Does anyone really care? n n We sometime sing “Lead Me to One Soul Today.”

Does anyone really care?Does anyone really care?

We sometime sing “Lead Me to One Soul Today.”


“Lead me to some soul today; O teach me, Lord, just what to say; Friends of mine are lost in sin, And cannot find their way. Few there are who seem to care, And few there are who pray; Melt my heart and fill my life; Give me one soul today.”


This is a real problem within churches. The old saying is often true “Out of sight, Out of mind.”


This is a real problem within churches. The old saying is often true “Out of sight, Out of mind.”

Could you and I become more like Jesus? (Lk 15:1-7)


Luke 15:1-7 Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. 2 And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, "This Man receives sinners and eats with them." 3 So He spoke this parable to them, saying:


4 "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? 5 "And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 "And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!'


7 "I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.


What is one compared to 99?


What is one compared to 99? What about the viewpoint of the one? What

if that one was you?


I saw a Facebook post from a dear brother who had fallen away for years who returned to the assembly today. He said he was glad it was raining in case the building caught on fire when he entered it!


What if it was you? (Mt 7:12)


Matthew 7:12 - "Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

We need to see the lost as God doesWe need to see the lost as God does

We studied how God’s love is unconditional. (Rom 5:8, 10)


Romans 5:8, 10 - But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.


10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.


There is a difference in how we see someone when we look at them in love rather than in self-righteousness. (Lk 15:2, 9-11)


Luke 15:2 2 And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, "This Man receives sinners and eats with them.“


Luke 15:9-11 9 "And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!' 10 "Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." 11 Then He said: "A certain man had two sons.


I often hear from grieving parents asking me to do something to help their student. Do you see it? What are you seeing?


I often hear from grieving parents asking me to do something to help their student. Do you see it? What are you seeing?

Here is how God saw Nineveh. (Jonah 4:11)


Jonah 4:11 11 "And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between their right hand and their left -- and much livestock?“


Here is how Jesus saw those who killed Him. (Lk 23:34)


Luke 23:34 - Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." And they divided His garments and cast lots.


We will be persistent when we see as God does.


We will be persistent when we see as God does.

When a soul is valuable we will never give up! (Lk 18:1-6)


Luke 18:1-6 - Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, 2 saying: "There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. 3 "Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, 'Get justice for me from my adversary.'


4 "And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, 'Though I do not fear God nor regard man, 5 'yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.' " 6 Then the Lord said, "Hear what the unjust judge said.


It is very important to combine this love with wisdom.


If you could make a list right now of fallen Christians, how long would your list be? I do ask you to make that list.



How can I change a poor attitude towards the weak?




You need to remember what God has done for you!




You need to remember what God has done for you!

You would do well to look at the heart of the Pharisees. Is this you?


When the love of God enters your heart it will provoke you to action! (2 Cor 5:11, 14-15)


2 Corinthians 5:11 - Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.


2 Corinthians 5:14-15 - For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.

We need to constantly seek wisdom in our efforts


It is better to take action than to do nothing. (Lk 10:30-34)



Luke 10:30-34 30 Then Jesus answered and said: "A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 "Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.



32 "Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. 33 "But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 "So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.



When your words are motivated by love then many things you do will be understood.



When your words are motivated by love then many things you do will be understood.

Still, even the apostle Paul asked for greater wisdom when he spoke to the lost. (Col 4:3-6)



Colossians 4:3-6 - meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, 4 that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. 5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.



How do I obtain wisdom?



Care about others and learn. Talk with others who care about others and learn.




How many good example have you seen in this area? What have your children heard when they ask about one who has stopped attending?




How many good example have you seen in this area? What have your children heard when they ask about one who has stopped attending?

Just as Paul did, you do the same, pray!



You need the council of spiritual people to know what role you should play. (Gal 6:1-2)



Galatians 6:1-2 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.



If you are ready to talk to the erring be sure to listen to the fallen one carefully. (Prov 18:13)



Proverbs 18:13 13 He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him.



You need to see if a door is open or not. (Acts 16:9)



Acts 16:9 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.“



Often you make contact with the hopes of one day having an open heart to reach out to you.



Often you make contact with the hopes of one day having an open heart to reach out to you.

The father of the prodigal son did not run after the son. However, he acted decisively when the door was open! (Lk 15:20-24)



Luke 15:20-24 20 "And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. 21 "And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.'



22 "But the father said to his servants, 'Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23 'And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; 24 'for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' And they began to be merry.



Remember, you cannot change another person against their will! (1 Cor 3:5-7)



1 Corinthians 3:5-7 - Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.

Learn what has overtaken the one and

compassionately teach them. Learn what has overtaken the one and

compassionately teach them.

Develop a plan to help them see their hearts.




Develop a plan to help them see their hearts.

The goal of every teacher is this challenging truth. (Lk 2:34-35)




Luke 2:34-35 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, "Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against 35 "(yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.“




Opening hearts is a very dangerous work. (Acts 2:37; 7:54)




Acts 2:37 37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?“




Acts 7:54 54 When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth.




Do you have the courage to love and be rejected and attacked?




Many people fall away because of anger. (1 Jn 3:15; Eph 4:31-32)




1 John 3:15 15 Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.




Ephesians 4:31-32 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.




Many people with anger issues deny it and we must help them see it.




Angry people will tell you that their problem is one thing while it is actually another.




Make every issue a “Jesus issue.”




Make every issue a “Jesus issue.” You must be willing to give of your time to

be with people. (Phil 2:17)




Philippians 2:17 17 Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.




Personal association over a period of time is how most are reached. While a call now and then is good, you need to come to know this individual. He needs to know that you really care.




This is a time consuming work. True results will take time!

Prevention is better than restoration!Prevention is better than restoration!

It is better to be involved now because you love as Jesus did. (Heb 10:23-25)


Hebrews 10:23-25 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.


Consider some common reasons people fall away.


Drifting (Heb 2:1-2)


Drifting (Heb 2:1-2) Isolation (1 Cor 12:20-27)


Drifting (Heb 2:1-2) Isolation (1 Cor 12:20-27) A Failure to Deal with Guilt

(Mt 27:3-5; 2 Cor 2:7,11)


2 Corinthians 2:7 7 so that, on the contrary, you ought rather to forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow.


2 Corinthians 2:11 11 lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.


No Direction as a Christian (1 Cor 15:58; Phil 1:27)


Will anyone really care?


Will anyone really care? Before the invitation song let’s sing “Lead

Me to Some Soul Today” #476- V 1,2


Look at your list. It is now your move. May I be of help?

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Does anyone really care? n n We sometime sing “Lead Me to One Soul Today.”