Curry's Chapel Church
20261101 - Who Is Your Own
  • A Wake-Up Call to a Comfortable Church
    SLIDE
    Luke 15:3–7 NLT
    3 So Jesus told them this story: 4 “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. 6 When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!
    SLIDE

    Introduction: The Life Preserver

    This morning I brought a life preserver.
    Hold it up.
    Suppose I was standing at a lake and I saw a child drowning.
    Suppose I had this life preserver in my hands.
    Suppose I knew exactly how to save the child.
    But instead of throwing it, I stood there and watched.
    What would you call me?
    Heartless?
    Cruel?
    Negligent?
    Uncaring?
    Now let me ask some other questions.
    If heaven is real...
    If hell is real...
    If Jesus is the only way...
    If the gospel really saves...
    And we know the answer...
    What do we call a Christian who never tells anyone?
    That question should make us uncomfortable.
    Because the issue is not whether we possess the truth.
    The issue is whether we are sharing it.

    Main Teaching

    SLIDE

    I. THE GREATEST NEWS EVER TOLD HAS BECOME THE LEAST SHARED

    Recently I watched the documentary Jesus Mission. The film highlights evangelism statistics often cited by outreach ministries.
    They report that as many as 95% of Christians have never led someone to Christ.
    They report that 80% do not consistently witness.
    They report that less than 2% are actively involved in evangelism ministry.
    Imagine 40 people (about the number of us in the room right now) standing across this platform. Thirty-three have never led someone to Christ. Twenty-eight do not consistently witness. Yet nearly all 35 would say they believe people need Jesus. That's the gap between conviction and action.
    Whether these percentages are exact or not, the larger question remains:
    Why are so many Christians silent?
    We talk about sports.
    We talk about politics.
    We talk about our hobbies.
    We talk about our vacations.
    We talk about our grandchildren.
    But how often do we talk about Jesus?
    Paul asks in Romans 10:14 “ But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?”
    Notice Paul's logic.
    They cannot believe if they do not hear.
    They cannot hear unless someone tells them.
    The plan of God has always involved people carrying the message.
    Let me ask you:
    SLIDE

    Who told you about Jesus?

    A parent?
    A grandparent?
    A Sunday school teacher?
    A preacher?
    A friend?
    Someone cared enough about your soul to speak.
    Someone cared enough to risk rejection.
    Someone cared enough to have an uncomfortable conversation.
    Now for the harder question:
    SLIDE

    Who is going to be in heaven because of you?

    Who have you prayed with?
    Who have you invited?
    Who have you intentionally pointed to Christ?
    If the answer is nobody… why?
    Illustration: The Cure For Cancer
    Imagine tomorrow scientists discover a cure for every form of cancer.
    A guaranteed cure.
    Would they hide it?
    Would they say,
    "I don't want to offend anybody"?
    Would they say,
    "My medical beliefs are private"?
    Of course not.
    They would broadcast it around the world.
    Church, we possess something infinitely greater than a cure for cancer.
    Cancer destroys the body.
    Sin destroys the soul.
    Jesus is the cure.
    Why do we whisper about the only hope of the world?
    SLIDE

    II. GOD HOLDS HIS PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE

    Turn to Ezekiel 33:7 “I am making you a watchman for the people of Israel. Therefore, listen to what I say and warn them for me.”
    A watchman stood on the wall.
    His responsibility wasn't to fight every battle.
    His responsibility was to sound the alarm.
    If danger approached and he stayed silent, people died unprepared.
    In the next verse, God says in Ezekiel 33:8 “If I announce that some wicked people are sure to die and you fail to tell them to change their ways, then they will die in their sins, and I will hold you responsible for their deaths.”
    Church, we cannot save anybody.
    Only Jesus saves.
    But are we sounding the alarm?
    Have we warned anyone?
    Have we shared the hope that changed our lives?
    Or have we become experts at attending church while remaining silent outside the church?
    Let me ask you a painful question.
    What if we are more concerned about offending someone than we are about where they spend eternity?
    What if our silence reveals more about our priorities than our words?
    Object Lesson: The Hidden Flashlight
    Pan an unlit flashlight around the room.
    Ask:
    What good is a flashlight that never shines?
    What good is salt that never seasons?
    What good is a witness who never witnesses?
    Jesus said in Matthew 5:14 ““You are the light of the world...”
    Not hidden light.
    Not private light.
    But visible light.
    SLIDE

    III. JESUS NEVER CALLED US TO BE SPECTATORS

    Jesus said in Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, go and teach of all the nations...”
    Notice what He did not say.
    He did not say:
    Attend.
    Observe.
    Critique.
    Evaluate.
    Watch.
    He said:
    GO.
    Some Christians have mistaken church attendance for discipleship.
    But Jesus never called spectators.
    He called disciples.
    Disciples follow.
    Disciples obey.
    Disciples go.
    Let me ask you:
    When was the last time you intentionally spoke to someone about Jesus?
    Last week?
    Last month?
    Last year?
    Five years ago?
    Never?
    If Jesus audited your calendar, your conversations, and your priorities, would He find evidence that reaching the lost actually matters to you?
    SLIDE

    A Difficult Conversation

    Church, may I be completely honest?
    Not angry.
    Not bitter.
    Just honest.
    I was disappointed recently.
    Not because of attendance.
    Not because of finances.
    Not because of music preferences.
    I was disappointed because we announced our Prayer Tent outreach.
    We weren't asking people to preach on a street corner.
    We weren't asking people to debate atheists.
    We weren't asking people to travel overseas.
    We were simply asking people to pray.
    To stand available.
    To love people.
    To ask hurting people, “Can I pray for you today?"
    Out of let’s call it forty or so, people in the congregation, only three volunteered.
    Three.
    And that forced me to ask a painful question.
    SLIDE

    If we won't pray for strangers, will we ever reach strangers?

