SOUL-WINNING:
Who Should Do It?
Devotional Reading – “He that Winneth Souls,” Proverbs 11:30, 31.
Aim: To emphasize the fact that every believer should seek to win the lost
Home Readings
Monday: New Convert Could Do it, John 4:28,29,39
Tuesday: Restored Backslider Could Do It, Psalm 51:10-13
Wednesday: Demon-Freed Man Could Do It, Mark 5:15-20.
Thursday: Philip Could Do It, John 1:43-47
Friday: Apostles Could Do It, Acts 5:17-25
Saturday: Healed Blind Man Could Do It, Luke 18:40-43.
Sunday: Every Believer Should Do It, Revelation 22:16-19.
1. Every True Church.
One sentence in the lesson text states, “And let him that heareth say, Come.” This statement is usually taken to mean every born again person should invite sinners to receive Christ. The inclination to tell others about the Lord is probably the first spiritual inclination a new believer has. Such an inclination should remain with that believer all of his life. “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:” (Colossians 2:6). Certainly every believer should seek to lead the lost to a saving knowledge of Christ Jesus.
The first sentence in the lesson text states, “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come.” As a preceding lesson indicates the power of the Spirit for evangelism is with the churches who have the authority for evangelism. Conspicuously, the Bible puts “The Spirit and the bride” together. That does not mean the Spirit never works outside a New Testament church (the bride), but it does teach God gave the Spirit of evangelism to empower His churches to fulfill His commission.In the New Testament it is difficult to find commands to witness apart from those given to New Testament churches (Luke 24:46-48; Acts 1:8). Even the words of the lesson text were originally given to John by the Lord for His churches. “I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.” (Revelation 22:16).
Another interpretation of the lesson text views “the Spirit and the bride” and “him that heareth” inviting the Lord to return. There is much about the return of Christ in that chapter. However, such a desire is not removed from the spirit of evangelism. Those who truly yearn for the Lord’s return are going to be the most ardent personal workers. And, there lives will be clean to witness for Christ (1 John 3:3).
2. Every Member.
If every believer should witness for Christ, certainly every member of every church of the Lord should. This is the only way a church can really witness. This was the practice of the churches of the New Testament. “Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.” (Acts 8:4). The apostles remained in Jerusalem (Acts 8:1), but other members of the first church carried the Gospel everywhere..Every Pastor. The pastor must be a witness for Christ. God does not expect the pastor to do all the personal work, but if he isn’t evangelistic, the church he pastors will not be. The pastor has a duty to set the example by being evangelistic in his preaching, teaching, and visitation. Since he is the overseer of the flock and since evangelism is the work of the flock, he is to direct or oversee the members as they do personal work (Acts 20:28).
Some pastors have so many responsibilities, they have little time or energy to devote to prayer, Bible Study, and meditation; consequently they have very little time to devote to personal evangelism. Churches and the pastor should avoid his becoming so loaded down (Acts 6:2-4).
Every Deacon. Some say the work of a pastor is to see after the spiritual things of a church, and the work of a deacon is to see the material things of a church.
It is this writer’s considered opinion that God expects every member, the deacon included, to see after the spiritual things first. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33). Material matters are secondary. The qualifications for deacons indicate they should be men of spiritual maturity. “Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.” (1 Timothy 3:9). Those who “used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 3:13). A person who is not interested in evangelism is certainly not deacon material.
Every Officer and Teacher. There are many who serve God in places of leadership through the local church organizations. With the cooperation of these the pastor can expand his ministry many times over. Without their cooperation his load is greater. Moreover, in seeking qualified workers, a church should seek out those who are doctrinally sound, spiritually dedicated, and evangelistically soul-minded. Alas, alas, this has long been a difficult task! “Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” (Matthew 9:37, 38). Prayer for more qualified workers is always in order as ordered by our Lord.Every Parent. Parents must not overlook the obligation and the opportunity to be a witness for Christ to their children. Too many take the position of not wanting to leave the impression they are exerting an influence on their children. Some children have gotten to their teens, and their parents have said, “I haven’t said anything to my child about Christ.”
If the parents do not exert their influence in spiritual matters, the world will in unspiritual matters. Timothy’s mother and grandmother were great influence on his spiritual well-being (2 Timothy 1:5; 3:15). A parent is derelict of his duty if he neglects to be a personal witness to his own children.
3. Qualifications.
There are five personal requirements for a personal soul-winner. First, he must have a personal assurance of salvation. If he is not saved, it will be difficult for him to point others to Christ. Second, he must have a personal consciousness that people are lost (Romans 3:23). Otherwise, he would see no need to witness. Third, he must have faith in Christ as the only Saviour. Only Christ has shed His blood to atone for sin (1 John 1:7). The personal worker must believe is this explicitly, or else he is working for Satan. Fourth, he must have a personal practice of public and private prayer. Without an active prayer life the personal worker is defeated before he begins. With prayer he is ready to witness to the lost (Matthew 7:7-11). Fifth, he must have a personal dependence on the Holy Spirit for results. By the Spirit God convicts sinners and draws them to Christ (John 6:44; 16:8-11). The soul-winner can do nothing without God’s help (John 15:5); therefore he must rely on God’s Spirit to give results.There are three personal characteristics which each soul-winner must possess. First, he must have a personal compassion for the lost. All the personal requirements will not reach one lost soul if the personal worker has no concern for the lost. The example of the Lord indicates this (Matthew 9:36). Second, he must have a personal knowledge of the Bible. The soul-winner must have confidence in the Word of God. The Word is what God uses in conviction spirit of faithfulness. “Quitter never win, and winner never quit” is a good slogan for personal worker. “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9).
