EARNESTLY CONTENDING FOR THE
FAITH:
THE SCRIPTURAL MOTIVATION
AND METHODS FOR SOUL WINNING PAGE 2
(A PDF copy of this file is available
here)
(A Word Perfect copy of this file is available
here)
THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS
GOD MANIFEST IN THE FLESH.
THAT IS WHY HE IS GOD |
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John 1:40-46
40 One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him,
was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He first findeth his
own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the
Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. 42 And he
brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said,
Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas,
which is by interpretation, A stone. 43 The day following
Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and
saith unto him, Follow me. 44 Now Philip was of Bethsaida,
the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip findeth Nathanael,
and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the
law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son
of Joseph. 46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any
good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come
and see.
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There are two ways to approach the
prospect. The first is: |
| A. |
The Direct Approach. This approach can be
used when witnessing to: |
| 1. |
A relative.
Andrew used the direct approach to bring his brother Simon
Peter to Christ (John 1:40-42). |
| 2. |
A friend.
Phillip the apostle used the direct approach to bring
Nathanael to Jesus (John 1:45-46). |
| 3. |
The concerned.
Jesus used the direct approach to win Nicodemus (John 3:1-
21). |
| 4. |
The seeker.
Paul and Silas used the direct approach to lead the
Philippian jailer to Jesus (Acts 16:19-34). |
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John 3:1-21
1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler
of the Jews: 2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said
unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from
God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest,
except God be with him. 3 Jesus answered and said unto him,
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again,
he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto
him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the
second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? 5 Jesus
answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be
born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the
kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh;
and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not
that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The wind
bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound
thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it
goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. 9
Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things
be? 10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master
of Israel, and knowest not these things? 11 Verily, verily,
I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that
we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. 12 If I have
told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye
believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? 13 And no man
hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from
heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. 14 And as
Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must
the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in
him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so
loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have
everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world
to condemn the world; but that the world through him might
be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but
he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath
not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the
world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because
their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil
hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his
deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh
to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they
are wrought in God.
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Acts 16:19-34
19 And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was
gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the
marketplace unto the rulers, 20 And brought them to the
magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly
trouble our city, 21 And teach customs, which are not lawful
for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans. 22 And
the multitude rose up together against them: and the
magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat
them. 23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they
cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them
safely: 24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them
into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the
stocks. 25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang
praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. 26 And
suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the
foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all
the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed. 27
And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and
seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and
would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had
been fled. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do
thyself no harm: for we are all here. 29 Then he called for
a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down
before Paul and Silas, 30 And brought them out, and said,
Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe
on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy
house. 32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and
to all that were in his house. 33 And he took them the same
hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was
baptized, he and all his, straightway. 34 And when he had
brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and
rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
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| B. |
The Indirect Approach.
This can be used when witnessing to: |
| 1. |
A stranger.
Jesus used the indirect approach to witness to the Samaritan
woman (John 4:7-26) |
| 2. |
The religious.
Phillip the evangelist used the indirect approach to lead
the Ethiopian eunuch to Christ (Acts 8:26-39).The method in
either case will vary according to the leading of the Holy
Ghost. |
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John 4:7-26
7 There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith
unto her, Give me to drink. 8 (For his disciples were gone
away unto the city to buy meat.) 9 Then saith the woman of
Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest
drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have
no dealings with the Samaritans. 10 Jesus answered and said
unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is
that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have
asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. 11
The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw
with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that
living water? 12 Art thou greater than our father Jacob,
which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his
children, and his cattle? 13 Jesus answered and said unto
her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: 14
But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him
shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him
shall be in him a well of water springing up into
everlasting life. 15 The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me
this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.
16 Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come
hither. 17 The woman answered and said, I have no husband.
Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband:
18 For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now
hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly. 19 The
woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a
prophet. 20 Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye
say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to
worship. 21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the
hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet
at Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 Ye worship ye know not
what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.
23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true
worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth:
for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a
Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit
and in truth. 25 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.
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Acts 8:26-39
26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying,
Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down
from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. 27 And he arose
and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great
authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the
charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to
worship, 28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read
Esaias the prophet. 29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go
near, and join thyself to this chariot. 30 And Philip ran
thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and
said, Understandest thou what thou readest? 31 And he said,
How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired
Philip that he would come up and sit with him. 32 The place
of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a
sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his
shearer, so opened he not his mouth: 33 In his humiliation
his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his
generation? for his life is taken from the earth. 34 And the
eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom
speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?
35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same
scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. 36 And as they went
on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch
said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be
baptized? 37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all
thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I
believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 38 And he
commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down
both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he
baptized him. 39 And when they were come up out of the
water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the
eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
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Whether you use the direct or the
indirect approach, be sure to follow through until you have
presented God’s plan of salvation and invited them to accept
Christ as their personal Saviour. |
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Matthew 13:3-8
3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying,
Behold, a sower went forth to sow; 4 And when he sowed, some
seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured
them up: 5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not
much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had
no deepness of earth: 6 And when the sun was up, they were
scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.
7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and
choked them: 8 But other fell into good ground, and brought
forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some
thirtyfold.
Matthew 13:18-23
18 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. 19 When any
one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it
not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that
which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed
by the way side. 20 But he that received the seed into stony
places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with
joy receiveth it; 21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but
dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution
ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. 22 He
also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth
the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness
of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. 23
But he that received seed into the good ground is he that
heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth
fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty,
some thirty.