    If we won't spend one hour praying for people, how will we obey a lifetime calling to witness to people?
    Church, don't be offended by that question.
    Be convicted by it.
    Because I have been convicted by it myself.
    SLIDE

    IV. THE PROBLEM IS NOT THE HARVEST

    Jesus said Matthew 9:37 “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.”
    Notice what Jesus did not say.
    He did not say the harvest was small.
    He did not say the people were unreachable.
    He did not say society was too hard.
    The harvest is plentiful. The problem is laborers.
    The problem is not the field. The problem is not the community.
    The problem is not the lost. The problem is the laborers.
    If Jesus walked into our church right now, would He describe us as laborers or listeners?
    Workers or watchers?
    Participants or spectators?
    Illustration: The Burning House
    Imagine forty firefighters arrive at a burning home.
    Thirty-seven stay in the truck.
    Three pick up the hoses.
    Which group actually helped?
    The tragedy isn't that three responded.
    The tragedy is that thirty-seven didn't.
    Church, when only three people volunteer to reach the community, we should not be congratulating ourselves.
    We should be asking ourselves why.
    SLIDE

    V. WE ARE CHRIST'S PLAN

    Jesus said in Acts 1:8 “...You will be my witnesses...”
    He didn't say: "You may be witnesses."
    He didn't say: "You should consider being witnesses."
    He said: "You shall be witnesses."
    A witness simply tells what they have seen.
    You don't need a seminary degree.
    You don't need all the answers.
    You simply tell people:
    "I was lost."
    "Jesus found me."
    "I was broken."
    "Jesus restored me."
    "I was a sinner."
    "Jesus saved me."
    That is witnessing.
    SLIDE

    Closing - A Coming Day of Accountability

    Jesus told the Parable of the Talents. The master entrusted resources to his servants.
    Then he departed.
    But eventually he returned.
    The Bible says in Matthew 25:19 “After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account...”
    The servants were stewards.
    Everything they held belonged to the master.
    Church, the gospel we possess is not ours.
    It belongs to Christ.
    The opportunities we have are not ours.
    They belong to Christ.
    The people around us are not there by accident.
    God put them there.
    One day every believer will stand before Christ.
    Not to determine salvation.
    That was settled at Calvary.
    But to give an account of our stewardship.
    Imagine standing before Jesus.
    The nail-scarred Savior looking at you and saying:
    “I saved you.
    I forgave you.
    I gave you My Spirit.
    I gave you My Word.
    I gave you neighbors, coworkers, friends, and family.
    I told you to go.
    I told you to make disciples.
    I told you to be My witness.
    What did you do with the gospel I entrusted to you?"
    Church, what answer will we give?
    Paul said in 1 Corinthians 4:2 "Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful."
    Not successful. Faithful.
    Not famous. Faithful.
    Not comfortable. Faithful.
    SLIDE

    ONE NAME

    Before we pray or have communion...
    Before anyone comes to the altar...
    Before anyone says, "Lord, send me"...
    I want every person in this room to think about one name.
    Not ten.
    Not five.
    One.
    One person.
    One soul.
    One name.
    Jesus often focused on one person.
    One woman at the well.
    One man in a tree.
    One blind beggar.
    One lost sheep.
    One thief on a cross.
    Who is your one?
    A son?
    A daughter?
    A grandchild?
    A coworker?
    A neighbor?
    A friend?
    Can you see their face?
    Can you hear their name?
    Paul said in Romans 10:1 “the longing of my heart and my prayer to God is for the people of Israel to be saved.”
    Do you have somebody whose salvation burdens you?
    Do you have somebody whose eternity matters enough that you pray for them daily?
    Every revival starts with a burden.
    Every burden starts with a soul.
    Every soul has a name.
    THE COMMITMENT WALL
    At the front of the church is a chart.
    Remove the cover over the chart...
    Not because a chart saves anybody.
    Not because writing a name saves anybody.
    Only Jesus saves.
    But today we are putting feet to our faith.
    The Bible says in James 1:22 “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.”
    So here is what I am asking.
    When you come to this altar for communion and finish praying, I want you to walk to the chart and complete only the first three columns. However, I will explain all five columns.
    Column One
    My Name
    Your name.
    A public declaration that you are accepting responsibility for one soul.
    Column Two
    My One
    The name of one person God has placed on your heart.
    One person you will intentionally pray for and seek opportunities to share Jesus with.
    Column Three
    Talk to by Date
    Write the date by which you intend to have a gospel conversation with that person.
    Not because salvation should be rushed.
    But because obedience should not be postponed.
    A goal without a date is often just a wish.
    Today we stop wishing and we start acting.
    Column Four
    Response
    After you have the conversation, return to the chart and record the result.
    Examples might include:
    Shared testimony
    Shared the Gospel
    Asked questions
    Requested prayer
    Not interested
    Wants further discussion
    Received Christ
    This is not to embarrass anyone.
    It is to celebrate obedience.
    Remember, success is not getting someone saved.
    Success is being faithful.
    God gives the increase.
    We provide the witness.
    Column Five
    My One in Church
    If they visit church, record the date.
    Every visitor represented by that chart is not a statistic.
    It is a person.
    A soul.
    A life that matters to God.
    And every time we see a new date written in that column, we will praise God for opening another door.
    By filling out those first three columns today you are saying:
    "I will pray for this person."
    "I will pursue an opportunity."
    "I will have the conversation."
    "I will trust God with the results."
    "I will remain faithful regardless of their response."
    SLIDE
    ADD JACE

