It is easily one of the most challenging things for us as Christians because it can be way out of our comfort zone. The danger is that Jesus’s commandment to seek out the lost is treated as “optional” to many of us! This is not optional! It’s our calling as Christians! ARE YOU LOOKING FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE LOST AND IN NEED OF JESUS? Most of us are so focused on the troubles of life that we forget: Jesus left us on this earth for a mission - to share the Gospel with everyone we encounter. LUKE 19:10 NLT For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost. The reason that Jesus came to this earth was to seek and save the lost. He is out looking for those who need Him! LUKE 15:1-7 NLT [1] Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. [2] This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people-even eating with them! [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! Are you willing to drop everything to chase after the one person in your life who is broken and in need of Jesus? Sheep are very unintelligent animals. They wander, get lost, and fall into troublesome situations - all because they are unaware and don’t know any better. This perfectly describes people who do not know Jesus! They fall into sin, feel lost in life, and wander from place to place, looking for satisfaction because they don’t know any better! Thankfully, the Good Shepherd shows sympathy and pursues those lost little sheep. He doesn’t punish, shame, or insult them - He rescues them! God’s heart is for the one. The one who is hurting, lost, and broken. He has allowed us to represent Jesus, our Shepherd, and help rescue the lost. GO AFTER THE ONE. 1 CORINTHIANS 9:19-23 NLT [19] Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. [20] When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. [21] When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ. [22] When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. [23] I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings. Are you willing to change your approach to life and your comfort level if it means someone coming to know Jesus? Paul was willing to use his freedom for one purpose: sharing the Gospel and winning souls for Jesus. If we were honest with ourselves, many of us would take freedom for ourselves and our own comfort and pleasure. Sadly, many of us don’t try that hard regarding evangelism. We may sheepishly ask if someone knows Jesus, yet we can problem-solve an issue for hours regarding something we’re deeply interested in. DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO REACH THE ONE. Make evangelism a priority! Don’t consider this optional or a type of extra credit for Christians. This is our calling while we are here on this earth. Share the Gospel with the one who needs Jesus - whatever it takes!