John Piper has said, “Missions exist because worship does not.” His emphasis in this statement is that “an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers.” (John 4:23) God is seeking those who will worship in spirit and truth. So, He sent His Son to bring the dead to life, replacing hearts of stone with hearts of flesh, and giving us the gift of faith. In this way we are empowered to repent and believe in the Lord Jesus.
When we repent, we have changed our minds and perceptions about sin and about God. We see God, not as an obstacle to our lives, but as true, good, and beautiful, and as the ultimate purpose of our lives. The newly redeemed person is made into a new creature that loves, honors, and serves His Creator. He worships God in spirit and truth.
The means by which God brings people into relationship with Himself is by sending those who already worship Him to “go and make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit; teaching them to observe all things I have commanded;” (Matt. 28:19-20). God sends us to be in search of those who are not worshipers, preaching the gospel to them. Baptizing those who believe and then continuing in relationship with them in the church, teaching all His Word.
Are you aware of the people God has already placed around you who do not know the Lord? Are you concerned about where they will spend eternity? Those who do not believe have been judged already (John 3:17). We do not have to look far to discover people who do not believe in Christ. It is not so much about searching for people with whom we can share.
Our search begins with seeking the heart of God. Feel the way He feels about sin, about lostness, about His glory, and about eternity. Then search His Word. Search to understand lostness, salvation, sanctification, life that pleases Him, and heaven. Seek Him in prayer for the salvation of the lost. Pray for those who do not know the Lord. Pray for opportunities to share. Pray for your heart to grow in compassion for the lost. Search for meaningful and faithful ways to share the gospel with people. Study techniques and tools that will help you share a clear, compelling, and faithful witness of the good news. Seek to know and understand the people God puts in your path. Develop a true heart of compassion, by remembering your own sin, your past blindness to the truth. Ask God to help you understand how the people feel, what they are experiencing, what fears they may have about following Christ, what impediments to the gospel they face. Seek to develop a heart of understanding.
The search does not start with your eyes or your feet. It begins in your heart and your mind. You seek first for God, and He will lead you to the lost. Those who are His own, He will be drawing. Be aware of where God’s hand is at work in you and around you. Then be faithful to speak of the hope that is within you.
By His Grace and For His Glory,
Pastor Mark
