Pharisees Have No Concern for Lost Sinners
Zac Poonen challenges believers to examine their concern for lost sinners, warning against the Pharisaical attitude of indifference in evangelism.
Zac Poonen emphasizes that modern-day Pharisees exhibit a lack of genuine concern for lost sinners, often expressing condemnation rather than compassion. He critiques the attitude of Christians who distribute tracts without a heartfelt desire for the salvation of others, suggesting that such actions stem from a selfish motive to ease their own conscience. Poonen reminds believers that true witnessing should focus on love and the desire to lead others to Christ, rather than merely fulfilling a duty. He highlights that a lack of concern for the lost reveals a Pharisaical spirit, contrasting this with Jesus' mission to save rather than condemn.
Text
"The Pharisees said, 'This crowd which does not know the Law is accursed'" (John 7:49).
Today's Pharisees can have the same attitude towards those going to hell and say, "O these people who don't accept Christ as their Saviour are going to hell." That is true. But such a comment also exposes the speaker as a Pharisee who has no concern for the lost. If you have no concern for those who are going to hell, that would clearly prove that you are a Pharisee.
When we witness to others, our concern should be their salvation and not that their blood should no longer be on our hands. I have seen Christians distributing tracts indiscriminately to people and sticking tracts in people's letter boxes and cars, and then being satisfied that they have done their part. "God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved" (John 3:17). But a lot of the tract-distribution being done today by many believers only results in condemning those unbelievers. It is done with the selfish motive of easing the believers' conscience and not with love and a burden to bring those lost people to the Saviour's feet. Many of these tract-distributors imagine that they have a concern for the lost. But they don't. They are Pharisees.
Sermon Outline
-
I
- Definition of modern Pharisees
- Attitude towards lost sinners
- Comparison with biblical Pharisees
-
II
- The importance of genuine concern
- Witnessing with love
- Avoiding self-righteousness
-
III
- Consequences of indifference
- The role of the Holy Spirit
- Call to action for believers
-
IV
- Misuse of evangelistic tools
- Tract distribution pitfalls
- True motivation for outreach
Key Quotes
“This crowd which does not know the Law is accursed.” — Zac Poonen
“God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved.” — Zac Poonen
“If you have no concern for those who are going to hell, that would clearly prove that you are a Pharisee.” — Zac Poonen
Application Points
- Engage in evangelism with a heart of love and genuine concern for the lost.
- Reflect on your motivations for sharing the Gospel to ensure they align with Christ's mission.
- Avoid the trap of self-righteousness by focusing on the salvation of others rather than personal comfort.