USA for Jesus

Soul Winning! Lesson # 1.

How long has it been since you heard a teaching on this subject? It seems that not many people are that interested in winning souls. They would rather hear teaching that would be a benefit to them selves in some way. Without realizing that being a soul winner is perhaps the greatest blessing next to having Jesus in you.

The very first thought I want to bring out is the need for the love of God. We will never be fruitful without it. The love for self is the greatest hindrance and it destroys the testimony of the believer. If we haven’t ever experienced the grace of God in our own lives then we know nothing of the cross and the great changes that take place when one surrenders his will and takes up the new abundant life in Christ Jesus.

It is quite possible to have a clear understanding of the gospel of our Lord Jesus and be able to explain it to others but if we haven’t a genuine concern for the ones we are endeavoring to reach, they will discern it and we will turn them away.  The soul that has a genuine love for Christ will manifest it in his love for the lost.

We should never boast of ourselves or of our Churches, Jesus says, “ If I be lifted up I will draw all men unto me.” If you are not sure what you should say just start by exalting Jesus and pointing out how great he is. It also is important to be a good listener this will reveal an interest in them and at the same time give you an opportunity to find out where they are at spiritually. We should not assume that they have never heard the gospel nor should we assume that because they have been raised in a Christian home and are members of a church, that they have good understanding. In either case we simply want to discern where they are and help them to come know Christ Jesus.

Therefore don’t feel that you are wasting your time in listening to them.

We are not commanded to go and make converts but we are commanded to go and preach the gospel and make disciples. When we try to make converts they soon resent it, they feel the pressure and become uncomfortable. It is not our place to convert them. That is the work of the Holy Spirit. We need not to focus on their sin but if we preach Christ Jesus crucified then the Holy Spirit will bring the conviction that Christ Jesus suffered because of their sin. I am not saying we don’t preach about sin, we most definitely do. But we should not direct our focus on their sin. Instead we direct our focus on the fallen state of man- kind in general then we can speak the whole council of God. They need to hear the truth if however we unwisely put them on the defensive, they won’t hear it. Don’t assume just because they are uncomfortable, that it is because they are under conviction. I have made many people uncomfortable unnecessary.

Avoid having a canned message; if we find ourselves always presenting the gospel in the same way, it can be lacking the anointing that we desire. If we depend upon our knowledge and past experience then we are not being led by the Holy Spirit, the anointing will be there for those who depend upon his leading. Another common mistake is to assume it is up to you to bring this person to Christ Jesus at this particular time. There is a time and place for every- thing; a Spirit led person will know the time to speak or to listen, to go or to stay. Don’t leave if it is time to stay but don’t stay if it is time to leave. Don’t try to reap when it is time to sow and don’t fail to reap in the day of harvest.