A Passion For Souls

Text: Matt. 9:36-38 – PPHC April 5, 2006

Intro: The Bible is a book filled with meaning and blessing. However, some passages are very disturbing. For instance, Ps. 142:4, where the Bible says, "no man cared for my soul." I believe there are literally millions in our world tonight about whom no man cares. It is safe to say that millions live in this world with no one to pray for them, tell them about Jesus or to live a Christian witness before them. Sadly, there are many Christians who are saved, hell proof, heaven bound, etc, who do not care about the souls of the lost. What a contrast with the Lord Jesus Christ! 1It was His passion for souls that brought Him from Heaven to earth, 2that motivated His every waking activity, Luke 19:10; Mark 10:45. 3It was this passion for souls that propelled Him to an old rugged cross where He gave His life to save the lost sinner, Rom. 5:8.

In this passage, Jesus looked upon the multitudes that had gathered around Him because of the miracles. As He looked at the helpless, hopeless, and hurting people, Jesus saw four elements that caused Him to be moved with compassion on these lost ones. These same four elements ought to cause us that claim the Name of Jesus to have the same heart for sinners that motivated our Savior! Let’s spend a few minutes today looking into this passage as we consider the thought, "A Passion For Souls."

·         “But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.” [i]

·         Jesus saw – oida – to see with the eyes; to perceive; to discern by the senses.

I. Jesus Saw Their Departure from God – v. 36

 A. Outside the fold. (No company or fellowship)

·         Scattered – rhipto = to cast aside; throw down through the idea of sudden motion.

·         Satan doesn’t care about humanity; he desires to crush mankind (drugs, financial ruin,

divorce, alcohol; he desires to leave you on the trash heap of society).

 B. Away from the Shepherd. (No guidance or protection)

 C. Away from home. (No comfort or rest)

 D. Apart from where they ought to have been.

  1. Eph. 2:12 – “…at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of

Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the

world.”[ii]

 E. Christians need to understand that this world is away from God!

  1. Not everyone is in a right relationship with Him. But, all need a witness!

   a. The Good Shepherd seeks sheep like these – Luke 15:3-7

II. Jesus Saw Their Depravity in Sin - v. 36

 A. Jesus wasn’t referring to physical fainting! He intended a deeper meaning! (oida)

·         “loose him and let him go” – luo- take away the thing that binds him.

·         They were weary – ekluo – Stripped away; stripped out of their strength; to become

faint-hearted

 B. He was moved with compassion because these people were lost.

  1. They were under a burdensome load of sin – Eph. 2:1-3; Psa. 38:4!

 C. Notice the sins of the world! Mankind is capable of absolutely anything you can imagine

  1. Simon Peter, Judas Iscariot, YOU - Some may say, "Not me!" Beware…

·         “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.”[iii] - 1 Cor. 10:12

 D. Mankind needs to be reached by a compassionate Christian soul winner!

III. Jesus Saw Their Destiny In Hell

A.     He knew that apart from Him, they would all be in Hell.

  1. He could see the end from the beginning.

   a. The Rich Man lifted his eyes in hell.

   b. No wonder He was moved with compassion! Jesus doesn’t want anyone to go to Hell!

 B. Christians need the same vision! If we really believe in Hell like we say we do, then why

aren’t we telling more men about the Savior?

 C. Even the people in Hell are concerned about the lost. –

·         “27He said, ‘Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father’s house – 28for I have five

brothers - that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of

torment.’ ”[iv] Luke 16:27-.

·         “Today’s attitude: “Our four and no more!”

·         There are people all around you who will die and go to Hell. Will they go without your

having told them?.

·         Eze. 33:8 – “If I say to the wicked, O wicked one, you shall surely die, and you do

not speak to warn the wicked to turn from his way, that wicked person shall die in his

iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand.” [v]

·         49% of Blacks strongly agree that they “personally have a responsibility to tell other people about their

religious beliefs” versus 36% of Hispanics, 33% of Whites and 33% of Asians. (2004 Barna Research)

IV. Jesus Sent His Disciples To Make A Difference - v.37-38

·         Jesus places three responsibilities on the shoulders of his people.

A.     Visualize – See the harvest!

  1. Recognize that not everyone is saved and millions are on the edge of everlasting damnation!

  2. We also need to see that the harvest is just waiting to be gleaned!

   a. We will never reap until we first enter the field! - Mark 16:15

 B. Agonize – "Pray ye therefore."

  1. A call to be broken and burdened over the plight of the lost.

     a. There are few broken hearts over the lost in our day!

·          “And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the

gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.”[vi] Ezek. 22:30

  2. We need to attack Hell on their behalf, constantly praying for them.

 C. Evangelize – “…he will send forth laborers into his harvest.”

·         It isn’t enough to see the need, nor is it enough to pray for the lost and be concerned for

their souls. Jesus desires that each of us do the work of an evangelist.

Conc: What are you doing to keep men out of Hell? Are you having any success? Pro. 11:30. God’s plan is that His people bear the good news to a dying planet. Our job is the greatest the world has ever known. If we can reach but one for God, then we have altered eternity for someone. Perhaps you need to come before the Lord and confess to him that you haven’t witnessed, as you should have. Perhaps there is a name on your heart that lays there like a lead weight, bring it to Him! Time is short, the laborers are few and the harvest is plentiful and ready. “Without Him, we cannot; without us, He will not.” Are you doing your part?

“Behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest/.[vii]*  – John 4:35/

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[i]The New King James Version. 1996, c1982 . Thomas Nelson: Nashville

[ii]The New King James Version. 1996, c1982 . Thomas Nelson: Nashville

[iii]New American Standard Bible : 1995 update. 1995 . The Lockman Foundation: LaHabra, CA

[iv]The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. 1996, c1989 . Thomas Nelson: Nashville

[v]The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 . Standard Bible Society: Wheaton

[vi]The Holy Bible : King James Version. 1995 . Logos Research Systems, Inc.: Oak Harbor, WA

[vii]The Holy Bible : King James Version. 1995 . Logos Research Systems, Inc.: Oak Harbor, WA