A BURNING HEART FOR THE LOST (2)
JULY 4, 2026
TEXT: Luke 15:1-7
KEY VERSE: “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?” Luke 15:4
Yesterday, we analyzed the nature and meaning of believers having a burning heart for the gospel. Today, we shall round off this topic.
KEY FACTS
- Compassion is the fuel of evangelism. When Jesus saw the multitude, He was moved with compassion and pity for them. They were described as sheep without a shepherd. It was this compassion that led Him to meet their feeding needs at that particular time. The presence of compassion in a believer’s life will spur such a believer to try to rescue a perishing soul. If we truly love Christ, we will take soul-winning seriously because we will genuinely want to replicate what our Master desires. (Matthew 9:36, Philippians 2:5).
- A burden for souls requires a measure of sacrifice and self-denial. (Romans 9:2-3). Paul was deeply worried about the plight of the unbelievers around him. He endured rejection, suffering, persecution, and brutality just for their sake. He was almost killed through the combined efforts of the people of Antioch and Iconium when he was at Lystra. While at Thessalonica, he was attacked by a mob who challenged him for preaching Christ. In the same vein, he was attacked at Ephesus during the riot. All these happened simply because he was so hell-bent on preaching the gospel to all and sundry across the world.
- Heaven places so much significance on the salvation of a previously lost soul. There is always great joy in heaven whenever a sinner repents.
- He who has found the light should not hesitate to lead others to the light as well. It is selfish for a person to have been led to Christ long ago and still refuse to bring others to experience the same joy of salvation in his heart.
- The greatest evidence that we understand God’s love is for us to begin to carry His burden for others.
SEARCHLIGHT: A burning heart for souls is one that sees things the way God sees them. You see people in their sins the way heaven also sees them and desire that they repent.
PRAYER: O LORD, equip me with a burning passion for lost souls, in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.
BIBLE READING: Psalms 12-14; Jude 1
PASTOR MICHAEL OMOLE
