God's Heart and Call To The Lost

February 10, 2013             by John Cox                God’s heart and the Call to the lost

Always pray, Never give up:   Last week, Jay said: “You can’t expect to access the resources of the Kingdom of Heaven if you are operating in the principles of the other kingdom.” It applied as well to people who are, and will be, coming into the kingdom. It’s this i want to think about today for just a little while – this idea of people encountering the Kingdom of God, and entering His Kingdom. I want to contrast our rational western thinking patterns – that other Kingdom – with the way that the Kingdom of God operates – as it relates to how it is that you and i got here in Christ Our default in this country is to rely on persuasion and knowledge (neither is bad) to bring people in – I want to contrast this with what I call persistent intercession and humble readiness... How did I get there?

Some passages to look at: (NIV)

Isaiah  62:6-7 You who call on the Lord, give yourselves no rest

John 3: 16-17  For God so lovedV)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;"> the world that he gaveW)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;"> his one and only Son,X)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;"> that whoever believesY)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;">in him shall not perish but have eternal life.Z)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;"> 17 For God did not send his Son into the worldAA)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;"> to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Matthew 9: 36-38  “The harvestAS)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> is plentiful but the workers are few"

2 Corinthians 4:4 - "The godI)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> of this ageJ)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> has blindedK)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ,L)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> who is the image of God."

2 Corinthians 3:16-17 - "But whenever anyone turns to the Lord,W)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;"> the veil is taken away.X)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;"> 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit,Y)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;"> and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."

Romans 10:9-17 

1 Peter 3:15 "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answerX)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hopeY)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect"

John 6:39-40 "... my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the SonAS)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> and believes in him shall have eternal life,AT)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> and I will raise them up at the last day"