Awakening Anguish: A Call to Spiritual Urgency

 

Summary

In today's message, I delved into the profound and often unsettling topic of anguish, both in our personal lives and in our spiritual journeys. We began by acknowledging the deep pain and suffering many of us experience, whether through personal loss, broken relationships, or physical pain. This kind of anguish is something we all strive to escape, yet it is a part of the human condition that we must confront. However, the real challenge lies in recognizing the things we should feel anguish over but often don't.

Reflecting on Romans 9, we see the Apostle Paul's deep sorrow and unceasing anguish for his fellow Jews who were rejecting Christ. This passage challenges us to examine our own hearts and question whether we feel the same level of concern for those who are spiritually lost. Do we truly grasp the reality of eternal separation from God, and does it move us to action?

The story of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16 serves as a stark reminder of the eternal consequences of our earthly choices. The rich man's torment in Hades is a vivid depiction of anguish that far surpasses any earthly suffering. It compels us to consider the urgency of sharing the gospel with those around us, as the reality of hell is not something we can afford to ignore.

Moreover, we explored the sobering truth found in Matthew 7, where Jesus warns that not everyone who calls Him "Lord" will enter the kingdom of heaven. This passage should prompt us to examine the authenticity of our faith and the fruit it bears in our lives. Are we truly living in accordance with God's will, or are we merely going through the motions?

Ultimately, the message is a call to awaken from spiritual complacency and to feel a deep, unceasing anguish for the lost. It is a reminder that our lives should reflect the urgency of the gospel, and that we should be driven by a love for others that compels us to share the hope of salvation.

Key Takeaways:

- The Reality of Anguish: We all experience deep pain and suffering, but we must also recognize the spiritual anguish we should feel for those who are lost. This awareness should drive us to action and compassion. [19:53]

- Paul's Unceasing Anguish: The Apostle Paul's deep sorrow for his fellow Jews challenges us to examine our own hearts. Do we feel the same level of concern for those who are spiritually lost? [22:08]

- The Urgency of the Gospel: The story of the rich man and Lazarus reminds us of the eternal consequences of our earthly choices. We must not ignore the reality of hell and the urgency of sharing the gospel. [29:00]

- Authenticity of Faith: Jesus' warning in Matthew 7 prompts us to examine the authenticity of our faith. Are we truly living in accordance with God's will, or are we merely going through the motions? [37:11]

- Awakening from Complacency: We are called to awaken from spiritual complacency and to feel a deep, unceasing anguish for the lost. Our lives should reflect the urgency of the gospel and be driven by a love for others. [45:21]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [15:13] - Debt-Free Celebration
- [15:31] - Opening Prayer
- [16:19] - Acknowledging Our Pain
- [17:06] - Understanding Anguish
- [18:20] - Physical and Emotional Pain
- [19:53] - Helping Others in Anguish
- [20:36] - Escaping Anguish
- [21:53] - Paul's Unceasing Anguish
- [24:20] - The Reality of God's Wrath
- [26:39] - The Urgency of Witnessing
- [28:10] - The Rich Man and Lazarus
- [30:14] - True Anguish Defined
- [31:17] - Personal Story of Anguish
- [37:11] - Authenticity of Faith
- [45:21] - Awakening from Complacency

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Romans 9:1-3
2. Luke 16:19-31
3. Matthew 7:21-23

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Observation Questions:

1. In Romans 9:1-3, what does Paul express about his feelings towards his fellow Jews? How does he describe his emotional state? [22:08]

2. According to the story of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16, what are the contrasting fates of the two men after death? [29:00]

3. In Matthew 7:21-23, what does Jesus say about those who call Him "Lord"? What criteria does He give for entering the kingdom of heaven? [37:11]

4. How does the pastor describe the concept of anguish in the sermon, and what examples does he provide to illustrate it? [17:06]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What might Paul’s unceasing anguish for his fellow Jews in Romans 9:1-3 suggest about the depth of his concern for their spiritual state? How does this compare to our own concern for those who are spiritually lost? [22:08]

