Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

He Who Is Wise Wins Souls

Intro.

1. Jesus commissioned His apostles to make disciples (win souls), Matt 28:18-20; Mk 16:15-16 (fishers of men, Mk 1:17).

2. They taught disciples to observe “all things that (He had) commanded them” (Matt 28:20).

3. Apostles were soul-winners; Compelled to follow their example (1 Cor 11:1; Phil 3:17). If we do not win souls, who will?

4. Do you see yourself as a soul-winner? Prov 11:30

a. “The fruit of the righteous…” – “his external influence, itself is a tree of life, namely for others, since his words and actions exert a quickening, refreshing, happy influence upon them.” (K&D)

b. “He who wins souls is wise” – “By this means the wise…becomes a winner of souls” (Keil & Delitzsch).

I. WHY BE A SOUL WINNER?

A. The Lord Commands Us, Heb 5:12.

1. If those who are taught do not become teachers, how shall anyone be saved? 2 Tim 2:2; Rom 10:14-15

2. Parents teach children, Eph 6:4; Family teaches family, Jno 1:40-42; Friend teaches friend, Jno 1:43-46; strangers teach strangers, Acts 16:13-14.

B. Personal Assurance and Responsibility, 1 Tim 4:12-16; Ezek 33:8-9 (“You Never Mentioned Him to Me”); Matt 9:38.

C. The Blessings Obtained, Jas 5:19-20 (save from death).

II. REQUIREMENTS OF SOUL-WINNING?

A. Passion for Lost Souls, Matt 9:35-38 (16:26).

B. Knowledge of God’s Word, cf. 2 Tim 1:5; 2:2, 15; 1 Pet 3:15.

-Ex. Sin, How to be saved, the NT church, the covenants, morality...

C. Knowledge of the Work to be Done, Jude 20-23; 1 Ths 5:14; 2 Tim 2:24.

III. HOW DO WE WIN SOULS?

A. Contact with the Lost, Lk 15:1-2; cf. Isa 65:5 (2).

1. Early disciples went everywhere preaching word, Acts 8:4.

2. Paul taught publicly and privately, Acts 20:20.

B. Conduct Around the Lost, 1 Pet 2:11-12; 3:1-2; Matt 5:16.

-Each Christian is “The World’s Bible” (1 Pet 2:12).

C. Teach the Gospel, Rom 10:13-14. Some never get around to actually teaching!

IV. HINDRANCES TO SOUL-WINNING.

A. Preoccupied with Other Things, Matt 6:19-21, 33 (Lk 10:39-42).

B. Lack of Interest, Matt 5:13-14 (25:1-13).

C. Lazy and Indifferent, Matt 25:26; Rev 3:15-17.

-Excuses for not teaching include:

1. “I hire my teaching done” (2 Cor 5:10) Responsibility / accountability

2. “I’m too busy”, Jno 9:4.

3. “I cannot do personal work”, cf. Exo 4:10-11 (Phil 4:13).

4. “I’ve tried and I’ve failed”, Gal 6:9.

5. “I’m not physically able”, 2 Cor 12:7. (Phone, mail, email)

Conclusion

1. 2 Cor 6:1-3: As the apostles used God’s time to proclaim salvation to the lost world, we must continue to tell the lost that this is the day of salvation.

2. And, like them, we must do nothing that will be an occasion of stumbling to the lost.

3. Let us all have and keep a godly influence and, in wisdom, win souls.