The One

Part 1: See Your Mission Field

God has intentionally placed people around us. We have an opportunity and responsibility to use our sphere of influence to share the message of Jesus and salvation.

Luke 15:3–7 (NIV)
(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.”

Point 1: See People the Way Jesus Sees Them

Luke 19:10 (NIV)
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.

That was the mission of Jesus.

Matthew 9:35–36 (NIV)
(35) Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. (36) When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Notice Jesus’ response. Compassion.

Jesus didn’t look at lost people with anger.
He looked at them with compassion.
And if we’re going to reach people, we have to ask God: “Help me see people the way You see them.”

Point 2: Recognize Your Sphere of Influence

You already have a mission field.
It’s your sphere of influence.
Think about the people you interact with during an average week.

Acts 1:8 (NIV)
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

Your sphere of influence is your mission field.
So ask yourself: Who has God already put around me?

Point 3: Be Intentional About Reaching People

The shepherd in Luke 15 went after the sheep.
There was intentionality.

Romans 10:13–14 (NIV)
(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?”

Somebody has to tell them.
Somebody has to make the invitation.
Somebody has to start the conversation.

Point 4: Open Your Eyes to the Harvest

John 4:35 (NIV)
“…I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.”

Open your eyes.
Jesus wasn’t telling them to create a harvest.
The harvest was already there. They just needed to see it.
That is what God wants to do in us.

Who Is Already Around You?

“God, who have You placed within my reach?”
Start with one.
Pray for one.
Invite one.
Talk to one.

See people.
See the opportunity.
Be intentional.
And ask God to use you.