“Why Not Me?”

INTRODUCTION.

A.        There are many people in the world who like to ask, “Why me?”

1.         Children learn this question at a young age. The mother will say, “Clean up that mess.” And the child might reply, “Why me? I didn’t make the mess.”

2.         There are adults who suffer from the same problem. When they are given a job or a responsibility they do not prefer, they may ask, “Why me? Can’t someone else do it?”

B.        I am afraid that within the subject of personal evangelism, too many Christians are asking, “Why me? We have a preacher. Let him go to the lost. That’s what we’re paying him for.”

C.        It is the goal of this lesson to get you to ask the question, “Why not me?” I will show you four reasons why you should be taking Jesus’ life saving message to the lost.

I.         YOU HAVE BEEN SAVED.

            A.        If you have obeyed Jesus’ command to believe and be baptized, then you have been saved. If that is your state, then you should “speak what you know.” (John 3:11)

                        1.         You learned the Truth, you were convicted, and you obeyed.

                        2.         Take what you know and tell others.

            B.        The assurance of your salvation should give you enough confidence to take the life saving message to the lost. Consider the example of the apostle Paul:

                        1.         Philippians 1:19-21

                        2.         II Timothy 4:6-8

            C.        Remember, you cannot sell that which you do not believe or trust. If you are saved, then who better to “sell” or spread the gospel’s message?

II.       YOU HAVE THE TRUTH.

            A.        Continuing from the previous point, you should teach the lost because you have what the lost needs.

            B.        Consider the subject of helping others physically. The Bible teaches that if you have the opportunity, then you should help the needy.

                        1.         Ephesians 4:28

                        2.         Matthew 25:41-46

                        3.         Galatians 6:10

            C.        It stands to reason that this same rule applies to spiritual matters. You have that which the lost world needs. Take it to them!

III.      YOU LOVE THE LOST.

            A.        You are to teach the lost because you have compassion on the lost. (If you do not have this compassion, then we need to stop this lesson and study about compassion.)

            B.        You know that the lost because will die, be judged, and receive a judgment fit for the life they had lived. (Hebrews 9:27; John 5:28-29;II Corinthians 5:9-10)

            C.        The knowledge that the lost will be eternally lost should provoke compassion within you. This compassion should then motivate you to try to teach those who are lost.

IV.      YOU WANT TO HELP FULFILL GOD’S WILL.

            A.        You should be teaching the lost because God’s will is that those who are lost will come to repentance. (II Peter 3:9)

            B.        Jesus gave the command to go and teach. (Matthew 28:18-20; Matthew 16:15-16)

            C.        If we help fulfill God’s will, then we will be serving God like Paul and Apollos. (I Corinthians 3:5-9) We will be helping to fulfill God’s will.

CONCLUSION.

A.        Have you been teaching the lost? If not, then ask God to forgive you and begin today. Use the enclosed Prospect List to make a list of people whom you might try to teach, even if teaching begins with a simple invitation to the worship services.

B.        Remember, you should be teaching the lost because:

1.         You have been saved.

2.         You have what the lost needs.

3.         You have compassion for the lost.

4.         You want to help fulfill God’s will.

C.        If you are a Christian, then ask yourself, “Why not me?” and begin teaching the lost today.

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“Why Not Me?” -- January 20, 2002 -- File # 1510

by John M. Duvall -- Lawton, OK