Soul Winning is the work of every follower of Christ!
We cannot stay stuck on ministry alone. Christ started with ministry but ended with soul winning!
"Christ's method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Saviour mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, 'Follow Me.'"
Christ (1)mingled, (2)showed sympathy, (3)ministered to needs, (4)won confidence, then (5)instructed them in 'following Him'. Many of us minister real good.... music, ushering, youth group, etc... but we don't bid them to 'follow Jesus' and we certainly don't teach.
Check this quote out!
"The destruction of souls is the regular employment of Satan and his agents upon the earth. The salvation of souls is the work of every follower of Christ, however weak." ("This Day with God", E.G. White, p171).
I don't care who you are - if you profess to be a follower of Christ, it is the work of every disciple of Christ to save a soul, no matter how weak your walk with Jesus is. If you start to do what He commands, you will find that your spiritual walk with grow in proportion.
Are you determined to make soul winning a priority in your life?
Or are you an agent of Satan? - Check out part 4!
Thursday, August 13, 2015
Soul Winning or Ministry - Is there a difference? - (part 4)
Are you an agent of Satan?
Wow! What a question! How dare you ask me that? Well, friend, when I ran across this quote, I messed me up.
In the book This Day With God, Page 171, the author has this incredible quote:
Wow! That means if you put your own selfish interests before working on soul winning, you are working with Satan?? Well, remember when the preaching said that we need to be saving souls, and you said "AMEN?" Ahh, so then, if you are not putting soul winning at the top of the list, like Jesus did, then you are only professing to be a follower of Christ. That's what the quote says!!
Why? What's the big deal?
The quote continues:
Ministry is critical, but it does not end there. You've only done a half job if you stop at ministering alone. Take it all the way to soul winning as your spiritual goal!
How can you get involved with soul winning?
Wow! What a question! How dare you ask me that? Well, friend, when I ran across this quote, I messed me up.
In the book This Day With God, Page 171, the author has this incredible quote:
"The destruction of souls is the regular employment of Satan and his agents upon the earth. The salvation of souls is the work of every follower of Christ, however weak. When [a man’s or woman's] selfish interest is made first and the salvation of souls comes secondary, if at all, that man is working on Satan’s side, ...
Wow! That means if you put your own selfish interests before working on soul winning, you are working with Satan?? Well, remember when the preaching said that we need to be saving souls, and you said "AMEN?" Ahh, so then, if you are not putting soul winning at the top of the list, like Jesus did, then you are only professing to be a follower of Christ. That's what the quote says!!
Why? What's the big deal?
The quote continues:
"...for his very pretensions are a snare to lead others off the track, that they shall not consider the kingdom of God and His righteousness first. Satan is getting the start of all such workers. The salvation of souls comes first, always, for Satan as a roaring lion walketh about seeking whom he may devour. We must snatch souls away from his path. We must have clear foresight, discernment, and faith, and work as if to save a perishing life, of which some carelessness on our part might be the cause of death."A true disciple is always concerned about soul winning and looking at ways to win souls. Doesn't matter if one is at work, in the store, in the community, playing basketball, getting your hair done, etc... A soul winning is always thinking of how I can reach the person in my path for Jesus. But just think about it is not enough. We must do something about it.
Ministry is critical, but it does not end there. You've only done a half job if you stop at ministering alone. Take it all the way to soul winning as your spiritual goal!
How can you get involved with soul winning?
Soul Winning or Ministry - Is there a difference? - (part 2)
Two Aspects of the Great Commission
Many don't realize that there is two aspects of the Great Commission that Jesus gave to his disciples. The well-known verse found in Matthew 28:19,20 is the major text used to reiterate Christ's command to us. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
This text clearly tells us that we are to "make disciples" by teaching them. Becoming a disciple means to become a follower of Christ - by denying self, taking up your cross daily, and following Jesus (Matt 16:24; Luke 9:23) But in that verse, is there anything about getting people saved? Is making a disciple the same thing as getting someone saved?
Mark 16:15,16 is the parallel verse for Matthew 28:19,20. 15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. He that believes and is baptized shall be saved.
But what is the person to believe? It is the gospel!!! But what is the gospel we are to preach and teach? It the "everlasting gospel" found in Revelation 14:6,7. The same gospel Jesus preached.
How do we get people to believe the gospel? By teaching them. Once they believe and are baptized, they are saved, and must continue as disciples of Christ - winning others by teaching them of salvation!!
Are you willing to become a soul winner?
See part three!!
This text clearly tells us that we are to "make disciples" by teaching them. Becoming a disciple means to become a follower of Christ - by denying self, taking up your cross daily, and following Jesus (Matt 16:24; Luke 9:23) But in that verse, is there anything about getting people saved? Is making a disciple the same thing as getting someone saved?
Mark 16:15,16 is the parallel verse for Matthew 28:19,20. 15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. He that believes and is baptized shall be saved.
But what is the person to believe? It is the gospel!!! But what is the gospel we are to preach and teach? It the "everlasting gospel" found in Revelation 14:6,7. The same gospel Jesus preached.
How do we get people to believe the gospel? By teaching them. Once they believe and are baptized, they are saved, and must continue as disciples of Christ - winning others by teaching them of salvation!!
Are you willing to become a soul winner?
See part three!!
Soul Winning or Ministry - Is there a difference?
Ministry versus Soul Winning
I believe we often confuse ministry with soul winning, but there is a difference.
As church members, we spend time working with the usher ministry, prison ministry, music ministry, senior ministry, urban ministry, family ministry, personal ministry, and other such ministries, which are very important in the work of winning souls. Christ gave the gift of pastoral leadership, prophecy, evangelism, and teaching. Pastors and church leaders, in turn, are supposed to equip members with the work of the ministry based on Ephesians 4:11, 12 - "....For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:"
Church members are content with helping in their favorite ministry or the ministry where they can use their spiritual gifts. And usually, that is where they stop. Just doing good ministry.
