Here’s the thoughts from Vince Antonnucci (pastor of Forefront Church)
Vince Antonnucci
My mother is jewish and my father was a professional poker player/con man; Never went to church growing up; no one ever invited him to church – knew nothing about Jesus, Christianity or church
“I was stunned that the Bible said ‘at this time’ and ‘at this place’ … man if you give a time and a place there’s evidence … I learned for the first time in my life that the Bible claimed that God loved me.”
Spent months reading the Bible … eventually all of his doubts were overcome by faith.
“How is it possible that I lived in America for 20 years and never knew that God loved me?”
There are churches all across America exploding with growth, but yet the total number of people going to church today is 8 million less than it was 20 years ago.
Who is more successful? I guess it is debatable …
If we’re honest, what we have to admit is that we are reaching people … we’re just not reaching lost people.
Only 2.2% of churches in America are experiencing any type of authentic growth.
“My prayer for you today is that you would do whatever you have to do to seek and to save the lost.”
Jeremiah 4: “oh my anquish, oh the agony of my heart … I cannot keep silent … my people are fools … they are senseless fools … if you will return to Me …” – and that is why God sent Jesus
John 7: if anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink
Mathew 11: come to me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest
Jesus message in the NT is the same as God’s in the OT: Jesus’ heartbeat is the same as God’s … for the lost children
Jesus had compassion on them: the feeling you would have when you get your guts ripped out
When they were harassed and helpless; like sheep without a shepherd
There is nothing worse to see than a child without their father.
Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into the field; please pray with me …
“I have come to seek and to save the lost.”
We get the honor of being the answer to Jesus’ prayer; what I’m afraid is that too often we’re content with seeking and saving the saved.
As the Father has sent me, I am sending you. You are to reach people that are not being reached.
Romans 15:20 & 21 – it has always been my mission to preach the gospel where Christ is not known … those that cannot see will see and those that have not heard will hear … don’t build on someone else’s ministry; Paul knew that reaching the lost is what made God’s heart beat fast
What breaks your heart?
Are you using the right bait? Are you counting total numbers or are you counting lostness?
Not just in your church … but you personally.
Jesus was called a friend of sinners, can that be said of you?
If we are not close to people that are far from God, we are not as close to God as we think we are.
I’ll chew on this:
“If we are not close to people that are far from God, we are not as close to God as we think we are.”