Sermons - 2008 Week 32 - Aug Wk 2
Ablaze with a Passion for Souls
Luke 16:19-31
If we know that heaven and hell are real, why are we not spreading the Gospel?
The Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) is not just about teaching or about winning souls. It is a combination of both. Every Christian’s role should be characterised by a passion to lead others to Christ.
The secret to soul winning is a love that yearns, a love that seeks, and a love that gladly suffers. Every Christian has a debt to discharge that cannot be repaid in any other ways. (Romans 5:10, Col. 1:21)
I. Love for Souls is Yearning Love
All we are and all we have, we owe it to God’s great love for us. God depends on us to pass on this love. The love of Christ creates in us a yearning for the salvation of souls.
When we look at people, do we have a compassion for their souls?
Great soul winners are those who long for and pray for souls.
II. Love for Souls is a seeking Love
Luke 15:11-32 – The love of the father for his son was what sent him going out to meet him on his return. Likewise, it was the seeking love that drove the good shepherd to look for the one lost sheep despite having another 99 which were with him.
Luke 15:6-7
And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.
How can we sit still and not seek the lost?
It is either salvation or hell. Agape love drives us to seek out the lost. Rev 7:17; Rev 21:4, Nehemiah 1:4-11.
How to seek the lost most lovingly and effectively?
It is crucial to seek the unsaved quickly, and be totally dependent on the Holy Spirit in soul-winning.
III Love for Souls is a sacrificing love
(Matt. 10:37-38; Matt. 8:20)
Seeking love can be costly. We must be willing to deny self. Soul-winning involves Christ-like identification with the people. We feel their struggle against sin, their heartbreak and their woes.
Soul winning involves spiritual battles. These battles are not easily won. It involves not giving up, and involves a martyr’s death, Gal 6:17. It involves sacrifice.
2Corinthians 12:15
And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.
Mr and Mrs ET Chua
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