GOD'S SOUL WINNERS

JOHN 1:4

A. A BIBLE EXHIBIT OF GOD'S SOUL WINNERS
  1. "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; and bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God liveth." - Isa. 52:7
  2. "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise." - Prov. 11:30
  3. "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." - Ps. 126:5, 6
  4. "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as stars forever and ever." - Dan. 12:3
B. WHAT THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY SAYS ABOUT SOUL WINNING
  1. It is the greatest, the noblest effort in which men can engage: "Gospel Worker", page 18.
  2. It is the highest science to aspire to: "Ministry of Healing", page 398.
  3. Its excellency is unsurpassed: "Testimonies for the Church", Vol. 9, page 398.
C. QUALIFICATIONS OF GOD'S SOUL WINNERS
  1. Negatively:
    1. Extraordinary and oratorical talent, wonderful as it may be, is not necessary to be a real successful soul winner.
    2. Paul had a measure of these excellent qualities; yet when he mixed with the people, he decided that he wanted to use none of them, lest the gospel of Christ should be hindered - 1 Cor. 2:1-4
  2. Positively:
    1. I can think of seven qualifications basic to successful soul winning -
      1. Knowledge of God, His Word, His power, and of the people we work for - Prov. 11:30; Luke 15:4-12; Matt. 16:26
      2. Love for souls - John 3:16; 11:36. There are times when soul winning will require special effort and sacrifice, even unto death; the love of God in the heart alone can qualify - EXAMPLES - (a) Paul and his kinsmen - Rom. 9:1-3; Acts 21:13 (b) A mother and her suffering daughter - Matt. 15:22-28 (c) Our Saviour and Lazarus - John 11:35, 36
      3. Faith: Simple child-like faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ, its power to save, and also in the people you labor for. EXAMPLES - (a) A centurion's faith - Matt. 8:8-10 (b) Paul's unbounded faith - 2 Tim. 1:12; Rom. 8:38, 39
      4. Prayer: It is said that persevering prayer is to the act of soul winning what the dew is to the tender plant in the field - Hos. 14:1- 6 EXAMPLES - (a) Moses and Israel - Ex. 32:31, 32 Greater and more wonderful things are wrought by prayer than through any other means - Jer. 33:3
      5. Total consecration to our assignment, in heart and life itself. The effective consecration of a soul winner is a must to be successful. Read and compare prayerfully John 17:19; Acts 21:13; Rom. 10:1-3
      6. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is the one great essential - a must or failure is certain. No person is capable to meet and defeat our great and cunning adversary. Read very carefully the following Bible references: Acts 1:8, 9; 2:1-17; 10:38; Zech. 4:6
      7. Perseverance: It is not enough for one to start to work for souls and when things go hard to flee: No, we must see our efforts to a finish line. Too often we give up when we should have continued with all the grace given to us. The great secret of success is in the patient persistence in the work we are doing to save souls. God will give the increase.


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