Two weeks ago Gallup released its latest poll listing the most and least religious states in America. Not surprisingly Mississippi was revealed as the most religious state for the eighth year running. New Hampshire overtook Vermont as the least religious state in America, having only 20% of their residents claiming to be “very religious” as compared to 55% being “not religious at all.” Montana and Wyoming both revealed that there are more people who are “not religious at all” than “very religious.” Obviously these polls don’t give us the entire picture of spiritual health in America, or even in our own state, but they do represent trends. The trend we can see clearly is that in Montana people show little concern for Christianity. As a church in Montana’s largest city, we should take notice and see the incredible challenges and opportunities this trend presents. We have been called to minister in a highly secular context. God gave you and me the responsibility to bring the message of Jesus Christ to our neighbors. 

We know that the majority of people in our city and state are without Christ. God has entrusted the people of Billings to us. His expectation is that we love our city, serve our city, and most importantly, reach our city. You and I don’t have an excuse for sitting on the sidelines. We cannot sit back and wait for unbelievers to walk into our doors looking for redemption. We cannot sit complacently in our beautiful building while the other churches strive to care for widows and orphans. We can’t grumble about the immorality surrounding us as we withhold the Gospel from those who need it the most. We must not hide from the lost because they act lost; instead, as a church, we must be intentionally and lovingly proclaiming Christ to our city.  Polls are revealing what we already knew: Montanans need Jesus. If we want to see morality, wisdom, and Christianity take hold in our city, we must declare the beautiful message of Jesus Christ. Last week we covered discipleship based on Matthew 4:19. Today I want to look at the first phase of discipleship, usually referred to as evangelism and the three essential aspects of reaching the lost. 

1. Reaching the Lost must be intentional

 John 4 gives us one of the most direct examples of evangelism in Scripture. This passage shows how Jesus goes out of his way to reach a broken woman with secular beliefs and an immoral lifestyle. Verse four says “And he had to pass through Samaria.”  Jews hated Samaritans, so they did not walk through Samaria. They would go out of their way to walk around the region. The reason Jesus “had to pass through” was so he could meet this woman. This meeting didn’t occur by chance. Jesus intended to meet her because unlike other Jews, Jesus loved Samaritans. Jesus loved that woman before she repented. He loved her and he saw through her brokenness and immorality. 

Jesus wanted to bring healing, fulfillment, encouragement, grace, and forgiveness to a woman so broken even the pagan Samaritans rejected her. Jesus went out of his way not to condemn her, but to transform her. Her sinfulness wasn’t ignored, but it wasn’t the focus.  When we sit back and wait for the lost to come to us we’re failing to obey the very first part of the Great Commission: “go therefore” or “as you are going.” 

2. Reaching the Lost must be done from love

        1 Corinthians 16:14 says “let all that you do be done in love.” Sometimes Christians get so distracted by the sinfulness around us that we forget the Biblical expectation to love our neighbors. Sometimes we begin to despise our neighbors. While Jesus was on the cross, some of his last words were “Father forgive them.” To his last breath Jesus was concerned with those who hated him and didn’t deserve his sacrifice. Luke 10:25-37 records a lawyer asking Jesus (after quoting Leviticus 19:18) “who is my neighbor?” Jesus responds with what is likely his most famous parable: The Good Samaritan.  The Samaritan, whose people were known to have been bitter enemies with Jews, demonstrated sacrificial love to his expected enemy. The point of the parable was that love is never out of the question. A demonstration of self-sacrifice and humility for the sake of your enemy’s salvation is always noble. Love is always right and (according to Romans 13:10) love is the fulfilling of the law. Jesus lived this principle. He demonstrated this on the cross when he died for the sins you and I committed. Jesus loved his people regardless of how they felt about him, and through his power, we must love our city regardless of how they feel about us. 

3. Reaching the Lost Must Be Christ Centered

Reaching people is about Jesus. Sharing the gospel isn’t about winning an argument or reaching a moral victory. It’s always about making disciples of Jesus. He is the reason we teach, preach, serve, and love. Jesus is why we care about the widows and orphans; he is why we hurt for the teenage mother.  Our mission is to lead the lost to a saving faith in Jesus Christ. We cannot accomplish this if we are distracted by the vanity of earthly pursuits.   Jesus loves those whom the world would prefer to ignore. As his followers we should love them too. Love them with humility, sacrifice and grace. After all, that is exactly what Jesus did for us. 

Wrap Up

Ministry isn’t always easy. In fact, when done correctly, it comes with criticism and opposition. Reaching the lost is a critical responsibility of the church and living in a wonderful city like Billings gives us plenty of opportunity to share the gospel with some pretty incredible people. Fortunately we don’t have to rely on our own knowledge, ability or power to accomplish this.  2 Corinthians 9:8 reminds us that God will work through us. In Christ we will have all sufficiency in all things at all times.