But the great commission does not tell us to "...go and do ministry". In Matthew 28:19-20, Christ commands us to: " 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen."
Jesus did ministry, but He didn't stop there. Christ commands us by "Teaching them," which means to "make disciples", which is done by deliberate teaching, as Jesus did.
Are you making disciples? Or are you stuck on ministry only?
I invite you to be involved with soul winning.
Check out part 2:
I believe we often confuse ministry with soul winning, but there is a difference.
As church members, we spend time working with the usher ministry, prison ministry, music ministry, senior ministry, urban ministry, family ministry, personal ministry, and other such ministries, which are very important in the work of winning souls. Christ gave the gift of pastoral leadership, prophecy, evangelism, and teaching. Pastors and church leaders, in turn, are supposed to equip members with the work of the ministry based on Ephesians 4:11, 12 - "....For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:"
Church members are content with helping in their favorite ministry or the ministry where they can use their spiritual gifts. And usually, that is where they stop. Just doing good ministry.
But the great commission does not tell us to "...go and do ministry". In Matthew 28:19-20, Christ commands us to: " 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen."
Jesus did ministry, but He didn't stop there. Christ commands us by "Teaching them," which means to "make disciples", which is done by deliberate teaching, as Jesus did.
Are you making disciples? Or are you stuck on ministry only?
I invite you to be involved with soul winning.
Check out part 2:
Thursday, July 30, 2015
Change Your Perception!
I learned our prejudice towards people is based on our perception.
See, our perceptions is based on how we šee things in the world based on our own persona set of values that we have learned throughout our life. Everything we ecperience in life addes go our perception - our worldview, how we interpret reality.
If we are going to be better christians and better people, we have to change our perceptions of other, especially the negative perceptions. Let's look at the postitive in people, at we main obtain grace from Christ.
See, our perceptions is based on how we šee things in the world based on our own persona set of values that we have learned throughout our life. Everything we ecperience in life addes go our perception - our worldview, how we interpret reality.
If we are going to be better christians and better people, we have to change our perceptions of other, especially the negative perceptions. Let's look at the postitive in people, at we main obtain grace from Christ.
The Law and Grace Nobody's Fault But Mine
I heard a excellent message about the balance between the Law of God and the Grace of God.
Elder Harris started off by explaining that many modern teachers and preachers strain themselves on TBN, the Word Network, and other stations to teach us that 1) we no longer have the do the will of God, 2) we don't have to follow his standards, and 3) we don't have to follow the Law of God. He said that the only set of law that has been stricken down were the ceremonial laws - laws related to sacrifices - because they pointed to Jesus, the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the Word, died for our sins, once and for all.
In heaven, Satan chose not to follow God's standards and tried to place himself above God, and was ...kicked out. Why do we think we can disobey God's law and still go to heaven?
Elder Harris reminded us that "if we die and our soul is lost, ....we can't blame momma, daddy, sister brothers, work, church, privileges, pastor, elders, the board, trustees, being poor, being uneducated, ....It's nobody's fault but mine!
Elder Harris started off by explaining that many modern teachers and preachers strain themselves on TBN, the Word Network, and other stations to teach us that 1) we no longer have the do the will of God, 2) we don't have to follow his standards, and 3) we don't have to follow the Law of God. He said that the only set of law that has been stricken down were the ceremonial laws - laws related to sacrifices - because they pointed to Jesus, the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the Word, died for our sins, once and for all.
In heaven, Satan chose not to follow God's standards and tried to place himself above God, and was ...kicked out. Why do we think we can disobey God's law and still go to heaven?
Elder Harris reminded us that "if we die and our soul is lost, ....we can't blame momma, daddy, sister brothers, work, church, privileges, pastor, elders, the board, trustees, being poor, being uneducated, ....It's nobody's fault but mine!
Friday, July 24, 2015
What's wrong with going to the movies?
Right before we had our devotional reading from Exodus and prayer for bed, one of my children asked me "what's wrong with going to the movies". Wow, what a controversial subject... We had a brief discussion about movies in general, both at the public theater and at home. Then we read the Exodus chapter 9, we prayed, then I sent them to bed.
After everyone was settled, I turned on the TV to CNN and was shocked. All I can say is ---- there are some crazy folk going to the ...movie theater on a nightly basis that we don't know *anything* about. We don't know their mental state, their intentions, nor their moral character. Yes, tragedy can happen anywhere, but at least at home, I'm in charge. I own the remote control, the DVD player, the computer, I pay the TimeWarner bill and NO crazies are allowed in my house!!
After everyone was settled, I turned on the TV to CNN and was shocked. All I can say is ---- there are some crazy folk going to the ...movie theater on a nightly basis that we don't know *anything* about. We don't know their mental state, their intentions, nor their moral character. Yes, tragedy can happen anywhere, but at least at home, I'm in charge. I own the remote control, the DVD player, the computer, I pay the TimeWarner bill and NO crazies are allowed in my house!!
It is so terrible to see these shooting tragedies happen so often. Truly, "Satan is as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." I know how I was raised and I can't turn my back on what God has revealed through the Holy Spirit of prophecy, especially when I know better.
The signs of the time is all around and we should heed the counsel God has given to us through His Word and not dismiss it as something archaic because the theater is air-conditioned, no smoking, and its clean. Praying for those in Lafayette Louisiana and praying for my peeps.
The signs of the time is all around and we should heed the counsel God has given to us through His Word and not dismiss it as something archaic because the theater is air-conditioned, no smoking, and its clean. Praying for those in Lafayette Louisiana and praying for my peeps.
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