EVANGELISM & SOUL WINNING........Serious Kingdom business made Easy Here!

Image result for Evangelist witnessing to someone
                                                         

Introduction:
Some issues are uppermost in the agenda of God, and one of them is the salvation of souls. This was so great a matter at the beginning that God had to send His only begotten Son Jesus Christ to this earth to reconcile us back to Himself.

So, the Son of God came to save the lost, preaching and teaching people the ways of God, and how to serve God and not idols.  He went about preaching and teaching - Repentance, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand - Mathew 4:17, and as He went preaching and teaching, He was healing the sick, delivering the oppressed and comforting the weak.  He manifested the presence of God His Father and nothing was too hard for Him to deal with.  

As it was in the beginning when God sent Jesus to the earth, so it is now that the second coming of Jesus is at hand.  The world we live in today is in dare need of soul winners and evangelists to boldly speak to people about Jesus Christ where ever they will find people.

If we will not take the death of our Lord for granted or live a selfish life, then we must all awake to the truth that we are the tools in the hand of Jesus Christ to reach sinners.  When Jesus commissioned us to go and preach the gospel to every creature and promising to be with us, even unto the end of the world, He knew He is the one going to do the work, by the Holy Spirit in us, but we must make our body available and go to the places where people, unbelievers are for Jesus to preach to them and convict them.

We are the hands and legs of Jesus Christ to do everything, so, if we are not available or willing, we are not fulfilling our calling in Christ.  Evangelism and soul-winning is the assignment of every believer, but many are so shy or too gentle to join the evangelism group on the street or do personal evangelism.  Some Christians are so afraid to talk to a stranger about Jesus Christ, and my prayer is that after reading this message, such fear will leave you in Jesus name.

What is Evangelism?

Evangelism is everything we do get the message of Jesus Christ to souls who need to be saved, which have neither heard the gospel before but are not yet born again.

Evangelism is sharing the word of God and doing those good deeds that touch people's hearts.  Evangelism is a command of our saviour to every believer as we are all products of someone's evangelism in the years' gone bye.

Evangelism is seeking for the lost souls by a believer, who is grateful that God saved him and delivered him from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of His dear Son, Jesus Christ.  Recall that Jesus came to earth to seek souls of men and to reconcile them to His Father according to Luke 19:10, “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”  

He started going out to preach and teach immediately He returned from the wilderness. He also began to invite men to join Him in soul winning.  Math 4:19 - Jesus says “And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”   Evangelism is "fishing for men" for the kingdom of heaven.  The Lord said the banquet is ready, go out to the highways and at every crossroads, major markets and shopping Malls and bring men to fill the banquet.

What is Soul winning:
Soul winning is everything we do to explain the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ to people who did not know Him, teaching them the word and the ways of God for their salvation in Christ.  When we win a soul, our duty continues on that soul till he/she is brought into the church and established in the faith.  Soul-winning includes every good deed done to unbelievers and everyone that do not know the Lord, with a heart of love, not expecting anything in return.

...And Witnessing:
Witnessing Christ is one of the sweetest aspects of soul winning.  It is representing Christ to people and doing those good deeds He did while He was on earth.  He told the apostles to wait behind in Jerusalem and receive the promise of the Father, which He told them about- Acts 1:4

And you shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost has come upon you and you shall be witnesses unto me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, Samaria and unto the uttermost part of the earth.  Witnessing Christ is with power, it is not just teaching and preaching the word of God, it is teaching and preaching the word with power.

This is what happens when we pray for a sick brother and he receives his healing.  We witness Christ to a Spinster and assure her that God is merciful to grant her the most important prayer request....and she prayers were answered, that's witnessing!   That is what happens when we receive word of knowledge for the people we are meeting for the first time and the Lord confirms the word of prophesy we gave them, and they are grateful to God for locating them and remembering them.

Brethren, witnessing Christ, brings the dead back to life in the name of Jesus Christ.   It gives hope to the sick and oppressed, that there is God.  All the Lord is asking from you is your availability to witness and faith that Christ will touch the needy people. So, in Evangelism, we are in partnership with the Holy Spirit.  We make ourselves available, the Holy Spirit speaks the right words through us that will convince sinners to accept the Lord.

Why should we witness and win Souls?

1. It is Commanded in Matthew 28:19-20, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:

Jesus, our Master started it and the apostles and disciples follow His footsteps in that direction - Acts 5:42, “And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.”

