay tungkol sa evangelism and mission. Tonight, this is a simple lesson: Reaching The Lost, ang pag-abot sa mga naliligaw.
Reaching the lost does not end when we invite a person to church. Nagpapatuloy ito, mga kapatid, maging sa sandali na siya ay nagsisimula pa lamang lumakad bilang Kristiyano.
We need to understand that the church is not just all about ministries. Yes, the church is the body of Christ. As the body of Christ, we have functions to do. We have ministries to fulfill and pursue.
But in comparison to the time we spend inside the church, how much time do we actually spend touching those outside?
Maybe we need to reconsider our focus.
The Church Is More Than What We Do Inside
Alam ko na lahat ng ginagawa natin sa church, we may see it as a form of evangelism. True, our ministries can also reach souls. But tonight, we are referring to the literal ministry of reaching out, evangelizing, and touching people outside.
How much time do we spend in reaching the lost?
I would like you to think of your whole week. Hindi ko kinukwestiyon ang activeness mo. But if we claim to be Christian, and being Christian means following the life and example of our Lord Jesus Christ, let me remind you that most of the time, Jesus was reaching out.
Most of the time, the Lord was outside.
In the Scriptures, mababasa natin na si Jesus ay madalas nasa multitude, nasa karamihan. This passage in Matthew 9:35-38 is at the end of the chapter, but the chapter itself shows Jesus doing intense personal ministry.
Ginugol ng ating Panginoon ang Kanyang oras sa pagtuturo, paghipo, pagpapagaling, pagpapalayas ng demonyo, at pagtawag sa mga tao na bumalik sa Diyos.
Wala tayong masyadong mababasa na si Jesus ay nasa music ministry. Wala tayong masyadong mababasa na si Jesus ay nasa ushering ministry. We are not saying music is insignificant. It plays a vital role in the church.
But most of the time, makikita natin si Jesus na nagtuturo, nagpapagaling, nagpapalayas ng demonyo, tumatawag ng mga tao, at inaabot sila.
Kailan natin maiintindihan na church is more than what we do inside this physical building?
Kung meron mang “points” sa langit, napakaliit lang nitong mga ginagawa natin sa loob compared to the heartbeat of Jesus for souls outside. Mas malaki sa Panginoon kapag hinahawakan natin ang mga nangangailangan, ipinapanalangin natin ang may sakit, kinakausap natin ang walang direksyon, at inaabot natin ang mga naliligaw.
Because that is the heartbeat of Jesus.
Evangelism Is Going Out
The first thing we need to understand is this: evangelism is going out.
Jesus went through all the cities and villages. Bayan-bayan. Ciudad-ciudad. Pinupuntahan Niya ang mga tao.
Evangelism is going out, not staying inside the church.
This shows us that evangelism is more of a lifestyle than a program. Maganda ang plano ng ministry. Maganda ang activity. Pero kahit gaano kaganda ang plano, kung walang susuporta, kung walang lalabas, kung walang kikilos, nothing will happen.
Evangelism starts with you. It starts with me. But it does not end with you, and it does not end with me.
Just like Jesus, evangelism walks through crowds. Hindi lang ito pag-upo sa simbahan. Ito ay pagtapik sa balikat ng tao. Ito ay paglapit sa nangangailangan sa labas. Ito ay pagbabahagi ng mabuting balita wherever God gives an opportunity.
Where is the right place for evangelism?
Everywhere, as long as there is an opportunity, with proper wisdom.
Pwedeng mag-evangelism habang nasa coffee shop. Habang nagkakape. Habang kumakain sa restaurant. Sa school. Sa trabaho. Sa kapitbahay. Sa kaibigan. Araw-araw, as long as you are in the midst of people.
You carry the hope of Christ within you, and that hope can alter the eternity of the people around you.
Church, let me remind you: when you are in a crowd, if you do not share the Word of God, that crowd is still headed to destruction if no one speaks to them. That is not our opinion. That is the truth of the Word of God.
