God Knows What the Lost Need

Matthew 6:8

Scripture Reference

Matthew 6:8 — Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

Introduction

Tonight’s message from Bro. Bill Norton is simple and profound: God knows what the lost need. From a verse about prayer in the Sermon on the Mount, Brother Norton draws a practical missions application — if our Heavenly Father knows our needs before we ask, He also knows what the lost need to be reached with the Gospel. That knowledge should shape our hearts, our giving, our prayers, and our calling to send or go. This sermon walks through four basic, biblical needs of the lost and closes with clear steps we can take this week to be part of what God is doing.

Argentina, Mexico, and we also helped start a work in Chile, so we say Latin America. We served on the mission field for twenty six years. And during that time we saw hundreds of people come to know Christ as their Savior and many follow him in baptism. We also had the privilege of starting churches and helping other missionaries start churches. And we give all the honor and glory to God for what he has done.

Quote from Preacher

Bro. Bill Norton began by reminding us of a life lived for the Lord on the mission field — twenty-six years in Latin America, churches started, souls saved, and nationals trained — all to the glory of God. His testimony frames this message: God knows what the lost need, and He provides ways for His people to supply those needs.

Outline

God’s Premise: He Knows What We Need
1. Scriptural basis
  - Matthew 6:8 — our Father knows our needs before we ask.
  - That knowledge is an encouragement: God is not surprised by our struggles, nor by the needs of the lost.
2. Pastoral reflection
  - Pastor Norton applies the verse beyond private prayer to missions — God already knows the Gospel needs of those who are lost.
Need One: A Copy of the Word of God
1. Why a Bible?
  - The Bible is God’s revealed truth, the authority that shows sinners the way to salvation (Psalm 68:11; John 14:6).
  - Without a copy of the Scripture, people cannot read God’s promises, the message of sin and salvation, or the gospel plan.
2. Practical notes from the field
  - Many cultures have no personal copy; some families share one Bible, and many remote places lack any Scripture at all.
  - Bible societies and Baptist printing ministries are vital partners (examples: Bearing Precious Seed, Victory Baptist Press — helpers in Scripture distribution).
3. Why this matters to you
  - Your giving can provide Bibles; your church can sponsor Scripture distribution or a Bible project.
Need Two: Hearing the Word of God
1. Romans 10:17
  - “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
  - Possessing a Bible is not enough; people must hear the gospel read and preached.
2. Ways they hear
  - Preaching and personal evangelism — the local pastor or missionary proclaiming Christ.
  - Broadcast methods — radio ministries and recorded sermons reach remote areas where no preacher is present.
3. Application
  - Support radio ministries and evangelistic outreach; encourage short-term teams and deputation efforts that take the message to the lost.
Need Three: Someone to Explain the Word — Boots on the Ground
1. The Philip example (Acts 8)
  - Philip was led by the Spirit to an Ethiopian eunuch who had Isaiah in hand but could not understand it.
  - Philip “began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus” — explanation + personal evangelism meant salvation followed.
2. Why explanation matters
  - Language barriers, cultural differences, and theological confusion make an interpreter — a Bible teacher or missionary — essential.
  - Printed Bibles and radio are tools, but trained servants are needed to give context and call to faith.
3. How churches provide boots on the ground
  - Supporting missionaries, training nationals, and sending teams to live among people, disciple converts, and plant churches.
Need Four: A Church — A Local, Gathering Body
1. Why a church?
  - A church is where converts are discipled, taught, baptized, encouraged, and equipped for service (Hebrews 10:24–25).
  - It provides accountability, ongoing teaching, fellowship, and opportunities to serve so new believers grow to spiritual maturity.
2. From conversion to service
  - Bro. Norton’s testimony: his conversion led to a local church that discipled him and later sent him into ministry — the local church is a training ground.
  - Missionary efforts aim not only for conversions but for church plants that will continue the work indigenously.
3. How to help
  - Pray for church plants, support church-planting ministries, and encourage national leadership development.
Conclusion: The Partnership of Tools and Servants
1. Integrated work
  - Bibles, radio, tracts, and missionary servants all work together to meet the lost’ needs. None stands alone.
2. Your part in the chain
  - Whether it is praying, giving, going, or hosting missionaries in your church — you are part of what God uses to meet the needs of the lost.
  - Giving to missions is like placing a spiritual GPS and lifeline into a lost person’s life: it points them to Jesus and carries them to a local church.

Summary

God knows what the lost need — and He has told us. From Matthew 6:8 we learn that God’s foreknowledge becomes our commission. The lost need (1) a copy of the Word of God, (2) to hear the Word of God, (3) someone to explain the Word of God — boots on the ground — and (4) a local church to gather, grow, and serve. Scripture, evangelism, missionaries, and churches are the divine means God uses to save sinners and make disciples. Your prayers, your giving, and your willingness to serve or send are the practical ways you join Him in that work.

Would you bow your heads and close your eyes tonight?

Quote to Ponder

Bro. Norton’s closing challenge invites immediate reverence and responsiveness: “Would you bow your heads and close your eyes tonight?” It reminds us that the truths we have heard demand prayerful action.

Application for the Week

Take practical, concrete steps this week to meet the needs of the lost that God has placed before you. Choose at least three of the items below and commit to completing them by next Sunday.

Pray specifically
1. Create a short prayer list: one nation or people group, one radio ministry, one Bible distribution ministry, and one missionary family you will pray for daily this week.
Give intentionally
1. Decide on a tangible gift this week — purchase a Bible through a trusted ministry, give to a Bible printing project, or increase your missions offering by a set amount.
Share locally
1. Invite one unsaved person to church or to meet for coffee and a spiritual conversation. Take a John and Romans tract or a Gospel booklet to share.
Support boots on the ground
1. Contact your missions committee to ask how to support a missionary’s deputation schedule, host a missionary for a meeting, or volunteer to help with a missions project.
Train and equip
1. Enroll in or start a short course: read a chapter of Acts each night this week and jot down how the apostles met the needs of the lost. Use those notes to encourage someone else.
Be a witness where you are
1. “Boots on the ground” can mean your workplace, campus, neighborhood, or online presence. Share your testimony in one conversation this week and offer to lead the person to Christ.

Bro. Bill Norton’s testimony and sermon remind us: God already knows the need; He calls us to be His hands, feet, voice, and support so lost souls might be saved. Make this week count for eternity.