2. It is a wise thing to do - Proverbs 11:30, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he that winneth soul is wise.”

3. It Glorifies God - John 15:8, “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.”

4. It Delivers Souls From Hell - Ezekiel 3:17-18, “Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood will I require at thine hand.”

5. There are Crowns and Rewards 1 Thessalonians 2:19, “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?” Daniel 12:3, “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever.”

Basic Requirements for a Soul Winner:

1. Holy Spirit Power
It is the Holy Ghost that sends us out to go and win souls, and so if you don't have the Holy Spirit living inside of you, though you desire to go for evangelism, your work may be fruitless.  This is why the first requirement is having the Holy Spirit.  This was emphasized by our Master Himself to the disciples, when He told them “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost comes upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8).

Beloved, without the Holy Spirit inside of you, you preaching and teaching will be devoid of power and meaningless.  You will be talking to yourself and your word would be letters and not the Spirit.

2. Assurance of Salvation
You must know without a doubt that you’ve been saved!!! “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” (1 John 5:13)

3. The purity of heart and conducts in Life
God desires to use clean vessels.

2 Timothy 2:21: “If a man, therefore, purges himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.”

Psalms 18:20: “The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.”

Psalms 24:4: “He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.”

1 John 2:15, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”

4. Willing and Available
If you are willing and available, Jesus will use your body to visit and speak to sinners and unbelievers and you will know that He is the one speaking, if your vessel is clean “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:1-2)

5. Burden for Souls
“But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36)

6. Prayer
“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.” (Romans 10:1) See also John 15:1-8.

What are the hindrances to Evangelism and Soul Winning Today:

I believe the hinderances to witnessing Christ among Christians can be categorized into spiritual and physical challenges:

Spiritual:
1. Many are not sure of their salvation
2. The demand for righteousness and holiness
3. Lack of Word of God
4. Many believers are facing spiritual problems

Physical
1. Lack of Trust
2. Fear of being mocked and 
3. Fear of persecution
4. Work and business schedule
5. Shyness - Not knowing what to say

Why are Believers not winning souls?
Some of the reasons why believers are not evangelizing and winning souls include:

They are Not Sure of their Salvation:
The spiritual reasons why many are shy to witness Christ is because many of the Christians or believers today are not sure of their salvation.  In a situation where the born again sister or brother still keeps his female lover(s) after repentance, such a brother going out to witness is only deceiving himself.  A businessman brother who continues to deceive and cheat his customers and business partners can hardly have the courage to witness Christ

Also, a sister though born again, who gossip, lies and quarrel a lot with her neighbours can hardly go for evangelism.  She may be truly born again, but she has to deal with those attitude problems.

Work Excuses:
I am busy in the office and after office hours I am tied, in fact too tired to do anything. Let us make out time to do God's work - for it is He that gave us the work and business we are doing.

Lack of Readiness:
Brother, I am not well prepared, I don't know the bible enough and “I’m afraid to talk.” “I don’t know the Bible well enough.” “I’m afraid I’ll offend someone.” “I tried it once and I’m not good at it.” “It’s too personal to discuss.”.  I am not gifted in preaching the word of God, so we just gather to pray for the salvation of souls. Let’s not give excuses. Let’s obey the Lord.

Fear
Fear is a big reason Christians do not win souls. Most Christians fear what to do and how to do it in soul winning. Jeremiah had feared. God destroyed his excuse with Jeremiah 1:8, which says: “Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.” Also in:

2 Timothy 1:7, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

Psalms 81:10, “I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.”

Do not fear being rejected by people. Jesus was despised and rejected of men. We are not out to be popular but to spread the gospel! Some fear they will say the wrong words. The smoothness of your presentation will come with practice. Besides, if the person is on their way to hell, you can do no damage if you are sincerely trying to get them saved. Where love is felt, the message will be heard.

Shyness:  -  This is overcome by experience. A new man on the job may feel awkward for a while until his skills are sharpened and he feels comfortable. The same goes for soul winning. The more you do it, the more comfortable you will be.

Lack of Deep Bible Knowledge
No one knows the Bible as well as they should. Do not be intimidated if someone asks you the age-old questions about “who made God?” and “where did Cain get a wife?” and other foolishness. Politely tell them that whatever is not written in the bible is not important, and so if the bible did not tell us where Cain's wife came from, then it's not important for us to know.

  

FIRE...






Post a Comment

Previous Post Next Post