Kapag hindi natin sinasabi si Jesus Christ, ang good news, ang gospel, mapapahamak sila. Katabi mo, kausap mo, ka-kwentuhan mo, katawanan mo, pero kung hindi niya makilala ang Panginoon, mapapahamak siya.
Evangelism has the power to alter someone’s eternity.
Unless we move, we can never win souls for Christ.
Do Not Stay Where You Are
Sometimes we take this lesson lightly and for granted. But let us ask ourselves honestly: how many souls have we brought to the Lord?
How many years have we considered ourselves serving the Lord? Five years? Ten years? More?
Maybe we say, “May ginagawa naman ako sa loob ng church. Form of evangelism din naman ito. Ginagawa ko naman ito para sa kaluluwa.”
Tama naman iyon. But deep inside, alam natin na hindi lang iyon ang halimbawa ng Panginoong Jesus.
The example of Jesus is to go. Kaya nga ang Great Commission is to go.
Humayo tayo.
Do not stay where you are. You know why sometimes we are not bearing fruit? Because we are not moving. We are not going. We chose to sit in the comfort zone of our church.
Again, evangelism has the power to alter someone’s eternity. And God could use you, if you allow Him.
Evangelism Is Seeing
The second important principle is this: evangelism is seeing.
After Jesus went to the synagogues, villages, and cities, Matthew 9:36 says, “But when he saw the multitudes…”
To see in this context means more than looking with the eyes. It means to experience something deep on the inside.
When Jesus saw the multitude, He was moved with compassion.
Christians, people who claim to be in the truth, when you are in a crowd and you see multitudes without Jesus, do you feel the weight of it?
They are doing their daily routines. They are living ordinary lives. But if they do not have a personal relationship with God, that same multitude will be lost if no one reaches out to them.
Hindi ba tayo nakakaramdam ng bigat, mga kapatid?
Jesus was touched at the deepest level of His being. Sa kaibuturan ng Kanyang pagkatao, nakaramdam Siya ng bigat.
Why? Because He observed that they were beaten down. They were distressed. They were in pain. They were abused. They had traumas. They were lost. The worst thing is that they might be dead spiritually.
They need Jesus. They need the good news. They need hope, and that hope can be given by the Lord through you, if you choose to see.
Souls Are Not Interruptions
The people Jesus saw were not an interruption to His busy schedule.
We understand how busy Jesus was in His earthly ministry. Many times, we read that He was going here, going there, going to another city, going to another village. That is the first principle of evangelism: going.
But with all His going, every time He encountered one lost soul, Jesus was willing to stop and pause. He listened to their stories. He shared the good news. He poured out the Father’s love.
Jesus never treated souls as interruptions to His busy schedule.
Souls were the object of His affection.
He understood that even His going was for the lost, for the soul, and that was the subject of everything.
Now what is the subject of your Christian life?
Of course, God is number one. But right after God, what is your heartbeat?
Some may say, “Music ang heartbeat ko. Dito ko nauubos ang oras ko sa ministry.” Others may say, “Pagkanta. Paglilinis. Pagtuturo. Paglilingkod.”
But the subject of everything we do must be souls.
What Do We See?
Throughout Jesus’ ministry, there was always a contrast between what He saw and what others saw.
In Matthew 8:28-34, Jesus saw two men who needed deliverance. But the people around Him saw only the herd of pigs that had perished.
In Matthew 9:13, Jesus saw a tax collector becoming His follower. But the people around Him saw only sinners.
Now, church, GIFT Church, what are we seeing when we see souls?
When we see multitudes, anong nakikita natin?
Are we seeing interruptions, or are we seeing the subject of God’s love?
When you look at people, are you moved with compassion? Or do you make judgment based on who they are? Based on outward appearance? Based on education? Based on status?
Whenever we see souls who need Christ and who need hope, may we be moved with compassion just like Jesus.
Evangelism Is Praying
After Jesus saw the scattered souls, He said:
“Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:38
So after going and after seeing, Jesus told them to pray.
