Spiritual Resources
Text: 2 Corinthians 9:8; Ephesians 6:10.
Devotional Reading: Great Compulsion, Acts 4:13; Psalm 39:2,3.
Aim: To encourage pupils to appropriate the spiritual aids available to every would-be soulwinner.
Home Readings
Monday: Holy Spirit Guidance, Acts 16:6-11.
Tuesday: Holy Spirit Power, Zechariah 4:6; Luke 4:14
Wednesday: Fruit of the Spirit, Galatians 5:22-24.
Thursday: Prayer, Luke 18:1; Acts 10:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Friday: Wisdom, James 1:5-8.
Saturday: Perseverance, Luke 11:5-10
Sunday: The Added Virtues, 2 Peter 1:5-8.
1. The Provision.
Soul-winning is a normal experience for believers. It gives proper motivation to godly living. It helps the saints to love people. It gives a sense of achievement which one cannot attain in any other manner. The greatest need today is for more pastors and church members to be involved in personal soul-winning.And, God certainly provides everything a believer needs to do personal work. “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8). Being a witness for Christ is certainly a “good work” therefore God has abundantly and sufficiently provided every spiritual resource one needs to witness for Christ.
God has provided His Word “That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:17). Moreover, the Word of God provides one with the challenge, the instructions, and the message to witness to the lost.
Some say they cannot talk to lost people about their souls. Yet, the Bible says, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13). Whatever a person needs to witness – courage, knowledge, wisdom, leadership, etc.- God provides, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19).
2. The Power.
There is absolutely no reason for a person to lack power in witnessing. All those who are members of a New Testament church have access to the Spirit’s power to evangelize; moreover only those who fail to claim God’s power lack it.
Paul exhorted the church at Ephesus to claim that power. “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” (Ephesians 6:10). That is tremendous challenge. It challenges God’s people to claim the power God has graciously provided.Regardless of the magnitude of Satan’s power, one is reassured to know God’s power is present. “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). There is no limit to God’s “power that worketh in us.” “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,” (Ephesians 3:20). Satan has many helpers in the spirit world, but God has even more. “And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.” (2 Kings 6: 16) A soul-winner has all the power he needs to be a faithful witness.
3. The Protection.
“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:11). Believers are engaged in a warfare and are called to take a stand for Christ against the Devil. Satan has many tricks by which he ambushes the believers; therefore one needs the whole armor of God.
Since soul-winning is an invasion on Satan’s territory, the soul winner needs to be equipped for spiritual warfare. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”(Ephesians 6:12). The fight is against spirit forces who oppose God and His people, not against flesh and blood.“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” (Ephesians 6:13). The armor, which protects the personal worker, is the very best available, because it is “of God.” God tailored it especially for the warfare of every believer.
Truth. “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;” (Ephesians 6:14). A wide belt pulled the garment together at the waist. The Devil tries to confuse, bewilder, and frustrate the minds of believers by flooding their minds with false teachings. The truth of God’s Word pulls the believer’s thoughts together.
Righteousness. The breastplate protected the chest, especially the heart. “The breastplate of righteousness” refers to clean living and faithful working for the Lord. One cannot convince others of the righteousness of God in Christ, if one does not “live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world” (Titus 2:12)
Gospel. “And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;” (Ephesians 6:15). The word “preparation” indicates a readiness to do battle. Only those who are ready to go to battle with “the Gospel of peace” have this piece of armor. Those who take the Gospel to the lost have beautiful feet (Isaiah 52:7; Romans 10:15).
Faith. “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” (Ephesians 6:16). The shield was large enough for the soldier to crouch behind it. It protected him from the fiery arrows of the enemy. “Above all” underlines the importance of this piece of armor. ‘The shield of faith” is one’s abiding faith in the Lord to give the victory (Galatians 2:20).
Salvation. “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:” (Ephesians 6:17). The believer must know without doubt he belongs to Christ (2 Timothy 1:12; 1 John 5:13). Otherwise, his head is unprotected.
Word. “The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” leaves no doubt concerning the believer’s available weapon. God’s Word is used to defend the faith and to carry the fight to the enemy. The Spirit aids the believer in its use. Read Hebrew 4:;12.
4. The Prayer.
“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” (Ephesians 6:18). There is no way to over emphasize the importance of prayer in personal soul winning. Prayer precedes revival in the heart of an individual, a church, or a nation. “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14). Moreover, prayer is vital to prepare one properly who would be a witness for the Lord.Faithful workers should pray for one another. “And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,” (Ephesians 6:19). Prayer added to the whole armor of God is a tremendous encouragement to the soul winner to be bold and courageous in witnessing. “For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.” (Ephesians 6:20).
The Holy Spirit longs to bless the testimony of those who appropriate the spiritual aids available to every believer. A soul winner has everything he needs to be a witness for Christ. He does not have to go to war without protection. The armor is available to every believer, and it has been thoroughly tested against the enemy.
