Do you have a burden for the lost?

We all enjoy worshipping and fellowship, the familiar comfort of Church and the people around us who we know and trust.
But how often do we stop and think about the lost souls outside of the Church building and fellowship? and if we do spare a thought for them what is it that we think?
Do you get an instant desire to go out and spread the Good News to try and save them from almost certain condemnation or do we feel that we just cant bring ourselves to do it

Here are a few common examples why we don't share our Faith:

Well, I want people to be saved but I don't like the rejection I often face when I talk to them

I don't feel as if Evangelism is my calling

I find that I'm simply too busy to take on any further obligations

Other people are better at it than me

We are all called to be a witness but not all to be an Evangelist

The word "Evangelist" comes from the Koine Greek word "eu-angelos" meaning Bringer of Good News. Similarly the Koine expression for Good News is "eu-angelion" which is used to refer to the four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John in the New Testament
Of course people have different conceptions about who or what an Evangelist is or does and it generally speaks of someone who stands in the market place on a soapbox preaching the word or perhaps to a large gathering in a stadium or marquee but the bottom line is that it is someone who chooses to "go out" and take the Good News to the lost and to encourage those who are already in the Faith but appear to be flailing due to the circumstances in their particular situation.

The fields are white unto harvest but the labourers are few

Brothers and Sisters, this text is not so much to rebuke those who do not share their Faith for any good reason (other than fear) but to let you know that you are "needed" to fill a position that is currently vacant. I'm sure you will have heard the phrase "For the fields are white unto harvest but the labourers are few?. Luke's Gospel, chapter 10 - verses 2 and 3 "Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest. Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves."

Today, I am praying to the Lord of the harvest that He will send faithful labourers forth to work in the harvest fields. Yes, I do understand that many of you do fufuil other vitally important positions within the body to which you feel called and equipped to do but what I am saying is this. Suppose you come across a road accident and the victim has stopped breathing - you are the first on the scene, do you not give mouth to mouth and CPR because you are not called to be a medic? or do you put all other thoughts aside and begin the task of pumping that persons chest and blowing life giving air into their lungs through their mouth?

If there is no one else to do a vitally important job, isn't it our duty to take up the position and do it? - and what else could be more vitally important than doing everything you can to snatch lost souls from the fiery flames of hell?, actually living out the great commission given to us by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Take the town of Leigh in Lancashire UK - over the years many seeds have been planted into peoples lives yet very little fruit is evident as a result

Leigh town centre 1

We have to understand that in the harvest fields there are both planters AND harvesters. To clarify lets take a look at the Gospel of John - chapter 4 verses 35-38
35 "Do you not say, Four months more and then the harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. 36 Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. 37 Thus the saying 'One sows and another reaps' is true. 38 I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labour"

Leigh town centre 2

I, for one don't want to let all those years of sowing go to waste, and even though I could actually pick out a couple of excuses from the list above why I couldn't do it, I know that I have to. But I can testify to you that once I began to get out there into the harvest fields, I found myself experiencing a deep spiritual joy and contentment that I have never felt before - a sense of freedom that money just cannot buy. I quickly began to realise that no man can find greater happiness than when the will of God is at the very centre of his being.

Remember, it is not the will of God for man to perish but nevertheless His judgment draws ever nearer. Look at 2 Peter - Chapter 3 verse 9.
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Is it not up to us to get out onto the streets and say to the prince of this world "The LORD commands you to Let His people go!" by lifting off the spiritual blindfold and showing them that there is a better way?

Please pray for me and for this town of Leigh (pronounced Lee) as I go out onto the streets with the hope that God will be with me to bring His message to these lost souls.

God Bless you and please find courage in the Lord to share with others what you have been so freely given.

Please help to put me on these streets Full time and if for any reason you can't go out with the message of the Good News then please dontate to the opening of a new drop-in centre here in Leigh where people can come into an atmosphere of Love, compassion, worship and Praise, a place where they will walk away from feeling different and with a sense of worth - Partner with us today and help to fulfil the vision to open a new drop-in centre where we can Evangelize the lost and hurting, save lost souls and bring the glory to God that He so rightly deserves. Are you ready to do your part today?

Thank you and God Bless you.