A Prodigal People

Salvation is simple; it is so simple anyone can be saved. You simply have to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. But just because anyone can be saved doesn’t mean everyone will be saved. The only people who will be rescued from sin, death, and hell are those who hear the good news of salvation and heed it or take it to heart. In order for a person to be saved, someone needs to share the gospel with them and they need to submit their lives to it. Through a series of rhetorical questions, Paul continued to clarify why the Jews rejected the righteousness God offered them through faith alone in Christ alone. In the midst of this explanation of Israel’s failure to believe, we find one of the clearest, most compelling calls to missions and evangelism found anywhere in Scripture. Reaching the lost involves a series of successive steps, starting with people being sent out and ending with people being saved.

1. THE NEED TO HERALD THE GOSPEL (vv. 14-15)
2. THE NEED TO HEED THE GOSPEL (vv. 16-21)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS

James 1:22 says, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” These questions are designed to help you apply today’s message to your life. We encourage you to thoughtfully answer these questions and discuss your answers with others. For more information about joining a Grow Group that uses these questions as the basis for weekly discussion, prayer, and accountability, please call the church office at (936) 582-1977.

1. Who is someone that played a role in you coming to know Christ? Are you aware of anyone who would mention you in their testimony — how they came to know Christ through your witness?
2. How long have you known the gospel? Is there someone you associate with who could accuse you of withholding the truth of the gospel from them (i.e. “If you knew this, why didn’t you ever tell me or why did it take you so long to tell me?”)?
3. Read 2 Corinthians 5:18-20. What is your responsibility when it comes to heralding the gospel and reaching lost people? Do you see your errands, jobs, classes, workouts, and daily movings about as opportunities to share the gospel with unbelievers? Are you committed to fervently pray for and financially support missionaries and ministries that exist to proclaim the gospel to those who have not heard it yet (cf. Rom. 10:14-15, 17)? Why or why not?
4. Read John 3:36, Acts 6:7, Romans 1:5, 6:17, 16:26, 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8, and Hebrews 5:9. How do these verses counter or prevent “easy-believism” which is so prevalent in the church today (i.e. people claim to be a Christian because they prayed a prayer, walked an aisle, got baptized, etc.)?
5. Read Matthew 21:33-43 and 22:1-10. What do these two parables teach about the relationship between Jews and Gentiles in regards to God’s plan of salvation? Why has God laid aside Israel at present and is focused primarily on reaching the Gentiles (cf. Mt. 23:37)?       
6. Read Luke 15:11-32. Which of the two sons in this story best describes you now or before you came to know Christ? Are your hands outstretched to someone you have a relationship with who is obstinate or disobedient (i.e. spouse, child, parent, sibling, etc.)?
7. Thank God for graciously and patiently stretching His arms out to you and pleading with you to come back to Him when you were rebelling against Him. Ask Him to give you beautiful feet. Pray for the salvation of your spouse, child, parent, neighbor, coworker, classmate, teammate, or some unreached people group.