Evangelism is all about praying.
Jesus said to beseech the Lord of the harvest. This word means to cry out with passion. It is not a cold, casual prayer. It is a prayer with burden. It is a request you do not let go of until there is an answer.
Lord, I have physical limitations as a person. Minsan kailangan ng pera, pamasahe. Minsan pagod galing sa trabaho. But unless we understand the worth of a soul to God, we can never appreciate those people who spend their time evangelizing.
When you evangelize, ibinibigay mo ang puso mo at sarili mo sa gawaing ito ng ating Panginoon.
You cannot give what you do not have.
If you want people to see God or Jesus Christ in your life, you need to live a life that testifies of the goodness of Jesus. If you want to encourage them to have faith, even when they feel hopeless financially, emotionally, and spiritually, you need to point them to Jesus.
But again, you can never give what you do not have.
Pray Until There Is An Answer
Iba ang taong may passion sa kaluluwa.
Find someone in the church who has great passion for souls. Those people are often the ones who will not easily leave the faith. It is hard for them to turn their back because they understand the weight of compassion.
Alam nila yung bigat. Alam nila yung compassion na ibinigay ng mga tao para sa kanila.
Lahat naman tayo dito, someone reached out to us. It could be friends, family, parents, siblings, or someone in the church. Maybe sometimes we do not appreciate them because we have not yet involved ourselves in the same ministry.
But when you are involved in evangelism, you understand and appreciate the people God used to pray for you and work for your soul.
One expositor said prayer in Matthew 9:38 means to bind your life to a request so as never to let go of what you are crying out for until there is an answer.
Huwag kang bibitaw hangga’t hindi mo nakikita ang kaluluwang iyan nadadala sa harapan ng Panginoon.
We pray to the Lord of the harvest to cast out workers into the field. But hopefully, while we are praying, we are also sensitive enough to realize that maybe we are the workers God wants to send.
Our hearts must be so moved by the needs of the lost that we never cease praying until workers are dispatched into the field.
Huwag kang tumigil. Araw-araw mong banggitin ang pangalan nila. Araw-araw isipin mo sila. Kamustahin mo ang faith nila. That is important to the Lord.
When you are able to win that soul, when you go, see, and pray for that soul, iba ang joy na mararamdaman mo.
Kapag ang isang tao na makasalanan at papunta sa kapahamakan ay nabago ang direksyon dahil ginamit ka ng Panginoon, iba ang saya. That joy comes from the Lord.
Evangelism Is Ministering
Evangelism is going. Evangelism is seeing. Evangelism is praying. And lastly,evangelism is ministering.
Jesus called His followers and gave them authority over unclean spirits, diseases, and sicknesses.
“And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.” Matthew 10:1
Binigyan Niya ng kapangyarihan at awtoridad ang Kanyang mga disipulo. After giving them authority, He sent them out into the field to preach, to heal, and to deliver. Meaning, to serve the people according to what they needed.
Jesus has commissioned and empowered all of us to minister.
What is the slogan of our organization?
The whole gospel to the whole world by the whole church.
That is the slogan because evangelism is not a one-man job.
Jesus is already the Lord Jesus Christ, yet He chose disciples to be with Him, to go wherever He went, to assist Him, and to be involved in the ministry.
That shows us that evangelism is not just for one person. It is the duty of the entire church.
We Need Each Other In Evangelism
Pwede ba, GIFT Church, kapag may evangelism at nagpatawag si Brother Jun, samahan natin siya sa kanyang faith? Samahan natin siya sa kanyang pananampalataya.
Hindi mo man alam lahat ng sasabihin. Nahihiya ka man. But the mere fact that you are there, your presence and support mean a lot to those who are sharing.
Even those who share can feel discouragement or doubt. Minsan iniisip nila, “May magagawa ba ako? Parang hindi naman nakikinig.”
That is why evangelism often works in pairs. Isang nag-share, isang nag-i-intercede. Habang nagtuturo yung isa, yung isa nananalangin.
