Compassionate Zeal: Embracing Our Call to the Lost

 

Summary

In our journey of faith, we must remember that while we are spiritual beings, we do not become unnatural or detached from our earthly relationships and identities. The Apostle Paul, despite his profound spiritual transformation, maintained a deep concern for his fellow Jews, his "kinsmen according to the flesh." This concern is not about national or ethnic superiority but about a heartfelt desire for their salvation. It is a reminder that our spiritual state is often reflected in our concern for the lost souls around us. If we truly understand the glory of salvation and the dire fate of the unredeemed, it should naturally lead to a deep, abiding concern for those who have not yet found Christ.

Paul's example challenges us to examine our own hearts. Do we carry a similar burden for our family, friends, and nation who are not yet in Christ? This concern is not just an emotional response but a reflection of our spiritual maturity and understanding of salvation. Knowledge without compassion is empty. True spiritual life is marked by a zeal for the lost, a passion that has driven many great men of faith throughout history.

Moreover, Paul's reaction to his fellow Jews, despite their rejection and mistreatment of him, is a lesson in grace and patience. He does not respond with bitterness or contempt but with compassion and a willingness to do anything to bring them to the truth. This attitude is rooted in his understanding of their spiritual blindness and his own past ignorance before encountering Christ. It is a call for us to be patient and understanding, recognizing that belief in the gospel requires the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit.

Finally, Paul's life teaches us the importance of being open to God's leading, even when it goes against our natural inclinations. Despite his background and natural fit as an apostle to the Jews, God called him to be the apostle to the Gentiles. This was not a decision based on human reasoning but on divine guidance. As Christians, we must be sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading, willing to set aside our preferences and prejudices to follow God's will.

Key Takeaways:

- Our spiritual transformation does not detach us from our earthly identities but calls us to a deeper concern for the salvation of those around us. This concern is a true test of our spiritual state. [22:48]

- Knowledge of salvation should lead to a missionary zeal for the lost, as seen in the lives of great men of faith like Paul, Jonathan Edwards, and George Whitefield. [23:50]

- Responding to rejection with grace and compassion, as Paul did, requires understanding the spiritual blindness of others and remembering our own past ignorance. [33:20]

- Being open to God's leading means setting aside our natural inclinations and prejudices, as Paul did when he became the apostle to the Gentiles. [36:47]

- True guidance comes from the Holy Spirit, and we must be sensitive to His leading, ensuring that our actions align with God's will rather than our own desires. [44:14]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[19:26] - Spiritual Transformation and Earthly Relationships
[20:46] - Paul's Deep Concern for His Kinsmen
[22:35] - The Test of Spiritual State
[23:19] - Knowledge and Missionary Zeal
[25:02] - Responding to Rejection with Grace
[30:31] - Understanding Spiritual Blindness
[33:33] - Patience Rooted in Theology
[36:47] - Paul's Calling to the Gentiles
[39:55] - The Astonishing Role of Paul
[43:06] - Sensitivity to the Spirit's Leading
[47:02] - Examining Our Calling
[48:08] - Aligning with God's Will
[50:14] - Closing Prayer and Benediction

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Romans 9:1-5
2. 2 Corinthians 11:24
3. Acts 13:44-47

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#### Observation Questions
1. How does Paul express his concern for his fellow Jews in Romans 9:1-5, and what language does he use to convey the depth of his feelings? [21:01]
2. In 2 Corinthians 11:24, what hardships did Paul endure from his fellow Jews, and how does this relate to his attitude towards them? [28:42]
3. According to Acts 13:44-47, what was Paul's response to the rejection of the gospel by the Jews, and how did it influence his mission? [40:25]

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#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does Paul's deep concern for his kinsmen reveal about his understanding of salvation and spiritual maturity? [22:48]
2. How does Paul's reaction to rejection and mistreatment by his fellow Jews demonstrate grace and patience, and what can we learn from his example? [29:13]
3. In what ways does Paul's calling to be the apostle to the Gentiles challenge our understanding of following God's will, even when it goes against our natural inclinations? [36:47]

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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Do you carry a similar burden for family and friends who are not yet in Christ? How can you cultivate a deeper concern for their salvation? [21:45]
2. Think of a time when you faced rejection or mistreatment because of your faith. How did you respond, and how might Paul's example of grace and patience inspire a different reaction in the future? [29:13]
3. Are there areas in your life where you feel called to step out of your comfort zone to follow God's leading? How can you be more open to the Holy Spirit's guidance, even when it challenges your natural preferences? [36:47]
4. Identify a person in your life who is spiritually blind or resistant to the gospel. What practical steps can you take to show them compassion and understanding, as Paul did with his fellow Jews? [33:20]
5. How can you ensure that your actions and decisions align with God's will rather than your own desires? What practices can help you become more sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading? [44:14]
6. Consider the knowledge you have about salvation. How can you translate this knowledge into a missionary zeal for the lost, similar to the passion demonstrated by Paul and other great men of faith? [23:50]
7. Reflect on your current calling or vocation. Are you confident that it aligns with God's will for your life? If not, what steps can you take to seek clarity and confirmation from the Holy Spirit? [47:54]

Devotional

Day 1: Spiritual Transformation and Earthly Concern
In our spiritual journey, transformation does not mean detachment from our earthly identities and relationships. Instead, it calls us to a deeper concern for the salvation of those around us. The Apostle Paul exemplifies this by maintaining a profound concern for his fellow Jews, his "kinsmen according to the flesh," despite his spiritual transformation. This concern is not about superiority but a heartfelt desire for their salvation. It reflects our spiritual state, as understanding the glory of salvation and the dire fate of the unredeemed should naturally lead to a deep, abiding concern for those who have not yet found Christ. [22:48]

"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." (Romans 9:3, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear about the hope of salvation? How can you intentionally reach out to them this week with love and concern?


