What Is The Mind of Christ Towards the Lost?. We face an ongoing challenge to see the world as Jesus...

What Is The Mind of What Is The Mind of Christ Towards the Lost?Christ Towards the Lost?

We face an ongoing challenge to see the We face an ongoing challenge to see the world as Jesus does.world as Jesus does.

• When Jesus came to this world He saw When Jesus came to this world He saw things very differently than men.things very differently than men.

• He knew where He had come from and He knew where He had come from and what lay ahead for every man. what lay ahead for every man. (Jn 8:38; 14:2)(Jn 8:38; 14:2)


• John 8:38 John 8:38 - "I speak - "I speak what I have seen what I have seen with My Fatherwith My Father, and you do what you have , and you do what you have seen with your father."seen with your father."


• John 14:2John 14:2 - "In My Father's house are - "In My Father's house are many mansions; many mansions; if it were not so, I would if it were not so, I would have told youhave told you. I go to prepare a place for . I go to prepare a place for you.you.


• He also knew that this world was a terrible He also knew that this world was a terrible battleground. He could see beyond the battleground. He could see beyond the masks that people wore and saw the masks that people wore and saw the bondage of Satan.bondage of Satan.

• He always looked to the eternal destiny of He always looked to the eternal destiny of all and always acted towards others with all and always acted towards others with that set of priorities.that set of priorities.

• What would we learn when we looked at What would we learn when we looked at why Jesus did what He did?why Jesus did what He did?


• What would we see in the footsteps of What would we see in the footsteps of Christ?Christ?

• Rest assured you will not see many Rest assured you will not see many walking with you. Let’s consider how walking with you. Let’s consider how Jesus viewed the lost.Jesus viewed the lost.

How can we have the mind of How can we have the mind of Christ?Christ?

• We must die daily to have the mind of We must die daily to have the mind of Christ. Christ. (Phil 2:5-8)(Phil 2:5-8)


• Philippians 2:5-8Philippians 2:5-8 - Let - Let this mind this mind be in you be in you which which was also in Christ Jesuswas also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being , 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, bondservant, and and coming in the likeness of coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to obedient to the point of the point of death, even the death death, even the death of the cross.of the cross.


• How did Jesus go to the cross?How did Jesus go to the cross?

• The call of discipleship is not just a The call of discipleship is not just a contribution to join a club. How can we contribution to join a club. How can we have another’s mind?have another’s mind?

• We cannot be like Jesus with any pride We cannot be like Jesus with any pride and the desire to have it easy.and the desire to have it easy.

• Each of us must have the mind of a Each of us must have the mind of a bondservant and not one of a master!bondservant and not one of a master!


• What was the mind of Christ towards the What was the mind of Christ towards the lost?lost?

• He saw that they were lost and He cared He saw that they were lost and He cared about it. about it. (Mt 9:36-38)(Mt 9:36-38)


• Matthew 9:36-38Matthew 9:36-38 - But when He saw the - But when He saw the multitudes, multitudes, He was moved with He was moved with compassion for themcompassion for them, because they were , because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then He said to His shepherd. 37 Then He said to His disciples, "disciples, "The harvest truly The harvest truly is is plentiful, but plentiful, but the laborers the laborers are are fewfew. 38 "Therefore . 38 "Therefore pray pray the Lord of the harvest to send out the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvestlaborers into His harvest."."


• He went out of His way to know them and He went out of His way to know them and open their hearts. open their hearts. (Lk 15:2-5)(Lk 15:2-5)


• Luke 15:2-5Luke 15:2-5 - And the Pharisees and scribes - And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, "complained, saying, "This Man receives This Man receives sinners and eats with themsinners and eats with them." 3 So He spoke ." 3 So He spoke this parable to them, saying: 4 "What man of this parable to them, saying: 4 "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and wilderness, and go after the one which is lost go after the one which is lost until he finds it? 5 "And until he finds it? 5 "And when he has found when he has found it, it, he lays he lays it it on his shoulders, rejoicingon his shoulders, rejoicing..