    Imagine What God Could Do

    Imagine forty believers each adopting one soul.
    Imagine forty names being prayed over every day.
    Imagine forty gospel conversations.
    Imagine forty opportunities for God to work.
    Imagine watching the response column begin to fill up.
    Imagine seeing names like:
    Asked for prayer
    Wants to talk more
    Came to church
    Accepted Christ
    Imagine looking at that board six months from now and seeing evidence of obedience all across it.
    What if the next baptism starts with a name written on that chart today?
    What if the next testimony starts with a name written on that chart today?
    What if the next prodigal who comes home starts with a name written on that chart today?
    Church, what if somebody's eternity changes because you cared enough to write one name and follow through?
    SLIDE

    Altar Call & Communion

    Church, today I'm not asking whether you believe in evangelism.
    Most of us do.
    I'm asking whether we're willing to obey.
    Whether we're willing to pray for one soul.
    Whether we're willing to speak to one soul.
    Whether we're willing to invite one soul.
    Whether we're willing to trust God for one soul.
    And today, as we come to the Lord's Table, we remember why the gospel is Good News.
    Jesus took the bread, broke it, and said: "This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me."
    Break the Bread
    As we break this bread together, remember His body given for you.
    Remember the cross.
    Remember the sacrifice.
    Remember the Savior who loved you enough to give Himself for you.
    And then we take the cup.
    Jesus said: "This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you."
    Raise the cup
    As we receive the cup, remember His blood shed for you.
    The blood that purchased your forgiveness.
    The blood that brought you into a new covenant.
    The blood of Jesus Christ that made your salvation possible.
    And church, while you remember this, remember something else:
    Jesus didn't give His body only for people already sitting inside this church.
    There is someone outside these walls who needs to know what this bread represents.
    There is someone who needs to know why this cup matters.
    There is someone who needs to hear about the Savior who gave Himself for sinners.
    Who is your one?
    As you receive the bread and the cup, ask God: "Lord, who have You placed in my life that needs to hear about Jesus?"
    Then come to this altar and pray for that person by name.
    When you rise from prayer, go to the chart.
    Write your name.
    Write their name.
    Write the date by which you will intentionally speak with them about Jesus.
    Then trust God with their response.
    Church, we've remembered what Jesus has done for us.
    Now let's tell somebody else what Jesus has done for them.
    Let's stop merely admiring the Great Commission and start obeying it.
    Let's stop waiting for somebody else.
    Let's become the laborers Jesus is calling into His harvest.
    We have remembered the broken bread.
    We have remembered the cup.
    We have remembered His sacrifice.
    Now let us remember our mission..
    SLIDE
    "Here am I, Lord. Send me." Amen.
    Stay in the front for closing prayer...

    Closing Prayer

    Heavenly Father,
    Thank You for speaking to our hearts today through Your Word. Thank You for the gospel that saved us, changed us, and gave us hope. Lord, we confess that there have been times when we have been silent when we should have spoken, comfortable when we should have gone, and fearful when we should have trusted You.
    Today we ask You to give us Your heart for the lost. Burden us for the people around us who need Jesus. Open our eyes to see them, our ears to hear Your leading, and our mouths to speak with courage and love.
    Lord, bring one name to every heart. One person to pray for. One person to encourage. One person to invite. One person to share Christ with. Give us the faith to believe that one conversation, one invitation, and one act of obedience can change an eternity.
    As we leave this place, help us not to be hearers only, but doers of Your Word. Make us laborers in Your harvest. Make us faithful witnesses. And may many people come to know Jesus because we were willing to say, "Here am I, Lord. Send me."
    We commit our "one" to You. Prepare their heart, open doors of opportunity, and draw them to Yourself through the power of Your Holy Spirit.
    For Your glory and for the salvation of souls, we pray.
    In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord,
    Amen.

      • Luke 15:3–7NLT

Curry's Chapel Church
curryschapel46140@gmail.com
+1 (317) 496-4901
https://curryschapel.faithlifesites.com
3 members • 1 follower