Introduction:
A. What is it that you would want most in this life? I remember when my brother-in-law got saved. Then I remember when my sister accepted the Lord. My brother asking Jesus to forgive him.
B. We need to be relating to our families. We need to relate to them the gospel message.
1. Andrew first found his brother - John 1:42
2. Maniac of Gadara went home - Mark 5
C. Our soul-winning efforts should begin at home. We need to be examples first at home. (An example of the believer). Notice:
I. Brethren:
A. We are the ones being addressed: (Christians, saved ones)
B. We should be concern over winning our families
C. We have been entrusted with the gospel: Notice Acts 9:1
1. Paul was sincere - "I say the truth…"
2. Paul was truthful - "I lie not…"
3. Paul was concerned - "My conscience…"
4. Paul was under pressure - "Great heaviness…"
5. Paul was not satisfied - "Continual sorrow…"
APPLICATION: We should never be satisfied until all our loved ones are saved. We should never be content with "hoping" they get saved. We are the ones being challenged here by Paul. We ought to be ready to roll up our sleaves and fight the devil for our family.
II. My Heart's Desire:
A. Psalm 37:4 - "Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he will give thee the desires of thy heart."
1. Delight - means "happiness" - That which makes us happy
2. It is to be in the Lord.
B. When am I the happiest?
1. In church
2. Reading the Bible
3. Fellowship with God's people
C, Our heart's desire should be the salvation of our loved ones
1. We should be willing to go, do, say and give whatever it takes to see them saved.
APPLICATION: Most of us are hit-and-miss Christians! We must take a long look at our Christian life and ask ourselves is it God's will that I miss church, not pray, not read my Bible, not witness. Then we need to be honest and search what is the desires of our hearts.
III. And Prayer to God:
A. When a person is rejoicing in the Lord, then his prayer life is going to be in order. When I am rejoicing in the Lord, that means that I am living where God wants me to live. That means I have contact and access to God's throne…. "Let us come boldly…."
1. When we pray, God knows we are serious
2. When we pray, God sees the desires of our hearts
3. When we pray, God can see if we are really happy in him
4. When we pray, we are doing exactly what we are suppose to
APPLICATION: Are you a praying Christian? Are you praying for your loved ones to be saved? Are you leading them to the Savior by example?
IV. That They Might Be Saved:
A. What is the imperative message they need to hear from us
1. How Jesus came from heaven to earth
2. How Jesus laid aside his royal garments
3. How Jesus took upon him the form of a servant
4. How Jesus was obedient to the Father, even death on cross
5. How Jesus bore our sins, shame, our reproach, our judgment
6. How Jesus shed His blood, gave his life for ours
B. Paul did not pray for their well-being, for their healing or physical needs.
1. He was specific in his prayer: "That they might be saved"
C. Notice 10:4 - "Christ is the end of the law…."
1. Man has to come the blood-stained way
2. Man cannot merit, work, or earn salvation
3. Man today is seeking his "own righteousness"
CONCLUSION: Would you be willing to be faithful, pay the price, to see your loved ones saved?