• His entire life could be defined by this. His entire life could be defined by this. (Lk 19:10)(Lk 19:10)


• Luke 19:10Luke 19:10 - "for the Son of Man has - "for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was come to seek and to save that which was lost."lost."


• Do you and I really have the mind of Do you and I really have the mind of Christ?Christ?

• Do we ever go through a day thinking Do we ever go through a day thinking about who we see and what may be their about who we see and what may be their eternal condition?eternal condition?

• Are we working within the abilities we have Are we working within the abilities we have to reach out to other so that we might to reach out to other so that we might introduce them to Christ?introduce them to Christ?


• If I honestly looked in the mirror and asked If I honestly looked in the mirror and asked the question about the real purpose of my the question about the real purpose of my life, what would the answer be?life, what would the answer be?

• If we would simply see others and love If we would simply see others and love them as Jesus did, we would see some them as Jesus did, we would see some wonderful doors opened to us!wonderful doors opened to us!

The mind of Christ will be effective The mind of Christ will be effective in any manin any man

• Consider the man who was severely Consider the man who was severely demon possessed. demon possessed. (Mk 5:2-5)(Mk 5:2-5)


• Mark 5:2-5Mark 5:2-5 - And when He had come out of - And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, 3 the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, 3 who had who had his his dwelling among the tombs; and dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, no one could bind him, not even with chains, 4 because he had often been bound with 4 because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. him.


• 5 And always, night and day, he was in the 5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.and cutting himself with stones.


• There is no indication that this man had There is no indication that this man had any religious knowledge.any religious knowledge.

• He certainly had the worst reputation He certainly had the worst reputation possible.possible.

• When Jesus cast out the demons and was When Jesus cast out the demons and was asked to leave it seems logical that he asked to leave it seems logical that he would take this man who was begging to would take this man who was begging to go with him. go with him. (Mk 5:15-18)(Mk 5:15-18)


• Mark 5:15-18Mark 5:15-18 - Then they came to Jesus, - Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one and saw the one who had been who had been demon-demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. 16 And those who saw it told were afraid. 16 And those who saw it told them how it happened to him them how it happened to him who had who had been been demon-possessed, and about the demon-possessed, and about the swine. 17 swine. 17 Then they began to plead with Then they began to plead with Him to depart from their regionHim to depart from their region. .


• 18 And when He got into the boat, he who 18 And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed had been demon-possessed begged Him begged Him that he might be with Him.that he might be with Him.


• Jesus told him to stay and gave him one Jesus told him to stay and gave him one thing that anyone who has been blessed thing that anyone who has been blessed by the Lord could do: “Go home to your by the Lord could do: “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you." had compassion on you." (Mk 5:19)(Mk 5:19)


• Mark 5:19Mark 5:19 - However, Jesus did not - However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, "Go home to permit him, but said to him, "Go home to your friends, and tell them your friends, and tell them what great what great things the Lord has done for you, and how things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on youHe has had compassion on you."."


• Could we do that? Do we?Could we do that? Do we?

• What were the results of this man’s talking What were the results of this man’s talking to others? to others? (Mk 5:20, Lk 8:40)(Mk 5:20, Lk 8:40)


• Mark 5:20Mark 5:20 - And he departed and began - And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for himdone for him; and ; and all marveledall marveled..


• Luke 8:40Luke 8:40 - So it was, when Jesus - So it was, when Jesus returned, returned, that the multitude welcomed that the multitude welcomed HimHim, for they were all waiting for Him., for they were all waiting for Him.


• The mind of Christ is a mind of love.The mind of Christ is a mind of love.

