Church of Christ Sermons and Lessons for 2012

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The Life of a Soul Winner 

Introduction: 

“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he who wins souls is wise.”  (Proverbs 11:20)   “Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever.”  (Daniel 12:3, II Timothy 2:2)  If I’ve been saved, I ought to be engaged in the work of saving others. It is not an option! How I go about it (method) is an option.   
Examples:  Door-knockers, invitations to services, literature distribution, home-Bible studies, use of films or VCR tapes, internet. . . Since all of us are to be in some way soul-winners, we need to ask, “What kind of a person is the Lord’s soul-winner?” 

Text:  Psalms 119:25-32 

Body: 

1.   Must Be Spiritually Alive   (Verse 25)

A dead sinner can’t preach/teach the living Christ out of the living Word.  (Ephesians 2:1)  “And you He made alive, who were dead in (your) trespasses and sins.”  Quote Hebrews 4:12.  “For the Word of God is living. . .”  Only by abiding in Christ can we be alive and able to bear fruit.       (John 15:5) 

2.   Must Be Prayerful   (Verse 26)

H. Leo Boles models the following statement in the book, The Ideal Teacher, “He who seeks to teach without prayer seeks to do God’s work without God’s help.”  Soul-winning is God’s Work!  We need to go to our God and pray for a great harvest.  (Matthew 9:36-38)  If we desire growth of the kingdom both here and in the world, we must petition Jehovah.   

3.   Must Be A student of the Word   (Verse 26b)

You must study the Bible your entire life.  The better you know it, the more likely that you will be a better soul-winner.  (Acts 8:1, 4)  Study especially that great book of conversions – Acts.  It has been called the Hub of the Bible.  Examine different methods used in teaching the gospel.  Also read good books on soul-winning.  There are many out there.  Decide which method is best suited for you.  In addition, since you will encounter people from many different religious backgrounds, study various religious errors to enable you to answer their questions.  This is what Paul did in Athens.  (Mars Hill) – Acts 17)   Read Acts 17:22-23. 

4.   Must Open His Mouth   (Verse 27)   [NKJ meditate, KJ talk]

The Hebrew word includes both.  The teacher ponders and contemplates God’s Word and then; because of what he has been studying, speaks out and expresses it.  This is similar to Jeremiah 20:9.  We need the same attitude.  “Sin of closed lip” is when we do not teach.  Learn a lesson from Peter and John.  (Acts 4:18-20)  When we preach Jesus to honest hearts, the result will be the same as in Acts 8:35-36. 

5.   Must Possess A Good, Compassionate Heart   (Verse 28)

People need to know how much we care.  We need to be like Jeremiah.  This verse teaches that our concern for souls of others should motivate us to tell them the TRUTH!  We must be firm (“strengthen me”) with God’s Word.  We can’t water it down to make people feel good.  When a cancer drug is not at the proper strength, it is not effective.  We owe it to them to be honest about what the Bible tells them to do to be saved.  We must stand for the right and have strong convictions.  (Galatians 2:4-5)  It is so important the condition of our heart, when we tell them.  Example:  Two preachers may have the same message, “Unless you repent, you will be lost.”  People thought one was filled with sorrow, but the other seemed glad.  The effective soul-winner needs a good, compassionate heart. 

6.   He Lives Right   (Verse 29)

Honesty is the basis for all moral character.  Take away honesty and nothing is left.  The Lord’s soul-winners must be genuine and sincere.    (II Corinthians 1:12) He needs to be an embodiment of the truth.                (II Corinthians 4:2)  There is a story when someone asked a foreign visitor what he thought of Christians.  “I might have become one if I hadn’t met so many who claimed to be one.” 

7.   Chooses the Way of Truth   (Verse 30)

Notice he did not choose what was popular or entertaining or fun.  The truth can be awfully narrow!  Error covers all the other ground.   (Matthew 7:13-14)   Couple that with John 6:63.

1. There is only one church.

2. Baptism is essential to salvation.

3. There is only one cause for divorce and remarriage.

These are not popular, but they are the truth! 

8.   The Lord’s Soul-winner Sticks to the Word   (Verse 31)

He doesn’t say, “I think” or “I feel”, but what does the Bible say?  The Lord rebuked the Pharisees for doing what they wanted, instead of obeying the Word.  (Mark 7:9, 13)  The soul-winner must speak the Word because that is what the world needs to hear.  The gospel is God’s power to salvation, nothing else is.  So stick to the Word! 

Closing: 

Don’t we all want to be soul-winners?  The soul-winner has the greatest news to proclaim of all time.  Read Luke 2:8-11.  Sharing this good news will produce joy unspeakable in your life.  People have the opportunity to experience eternal bliss in heaven by having sins forgiven while on earth.  Tell them about Jesus now! 

Invitation: 

To be a soul-winner, you must first be made spiritually alive. 

1. Believe

2. Repent

3. Confess

4. Be Baptized

If you have already done this, are you living the life of a soul-winner? 

Bobby Stafford

October 14, 2012