Three Questions

1. Who in hell cares about the lost? According to the Gospel of Luke, everyone in hell cares about the lost. In chapter 16, the narrative is about the rich man in hell. The interesting thing is that, in hell, the rich man began to pray! First, he prayed for himself, that Abraham would have mercy on him and allow Lazarus to bring him some comfort. Even a drop of cool water would be welcomed. What a change from his elaborate feasts when slaves ran to do his commands! People often ask, “How can a loving God even permit such a place as hell to exist, let alone send people there?” But in asking that question, they reveal that they do not understand either the love of God or the wickedness of sin. God’s love is a holy love, not a shallow sentiment, and sin is rebellion against a holy and loving God. God does not “send people to hell.” They send themselves there by refusing to regard His call and believe on His Son
2. Who in heaven cares about the lost? According to the Gospel of Luke, chapter 15, everyone in heaven cares about the lost. This chapter illustrates a lost sheep, lost coin, and a wayward son. Each demonstrate the importance of saving one lost sinner. Let’s review the lost sheep. The shepherd in the parable is the Great Shepherd, Jesus Christ. We are the sheep. He had 100 sheep, and one of them got lost. This Shepherd, however, would not be satisfied with just 99 sheep. When one sheep got lost, He went out and looked for it. When He found it, He put it on His shoulders, the place of strength. He is able to save to the ultimate. The high priest of the children of Israel wore an ephod. On the shoulders of the ephod were two stones. On them were engraved the names of the 12 tribes -- six tribes on one stone and six on the other. The high priest carried the children of Israel on his shoulders. Our great High Priest carries us on His shoulders, and we will not become lost. When He starts out with 100 sheep, He will come through with 100 sheep – not 99. This is a picture of the Lord Jesus Christ out looking for those who are His own.
3. Who on earth cares about the lost? Statisticians estimate that only three percent of evangelicals actively participate in evangelism. That means 97 percent of born-again believers are sitting on the sidelines. Only a small fraction of the church carries out the Savior’s command to seek and save those who are lost. The command is clear in Scripture, yet it stands unfulfilled. Something is terribly wrong!“Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest?’ Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest” (John 4:35). 

Worship With Us This Sunday!

Fresh Produce Distribution Drive-Thru

Donations for Grand Oak Mission Center

Missions Yard Sale Donations

NOW Resumes This Fall

Messengers Needed

"FBC Strafford Family" Facebook Group

Giving Options

• Online through Tithe.ly or the Tithe.ly app
• Mail a check to First Baptist Church, PO Box 367, Strafford, MO 65757
• Several of our members have begun using online bill pay through their bank to send in their offering. This is a free service that some banks provide. All you have to do is add the church’s name and address as a vendor, just like you would the electric company or any other business.
• You can also drop your offering by the church office, but please call ahead to make sure that someone will be in the office.