• What if we lived in Samaria at the time of What if we lived in Samaria at the time of the Syrian siege? the Syrian siege? (2 Kings 6:24-25)(2 Kings 6:24-25)


• 2 Kings 6:24-252 Kings 6:24-25 - And it happened after - And it happened after this that Ben-Hadad king of Syria gathered this that Ben-Hadad king of Syria gathered all his army, and went up and besieged all his army, and went up and besieged Samaria. 25 And there was a great Samaria. 25 And there was a great famine in Samaria; and indeed they famine in Samaria; and indeed they besieged it until a donkey's head was besieged it until a donkey's head was sold sold for eighty for eighty shekels shekels of silver, and one-fourth of silver, and one-fourth of a kab of dove droppings for five of a kab of dove droppings for five shekels shekels of silver.of silver.


• Have you ever really been hungry?Have you ever really been hungry?

• If you could feed the starving, would you?If you could feed the starving, would you?

• In despair four leprous men find an empty In despair four leprous men find an empty camp! camp! (2 Kings 7:4-5)(2 Kings 7:4-5)


• 2 Kings 7:4-52 Kings 7:4-5 - "If we say, 'We will enter the - "If we say, 'We will enter the city,' the famine city,' the famine is is in the city, and we shall die in the city, and we shall die there. And if we sit here, we die also. Now there. And if we sit here, we die also. Now therefore, come, let us surrender to the army therefore, come, let us surrender to the army of the Syrians. If they keep us alive, we shall of the Syrians. If they keep us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall only die." 5 live; and if they kill us, we shall only die." 5 And they rose at twilight to go to the camp of And they rose at twilight to go to the camp of the Syrians; and when they had come to the the Syrians; and when they had come to the outskirts of the Syrian camp, to their surprise outskirts of the Syrian camp, to their surprise no one no one was was there.there.


• Can you imagine a camp filled with Can you imagine a camp filled with provisions for over 200,000 men? provisions for over 200,000 men? (2 Kings 7:8)(2 Kings 7:8)


• 2 Kings 7:82 Kings 7:8 - And when these lepers - And when these lepers came to the outskirts of the camp, they came to the outskirts of the camp, they went into one tent and ate and drank, and went into one tent and ate and drank, and carried from it silver and gold and clothing, carried from it silver and gold and clothing, and went and hid and went and hid them; them; then they came then they came back and entered another tent, and carried back and entered another tent, and carried some some from there from there also, also, and went and hid and went and hid it.it.


• After risking your life for food, what would After risking your life for food, what would you now do?you now do?

• Even the lepers knew what any decent Even the lepers knew what any decent person would do. person would do. (2 Kings 7:9)(2 Kings 7:9)


• 2 Kings 7:92 Kings 7:9 - Then they said to one - Then they said to one another, "another, "We are not doing rightWe are not doing right. . This day This day is is a day of good news, and we remain a day of good news, and we remain silentsilent. If we wait until morning light, some . If we wait until morning light, some punishment will come upon us. Now punishment will come upon us. Now therefore, come, let us go and tell the therefore, come, let us go and tell the king's household."king's household."


• Do we have this same decency?Do we have this same decency?

• We do not have to guess, we face a We do not have to guess, we face a greater famine and we have the greater famine and we have the provisions. What is the greatest need of all provisions. What is the greatest need of all men today? men today? (Rom 1:16-18)(Rom 1:16-18)


• Romans 1:16-18Romans 1:16-18 - For I am not ashamed of - For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God the power of God to salvation for everyone who believesto salvation for everyone who believes, for , for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith." 18 For the wrath of God is shall live by faith." 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,the truth in unrighteousness,

The mind of Christ is a mind The mind of Christ is a mind of faithof faith

• Faith is not afraid of the cost or the Faith is not afraid of the cost or the sacrifice. sacrifice. (Lk 14:28-30)(Lk 14:28-30)


• Luke 14:28-30Luke 14:28-30 - "For which of you, - "For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not intending to build a tower, does not sit sit down first and count the costdown first and count the cost, whether he , whether he has has enough enough to finish to finish it -- it -- 29 "lest, after he 29 "lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see finish, all who see it it begin to mock him, begin to mock him, 30 "saying, 'This man began to build and 30 "saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.was not able to finish.


