A Heart for People
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19:10 ESV
What was the purpose in Jesus’ coming? Jesus Himself summed it up by saying that He, “came to seek and to save the lost.” People without a personal relationship with Jesus are lost—separated from God. In another place He refers to them as sheep without a shepherd. Jesus came seeking those people that they might be reconciled once again to God. He still seeks the lost today.
Jesus has committed to His followers the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:11-21). As Christ’s ambassadors, we seek to persuade men and women to put their trust in Him that they may be reconciled back to God. Our passion is Christ and His passion is people. As we grow in our heart for God we will also grow in His passion for people.
- God deeply cares for the lost. What do the three parables in Luke 15 reveal about God’s heart for the lost? — Luke 15:1-7; Luke 15:8-10; Luke 15:11-32
- We can grow in our own heart for the lost. What is said in the following passages about growing in our heart for people? — Ezekiel 36:26; 2 Peter 1:5-9
Questions to ponder: What are your passions in life? Is one of them a passion to see people reconciled back to God? Why or why not?
Passages for further study: Psalm 51:10; Romans 8:5-11
Developing Kingdom Leaders - Tom Yeakley 
Thank you for reminder to focus on the core of our mission, Tom. Great passages and questions to ponder.
“Jesus, I tend to get side tracked and bogged down. You Yourself get me together, shape and mold my heart to resonate with Your heart and focused on what is on Your heart–people who are still far from You, especially unreached and unengaged.”