2. How does the story of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16 challenge our understanding of earthly wealth and eternal consequences? What message is Jesus conveying through this parable? [29:00]

3. In Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus warns that not everyone who acknowledges Him as Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven. What does this imply about the nature of true faith and obedience? [37:11]

4. The pastor mentions feeling anguish over things that should not bother us and not feeling anguish over things that should. How does this reflect our spiritual priorities, and what might it reveal about our relationship with God? [20:36]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt deep anguish. How did you respond to it, and what did you learn from that experience? How can this understanding help you empathize with others in their suffering? [19:53]

2. Considering Paul’s deep sorrow for his fellow Jews, how can you cultivate a similar concern for those in your life who are spiritually lost? What practical steps can you take to share the gospel with them? [22:08]

3. The story of the rich man and Lazarus highlights the urgency of making choices with eternal consequences. What changes can you make in your daily life to prioritize spiritual over material wealth? [29:00]

4. Jesus’ warning in Matthew 7:21-23 challenges us to examine the authenticity of our faith. What evidence of genuine faith do you see in your life, and where might you need to grow? [37:11]

5. The pastor speaks about awakening from spiritual complacency. What areas of your spiritual life have become complacent, and how can you reignite your passion for God and His mission? [45:21]

6. How can you develop a deeper sense of urgency for sharing the gospel, similar to the pastor’s experience of anguish over his grandmother’s spiritual state? What specific actions can you take this week? [31:17]

7. Reflect on the pastor’s question about not anguishing enough over things that should matter. What are some spiritual matters that you feel indifferent about, and how can you begin to cultivate a heart that aligns with God’s concerns? [20:36]

Devotional

Day 1: Recognizing Spiritual Anguish
In our lives, we often encounter deep pain and suffering, whether through personal loss, broken relationships, or physical pain. However, there is a spiritual dimension of anguish that we must also acknowledge. This is the anguish for those who are spiritually lost, a burden that should drive us to action and compassion. Reflecting on the Apostle Paul's deep sorrow for his fellow Jews who rejected Christ, we are challenged to examine our own hearts. Do we feel the same level of concern for those who are spiritually lost? This awareness should move us to act with urgency and love, sharing the hope of salvation with those around us. [19:53]

Romans 9:2-3 (ESV): "That I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh."

Reflection: Who in your life is spiritually lost, and how can you begin to share the hope of salvation with them today?


Day 2: Embracing Paul's Heart for the Lost
The Apostle Paul experienced deep sorrow and unceasing anguish for his fellow Jews who were rejecting Christ. This profound concern challenges us to examine our own hearts and question whether we feel the same level of concern for those who are spiritually lost. Do we truly grasp the reality of eternal separation from God, and does it move us to action? Paul's example calls us to awaken from spiritual complacency and to feel a deep, unceasing anguish for the lost. Our lives should reflect the urgency of the gospel, driven by a love for others that compels us to share the hope of salvation. [22:08]

Romans 10:1 (ESV): "Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved."

Reflection: How can you cultivate a heart like Paul's, one that is deeply concerned for the salvation of others?


Day 3: The Urgency of Sharing the Gospel
The story of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16 serves as a stark reminder of the eternal consequences of our earthly choices. The rich man's torment in Hades is a vivid depiction of anguish that far surpasses any earthly suffering. This story compels us to consider the urgency of sharing the gospel with those around us, as the reality of hell is not something we can afford to ignore. We must not be complacent in our faith but instead be driven by a love for others that compels us to share the hope of salvation. [29:00]

Luke 16:27-28 (ESV): "And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house—for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’"

Reflection: What steps can you take today to share the gospel with someone who may not know Christ?