We cannot do this by our own wisdom or talent. Kahit may talent kang magsalita, without the anointing, without the presence of God, without the Holy Spirit, it would be nothing.
“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you…” Acts 1:8
We need each other in this ministry.
Malaking bagay sa mga nag-share na may kasama sila, may kakampi sila, may nagtatag sa kanila. Minister with the boldness of the Spirit.
When you pour your life into lost souls, believe that extraordinary things can happen. Impossible things can happen.
Magugulat ka na lang. Parang wala lang noong una, pero biglang may magsasabi sa iyo, “Brother, grabe. Paano mo nalaman ang pinagdadaanan ko?”
That means the Word or prayer touched his heart and soul.
Even the apostles and disciples became bolder and louder in sharing the Word of God when they received the Holy Spirit. In Acts, wala na sa kanila physically ang Panginoong Jesus, but the apostles were used by God because they were filled with His Spirit.
Tumapang sila. Lumakas ang loob nila because the Spirit of God was with them.
Evangelism Is Our Job
GIFT Church, we are all called to evangelize.
Evangelism is not just the job of a few faithful Christians. Evangelism is our job if we claim to be true followers of Christ.
Pangunahan natin. Ipakita natin kung ano ang mamuhay kasama ang Panginoong Jesus.
The disciples were also afraid. They were not confident. They were ordinary men. But because they were with Jesus, they became bold.
The harvest is waiting for workers.
Every Sunday, may mga bisita. May newcomers. May new Christians. Nakikita natin sila. Alam natin kung sino ang bago. Why not have the desire to mentor and disciple one of them?
Look for someone to mentor. Look for someone to disciple. Pray for that soul.
You can say, “Lord, from now on, I will take care of this soul until he or she is mature enough to stand in faith.”
Kailangan nila iyan. Maraming bago. Maraming uma-attend. Maraming nagsisimula pa lang. They need someone who will care for them.
There is a reason why souls are considered harvest.
Harvest is an agricultural term. There would be no harvest if there are no farmers who work hard for the harvest. Same thing in the church: souls are the harvest, and the Bible says the harvest is plentiful.
But we need people who are willing to exert effort beyond Sunday, beyond the four corners of this church.
Most of the time, ministry happens outside the church. Most of the time, soul winning and reaching out happen outside our church programs and short services.
There are still many souls who need Christ.
Find Someone To Disciple
Starting Sunday, ito ang challenge: babae sa babae, lalaki sa lalaki, look for someone to disciple and take care of.
Hanapin ninyo kung sino ang bago. Sino ang nangangailangan ng guide. Sino ang kailangang alagaan hanggang lumago sa Panginoon.
Hindi iyan matututukan lahat ni Pastor. May limitation iyan. Hindi iyan kaya lahat ni Brother Jun. Physically, may limitation ang iilan. Pero ikaw, baka marami kang time. Baka kaya mong isingit. Baka may kaya kang alagaan.
Soul must never be considered an interruption to our busy schedule, because souls are the subject of God’s heartbeat.
Find someone to disciple.
Huwag kang papayag na natatapos ang taon na wala kang dini-disciple. Do not allow years to pass na wala kang tinuturuan at inaakay palapit sa Panginoon.
This is another hard truth: even other groups who are not in the truth are exerting effort in evangelism. Sometimes we label them, but can we see their efforts? They meet in coffee shops. They teach. They gather. They reach out.
Tayo na nagsasabing nasa truth tayo, pagdating sa evangelism, wala tayong time. We are too busy.
Where is Christlikeness in that attitude?
We Have A Huge Ministry Outside
As we stand tonight, this is a reminder to every one of us, including me: we have a huge ministry outside the church.
Do not aim only for the stage. Do not desire only to be seen in Facebook Live and call that ministry.
The things we do here inside the church are just a small piece of the huge ministry of Jesus Christ outside.
Ito ang kailangang magising sa atin, church.
