SOUL-WINNING:Notable Example
Text: 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10
Devotional Reading: Persuasion and Consequence, Acts 19:8-10, 18-20.
Aim: To present Biblical example of soul-winning with their practical lesson and challenge.
Home Readings
Monday - Jesus and Zacchaeus, Luke 19:1-10
Tuesday – Peter and John and the Five Thousand, Acts 4:1-4.
Wednesday – Philip and Ethiopian, Acts 8:26-39
Thursday – Peter and Gentile Cornelius, Acts 11:1-18.
Friday – Paul and Silas and Lydia, Acts 16:12-15, 40
Saturday – Paul and Silas and Philippian Jailer, Acts 16:25-34.
Sunday – A Mighty Witness and Result, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10.
1. The Lord
Many examples of personal work are found in the Bible. The examples of the Lord illustrate how it should be done. His commands make it imperative. His teachings emphasize it. An entire lesson could be devoted to the personal work of the Lord, Whose primary purpose is “to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). Only a few brief examples are presented here however.
The individual nature of Christ’s personal work is reflected in His dealings with Nicodemus (John 3). In private conversation with him at night, Jesus revealed the spiritual need of all men to the ruler of the Jews. “Ye must be born again” was the basic message (John 3:7). The Lord used an Old Testament incident to teach the plan of salvation (John 3:14,15). His work was successful, because Nicodemus revealed his devotion to Christ at the cross (John 19:39-42).
The Lord dealt with a “woman of Samaria” at a public well (John 4:6,7). His conversation with her profoundly presented God and true worship (John 4:21-24). That personal interview resulted in her becoming a believer, others of the city believing, and probably laid the foundation for a successful mission work in the future (John 4:29, 39, 41, 42; Acts 8:5, 12).
While preaching to a house full of people, the Lord took time to save a paralytic (Mark 2:5). The Lord was never too busy to deal with individuals, because people are saved one by one. He ignored a throng of people to deal personally with Zacchaeus (Luke 19:5).
The Lord’s dealings with an outcast, who was previously blind, indicates He deliberately sought individuals to talk with them about salvation (John 9:35-38).
Each example is a challenge to deal with people personally about their souls regardless of their station in life. But, perhaps no example is so challenging as Christ’s work with the thief dying alongside Him (Luke 23:43). If Christ saved someone as he was dying for everyone, surely the individual believer has a challenge to be a witness for the Lord on any occasion.
2. John the Baptist.
The personal work of John the Baptist must not be ignored. The way this great preacher of righteousness pointed sinners to the Lamb of God is a tremendous challenge for soul-winning. His example is worthy of consideration by all personal workers.
The humility of John cannot go unnoticed. He always put Christ first (John 1:15, 26, 27, 29-34). There was no ambition on his part to begin a kingdom for himself.
John was uncompromising in his stand for truth. He preached repentance and demanded a profession of faith in Christ (Matthew 3:2, 7-12). Pressure from false religion leaders did not sway him.
John won many sinners to Christ. The first thirteen apostles and “Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus” were all disciples of John before the Lord called them to follow Him (Acts 1:21-26). John’s attitude toward their following Christ is a challenge to each believer to work for Christ unselfishly (John 3:30-36).
To study the example of this great preacher, one realizes why the Lord commended him so highly (Matthew 11:9, 11). Those who carry the title of being Baptists should follow his example to qualify for it.
3. Peter.
After the Lord’s resurrection Peter became a great personal worker. His message on the day of Pentecost indicates he become a leader in that work (Acts 2;14-40). With John he continued to witness for Christ faithfully (Acts 3:12-26). With the other apostles he continued to witness in the midst of persecution. “And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.” (Acts 5:42).
When Peter finally got out of Jerusalem, he continued to preach Christ everywhere he went. He visited “the saints which dwelt at Lydda,” probably a church (Acts 9:32). God used his witness there (Acts 9:35). As a result of his witness in Joppa, “many believed in the Lord” (Acts 9:42).
Peter’s witness to Cornelius and his house in Caesarea is recorded in great detail (Acts 10, 11). Peter’s role was to tell Cornelius “words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved” (Acts 11:14). That experience taught Peter, the other apostles, and the rest of the Jerusalem Church a great lesson of witnessing to everyone (Acts 11:18).
4. Stephen and Philip.
Stephen, “a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost,” was a faithful witness for Christ (Acts 7). Some feel he was a failure, because he led no one to the Lord personally according to the Bible. Yet, his testimony may have been what the Spirit used to bring conviction on Saul of Tarsus. At any rate, Stephen’s example teaches a believer should witness faithfully and leave the results to God.
Philip is another splendid example of witnessing for Christ “Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.” (Act 8:5). God blessed his work (Acts 8:12). Philip personal work with the Ethiopian teaches the use of God’s Word in witnessing (Acts 8:30-35). Preaching Christ Jesus from the Scriptures is God’s way of dealing with lost mankind. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17).
Philip did not stop with the Ethiopian. “But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.” (Acts 8:40). He was still at Caesarea when Paul went through there some years later (Acts 21:8).
5. Paul.
More of the personal work of Paul is presented in the Bible than any other follower of Christ. Without fanfare he went about winning people to Christ as he moved from one field to another. He used a variety of methods in reaching sinners. He preached, taught, interviewed individually, went from house to house, and even performed miracles to do personal soul-winning. His loved for Christ and lost souls is unquestioned.
“I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,
“That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.
“For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:” (Romans 9:1-3).
“Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.(Romans 10:1).
One of the most famous examples of Paul’s personal work was with a jailor of Philippi. The jailor asked Paul and Silas, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30). When the sinner is so ready to be saved, personal workers should remember the answer of Paul and Silas. “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” (Acts 16:31). After that the jailor “rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.” (Acts 16:34).
