Jesus was the master storyteller. He understood His audience, what they would relate to, and how to get His point across. Jesus taught a lot through parables. The word parable means “to cast alongside.” Jesus’ parables were stories cast alongside a truth to illustrate that truth. It is commonly referred to as an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. The parable was used by Jesus for two reasons. He used parables to reveal truth to those who were hungering and thirsting after righteousness, and He used parables to conceal the truth to those who were indifferent.
I believe some of Jesus’ most famous parables are found in Luke 15. Luke records three parables of Jesus in sequence. The lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son are some of the most discussed, quoted, and preached messages to this day. In each of these parables there is something or someone that is lost. And there is an intense search for that which has been lost. Followed by extreme celebration for that which is found.
I would propose to you that we are not as concerned about the lost as we ought to be. We are not as intense in our pursuit of those who are lost as we should be. Nor do we celebrate over the sinner who repents as is done in heaven. That is a generalizing of course. Some are very concerned about the lost.
The move of churches to be concerned about discipleship has the tendency to leave evangelism behind. But if we follow Jesus’ plan of making disciples, then we must care about evangelism. Discipleship does not begin at the moment of conversion. Discipleship begins with an unbelievers first contact with the gospel. A canoe on the water that only paddles on one side of the canoe will go in circles. The church does not want to go in circles. The church is meant to be the gospel advancing means of God’s desire for all men to come to repentance.
One of those oars is discipling believers more fully in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. But the other oar is proclaiming the gospel to unbelievers. To put the evangelism oar in the water begins with having an intense desire to find the lost sheep. Are you on the search? Are you finding ways to interact with unbelievers? In the normal space of your life are you “going therefore to make disciples” (Matt. 28:19)? In your interaction with unbelievers are you intentional about attempting to move conversations from small talk to spiritual talk?
Jesus searched for those who became His followers. He served them in such a way that they were trained to be like Him. He then sent them to search for and serve others. Capitol Hill, to be a gospel advancing church we must search, serve, and send. That is not just about programming, but about members lifestyles, energies, and focus.
By His Grace and For His Glory,
Pastor Mark
