MY MONTH OF SOUL WINNING
It shall be your month to shine, stand out and be outstanding because the bible says "Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever" Dan 12:3
I prophecy to you this month that you will gain insight into the things of God and the God that guides will give you good rewards that will help you to shine. "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. "(Proverb 11:30). This month the spirit of winning souls will possess you and you shall win souls. It is wise to win souls for Jesus! This month God will inspire us afresh to obey the demand of heaven, to win souls. You will like Peter have only one mission and one declaration this month- "I go afishing."
What is soul winning?
The term "soul-winning" simply refers to the practice of trying to lead lost sinners to the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. Soul winning is the chief business of the Christian minister; indeed, it is the main pursuit of every true believer. Soul winning is the art of obeying God that says "… Go ye into the entire world, and preach the gospel to every creature." Soul winning is any approach, method, which Christians or believers used to get sinners to turn from their wickedness and darkness to God. Soul winning is a metaphor for evangelism, or witnessing. Soul winning, is a good course to pursue.
Why we are not winning souls.
Most of us are not winning souls because we either take delight in thinking that soul winning is the job of pastors, ministers and shepherds or someone else or even God! It reminds me of the tale of the pious young man whose car broke down on his way to his place of worship. He had to walk through an area where homeless people huddle against buildings for warmth, alcoholics and mentally ill adults wandered the streets and crack dealers sold drugs to kids. He was overcome with a sense of despondency and doubt about the power and intentions of God. "God," he prayed, "how can you allow all these pain and misery and do nothing?" Receiving no answer, he became frustrated and raised his voice, "Lord, my faith is at issue! How can you allow all these sufferings and do nothing?" Then someone behind him whispered, "He didn't do nothing, He made you." My friend you are made to win souls, multiply the kingdom of God not just the earth! Let me give you more reasons why you must win souls.
Why you must win souls.
1. It is commanded: Soul winning is not an option. It is not a spiritual gift. It is not a church growth program. It is an unequivocal, unavoidable command of God.
2. Because there is hell: Psalm 9:17 still says, "The wicked shall be turned into Hell and all the nations that forget God." Revelation 21:8 says those without Christ will have their part in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone. In the month of May we were in Ostersund Sweden. On arrival in Stockholm we took a train to Ostersund. While in the train we spoke to two people to find out the nature of belief of Swedish people. It was quite revealing when we were told that there, generally Pastors don't talk about hell. Our theme for the conference was 'Redeeming the Time' but my message was changed to 'What gospel are you preaching?' When we are privileged to share as ministers we must preach the balanced gospel. Everyone on earth cannot go to heaven even though that is the wish of God, but God has created Satan and the fallen angels and there are those that will not believe God or will not serve God in truth. "But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars-they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death" Rev 21:8
3. Because there is Heaven: Gen 1:1 "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." Many years ago I remember we were attending a conference of Nigeria Society of Chemical Engineers at Obafemi Awolowo University, in Ife, Nigeria. And in my characteristic way of preaching the gospel, to win the soul of some of my colleagues, one of them pulled me, aside, and asked- "Dada, tell me where is heaven?" Without any rigmarole I asked "do you believe there is God?"- he nodded his head, who does not believe? Well I said "Wherever God is that to me is heaven, because the scripture says "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool..." Isaiah 66:1. What a wonderful blessing it will be to be reunited with loved ones for eternity. What a privilege it will be for us to see those living forever in Heaven, to whom we have given the Gospel of Christ.
4. That is why Jesus recruited us. "And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men." Mark 1:17. One of the reasons Jesus recruited disciples is to make them soul winners, this is what he called fishers of men. That is why when Peter preached in one day 3000 human fishes were called.
What is the Purpose of Soul Winning?
The main purpose of soul wining is to win souls. It is to make sure when we leave this world we make heaven. There are two reasons Jesus has not come back. Firstly, Jesus said "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." Matt 24:14; Secondly, Peter said: "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." To accelerate the Second Coming of Jesus we have to be aggressive in soul winning business.
How Do You Win Souls? Follow Jesus pattern that I gleaned according to John chapter four.
1. Any location. Jesus said - "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere-in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts1:8. To be a soul winner you must have the willingness to win souls. You may have an impression, to go to specific place. You must share the gospel wherever you find yourself, schools, cabs, airplanes, farm land, malls, offices, street souls, wells, nations etc. Jesus won souls wherever he got to.
2. Any Conversation: Jesus saith unto her, "Give me to drink." John 4:7. To win souls, any conversation starter is good enough. Everyone in life has a story. Most people like to engage in conversation. Everyone has some level of history and knowledge and wants to display it. Nobody wants to show his ignorance, use any conversation to trigger soul winning. Talk about politics, sports, weather, food, drink, geography, science.
3. Not Any Water (Religion): Jesus said "…but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." Jesus started by asking for physical water and ended up by offering spiritual water. There are many religions in this world, but there is only one true one. Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Point every man to the true God. Preaching is not about philosophy. Soul winning is not about babbling, it is about getting the person to understand, they need the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior and point them to heaven. Jesus pointed the woman to heaven.
4. Any Word of Knowledge: Jesus said 18 for you have had five husbands, and you aren't even married to the man you're living with now. You certainly spoke the truth!" John 4:18(NLT). One of the ways to get a soul to appreciate God is to speak supernaturally, as led by the Holy Spirit. Pray for word of knowledge and a word of wisdom. Pray for a miracle. God uses miracles to turn the hearts of people to Him.
5. Not Any Messaiah(Jesus): "The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.26 Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he."John 4:25-26. Point every soul to Jesus. Jesus is the Lord. Jesus is the resurrection. He has identified himself.
6. Not Any Decision- "The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men,29 Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?"John 4:28-29. Challenge the person to make a decision for Jesus. By the time Jesus finished with the woman, she became a soul winner. Don't leave the person without ensuring you ask them if they want to accept Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior.
Romans 10:9 says, that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
Conclusion: All believers are expected by God to make an effort to lead others to Jesus Christ for Salvation. Unfortunately, people are selfish and self-centered by nature and seek not the things of the Lord. Paul, Stephen, Barnabas, John Mark, Silas, all the apostles were soul winners, they fulfilled the purpose for which Jesus recruited them. So many Believers have been choked by the cares and riches of this present world. It's difficult to find Believers that truly have a heart's concern to see sinners saved anymore. Sadly-music, TV, sports, cars, sex, alcohol, drugs, casinos, the stock market, parties, lotteries, social media and Hollywood have become the false gods of this generation. Certainly, each of us can do more for Christ in our personal soul-winning efforts. This month purpose in your heart to win souls for the one that died for you, more importantly depopulate hell and populate heaven. Shalom
Dr Amos Dada is a Christian practitioner and the Convener of International Gathering of Eagles Conference and District Superintendent of Christ Apostolic Church Bethel Toronto and author of the following books:
To The Rescue (Say No To Corruption) a fictional novel
Dream Dreams and have dominion
The way forward
Destroying curses and evil covenant
Making the church relevant to the society
Understanding Principle, Power, Purpose and People of Vision
What is faith?
Turning curses to blessing.
