Who is the church for?

In the name of discipleship, we have forgotten about “the one” and in the name of reaching the lost we have not discipled the found.

The real question is who did Jesus die for?

*Acts 2:15-19 ESV
*15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day.[a] 16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:
17 “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams;
18 even on my male servants and female servants
in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.
19 And I will show wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below,
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;**

Mark 2:17 ESV

And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

2 Corinthians 5:15-16 ESV
And he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer.

How do we love people well?

1- He died for all.

2 Peter 3:9 ESV
The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.

Luke 19:10 ESV
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

2- *Stop Living for just ourselves. *

Rev 4:11 KJV
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Our love for God, and our life for God, is expressed in the way we love and serve others.

3- *Don’t judge a book by it’s cover. *

2 Cor 5:12 ESV
* We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart.*

A people without spot or wrinkle, are not perfect, but have persevered through their mess to stand before Him redeemed and in triumph.

“Everyone Welcome” does not mean come as you are and stay where you are, it means come as you are and encounter the one who can give you a new identity, new nature and new purpose.

4- *Learn to view People through the lens of the Holy Spirit. *

It’s the power of the Holy Spirit that enables people to change. It’s the power of the Holy Spirit that gives us the grace to be able to let people change.

Col 3:12-15 NLT
12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

Discussion Questions:

1- Read Acts 2:15-19. How can we be a part of these great days of God pouring Himself out?

2- How does God’s heart to not see anyone to perish affect you to live your Life?

3- What does it mean to “seek out” the Lost?

4- What is one way that you can “live beyond yourself” when it comes to loving other people?

5- Why is it so hard to trust the Holy Spirit in the lives of others?

6- Describe how you came to the Lord, and How His Holy Spirit changed you over the course of time.