Ebenezer Baptist Church 3.31.19

The Lost Parable The Publicans and the sinners The Pharisees and the Scribes Mark 2:16-17 A Parable Parable Characters

The Lost Parable Similarities Something Lost. Those concerned about what is lost. Search, Rescue effort, even some abandoning all else to pursue what was lost. Value in what was lost.

Rejoicing/Celebration on earth Rejoicing/Celebration in heaven

What would you do if you lost your car? What would you do if you lost your laptop, tablet or phone? What would you do if you lost your pet? What if you lost a child?

The Lost Sheep Shepherds were near the bottom of the social rung. Sheep wander, fall over and die and are devoured by the enemy The shepherd carries the sheep Repentance is absolutely essential

2. Why is the Gospel Essential In America? 61% of churchgoers have not shared their faith with anyone in the past 6 months. The statistical trend is in a free fall. 70% who attend 2 or 3 times a month never share their faith with a stranger.

Only 7% of church goers consistently spend time with non-christians for the purpose of sharing Christ with them. 56% of churchgoers don’t believe that sharing their faith is an essential obligation of their Christian life. Only 2% of church goers invited an unchurched person in the last year.

71% of unchurched say they are likely to accept and invitation from a family member, friend or neighbor to attend church. Over half of all Americans never attend church. 80% of unchurched are open to the gospel.

70% of unchurched have never been invited to church their whole lives. 45% of people who attend church regularly are not saved. 43% of Americans say they don’t pray every day. 50% of church goers are unsure if people know they are Christians.

Only 37% of Americans say they have had a born again experience Only 37% of Americans say they have had a born again experience. (That leaves approx. 200,000,000) Only 2% of an average church population has been saved during the last 5 years. 51% of church goers say they have never heard the “great commission”

The NONES (religiously unaffiliated) are now the 2nd largest group in the US after evangelicals, that’s ¼ of the adult population. Only 45% of millennial are confident God exists.

The Silent Generation: Born 1928-1945 (73-90 years old) Baby Boomers: Born 1946-1964 (54-72 years old) Generation X: Born 1965-1980 (38-53 years old) Millennials: Born 1981-1996 (22-37 years old) Post-Millennials: Born 1997-Present (0-21 years old)

62% of Millennials seldom or never go to church. 96 % of Millennials don’t have a biblical worldview. Almost 1/3 of evangelicals attend church out of obligation. Only 45% of Millennials are confident God exists.

40% of Millennials believe the Bible is simply a book composed of fables, legends and moral precepts. 70% of all young people who grow up in church leave the church by their 20’s. 62% of Millennials believe the church is hypocritical/judgmental.

59% of Millennials believe that pornography is morally acceptable. 25% of evangelicals are not certain that the physical resurrection of Jesus is a real historical event. 51% of Americans say the Bible was written for each person to interpret as he or she chooses.

46% of evangelicals agree that God accepts worship of all religions. 77% of Americans believe that personal salvation is a result of good works. 51% of evangelicals believe many religions can lead to eternal life, 65% “Christians”-multiple paths to heaven

30% of US adults believe in a cosmic force rather than the eternal God described in the Bible. 69% of church goers believe everyone will go to heaven. Only 55% of Americans believe in the devil.

49% of Americans don’t believe miracles happen today. 41% of Americans believe there is no God. 46% of Americans don’t believe hell exists. 1/3 of Americans believe God will give them a second chance after death

71% of Americans see nothing morally wrong with sex before marriage. 62% of American adults favor same sex marriage. 45% of young evangelicals(18-29) favor same sex marriage.

44% of U.S. adults say God plays no role whatsoever in their life. 2/3 of all American churches are experiencing (1) no growth or (2) decline in numbers. At least 2.3 million leave the church every year.

Exit from the Church and Decline in Conversions American Our waning concern over the lost. Perversion of the gospel with prosperity, word of faith etc. Lack of the power of God and Holy Spirit directed ministry in reaction to the perversion.

Foolish wrangling over differences, that have captured our time with debates, books and wasted time that could be spent on sharing the gospel. A sowing season in American history?