Acts 16:8-10

INTRODUCTION: One thing sure about “VISION” that appeared to Paul that night - that it was THE DIVINE CALL OF GOD. It proclaims that the Holy Spirit was leading Paul exactly where He wanted him to go- Macedonia v.9 and in v.10 - after seeing the vision, they immediately endeavored to go into Macedonia.

I. TO RESCUE THE PERISHING AND CARE FOR THE DYING REQUIRES A VISION.

A. A vision is seeing the reality the way Jesus sees it- John 4:34-35.

1. One of the reasons mission is at the heart of Christianity is that Jesus teaches us to see the world utterly different that we ordinarily see- seeing the lost souls as dying and perishing now- Luke 19:10.

B. Romans 9:1-3- A vision is to see the true spiritual condition of the people - as lost souls - religious but lost- Cf. Rom.10:1-3

1. We see here how Paul expresses his love for souls- that their only way of escape is the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

2. Proverbs 29:18- “Where there is no vision the people perish…”

II. TO CARE FOR THE DYING, WE NEED TO SEE THIS WORLD AS PERISHING- THEIR ONLY

HOPE IS THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST - AMEN!

Note: D.L Moody said, “ I look upon this world as a wrecked vessel. God has given me a lifeboat and said, Moody, save all you can.”

A. Let us look at how the Bible describes the word “PERISHING”.

1. In Gen.18- When God revealed His plan to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah due to the wickedness,

Abraham asked God to spare:

a.) The saved people who lived there.

b.) His nephew, Lot and his family.

c.) The unsaved people of Sodom and Gomorrah, knowing the severity of God’s punishment on them.

2. In the Book of Esther, the lives of the Jews in Persia were perishing because of a wicked man ( Haman) who had successfully convinced King Ahasuerus to sign a law in destroying all the Jews.

a.) Mordecai sent the message to Esther to make supplication unto the king.

b.) Esther had to put her life at stake- but it did spare the lives of the Jews.

3. Another example in God’s Word is Rahab, who was confined in a place that is under God’s judgment- Joshua 2.

a.) In her testimony, she has found faith from what she heard vs.10-11, Cf. Roman 10:17.

b.) She beg for her family to be saved in behalf of her faith.

c.) Vs.14-21- The scarlet thread in her window pictures the blood of Christ.

III.ONE OF THE STRONGEST WAYS WHEREIN WE CAN SHOW REAL CONCERN TO RESCUE

THE PERISHING IS THROUGH OUR GIVING II Cor. 8:1-5.

A. In vs2, in the midst of their great trials and poverty, they were still able to give.

B. Vs.3, beyond their power they were willing of themselves to give because:

1. Vs.8- They love the Lord.

2. Vs.4- They love souls.

C. In our church, we have our Faith Promise Giving.

1. For our training in Bible Institute.

2. To support our Missionaries.

3. To provide our Mission churches lots, buildings, mission houses to rent and other needs.

IV.OUR RESPONSE TO THE CALL OF THE NEEDY AND PERISHING SOULS WHO ARE

CRYINGFOR OUR RESCUE.

Note:“Come over, and help us” - must be emanate and must continue - there must be a steady and continuing effort on

our part until all is rescued out of danger - we cannot stop searching and seeking while there is still one who is

under the rubble.

A. In rescuing the lost and perishing souls- there is joy and reward beyond compare. Daniel 12:3, I Thess.2:19