Day 4: Examining the Authenticity of Our Faith
In Matthew 7, Jesus warns that not everyone who calls Him "Lord" will enter the kingdom of heaven. This passage should prompt us to examine the authenticity of our faith and the fruit it bears in our lives. Are we truly living in accordance with God's will, or are we merely going through the motions? This is a call to self-reflection and a challenge to ensure that our faith is genuine and transformative. We must strive to live lives that reflect the urgency of the gospel and are driven by a love for others. [37:11]

Matthew 7:21 (ESV): "Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven."

Reflection: In what ways can you ensure that your faith is authentic and bears fruit in your daily life?


Day 5: Awakening from Spiritual Complacency
We are called to awaken from spiritual complacency and to feel a deep, unceasing anguish for the lost. Our lives should reflect the urgency of the gospel, driven by a love for others that compels us to share the hope of salvation. This is a reminder that our faith should not be passive but active, constantly seeking to reach out to those who are spiritually lost. We must be vigilant in our spiritual journey, ensuring that we are living in accordance with God's will and sharing His love with those around us. [45:21]

Ephesians 5:14 (ESV): "For anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, 'Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.'"

Reflection: What areas of your spiritual life have become complacent, and how can you reignite your passion for sharing the gospel?

Quotes

"Do you ever get concerned that you don't anguish enough? Let me rephrase it: does it ever bother you because usually we just escape anguish, escape that pain, but does it ever bother you that sometimes you don't anguish over things you should anguish over?" [00:20:26]

"I was reading Romans chapter 9... where Paul says, 'I'm speaking the truth in Christ, I'm not lying, my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh.'" [00:21:51]

"Paul's love for people and Paul's love for his brother... he says, 'I wish that... they're rejecting God, they're rejecting Christ... do you know what they're in store for? The wrath of God.' He goes, 'That drives me crazy.' He goes, 'In my heart, I've got this great sorrow and unceasing anguish.'" [00:22:36]

"The story of the rich man and Lazarus... the rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off at Lazarus's side. And he called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.'" [00:28:44]

"True anguish is being in a place forever and ever with no hope of going anywhere, so much so that you're not asking even to escape. You're just going, 'Man, could you just... all I'm asking for, I'm not asking for a lot, I'm asking could someone just dip their finger in some water and just... just... just so have a second of relief in this place.'" [00:30:03]

"Matthew 7:21, where Jesus says, 'Not everyone who says to me, "Lord, Lord," will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day, many will say to me, "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?" And then I will declare to them, "I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness."'" [00:37:04]

"It scares me what scares me is passages like Matthew 7... that scares me that there are going to be people who will come before Jesus and say, 'But Lord, Lord, didn't I do this, didn't I do that?' And he's going to say, 'Depart from me, I never knew you.'" [00:37:51]

"Look, is this what I want to talk about? I understand you've got other things going on, I understand this is a hard time, okay, I understand that. But the Bible says that the second coming of when Christ returns, he says it's going to be like the days of Noah. People will be marrying, they'll be drinking, there'll be partying, recessions will be going on, divorces will be happening." [00:41:04]

"Why is it that I care about so many other things and I'm not bawling my eyes out over these people? And even some of you, some of you who at the end of your life... is anyone in this room going to say, 'No, I think all of us here, everyone in this room is saved?'" [00:43:47]

"I don't think you're all going to heaven. So why don't I just cry all week long? Why? How come I'm not like the Apostle Paul? He had unceasing anguish, and I don't care that much. I care, but I know you're concerned, I know you care, but do you anguish?" [00:45:03]

"Do you know that? And again, this is not about working your way there, because it's by grace. At some point in your life, you recognize that you are not good enough to make it to heaven, and you have offended a holy God, just like Adam and Eve did and everyone you know, just all the way to today." [00:49:36]

"When someone does decide to follow Jesus, the Holy Spirit really does come into their life, and changes really do take place. That's why all throughout the scripture, he's saying, 'Man, if it's an apple tree, there should be some apples. If you're the good soil, it should produce a hundredfold.'" [00:50:34]

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Transcript
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