Passion For Souls
Rev. Brian Chamberlin
Jeremiah 20:9
Jer 20:9
9 Then I said, "I will not make mention of Him, nor speak anymore in His name." But His word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, and I could not.
Passion for souls is the rarest of all Christian virtues.
Where does passion come from?
1. It is kindled in the soul of the believer:
A. How? By the conviction that a divine commission or dispensation of the Gospel is committed to him.
Jer 1:17 “Therefore prepare yourself and arise, and speak to them all that I command you. Do not be dismayed before their faces, lest I dismay you before them.
1 Cor. 9:17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.
B. By a consciousness of a debt owed to humanity
Rom 1:14 I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise.
1Thes 2:4 But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.
We are debtors to man and trustees of the Gospel
Because of what Jesus did for us !!!
Passion is kindled in the Soul of the Believer
C. By the hearty persuasion of the truth of the message, such as, the terror of the Lord, and the love of Christ.
2 Cor 5:11-15
11 Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.
Knowing the judgement to come we should be telling everyone about Jesus.
14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died;
15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
Were would we be with out the love of Jesus?
D. By self sacrifice for others sakes.
Rom 9:1-3 (Paul writes)
1 I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit,
2 that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart.
3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh,
Rom 10:1
1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.
Paul is crying out for all to be saved. (a whole nation)
Passion is kindled in the Soul of the Believer
E. By confidence in the redeeming power of God’s Gospel.
Isa 55:11
11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
We should be the mouth of the Lord speaking life to others.
1 Tim 1:16
16 However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.
God gave us mercy that we should be examples that others should desire Christ!
Passion for Souls
2. Its effects in our character and life.
A. Overcoming natural self distrust, slowness of speech and other obstacles of our mind and flesh.
Jer 1:4-10
4 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying:
5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations."
6 Then said I: "Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth."
7 But the LORD said to me: "Do not say, 'I am a youth,' for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak.
8 Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you," says the LORD.
9 Then the LORD put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the LORD said to me: "Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.
10 See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out and to pull down,(pull down strong holds) to destroy (the enemy)and to throw down, to build and to plant."(the word of God)
B. Boldly meeting antagonism and ridicule.
Eph 6:19-20
19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
(Paul was criticized by the world and some of the church)
C. Creating an inward need, Pent up Fire!
Ps 39:3
3 My heart was hot within me; while I was musing, the fire burned. Then I spoke with my tongue:
Matt 12:34
34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
(if Christ be in our hearts, shouldn’t we speak it)
Acts 4:20
20 "For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." (they had excitement, and zeal)
D. Imparting courage, attempting to save even the chief sinners.
Having a passion for Souls proclaiming Hope for them.
Rev. Brian Chamberlin
Jeremiah 20:9
Jer 20:9
9 Then I said, "I will not make mention of Him, nor speak anymore in His name." But His word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, and I could not.
Passion for souls is the rarest of all Christian virtues.
Where does passion come from?
1. It is kindled in the soul of the believer:
A. How? By the conviction that a divine commission or dispensation of the Gospel is committed to him.
Jer 1:17 “Therefore prepare yourself and arise, and speak to them all that I command you. Do not be dismayed before their faces, lest I dismay you before them.
1 Cor. 9:17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.
B. By a consciousness of a debt owed to humanity
Rom 1:14 I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise.
1Thes 2:4 But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.
We are debtors to man and trustees of the Gospel
Because of what Jesus did for us !!!
Passion is kindled in the Soul of the Believer
C. By the hearty persuasion of the truth of the message, such as, the terror of the Lord, and the love of Christ.
2 Cor 5:11-15
11 Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.
Knowing the judgement to come we should be telling everyone about Jesus.
14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died;
15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
Were would we be with out the love of Jesus?
D. By self sacrifice for others sakes.
Rom 9:1-3 (Paul writes)
1 I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit,
2 that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart.
3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh,
Rom 10:1
1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.
Paul is crying out for all to be saved. (a whole nation)
Passion is kindled in the Soul of the Believer
E. By confidence in the redeeming power of God’s Gospel.
Isa 55:11
11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
We should be the mouth of the Lord speaking life to others.
1 Tim 1:16
16 However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.
God gave us mercy that we should be examples that others should desire Christ!
Passion for Souls
2. Its effects in our character and life.
A. Overcoming natural self distrust, slowness of speech and other obstacles of our mind and flesh.
Jer 1:4-10
4 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying:
5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations."
6 Then said I: "Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth."
7 But the LORD said to me: "Do not say, 'I am a youth,' for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak.
8 Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you," says the LORD.
9 Then the LORD put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the LORD said to me: "Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.
10 See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out and to pull down,(pull down strong holds) to destroy (the enemy)and to throw down, to build and to plant."(the word of God)
B. Boldly meeting antagonism and ridicule.
Eph 6:19-20
19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
(Paul was criticized by the world and some of the church)
C. Creating an inward need, Pent up Fire!
Ps 39:3
3 My heart was hot within me; while I was musing, the fire burned. Then I spoke with my tongue:
Matt 12:34
34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
(if Christ be in our hearts, shouldn’t we speak it)
Acts 4:20
20 "For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." (they had excitement, and zeal)
D. Imparting courage, attempting to save even the chief sinners.
Having a passion for Souls proclaiming Hope for them.