I have often sat with those in our church who have recently come to faith in Jesus Christ, as they retell the story of their conversion there is almost without fail a reference to “something missing.” “I had a job, a family and a home. My life seemed good but something was missing. Then I came to Southern Hills… or Then someone shared Christ… or Then I found a Bible…”
What is it that these seemingly happy people are missing? According to the Scriptures they were missing relationship and community. The Bible teaches us that we were created to exist forever in relationship with God and community with others. However, sin came into the world (Rom. 5:8) and destroyed this possibility. This is why Christ came. According to Romans 5:10 Jesus came that “we might be reconciled to God by the death of his Son.” William McRaney highlights these two words in his book The Art of Personal Evangelism. He states, “God desires to establish a redemptive relationship with all of humankind. The Bible refers to the people of God as family, friends, and a community of faith.” (McRaney, 16)
Clearly God’s desire and man’s desire are the same! They both desire Relationship with each other and a community of loving brethren. This is why God took the initiative and sent His Son to be the payment for our sins. Man must simply recognize these facts to be true and place his faith in Christ to receive salvation.
My dear Christian friend, we can use these truths to our advantage. Man desires relationship and community. Jesus offers both. We must express to those we are trying to reach with the Gospel that through Jesus they may receive not only exemption from Hell by a relationship with God, and a community of friends called the church.
Did you feel something missing before you came to Christ? Please share your experience below:
10 Comments
Jamee
January 23, 2013 at 12:53 pmTotally felt as if something was missing. I felt so alone even with a spouse, 2 children and co-workers. It became even worse when my hubby deployed to the middle east for 9 months, I was empty! After getting invited to a church I didn’t get saved right away because the years had built pretty strong walls around my heart. It took about 4 months before I realized that this was what I needed, what my marriage needed and what my children needed. 4 years ago next month I found the “peace” that was missing. In accepting Christ I also gained a whole new family. One that I had a bond with that others didn’t understand. A family that loved me, prayed for me and really cared about me. Sitting here thinking about it my heart still swells with joy and happiness at that amazing gift. When we moved here to Vegas we honestly thought we wouldn’t find anything close to what we left but God knew what we needed and gave us SHBC we are so thankful to have expanded our family with SHBC.
Joshua Teis
January 24, 2013 at 9:54 amWhat a wonderful post! How true it is that the Lord is good to send us the gift of Himself.
Paul Conner
January 23, 2013 at 3:53 pmGreat post, exactly what we are finding here in Vancouver BC. This thought was our outreach campaign last year and we filmed a testimony of a man recently saved to illustrate it, I thought you might be encouraged by watching it here: http://gvbc.ca/something-missing/ Since that video, Jeff has continued to grow in the Lord, is being discipled and recently went through a bout with cancer. God has really shown His presence through Jeff’s life.
Keep up the good work.
Joshua Teis
January 24, 2013 at 9:53 amThanks Paul for your comment! I watched the video you sent and it was really inspiring! Awesome work up there man. Praise God
India
March 11, 2017 at 1:24 pmDet viktigste bidraget til miljøet i matvei er at vi slutter å kaste så utrolige mengder med mat.Det gir færre transporter, færre forpakninger og vi kan betale mer for kvleriatsmat. Det mener i hvert fall jeg og tar siste slurken ur en flaske Amarone.
Alan Ladd
January 26, 2013 at 10:43 amI heard a man say once, Others Lord, let this my motto be that I may live and give my life for others Lord as you Lord have gaven your life for me.
How often we forget. forgive us Lord.
Joshua Teis
January 29, 2013 at 11:06 amThank you for the post Alan.
Lauren S
January 28, 2013 at 2:16 pmI feel like I had been searching my entire life just putting the pieces together. I could see the flowers, birds, trees. I knew I had a creator. I knew God. But who was he? How could one man fulfill all of the promises? I’m glad for all of the seed planters and the journey. And I will be forever grateful for Jesus’ salvation and the hole he filled in my life. He truly changed me and it is the best feeling ever!
Pastor, to go along with Sunday’s sermon… “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, to save a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now I’m found. Was blind but now I see.”
Joshua Teis
January 29, 2013 at 11:05 amWell said Lauren
Lita Bonsignori
January 28, 2013 at 5:38 pmNot only did I “know” that something was missing, but I also wanted to “know” about eternity. These two things came together in a powerful way in the year 1985, when both my grandfather and father died only 6 weeks apart. Their deaths left a gapping hole in my heart and made me question eternity. My daughter was barely 18 months old at the time, and God had reawakened a knowledge of Him through her birth. God had also placed a family in my life who were Christians. I knew the husband had grown up in Argentina as the son of a missionary family sent by Grace Community Church (pastored by John MacArthur). I went to him for advice, asking many questions. He directed me to read the book of John. He said it would answer most all my questions. I still refer others who are seeking to do the same. John 20:31 is cornerstone verse for me – “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name.”