THE METHOD OF THE CHURCH Psalm 126:5-6
The Model Soulwinner Introduction: Psalm 126 is a psalm after they had been in captivity. It was penned after the Jews made their long return back to Jerusalem. It was written at a time when the nation of Israel was excited about what God had done for them. Even the surrounding nations were saying, “Look what God has done for them!” As the writer concludes the psalm, he has no desire of going back into captivity. He, and those to whom he is writing, remember the many years of tears and the faithful among their remnant who encouraged the people through the Word of God, that one day they would be back in their home land again. Verses five and six are beloved verses often used as promises that every soulwinner can claim. These verses give us a sure-fire, non-failing assurance of how we can be consistent, consecrated, and competent soulwinners! I want to give three essentials to being a model soulwinner taken from these verses of scripture. You will not be a perfect soulwinner but you will be used by God even if you fail because you were doing what Jesus to us to do just before leaving earth to go back to Heaven. Acts 1:8 “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
I.
BE A THIRSTY SOULWINNER A passionate heart is a necessary ingredient if you want to be a thirsty soulwinner. To be thirsty means you have a desire that needs to be satisfied. It means you have an unquenchable desire! God promises that if we are thirsty enough to cry over souls, He will give us a harvest. Tears are the product of a heart that has been moved and the price of a heart that has been shattered and broken. In gardens you can not grow plants by watering them with salt water. Tears are salt water and it is the way the Lord uses for us to beg souls to be saved. I am talking about genuine, real tears that flow down your cheeks and the person knows they are from a heart that cares. Paul was a thirsty soulwinner when he stood before the elders of Ephesus. Acts 20:31 “Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears”
Jesus was thirsty for souls. When He stood on a precipice looking over the beloved city of Jerusalem and cried. Luke 13:34 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!”
If we ever desire to see a consistent flow of souls being saved, there is no substitute for a thirsting, unquenchable desire to see them saved!
II. BE A THOROUGH SOULWINNER A thorough soulwinner is consecrated. This means completely dedicate to the task ahead. Someone who only puts in a partial effort will produce in proportion to what he puts in. 2nd Corinthians 9:6 “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth Freedom Baptist Church Sunday Evening August 19, 2012 1
bountifully shall reap also bountifully.”
You may not be able to witness every day, and you might not be able to attend every soulwinning opportunity at your church. You should decide to get your heart in the matter all the way! Let me give you a few thoughts here that help you be a better soulwinner. Carrying tracts helps us be soul conscious wherever w go. Additionally, a Gospel tract equips you to easily begin a conversation about the Lord and salvation. Even if you only have a moment, at least you can leave the other person with a printed Gospel presentation. A thorough soulwinner is competent. He knows the Bible to the best of his or her ability. You knows how to use it to share the Gospel. He keeps good records and goes back again, and again, and again! Here is one of our weaknesses. We started a new desire this year to knock on every door in Smithfield. But we have not gone back to them. Why? We have not a record of good visits. So today I want to show you a new tool in our soul winning efforts. When you go on visitation, fill out these cards and we can use them on days when it is raining. A thorough soulwinner takes advantage of special events to invite people to church. He does not limit himself to one fishing hole! He asks questions and allows good soulwinners to help him improve! A thorough soulwinner is a consistent co-laborer with his church. He is always soulconscious and seeks to enlist others in the work of soulwinning.
III. BE A THRIVING SOULWINNER Thriving soulwinners bring back the sheaves with them! God promises fruit to the soulwinner who will follow the pattern for soulwinning given in Psalm one hundred twentysix. Winning folks to Christ is so important. But if we do not follow up and get them in church, we are not doing what the Lord wants us to do. Conclusion: God is able to give us fruit as we go soulwinning, and He has promised to if we meet His criteria. He does not promise that we will see fruit every time we go soulwinning, but He does promise to provide fruit. Let’s follow the principles of Psalm 126 to be an over the top soulwinner to the glory of God!
Freedom Baptist Church Sunday Evening August 19, 2012 2
