A Burden Lost

A Burden Lost

Acts 20:17-32

Look at Acts 20 with me this morning, we are going to look at Paul the Apostle, a man that had a great driving burden upon his soul. This we know about Paul, he cared for souls, he cared for his nation, he cared for the mission field and he cared for his brethren at the churches. He was a man that left an amazing example and testimony to us. Gail Terrell read the Scriptures for us, but lets look one more time at verse 31:

Acts 20:31 AV

Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

Paul says because of all these things we have talked about, and the fact for his three years at Ephesus, he spent day and night warning and witnessing – that they needed to Watch & Remember.

Watch gives the idea of being careful of something

Remember means to keep some truth or act in mind, and not to forget it.

What did not want them to forget – what did Paul think was so important that they should watch so carefully lest the lose it – it was their burden for the Lost.

Their desire and dedication to make a difference – the truest difference anyone could ever make in anyone’s life, to win them to Christ. Christ reminds them of a “A BURDEN THAT IS TOO OFTEN LOST” - So the title of the message A BURDEN LOST. Let’s Pray

There is no way to get around it today, that we as Believers have no burden for the lost. I’m not picking on you, but this is a truth of life. We go through life each day not concerned about souls and eternal things.

There is nothing more eternal than a soul. Everything you see around you will one day be destroyed. The things that we see are temporal.

The Bible makes it plain,

2 Corinthians 4:18 AV

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

The Bible tells us in Revelation Revelation 21:1 that all that you see will one day no longer exist. The only things that go into eternity are our souls. You can take nothing with you. Certainly your service for God counts and all ways bring Him glory are worthy in the kingdom of God.

Think about this:

The only lasting riches are those that are given in the Lord’s name.

The only value in time is given in the name of a God, our God that no one can see.

The only service on earth that is rewarded is spent on that same unseen God.

And the only value of the person I am or you are - is the hidden part of our lives, our soul, when it Believes On Christ as Lord and Saviour.

The things that are not seen are the eternal things. And the souls of men are the most important things on this earth right now. We need to care about where they will go spend eternity. The Bible is clear - there are only two places, heaven and hell. There is not in between, there are no places of waiting - this book says this is it - now is the time of salvation.

I. WHY HAVE MANY CHRISTIANS LOST THEIR BURDEN FOR THE LOST?

We cannot expect our government to care about our eternal souls can we. They have their carnal things they work on, but they will never be the conveyor of the Gospel. It is the church and the individual Believer’s responsibility to keep this burden for the Lost. But so many people in our generation of Christians have lost heir burden.

Why are we losing our burden for the Lost.

A. We are often occupied with the things of the world

Matthew 13:22 AV

He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

B. We neglect the importance of walking with God

Romans 12:1–2 AV

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

C. Sin has tied us up

Our sin effects our ability to make a difference in other peoples lives.

Proverbs 10:16 AV

The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.

The Bible talks about the fruits of the Spirit, when we walk with God, there is growth, all of that growth is that we might bring glory and souls to God. But if we are not walking in the Spirit the alternative is to walk in the flesh, therefore in sin.

We can’t keep our burden like that. We lose a burden for others because of our own vileness, because of our disobedience. Sin has often tied us up.

Lost is the sense of the burden of souls when we sin.

D. We excuse ourselves

There is something we need to practice, is when God calls for the work of souls is to say, here am I.

Abraham, Jacob, Samuel, David, Solomon, Paul, something all the great men of God said, was when God called, they said, Here am I. Isaiah has the greatest quote:

Isaiah 6:8 AV

Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

But our generation tends to say, instead of: “Here am I, send me” they say “I would God, but for” and whatever the excuse is.

You may have heard before of is a lie

Let’s get rid of the excuses, let us not look for reasons as to why we can’t go.

Let’s not give ourselves an excuse.

E. We Neglect Souls

Burden is lost when we fail to go after souls.

II. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE BURDEN IS LOST?

This a multi-faceted point, but let me boil it down two overriding things that happen and are vital to remember.

When you and I lose our burden for souls -

A. God is grieved

You do know that God wants to save people. He is not willing any should perish 2 Peter 2:17.

He has chosen to use to reach the world. They cannot hear unless we tell them. Now there are various ways to tell them today - it used to be widely by spoken word, then the printed word, and now there are many more sources through media - but ultimately, if we do nothing about it, they won’t hear.

He has set us as watchman upon the wall, in Ezekiel 33:1-6 to warn of the coming danger - and if we do not blow the trumpet and warn the people, He tells us that there blood is on our hands.

Hebrews 3:10 AV

Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.

We err in our hearts and show that we don’t know God’s way, when we don’t care about souls. And that certainly grieves God.

B. Souls will go to hell because of our negligence and our apathy

Souls are left untouched, unredeemed by Christ, they to straight to hell.

Revelation 20 talks about the great White Throne Judgment, there it talks about what happens to those without Christ.

Revelation 20:12 AV

And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

Revelation 20:14 AV

And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

Revelation 21:8 AV

But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

We are the means by which God has chosen to win the Lost.

III. HOW CAN WE GET A BURDEN FOR LOST SOULS?

How can we regain that burden again, what can we do to get it back?

A. Humble ourselves and confess our condition

If we do not admit our condition we are probably not going to be restored to where we need to be as far as reaching souls.

B. We need to discipline ourselves

Joshua 22:5 AV

But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.

Like one of the sub points before, one of our problems is that the cares of this life choke the Word and we become unfruitful.

So how do I become fruitful, I must be disciplined in what I allow that I might have the time, attention, and care to go.

Luke 21:34 AV

And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

C. Take a class or read a book about becoming a better soul-winner

There are many good books you can read and study.

There are many Scriptures we can memorize

D. Make the salvation of souls a part of your devotions

E. Be soul-conscious everywhere you go

Think about people. See them as Saved or Lost?

F. Attend Outreach opportunities at church

To have a burden, you need to go after lost souls.

G. Mourn for the burden and mourn for souls

Pray for the burden, meditate upon the need, make it a part of your life and your thoughts, that the need is real.

We’ve got to get a burden, we’ve got to keep that burden, if we have lost it, we need regain that burden.

H. Keep a vision of Hell

Luke 16:23 AV

And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

Matthew 13:42 AV

And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

A Burden Lost

Acts 20:17-32