Text: 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10
Devotional Reading: Persuasion and Consequence, Acts 19:8-10, 18-20.
Aim: To present Biblical example of soul-winning with their practical lesson and challenge.
Home Readings
Monday - Jesus and Zacchaeus, Luke 19:1-10
Tuesday – Peter and John and the Five Thousand, Acts 4:1-4.
Wednesday – Philip and Ethiopian, Acts 8:26-39
Thursday – Peter and Gentile Cornelius, Acts 11:1-18.
Friday – Paul and Silas and Lydia, Acts 16:12-15, 40
Saturday – Paul and Silas and Philippian Jailer, Acts 16:25-34.
Sunday – A Mighty Witness and Result, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10.
1. The Lord
Many examples of personal work are found in the Bible. The examples of the Lord illustrate how it should be done. His commands make it imperative. His teachings emphasize it. An entire lesson could be devoted to the personal work of the Lord, Whose primary purpose is “to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). Only a few brief examples are presented here however.
The individual nature of Christ’s personal work is reflected in His dealings with Nicodemus (John 3). In private conversation with him at night, Jesus revealed the spiritual need of all men to the ruler of the Jews. “Ye must be born again” was the basic message (John 3:7). The Lord used an Old Testament incident to teach the plan of salvation (John 3:14,15). His work was successful, because Nicodemus revealed his devotion to Christ at the cross (John 19:39-42).
The Lord dealt with a “woman of Samaria” at a public well (John 4:6,7). His conversation with her profoundly presented God and true worship (John 4:21-24). That personal interview resulted in her becoming a believer, others of the city believing, and probably laid the foundation for a successful mission work in the future (John 4:29, 39, 41, 42; Acts 8:5, 12).
While preaching to a house full of people, the Lord took time to save a paralytic (Mark 2:5). The Lord was never too busy to deal with individuals, because people are saved one by one. He ignored a throng of people to deal personally with Zacchaeus (Luke 19:5).
The Lord’s dealings with an outcast, who was previously blind, indicates He deliberately sought individuals to talk with them about salvation (John 9:35-38).
Each example is a challenge to deal with people personally about their souls regardless of their station in life. But, perhaps no example is so challenging as Christ’s work with the thief dying alongside Him (Luke 23:43). If Christ saved someone as he was dying for everyone, surely the individual believer has a challenge to be a witness for the Lord on any occasion.
2. John the Baptist.
The personal work of John the Baptist must not be ignored. The way this great preacher of righteousness pointed sinners to the Lamb of God is a tremendous challenge for soul-winning. His example is worthy of consideration by all personal workers.
The humility of John cannot go unnoticed. He always put Christ first (John 1:15, 26, 27, 29-34). There was no ambition on his part to begin a kingdom for himself.
John was uncompromising in his stand for truth. He preached repentance and demanded a profession of faith in Christ (Matthew 3:2, 7-12). Pressure from false religion leaders did not sway him.
John won many sinners to Christ. The first thirteen apostles and “Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus” were all disciples of John before the Lord called them to follow Him (Acts 1:21-26). John’s attitude toward their following Christ is a challenge to each believer to work for Christ unselfishly (John 3:30-36).
To study the example of this great preacher, one realizes why the Lord commended him so highly (Matthew 11:9, 11). Those who carry the title of being Baptists should follow his example to qualify for it.
3. Peter.
After the Lord’s resurrection Peter became a great personal worker. His message on the day of Pentecost indicates he become a leader in that work (Acts 2;14-40). With John he continued to witness for Christ faithfully (Acts 3:12-26). With the other apostles he continued to witness in the midst of persecution. “And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.” (Acts 5:42).
When Peter finally got out of Jerusalem, he continued to preach Christ everywhere he went. He visited “the saints which dwelt at Lydda,” probably a church (Acts 9:32). God used his witness there (Acts 9:35). As a result of his witness in Joppa, “many believed in the Lord” (Acts 9:42).
Peter’s witness to Cornelius and his house in Caesarea is recorded in great detail (Acts 10, 11). Peter’s role was to tell Cornelius “words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved” (Acts 11:14). That experience taught Peter, the other apostles, and the rest of the Jerusalem Church a great lesson of witnessing to everyone (Acts 11:18).
4. Stephen and Philip.
Stephen, “a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost,” was a faithful witness for Christ (Acts 7). Some feel he was a failure, because he led no one to the Lord personally according to the Bible. Yet, his testimony may have been what the Spirit used to bring conviction on Saul of Tarsus. At any rate, Stephen’s example teaches a believer should witness faithfully and leave the results to God.
Philip is another splendid example of witnessing for Christ “Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.” (Act 8:5). God blessed his work (Acts 8:12). Philip personal work with the Ethiopian teaches the use of God’s Word in witnessing (Acts 8:30-35). Preaching Christ Jesus from the Scriptures is God’s way of dealing with lost mankind. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17).
Philip did not stop with the Ethiopian. “But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.” (Acts 8:40). He was still at Caesarea when Paul went through there some years later (Acts 21:8).
5. Paul.
More of the personal work of Paul is presented in the Bible than any other follower of Christ. Without fanfare he went about winning people to Christ as he moved from one field to another. He used a variety of methods in reaching sinners. He preached, taught, interviewed individually, went from house to house, and even performed miracles to do personal soul-winning. His loved for Christ and lost souls is unquestioned.
“I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,
“That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.
“For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:” (Romans 9:1-3).
“Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.(Romans 10:1).
One of the most famous examples of Paul’s personal work was with a jailor of Philippi. The jailor asked Paul and Silas, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30). When the sinner is so ready to be saved, personal workers should remember the answer of Paul and Silas. “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” (Acts 16:31). After that the jailor “rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.” (Acts 16:34).