• Would you move to another city for the Would you move to another city for the gospel’s sake?gospel’s sake?

• What did the early Christians do when What did the early Christians do when they had a move forced upon them? they had a move forced upon them? (Acts 8:3-4)(Acts 8:3-4)


• Acts 8:3-4Acts 8:3-4 - As for Saul, he made havoc - As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing dragging off men and women, committing them them to prison. 4 Therefore those who to prison. 4 Therefore those who were scattered were scattered went everywhere went everywhere preaching the wordpreaching the word..


• Satan never quits. Satan never quits. (1 Pt 5:8)(1 Pt 5:8)


• 1 Peter 5:81 Peter 5:8 - Be sober, be vigilant; - Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.may devour.


• Faith can see as God does and therefore Faith can see as God does and therefore is urgent! is urgent! (2 Cor 5:10-11)(2 Cor 5:10-11)


• 2 Corinthians 5:10-112 Corinthians 5:10-11 - For - For we must all we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christappear before the judgment seat of Christ, , that each one may receive the things that each one may receive the things done done in the body, according to what he has in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 11 done, whether good or bad. 11 Knowing, Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade menpersuade men; but we are well known to ; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.your consciences.


• When we lose urgency then we fail to act. When we lose urgency then we fail to act.


• ““There is an ancient story about three There is an ancient story about three demons who were arguing over the best way demons who were arguing over the best way to destroy the Christian mission in the world. to destroy the Christian mission in the world. The first demon says, "Let's tell all the The first demon says, "Let's tell all the Christians there is no heaven. Take away the Christians there is no heaven. Take away the reward incentive and the mission will reward incentive and the mission will collapse." The second demon says, "Let's collapse." The second demon says, "Let's tell all the Christians there is no hell. Take tell all the Christians there is no hell. Take away the fear of punishment and the mission away the fear of punishment and the mission will collapse."will collapse."


• The third demon says, "There is one better The third demon says, "There is one better way. Let's tell all the Christians that there way. Let's tell all the Christians that there is no hurry" and all three immediately say, is no hurry" and all three immediately say, "That's it!”"That's it!”


• By faith God will open doors for us! By faith God will open doors for us! (Col 4:3-4)(Col 4:3-4)


• Colossians 4:3-4Colossians 4:3-4 - meanwhile praying - meanwhile praying also for us, that also for us, that God would open to us a God would open to us a door for the worddoor for the word, to speak the mystery of , to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, 4 Christ, for which I am also in chains, 4 that I may make it manifest, as I ought to that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.speak.


• First make the mind of Christ your own. First make the mind of Christ your own. You will become passionate about this!You will become passionate about this!

• Can you make Christ part of your Can you make Christ part of your everyday conversation? Your online everyday conversation? Your online identity?identity?

• Can you find others with the mind of Christ Can you find others with the mind of Christ and draw strength from them? and draw strength from them? (Mal 3:16-18)(Mal 3:16-18)


• Malachi 3:16-18Malachi 3:16-18 - Then - Then those who feared those who feared the LORD spoke to one anotherthe LORD spoke to one another, And the , And the LORD listened and heard LORD listened and heard them; them; So a book So a book of remembrance was written before Him For of remembrance was written before Him For those who fear the LORD And who meditate those who fear the LORD And who meditate on His name. 17 "They shall be Mine," says on His name. 17 "They shall be Mine," says the LORD of hosts, "On the day that the LORD of hosts, "On the day that I make I make them My jewelsthem My jewels. And I will spare them As a . And I will spare them As a man spares his own son who serves him." man spares his own son who serves him."


• 18 Then you shall again discern Between 18 Then you shall again discern Between the righteous and the wicked, the righteous and the wicked, Between Between one who serves God And one who does one who serves God And one who does not serve Himnot serve Him..


• What if every person here had the mind of What if every person here had the mind of Christ?Christ?

What Is The Mind of Christ Towards the Lost?. We face an ongoing challenge to see the world as Jesus...

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