Acts 18 Paul’s Compassion for the Impatient

David Brainerd ( early 1740s) “This morning about nine, I withdrew to the woods for prayer. I wrestled for an gathering of souls. I was in such anguish that when I arose from my knees I felt extremely weak and overcome. Sweat ran down my face and body I care not where I go or how I live or what I endure so that I may save souls. When I sleep I dream of them and when I awake they are first in my thoughts. No amount of scholastic attainment or able and profound exposition can atone for the absence of a deep impassioned sympathetic love for human souls.”

George Whitefield (early 1740s) “Beseeching sinners. O my brethren my heart is enlarged towards you. I trust I feel something of that hidden but powerful prescience of Christ while I am preaching to you. Indeed it is sweet it is exceedingly comfortable. All the harm I wish you who without cause are my enemies is that you felt the like. Believe me though it would be hell to my soul to return to a natural state again yet I would willingly change States with you for a little while that you might know what it is to have Christ dwelling in your hearts by faith.“

George Whitefield (early 1740s) “Do not turn your backs; do not let the devil hurry you away; be not afraid of convictions; do not think worse of the doctrine because Preached outside the church walls. Our Lord in the days of his flesh preached on the mountain in a ship and in a field; and I am persuaded many have felt his gracious presence here. Indeed we speak what we know.”

George Whitefield (early 1740s) “Do not reject the Kingdom of God against yourselves; be so wise as to receive our witness. I cannot I will not let you go; stay a little let us reason together. However lightly you may esteem your souls, I know our Lord has set an unspeakable value on them. He thought them worthy of his most precious blood. I beseech you therefore o sinners be reconciled to God.”

Psalm 11:6 “Upon the wicked he will rain snares; fire and brimstone and burning wind will be the portion of their cup. For their Lord is righteous. He loves righteousness. The upright will behold his face.”

Exodus 34:6 “The Lord the Lord God compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in loving kindness and truth; who keeps loving kindness for thousands, who forgives transgressions and sin; and yet he will by no means leave the guilty unpunished.”

Romans 9 “I speak the truth - I am not lying my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit - I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race the people of Israel.” (Also Exodus 32:34)

Charles Spurgeon “If sinners be damned at least let them leap to hell over our dead bodies, and if they perish let them perish with our knees wrapped around their knees. If hell must be filled let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let no one go unnoticed or unprayed for.”

Ezekiel 3:18 “When I say to the wicked 'You will surely die' and you do not warn them or speak out to dissuade them from their evil ways in order to save their life, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold accountable for their blood.”