A COMPASSION

FOR SOULS

Matthew 9:36-38 But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with

compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. 37  Then

He said to His disciples, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the

laborers are few. 38  Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out

laborers into His harvest.“

COMPASSION FOR SOULSA. Psalm 142:4  Look on my right hand and

see, For there is no one who acknowledges me; Refuge has failed me; No one cares for my soul.

B. There are literally millions who live in this world with no one to care about them, pray for them, or tell them about Jesus.

C. Jesus is talking about people like this in Mat. 9:36-38 He had compassion on them.

D. Sadly, there are many Christians who are saved, hell proof, heaven bound, who do not care about the souls of the lost.

COMPASSION FOR SOULSE. What a contrast with the Lord Jesus Christ! It was

His passion for souls that brought Him from Heaven to earth, that motivated His every waking activity, Luke 19:10  for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."

F. It was this compassion for souls that propelled Him to an old rugged cross where He gave His life to save the lost sinner, Mark 10:45  For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

G. Jesus saw four elements that caused Him to be moved with compassion on these lost ones.

I. JESUS SAW THEIR DEPRAVITY IN SIN – WEARY - v. 36

A. Jesus wasn’t referring to physical weariness! He intended a deeper meaning! Psalm 38:4  For my iniquities have gone over my head; Like a heavy burden they are too heavy for me.

B. He was moved with compassion because these people were lost under a burdensome load of sin. Hebrews 12:1  Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

I. JESUS SAW THEIR DEPRAVITY IN SIN – WEARY - v. 36

C. Notice the sins of the world! We are surrounded by men and women who are capable of absolutely anything you can imagine! (Ill. David and Bathsheba. Ill. Simon Peter; Ill. Judas Iscariot; Ill. You!) (Ill. Some may say, "Not me!" Beware – 1 Cor. 10:12.

D. These depraved people need to be reached by a compassionate Christian soul winner!

II. JESUS SAW THEIR DEPARTURE FROM GOD – SCATTERED - v. 36

A. They were "scattered abroad" like sheep scattered from the shepherd

B. Outside the fold. (No company or fellowship)C. Away from the Good Shepherd (No guidance or

protection)D. Away from home (No comfort or rest)E. Apart from where they ought to have been –

Ephesians 2:12  that 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. JESUS SAW THEIR DEPARTURE FROM GOD – SCATTERED - v. 36

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

G. The Good Shepherd seeks sheep like these. Luke 15:4-7 "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? 5  And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6  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!' 7  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.

III. JESUS SAW THEIR DESTINY IN HELLA. He could see the end from the beginning. He knew that

apart from Him, they would all be in Hell. B. No wonder He was moved with compassion! Jesus

doesn’t want anyone to go to Hell! He died to save them from that fate. 2 Peter 3:9  The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

C. Christians need the same compassion! Jude 1:22-23 And on some have compassion, making a distinction; 23  but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.

D. If we really believe in Hell like we say we do, then why aren’t we telling more men about the Savior?

III. JESUS SAW THEIR DESTINY IN HELLE. Even the rich man in torment was concerned about the

lost. Luke 16:27-28 Then he said, 'I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father's house, 28

 for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.'

F. Look around brethren! There are people all around you who will die and go to Hell. Will they go without your having warning them? Ezekiel 33:8-9 When I say to the wicked, 'O wicked man, you shall surely die!' and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. 9  Nevertheless if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul.

IV. JESUS SAW THEIR DESPAIR WITHOUT A SHEPHERD

A. They were scattered, without a shepherd!B. This world is in despair and desperately

need guidance.C. Jesus can guide them out of the despair of

sin and its consequences.D. Our duty as Christians is to tell them

about Jesus! E. Our hearts ought to be broken because

the world doesn’t know our Savior!

V. JESUS SENT HIS DISCIPLES TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE v.37-38

A. Jesus places three responsibilities on the shoulders of his people.)

B. Visualize – See the harvest! Recognize that not everyone is saved and millions are poised on the edge of everlasting damnation! We also need to see that the harvest is just waiting to be gleaned! We will never reap until we first enter the field! (Mark 16:15)

C. Agonize – "Pray for laborers." This is a call to be broken and burdened over the plight of the lost. Ill. There are few broken hearts over the lost in our day! We need to attack Hell on their behalf, constantly praying for them and seeking the Lord for the souls of sinners.

V. JESUS SENT HIS DISCIPLES TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE v.37-38

D. Evangelize – 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 be laborers in the harvest. 1. 2 Timothy 2:2  And the things that you have heard

from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

2. Acts 8:4  Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.

3. Hebrews 5:12  For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.

4. 1 Corinthians 15:34  Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.

DO YOU HAVE A COMPASSION FOR SOULS?

A. What are you doing to bring to Jesus those scattered souls?

B. Proverbs 11:30  The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who wins souls is wise.

C. Our job is the greatest the world has ever known.

D. Perhaps you need to come before the Lord and confess to him that you haven’t shared Jesus with others as you should have.

DO YOU HAVE A COMPASSION FOR SOULS?

E. Time is short, the laborers are few and the harvest is plentiful and ready.

F. Are you doing your part?G.If we can reach just one for God, then we

have altered eternity for someone and gained the smile of God for ourselves.

H. Psalm 126:5-6 Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy. 6  He who continually goes forth weeping, Bearing seed for sowing, Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, Bringing his sheaves with him.