Effective soul-winning is not possible without the Holy Spirit; the third person of the Trinity is not just an inanimate force, power or wind which has no personality. He is a wholesome person-John 16:7-5; John 14:16-26; 15:26. He is a wholesome person as the father and the Son. He is co-equal. Co-eternal with the father and son- Acts 5:3,4,9.
In order to be effective soul winners we need to realize that this is the age of the Holy Spirit. He is the one in-charge now since He came down fully on the day of Pentecost. He is the spirit of the harvest; he is to search our bride for Christ. His time is now.
(A) AUTHOR OR NEW BIRTH AND NEW LIFE.
- Convicts of sin-John 16:17-11
- Redeems-John 3:3-5
- Regenerates-Titus 3:-5
- Frees from sin-Rom 8:2
- Changes lives-I Sam. 10:6-9; John 3:3-5
- Bear witness- John 15:26; Rom. 8:14-16
- Wash sins away, sanctify and justify-I Cor. 6:11
- Seals to the day of redemption- Eh 1:13; 4:30.
- Adopts into the God’s Family-Rom. 8:14- 16.
- Gives victory over sins and devil- Isa 59:19; Gal 5:16-19.
(B) HIS WORKS IN THE CHURCH
- Appoints men into offices of the Gospel work-Acts 13:1-4; 10:15.
- Chooses field of operation-Acts 16-6-7
- Imparts Spiritual gifts-1 Cor. 12:4-11
- Forms the Body of Christ-1 Cor. 12:13.
- Endue with power for the task – Judges 11:29; Acts 1:8; Micah 3:8
- Directs gospel work and confirms the gospel – Isa. 48:16; Acts 11:12; Heb. 2:3- 4; Rom. 15:18-19; 1 Cor. 2:4-5.
- Cleanses the church-Acts 5:1-10
- Unites believers in the body-1 Cor. 12:13
- Transforms us to Christ’s image – II Cor. 3:18; Jude 20
- Gives anointing and skill for Gospel work – Isa. 61:1; II Cor. 1:21-22; 1 John 2:20- 27.
From the above we could see that the Holy Spirit occupy place of prime importance in the work of Soul-winning. For us to truly know His power and experience success sin our soul-winning efforts we will need to do the following:
- Desire and hunger for Him – John 15:5; Isa. 44:3; Ps. 144:2
- Be full with the Spirit-Eph. 5:18
- Seek His leading and guidance – Acts 16:6-7; 16:9
- Fellowship and commune with Him Rom. 8:26; II Cor. 13:14
- Be obedient to Him-Acts 5:32
As we wait upon the Holy Spirit and spend time communing with Him He will surely led us to the right person to witness to and win for Christ.
Recommended Reading
RAISING A HEALTHY CHURCH: Health Christians, Healthy Churches
Ten Types of Laziness and How to Escape Them
20 Practicable Ideas For A Successful marriage
(C) THE GREAT COMMISSION OR THE GREAT OMISSION Matt 28:19-20, Luke 24:47-48; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8
The above passages reveal to us what is commonly called the great commission witnessing of Christ. These are the last words of our Lord Jesus Christ before His ascension. The last words of a dying man are highly regarded in the bible (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, David and the Lord Jesus). They hold much power and key for those whom they are spoken and always obeyed without question. These last words of our Lord therefore must get our whole-hearted obedience. He Himself exemplified it while He was here.
1. He came to save – Luke 19:10; John 17:18; 9:4; Luke 2:49; 1 Tim 1:15; Matt 4:19; Luke 9:60; 14:23.
He came to save souls and He specialized in the art of soul-winning. This was the driving passion of His heart. He lost any opportunity. Nobody was neglected. He talked to individuals, preached in villages and cities and taught in synagogues and mountain sides. He held crusades, seminars, retreats and taught others to do the same work – make them fishers of men. He lived and worked in reality of the fact that he was sent and commissioned to save the lost humanity by preaching, praying, miracles and eventually dying for them on the cross. In His obedience to be great ask He constantly manifested.
- Zeal – Luke 2:42, 46-50; John 4:5,6,7,31- 34;9:4
- Compassion – Matt 9:34-38; 17:1-4; 14- 19; John 11:35, 36.
- Humility and lowliness Luke 7:36-50; Luke 19:1-10
- Faith, fearlessness and power – Mark 5:1- 20; John 11:38-45, 48.
- Self-denial, consecration and diligence – Matt 14:9-21; Luke 23:33-43; 19:13; 2 Tim 4:2.
- Love, kindness and mercy – John 8:1-11; Mark 1:1-5
- Clarity and charity – Mark 10:17-30; Matt. 15:25-28; Luke 13:1-5
- Wisdom and tack – John 4:7, 10, 14, 15- 18, 25, 26, 28-30, 40-42.
Since He is our example in all things, it should be our utmost desire to be like Him and live for what He lived for.
2. The great omission What should be our great commission today has sadly become the great omission. The church has sadly neglected this great command of our Lord. We have found many reasons to disobey the great commission that Christ came, worked, lived and died for and pass down to us (John 20:21). We would rather do many other things today than to witness and win souls. Personal evangelism has been sadly neglected in most churches and replaced with non-essentials. Reasons for the great omission are numerous, here are few!