A Heartbeat Like Jesus

Matthew 9:36-38

How can you know a person’s heart?

“Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”

“Out of our hearts flows all the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23b

You can know a person’s heart by listening to his words and observing his actions.

“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion [sympathy] for them, because they were

harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few;

therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

Matthew 9:36-38

Helpless

Faith in a wrong belief

People are Deceived

Jesus wants you in. Yes, you, to be His vessel in transforming hearts and lives of those who are

lost.

God is in the business of transforming lives.He is in the business of reconstruction.

He wants to restore His lost image in us through the Lord Jesus Christ.

The first work of the Holy Spirit is the conviction of sin. If we are temples of the Spirit, His presence, His name in us will convict us, and others, of sin. We will feel more affinity towards those who, like us, long for more conviction, repentance, and the power of God to live a life that will stand the test of fire.

A Christian is a temple of the Holy Spirit. Hence, with God’s words [power], he can be a vessel

of spiritual blessings towards others.

Barriers

“I believe that entertainment and amusements are the work of the Enemy to keep dying men

from knowing they're dying; and to keep enemies of God from remembering that

they're enemies.” AW Tozer

In their case the god of this world [Satan] has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep

them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God

2 Corinthians 4:4

Satan blinds people’s minds by supplying them with lies to believe.

1. They may believe that there is no God, or that there is no life after death.

2. They may believe in reincarnation, or that God would never send anyone to hell.

3. They may think that their religious works will get them into heaven.

Who can share the Gospel?

Anyone... Anyone who is fully convinced that the faith and the message that he is sharing is the

one that can bring others to life.

Adulterous Woman

And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him [Jesus] for the saying of the woman, which testified, “He told me all I ever did”.

John 4:29

Demon Possessed Man

And he did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much

the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” And he went away and

began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone

marvelled.Mark 5:19-20

Weaklings

But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in

the world to shame the strong;1 Corinthians 1:27

The next time you see a person walking on the street or the next time you enter your classroom try to look at them through the lenses of Jesus’ eyes.

They are blind.They are lost. They are living in darkness.There is no hope. There is no life.There is a wrong source of satisfaction.

What if these people [lost] are my loved ones?

Pray... and never stop praying. Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it

with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the

word, to declare the mystery of Christ… Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use

of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how

you ought to answer each person.Colossians 4:2-6

Let Your Light Shine, Rely on God’s Power in You, & Have Faith.

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to

your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16

For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Philippians 2:13

Let others see Jesus in you.

By God’s grace, people will see Jesus in you – in your words, actions, reactions, eating,

drinking, as you go out, and as you come in.

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the

occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.Ephesians 4:29

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained

that we should walk in them.Ephesians 2:10

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you

on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.2 Corinthians 5:20

So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 10:31

Invite people

“What are you doing next Sunday? Would you like to come to church/CBF/tribal meeting with

me?”

And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to

come in, that my house may be filled.Luke 14:23

Testify of God’s Goodness in Your Life, Share Your Struggles too…

Be Transparent, Be Approachable, Be Real.

Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Psalm 34:8

Don’t be Discouraged, Don’t Give Up, Trust God, & Never Stop Praying.

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right

hand. Isaiah 41:10

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Galatians 6:9

Common Excuses of not sharing the faith:

“It’s the pastor’s job, not mine.” (According to Ephesians 4:11,12 his job is to equip you to do the work.)

“I don’t know what to say.” (There are plenty of resources out there to help you!)

“I just live the gospel with my life.” (Good, now open your mouth and declare the good news!)

“I’m waiting for the perfect timing.” (There’s no such thing!)

“I don’t have the gift of evangelism.” (Well, I don’t have the gift of mercy but I still should show mercy!)

“They could reject me.” (No, Jesus said they will reject you…at times anyway.”

“I don’t know how to bring it up.” (How about just ask, “What are your spiritual beliefs?”)

“I’m terrified.” (So am I. So was Paul! Let’s ask God for boldness like he did! Ephesians 6:19)

“Have you no wish for others to be saved? Then you're not saved yourself, be sure of that!”

-C.H. Spurgeon

If you don’t have a desire for others to be saved, examine yourself if you are in the faith.

Your goal is to have a heart like Jesus.Your goal is to share the truth and persuade

them from fallacy. Your goal is to align with God, to do His will.

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never

heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?

Romans 10:14, ESV

Ministry is the partnership between the Sovereign and all-powerful God with

legitimate weaklings [human beings] to fulfill His redemptive purposes for His greater glory.

Is it not thrilling to serve the Almighty God?God did not choose ‘carl or percy’ [cats] to get

things done... He chose you.

Passion

Don’t wait for a feeling or love in order to share Christ with a stranger. You already love your

heavenly Father, and you know that this stranger is created by Him, but separated from Him, so

take those first steps in evangelism because you love God. It is not primarily out of compassion

for humanity that we share our faith or pray for the lost; it is first of all, love for God.”

― John Piper

Jesus said, If you love me, keep my commandments... Our obedience to God is a

proof that we love Him above anyone and anything else...

Am I living as a positive witness towards people who are close to me?

“Every heart who has Jesus Christ is a missionary and every heart who has no Christ is a mission

field.”

“The propagation of the gospel is far more important than your personal safety.”

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” - Jim Elliot

“If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him." - C.T. Studd