Day 2: Knowledge and Missionary Zeal
True knowledge of salvation should lead to a missionary zeal for the lost, as seen in the lives of great men of faith like Paul, Jonathan Edwards, and George Whitefield. This zeal is not just an emotional response but a reflection of spiritual maturity and understanding of salvation. Knowledge without compassion is empty, and true spiritual life is marked by a passion for the lost. This passion has driven many great men of faith throughout history, challenging us to examine our own hearts and burdens for those who are not yet in Christ. [23:50]

"And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!'" (Romans 10:15, ESV)

Reflection: What steps can you take today to cultivate a deeper passion for sharing the gospel with those who have not yet heard it?


Day 3: Responding to Rejection with Grace
Paul's reaction to his fellow Jews, despite their rejection and mistreatment of him, is a lesson in grace and patience. He does not respond with bitterness or contempt but with compassion and a willingness to do anything to bring them to the truth. This attitude is rooted in his understanding of their spiritual blindness and his own past ignorance before encountering Christ. It is a call for us to be patient and understanding, recognizing that belief in the gospel requires the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit. [33:20]

"But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:44-45, ESV)

Reflection: Think of someone who has rejected or mistreated you. How can you show them grace and compassion this week, reflecting Christ's love?


Day 4: Openness to God's Leading
Paul's life teaches us the importance of being open to God's leading, even when it goes against our natural inclinations. Despite his background and natural fit as an apostle to the Jews, God called him to be the apostle to the Gentiles. This was not a decision based on human reasoning but on divine guidance. As Christians, we must be sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading, willing to set aside our preferences and prejudices to follow God's will. [36:47]

"And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, 'Come over to Macedonia and help us.'" (Acts 16:9, ESV)

Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you feel God is leading you in a direction that challenges your natural inclinations? How can you respond in faith and obedience?


Day 5: Sensitivity to the Spirit's Leading
True guidance comes from the Holy Spirit, and we must be sensitive to His leading, ensuring that our actions align with God's will rather than our own desires. This requires a willingness to listen and respond to the Spirit's promptings, setting aside our own plans and desires to follow God's path. Paul's example challenges us to be open to God's leading, even when it requires stepping out of our comfort zones and embracing new challenges for the sake of the gospel. [44:14]

"For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God." (Romans 8:14, ESV)

Reflection: How can you cultivate a greater sensitivity to the Holy Spirit's leading in your daily life? What practical steps can you take to ensure your actions align with God's will?

Quotes



The Apostle you see though he is in this entirely new condition is still very concerned about his Kinsman according to the Flesh and that's the thing of course that he is emphasizing here the thing that is done by these three verses above everything else is to show the apostles deep concern for his Kinsmen according to the flesh. [00:20:29]

The point is I say that he hasn't finished with them he's got this great and deep concern for them and the question I ask is this one do we know something of the same concern we have no right to rush over these three verses and go on to the great theological Point that's coming without stopping for a moment and asking this question. [00:21:12]

Have I this deep concern this grief that he talks about Perpetual grief have I this for those members of my own family who are not Christian for the members of my own nation that are not Christian do we know this the apostles got it he testifies to it in this bold language he's got great heaviness and continual sorrow in his heart on their account. [00:21:34]

It is because he was enjoying the glory of Salvation it was because he knew the fate of the unredeemed that the Apostle has this great heaviness and continual sorrow in his heart for his Kinsmen according to the flesh let me put it as a principle there is no better test of our spiritual State and condition than our concern for lost souls. [00:22:30]

AR Zeal is always a good test of our spiritual State and Condition it's always the thing that divides the men who's just a theoretical and intellectual Christian from the men who's got a living and a vital spiritual life now this is something that I can prove abundantly from history look at the case of the Apostle himself. [00:22:55]

He understands the depth of predition and it leads inevitably to this kind of missionary Zeal this concern for the souls of men and it's been true of all all the Great Men of God the ones whom God has used most signally throughout the centuries no man understood these things in many centuries in the way that a man like Jonathan Edwards did. [00:23:45]

Yet how does the Apostle react to that now I do trust that we all see the Practical input of all this how do we react to members of our family are not Christians how do we react to our friends our bosom friends once who are still not Christians how do we react to our fellow countrymen who are not Christians. [00:27:32]

He displays no trace of annoyance with them there's not a suspicion of any contemptuous attitude towards them he doesn't dismiss them he doesn't denounce them he doesn't attack them he's not even irritated by them now I'm making this point for this reason if any man had ever caused to be aned by his fellow countrymen it was the Apostle Paul. [00:27:58]

He is full of compassion he is full of pity he is full of Sorrow moreover he tells them that he's ready to do anything he can in order to bring them to this knowledge and to deliver them out of their bondage and their blindness that's the meaning of that extraordinary statement in the third verse that We examined last Friday. [00:29:35]

The Apostle does it what is it that enabled him to do it well I suggest you that it's something like this and this is what we've all got to do he puts himself in their position and know that is always absolutely essential if you want to help other people the first thing you've got to do is to put yourself in your mind into their position. [00:30:35]

He knows that they're blinded he'll tell us that at Great length in the 11th chapter but already you see he's feeling it he's governed by this he gives his explanation in chapter 11 but we should find it here we should stop and say well now how could he feel like that about these people had so M treated him and so molested him and had been so injurious to him. [00:31:42]

The Apostle Paul of all men in the world should have become the Apostle to the Gentiles because that is what he became he is known as we were reminded in that reading from the 15 chapter he is above everything the Apostle to the Gentiles you remember how in Galatians 2 he says that God had given him this commission to the Gentiles. [00:35:41]

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