Take the First Step

Walk Across the Room (part 1)

Luke 15:1-7 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent

This chapter contains three stories, but they all begin with Jesus walking toward lost people.

And that’s the heart of today’s message:
Can we walk across the room toward someone who is lost and let them know that they are seen, by God, by us.

Who is lost?

Acts 4:12 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

• Without Jesus people cannot be saved.
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• One of the greatest roles and responsibilities we have in our faith journey is sharing our story and our faith with others.
• Why should we take this step across the room?

Because God stepped toward us.

• We take the step because God commands us to do it.
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Mark 16:15-16 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

Matt 5: 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

People respond to God when we share our faith.  It is actually our telling the story that starts the process of redemption..

Rom 10:17 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.

Faith to believe comes when someone hears the message.

Rom 10:9-10 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

Rom 10: 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”  14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

• Obedience starts with a step.
• Evangelism isn’t about knowing everything. It’s about doing something.
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• We take the step because we are convicted by the Spirit connect with people.
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God is the one who is leading us to connect. He give us the Holy Spirit to guide us.  We just need to be sensitive.

• We take the step because we comprehend the consequences.
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• Love Compels us to save people from Hell.
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• How do we start walking across the room?
• Leave Your Circle of Comfort
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JQuestion:
Who is outside your circle of comfort right now?
A coworker? A neighbor? A family member?

What would it look like for you to leave your circle and take one step toward them?

• Move with Purpose, Not Pressure
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Jesus didn’t walk up to people with a bullhorn or a megaphone. He didn’t force people to listen. He simply moved in love and followed the Spirit’s leading.

Bill Hybels says, “The single greatest gift you can give someone is an introduction to the God who created them, who loves them, and who has a purpose for their life.”

 

• Listen Before You Speak
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• Just One Step toward one person
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What’s your first step this week?

• Sending that text.
• Inviting someone to lunch.
• Asking a coworker about their weekend with a purpose.
• Praying for courage to walk into a spiritually open moment.

You don’t need a script. You just need faith and a willingness to meet someone where they are.

Closing Challenge:

Who’s your one?

Who is the Holy Spirit nudging you to walk toward?

Don’t underestimate the power of proximity.
Jesus came all the way from heaven to walk across the room of humanity… to find you.