Huwag na tayong makuntento na sinasabi nating, “Pwede tayo mag-evangelism, lumalago naman tayo.” Yes, growth is by the grace of God. But we are Christians. Christian means Christ-life, and Christ lived for souls.
In His earthly ministry, He was always in the multitude, in the crowds, going through cities, villages, and towns. He healed sicknesses, cast out demons, preached the Word, and taught people the ways of the Lord.
Most of the time, Jesus was outside with sinners, talking to them, sharing with them, and teaching them about the Word of God.
Huwag nawa tayong dumating sa punto na ang ganitong pagtuturo ay nagiging normal na lang sa ating pandinig.
Start Moving
Starting this Sunday, I challenge you: look for someone to mentor.
If we will not move, if we will not start going, nothing will happen. Marami nga tayo, but we can never produce quality Christians if we are not helping them go deeper in their faith.
No one is reaching out to them, and that should be our role as the church, as people who claim to be Christians.
Just like Jesus was moved with compassion when He saw the multitude scattered abroad like sheep without a shepherd, may the church of the living God feel the same burden.
Kung wala na tayong pakiramdam sa mga kaluluwa, kung dumadaan na lang sila sa atin na parang wala, kailangan nating ayusin ang ating sarili.
Salamat sa Panginoon for reminding us tonight that we are not just called inside the church to do music, dancing, clapping, playing instruments, teaching, and singing. We are also called to go. We are called to teach. We are called to preach the gospel to everyone who needs it.
I Will Be What You Called Me To Be
May this be our prayer tonight:
I will be what You called me to be.
You have called me to be a laborer, so I say, “Yes, Lord, I agree.”
Let the words we have heard become a challenge for us to start this ministry. Starting Sunday, look for someone to disciple. Look for someone you can share the Word of God with. Look for someone whose soul you can help take care of.
We have new brethren and new Christians who need guidance. Maybe they are ashamed to initiate conversation. So why not we initiate? Why not we start the conversation? Why not offer them Christ?
Lord, use me in this ministry.
More than the ministries we have inside the church, let us find ourselves doing the heartbeat of Your heart, and that is souls. Saving the lost. Reaching the unbelieving.
There are many people waiting outside. They do not know what to do. They do not know whom to call. They do not know where to go. They are waiting for us to speak up, to voice out, and to declare the goodness of God.
Give us compassion for souls. Give us the burden to go, to see, to pray, and to minister.
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus, as we come before Your presence, we humble ourselves, knowing that we are nothing without You.
We invite Your presence, and we accept the challenge You have laid before each one of us tonight. Souls are Your heartbeat. It is Your desire for us to go, to share, and to look for someone to mentor.
Help us, Lord. Take away the pride. Take away the doubt. Take away the fear in us. Use us to our maximum potential and maximum impact.
We understand the weight of every soul. Many souls, crowds, and multitudes are going toward eternal condemnation if we will not speak, if we will not voice out, and if we will not declare Your Word.
Lord, tulungan Mo po kami.
One of them may be our brother. One of them may be our parent. One of them may be our sister, our best friend, our uncle, our nephew, our classmate, our boss, our workmate, our student, or our teacher.
Give us the burden, Lord.
Thank You for the reminder tonight. Tulungan Mo kami to answer the call, to bring more souls to You this year. There are still months before this year ends. Help us that as this year comes to an end, we are able to bring souls to You.
Encourage someone tonight, even those online, that we can do something for Your kingdom. We can bring someone to Your kingdom.
Bless our offering tonight. As we go home to our homes, ingatan Mo po kami at gabayan hanggang sa makarating kami sa susunod naming gawain.
We also pray for our pastor who is sick tonight and not feeling well. Touch his physical body right now. We declare healing and recovery in Jesus’ name. Prepare him as he ministers this Sunday and in the Bible studies.
And Lord, kung wala pa kaming ministry of reaching out and evangelism, tulungan Mo kami na maghanap at maglaan ng aming sarili, kahit once a week.
Maraming maraming salamat po. Pinupuri Ka namin at pinasasalamatan.
In Jesus’ name, amen.