Soul Winning
Soul Winning
INTRODUCTION
Notes taken from "The Divine Art of Soul Winning," by J. O. Sanders; "The Soul Winner’s Fire," by .John R. Rice, also notes of L. E. Maxwell’s messages.
Proverbs 11:30. "He that winneth souls is wise." See also Daniel 12:3.
Psalms 126:5-6. "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." Few are called to be preachers, but every born again Christian is called to be a soul winner-one who deals individually and personally with souls.
Preachers and missionaries often get so busy with meetings and classes that they forget the private touch of personal soul winning.
Story of pastor’s bad dream: He stood at the judgment bar and God asked, "Where are the souls of your friends and servants?" "I don’t know, Lord," he said, and sank into hell. As he finished relating the story to his wife he fell over dead.
Soul winning is a definite effort to lead a definite person to accept a definite Saviour at a definite time (Billy Sunday) .
Small calibre men won Moody and Spurgeon. Andrew brought Peter to Christ.
"If I were utterly selfish and had no care for anything but my own happiness. I would choose, if I might under God, to be a soul winner, for never did I know perfect overflowing, unutterable happiness of the purest and ennobling order till I first heard of one who had sought and found the Saviour through my means." Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
I. REASONS FOR BEING A SOUL WINNER
The worth of a soul. We may be the only one who can make an impression on that particular soul, and his soul is worth more than all the world. Mark 8:35-38.
The fact of hell. If we truly believed that souls were headed for a lost eternity of hell fire, brimstone, torture, blackness, anguish and pain forever, we would surely do all in our power to persuade men to turn from sin to Jesus Christ.
The sufferings of Christ on the cross for each sinner. Did He suffer in vain?
The emptiness, folly and vanity of this world In Christ we have found something and we have something positive and enduring to present to our friends.
The desire to have the family circle complete in heaven. Wouldn’t it be sad to know that one relative was missing because we were lazy or careless?
The glories of heaven drive the soul winner on to have others share these.
The personal rewards that are offered to faithful soul winners-crowns, etc.
NEEDS OF A PERSONAL WORKER
He must be saved himself and be sure of his own salvation (Lesson 51) 2 He must live a pure life, inside and outside - a life surrendered to Jesus Christ.
He must work in a spirit of love and perseverance,not be arrogant or overbearing.
He must have a fair knowledge of the Bible and know how to use the Bible. Many shy away from personal work, excusing themselves with their ignorance of the Bible. Actually, ignorance is no excuse. Study the Bible diligently. God says in James 1:5, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not: and it shall be given him."
He must be a man of prayer, relying on the Lord to convert the sinner.
His life must be powerful in that it is filled with the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 5:18.
"And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit."
He must have a compassion for lost souls--a passion for the lost. If he does not, he will work with a dead, mechanical, dispassionate concern, and the individual will respond accordingly.
GOD’S WAY IN SOUL WINNING, Psalms 126:5-6
The“Go” in soul winning-"He that goeth forth...”
Do not wait for the sinner to speak to you or open the conversation. God’s order is that we go to him and maneuver the conversation to salvation.
The broken heart in soul winning. “it. . . weepeth . . ."
Jesus wept over Jerusalem. His heart was full of compassion for the lost.
Jeremiah in Jeremiah 9:1 wishes that he might weep day and night for Israel. Paul wept for souls. Acts 20:19. "... with many tears and temptations...?
Acts 20:31, "I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears."
The Word of God. "...bearing precious seed. . ."
Do not expect people to be converted by your rhetoric, logic or arguments. Peter tells us that men are born again by the Word of God. 1 Peter 1:23. Jesus exhorts us in the parable of the Sower and the Seed to use good seed. One verse might be sufficient and generally a mass of verses only confuses. Learn verses by memory. At least learn the reference so that you can find it. Depend on the Word of God for conviction of sin and renewing in faith.
The certainty of results. "...shall doubtless come again...bringing his sheaves...”
You will not win every one that you talk to. But you will win some. Would it not he wonderful if we won 2% of them to the Lord. Also, we may talk to the same person ten times and then win him the eleventh time.
Each conversation is perhaps a link in the chain drawing others to Christ. (One seed for the crow, one for the cutworm, one that doesn’t sprout, one to grow.)
The soul winner’s joy, "... shall come again with rejoicing. . ." "reap in joy. . .”
The Bible speaks of rejoicing in heaven over one sinner that repents. Luke 15:7-10.
Isaiah 53:11, "He shall see of the travail of His soul and shall be satisfied." The joy of personal salvation is often superseded by the joy of soul winning.
PROCEDURE AND GENERAL RULES
Seek and pray for opportunities, and then use them. Don’t wait for a more convenient season.
Lead directly to a definite acceptance of Christ. It is quite possible to talk about Christ, the Bible and related subjects, but never face the main issue.
Deal with your own age and sex if possible. However, if the Spirit (not self) prompts you to speak to someone else, don’t hesitate: proceed at once.
Be courteous. Don’t be overbearing or too talkative. Let them speak, too. Don’t argue.
Avoid familiarities. Some might appreciate it but the most people resent it.
Deal with the person alone if at all possible. In a crowd he will "save face" with excuses, but alone he is more apt to open up to you, heart to heart.
Always keep confidences. If he confesses sins, etc...remember the Bible says, James 5:20, "He which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death and shall hide a multitude sins."
Don’t be drawn into an argument. The devil uses this as a sidetrack from conversion.
Don’t rely on your own ability or experience. Keep silently praying for guidance.
Don’t become impatient. It is a tremendous decision—the greatest decision in life--and it is only right that people consider well before taking the step.
Deal with sinners as if you are a fellow sinner - not a superior being.
CONCLUSION When the person is ready to make the decision, get him to kneel if possible.
Pray for him and with him, but get him to pray audibly too if possible.
After prayer give him some verse of the Bible for assurance of salvation.
If possible, keep in contact with him and continue to instruct the convert.
Get him to witness and work for Christ at once.
If your attempts fail, keep praying, keep trying and God will give grace and fruit. REVIEW QUESTIONS
List 4 passages of Scripture that emphasize soul winning.
Give 7 reasons for being a soul winner.
What are the 7 requirements of being a soul winner?
Quote James 1:5. as it is an encouragement to the soul winner.
Comment on the part that tears have in soul winning.
On what two things can the soul winner rely very heavily for positive results ?
What is the threefold joy when a person is converted?
List the eleven general rules in soul winning.
Which point in question 528. do you consider most important? Why?
How do you actually lead a soul to Jesus Christ?