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Matthew 9:36 "But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd."

Jesus' heart was moved with compassion for the lost souls of men. The Greek word for compassion means to be moved at the deepest part of your being "as to one's bowels (for the bowels were thought to be the seat of love (Strong's G4697)." He looked out across the mass of faces and saw people made in the image of God, each a unique person loved by God who were weary and spiritually scattered. Jesus, seeing the crowd, was moved with compassion for them in His deepest being. May the Holy Spirit of God living in us move us with the same compassion and love for the lost souls of men as that of our Lord's.

After this moment, Jesus spoke to His disciples: "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." The point to come away with here is to pray to have a compassion that moves you not just emotionally, but to action as a laborer who enters into His harvest. Our missionary Barry Felis in his May Newsletter provides some good wisdom to laborers in His harvest.

Barry writes: "When sharing the gospel the most valuable thing you can find would be a hungry audience of one, or of one thousand. If you've been witnessing with disappointing results, you are probably beginning to feel a little bit like a failure. You might even be tempted to quit. Satan would love that. Witnessing indiscriminately will sooner or later become depressing for lack of interested people. Learn to look for spiritual hunger in people. The Holy Spirit can show you who has it and who doesn't. Usually you can tell in a few minutes. Look for ripe fruit. Such people are out there. But, Satan wants to waste your time on unripe, bitter fruit, and thus discourage you. Be wise to whom you cast your pearls. Now Jesus' instructions to His disciples as He sent them forth to preach and to heal, makes a lot of sense: "And whoever does not receive you, nor heed your words, as you go out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet." Matt 10:14. One important reason for this is that there are so many places where the harvest is ripe. Why waste time where it isn't? I'm not saying that God would not have you invest years in someone else's salvation. But it makes sense, if hunger is out there, that you go out and find it. You need not suffer constant humiliation "casting your pearls before swine" Matt 7:6, rather you can be part of God's great harvest. I never argue with a person whose mind is already made up. I just sow seed into his of her heart using the Word of God and move on. Arguing takes away precious time from someone who is ready to listen to the claims of Christ. Apologetics (the defense of the faith through reason and argument) rarely ever brings someone to the Lord, in and of itself. While we should be ready to give a defense for the hope that is within us (1 Peter 3:8), and study to show ourselves approved (2 Tim. 2:15), we should also be good stewards of our time, talents and treasure, co-laboring with God in His work in the lives of men."

Have you ever heard a Pastor finish his message with a short delivery of the gospel and an invitation to receive Christ? You can do the same thing - as long as you make sure you cover the main points of the gospel. The four main points of the gospel are: sin, Christ, repent, and receiving Christ. People need to understand that they are sinners and that Christ is the only One who can save them. They need to repent of their sin and receive Christ.

Here are four short ways to share the gospel when you only have a few minutes to spend with someone.

No one can make it to heaven on his or her own. This is because we are all sinners. Sin is our biggest problem. The Bible says, "...the wages of sin is death..." Romans 6:23a. It's important to realize that you are a sinner. The Bible says, "...all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God,." Romans 3:23. You have to do more than realize you are a sinner - you have to be sorry for your sins and want to stop sinning. This is called repentance. The consequence of sin is separation from God, and eternal death in hell. When we understand the devastating consequences of sin, we should want to stop sinning. One of the first things Jesus said was, "...Repent, and believe in the gospel." Mark 1:15b.

We can't get rid of our sin - only God can. That's why Jesus came to earth. Jesus came to solve our sin problem - so we wouldn't have to be separated from Him now and for all eternity. Jesus died for our sins, rose from the dead, and He is the only one who can remove our sins so we can go to heaven. Jesus said, "...I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me". John 14:6b.

If there were another way to get rid of our sins, Jesus would not have needed to die. It is important to believe in Jesus - but that's not enough. The Bible says, "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God,..." John 1:12. Would you like to receive Christ? Take a moment and see if you could share the gospel in a few minutes - if you had to. Share it in any order - just make sure you cover the four basic points: sin, Christ, repent and receiving Christ.

Scriptures to Memorize

The following scriptures are some of the most common ones used when sharing the gospel. The goal is to memorize at least the first eight scriptures (this page). The other side has additional scriptures you'll find helpful as you share. There are so many effective scriptures you can use so, write them down whenever the Lord places it on your heart.

1. "These things I have written... that you may know that you have eternal life,.." 1 John 5:13b
This scripture is often used as a way of getting started if you tell people God wants to give them eternal life, or after you share that you are absolutely sure you are going to heaven.

2. ...for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23
Use this scripture when talking about sin.

3. For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. James 2:10
This scripture is used when talking about sin - but makes the point a little stronger. It may help convince people they have a sin problem or help them realize they cannot make it to heaven on their own.

4. ...while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8b
This scripture is used when talking about Christ - usually after you have already talked about sin.

5. I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:6b
When you need to make the point that Jesus is the only way to heaven, this scripture makes it clear.

6. ...Repent, and believe in the gospel. Mark 1:15b
Jesus said this, and even started His ministry by proclaiming it. I use it when people seem hesitant to repent.

7. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God,... John 1:12
Use this when you tell people about receiving Christ.

8. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe - and tremble! James 2:19
This is a good scripture to use when people are thinking about receiving Christ - or when people think that believing in God is enough. It's also effective when talking about sin.

Extra Scriptures

9. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works,
lest anyone should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
This is one of my favorites - it is a great "all around" scripture that can be used anytime - especially when telling people that heaven is free.

10. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish
but have everlasting life. John 3:16
I bet you've heard this one before - it's often used when talking about Jesus, receiving Christ, or whenever you want to review the gospel.

11. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word became flesh
and dwelt among us,... John 1:1,14a
You may think this scripture could be confusing to an unbeliever - but I have used it hundreds of times - and no one has told me they didn't understand it, which testifies to the power of God's Word! I use this when talking about Jesus, especially when telling people that Jesus is God.

12. ...it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, Hebrews 9:27
This is scripture can be used when taking about sin or when people are thinking about receiving Christ.

13. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23
If you are talking about sin or that heaven is a free gift, you'll find this scripture effective.

14. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil,
to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11
This is a good scripture to use when talking about having a relationship with Christ.

15. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him
and dine with him, and he with Me. Revelation 3:20
When people are thinking about receiving Christ this scripture knocks on their heart.

16. Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may
come from the presence of the Lord, Acts 3:19
Try this one when people are thinking about receiving Christ or when you talk about sin or repentance.