Missions to the Lost World
K.P. Yohannan passionately emphasizes the urgent need for missions to reach lost souls with the gospel before despair leads to tragic consequences.
This sermon shares a powerful story of a missionary in Haridwar by the river Ganges, where millions of Hindus seek forgiveness through ritual cleansing. The missionary encounters a woman who, in desperation, sacrificed her own child seeking forgiveness. Through the message of Jesus, she finds true forgiveness and freedom from guilt, realizing that God's love and grace were available to her all along.
Full Transcript
A letter came to me some years ago from the mission field and my wife brought it to me and said would you please read this and I was sitting in my office in Dallas in a comfortable chair. I finished reading the letter, I was weeping on my knees. Letter came from a dear brother, a native missionary that worked in Haridwar by river Ganges during that couple of weeks time 35 million Hindus walked and traveled by train and bullock carts and buses from all over the country to go in this dirty polluted waters of river Ganges washing themselves for the forgiveness of sins.
This one missionary working among these people telling about Jesus. One evening he was coming home and now in the letter he writes the experience what happened that evening. He said I saw this young woman sitting by the bank of the river weeping uncontrollably and pounding upon her chest.
Knowing something so terrible happened I went to her and asked why are you weeping? What happened? She replied my husband is sick, he cannot work anymore. My sins are so many that nobody knows about. To find forgiveness for my sins and solution to the problems of my home I have given the best offering I can give to God of Ganges.
My only son, my six-month-old baby boy I just threw him into the river. Next paragraph I sat beside her explained her the gospel. Her sins are forgiven 2,000 years ago I explained to her that God is not angry with her.
God didn't make me a poor. All of a sudden she wiped her tears and looked straight into my eyes and said these words. Didn't you come to me half hour sooner? I didn't have to kill my child.
I never heard this before but why didn't you come to me half hour sooner?
Sermon Outline
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I. The Reality of Lostness
- Millions remain in spiritual darkness
- Cultural and religious practices fail to bring true forgiveness
- Despair leads to tragic decisions
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II. The Power of the Gospel
- Jesus offers forgiveness for sins
- God’s love is not dependent on works or offerings
- Salvation brings hope and restoration
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III. The Urgency of Missions
- Missionaries bring the message of hope
- Every moment counts in reaching the lost
- The church’s responsibility to send and support
Key Quotes
“I never heard this before but why didn't you come to me half hour sooner?” — K.P. Yohannan
“Her sins are forgiven 2,000 years ago I explained to her that God is not angry with her.” — K.P. Yohannan
“This one missionary working among these people telling about Jesus.” — K.P. Yohannan
Application Points
- Recognize the urgency of sharing the gospel with those who are spiritually lost.
- Trust in Jesus as the only source of true forgiveness and hope.
- Support missionaries through prayer, giving, and active involvement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is missions so urgent according to the sermon?
Because many people live in despair and spiritual darkness, and the gospel can bring forgiveness and hope before tragic outcomes occur.
What does the sermon say about cultural religious practices?
They are insufficient for true forgiveness and salvation, which only comes through Jesus Christ.
How does the sermon describe God’s forgiveness?
God’s forgiveness is freely given through Jesus’ sacrifice and is not dependent on human works or offerings.
What role do missionaries play according to K.P. Yohannan?
Missionaries are vital in bringing the gospel to unreached people and offering them hope and salvation.
What can listeners do to support missions?
Listeners can pray, give, and actively participate in sending missionaries to reach the lost.