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The parable of the sower
illustrates that the work of salvation in the unbeliever is
likened unto farming. It moves through the process of
tilling, planting, watering, weeding, and harvesting. The
parable of the sower indicates that there will be four types
of people we will encounter in our attempts to witness to
lost folks. It also indicates that there will be four types
of ground we will plant in. Jesus explains the parable in
(Matthew 13:18-23), and we learn that: |
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A.
B.
C.
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The Sower Is The Witness.
The Seed Is The Word of God.
The Soil Is The Heart.
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We also learn that there are four
types of hearts. They are: |
1.
2.
3.
4.
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The hard
heart; this is the wayside soil, fertile but hard.
The shallow heart; this is the
stoney soil, fertile but depthless.
The worldly heart; this is the
thorny soil, fertile but possessed.
The understanding heart: this is
good soil, fertile and prepared. |
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There will be four types of
potential converts that will be found. These are: |
1.
2.
3.
4. |
The person who will
outright reject the Gospel.
The false professor who will appear to gladly receive the
gospel, but will almost immediately fall away because the
seed found no root in their heart.
The convert who genuinely possesses salvation, but shows no
evidence of growth because they are extremely worldly and
carnal.
The fruitful Christian whose first priority is the Lord
Jesus Christ, who lives a separated life, and who produces
much fruit in soul winning. |
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The
lesson here is that the fallow ground must be plowed. The
seed of the Word of God must be sewn. The seed must be
watered. The field must be weeded. Then we must look for the
Holy Ghost to gather the harvest. The increase belongs to
God. We must be ever vigilant because the Holy Ghost may
want us to go back and plow the field again and replant the
seed of the Word of God. In the case of the carnal, worldly
converts the field must be weeded with the Word of God.
Again, what all this indicates is that soul winning is
a labour of love that is not rooted in a sinner’s prayer.
Most deceived “soul winners” today insist on gathering a
harvest from a field that has not been plowed and from seed
that either has not been sewn or is infertile because it is
corrupt. Your King James Bible is your most important
earthly farming implement that you have in your soul winning
barn.
Another issue for most “soul winners” today is that
they put the Holy Ghost on a time clock. They are not
willing to spend the TIME and EFFORT to work the fields. If
you take a look at the book of Acts, you will see that it
was the common practice of Paul to work the fields for many
hours and many days in his efforts to bring others to the
Lord Jesus Christ. Look at these passages in Acts 17:1-4,
Acts 18:1-6, Acts 24:24-25, and Acts 28:23-24: |
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Acts 17:1-4
1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia,
they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the
Jews: 2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and
three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,
3 Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have
suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this
Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. 4 And some of them
believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the
devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not
a few.
Acts 18:1-6
1 After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to
Corinth; 2 And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in
Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla;
(because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from
Rome:) and came unto them. 3 And because he was of the same
craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their
occupation they were tentmakers. 4 And he reasoned in the
synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the
Greeks. 5 And when Silas and Timotheus were come from
Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to
the Jews that Jesus was Christ. 6 And when they opposed
themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said
unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean:
from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.
Acts 24:24-25
24 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife
Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard
him concerning the faith in Christ. 25 And as he reasoned of
righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix
trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I
have a convenient season, I will call for thee.
Acts 28:23-24
23 And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to
him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the
kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out
of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning
till evening. 24 And some believed the things which were
spoken, and some believed not.
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In Acts
17, it took Paul three Sabbath days worth of reasoning with
those in the synagogue at Thessalonica before some of them
believed. In Acts 18, Paul went into the synagogue at
Corinth and reasoned with them every Sabbath. Notice that
the reception in Corinth was one of much opposition and
blasphemy. There was no quick and easy presentation of the
Gospel. In Acts 24, Paul reasoned with Felix and Drusilla
for many hours. In Acts 28, Paul persuaded them from morning
till evening. The message is to wait upon the Lord. Do not
try to rush the work of the Holy Ghost. |
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VI. |
BE PREPARED FOR AND
EXPECT THE RESISTENCE OF HARDENED HEARTS.
Yet another issue is that the ground in America is much
harder than it has ever been. Most of America is stony
ground in 2018. The wickedness of America has become as an
adamant stone against the Word of God. We have been
possessed by the wicked spirit of sodomy, fornication,
adultery, pornography, murder, abortion, and child
molestation. Why should we be shocked at the mass school
shootings that are taking place by children when we have
taught our children that murdering babies is okay. Make no
mistake about it, abortion is nothing more than a contract
murder for hire because the abortionist is paid for his
homicidal services.
There was a time when children were taught to read
using the King James Bible and school days were opened with
prayer. Alas, that day is long past! There was a time in
America when most of our citizens were taught the general
precepts of the Bible just by being present in our society.
Even though many were not saved, the morals of our society
were dictated by Biblical principles and commandments. In
general, Biblical laws ruled the land. That atmosphere in
and of itself carried a certain level of conviction rooted
in the words of the Holy Ghost that kept hearts softened and
more ready to receive the Gospel. That time has long since
passed and America is at the same point in its moral and
spiritual depravity as Israel was when the prophets said in
Zechariah 7:11-12, Amos 8:11-12 , and Jeremiah 6:10: |
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Zechariah 7:11-12
11 But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the
shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear.
12 Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest
they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of
hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets:
therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts.
Amos 8:11-12
11 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will
send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a
thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: 12
And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north
even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word
of the LORD, and shall not find it.
Jeremiah 6:10
10 To whom shall I speak, and give warning, that they may
hear? behold, their ear is uncircumcised, and they cannot
hearken: behold, the word of the LORD is unto them a
reproach; they have no delight in it.
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America has set its heart as an adamant stone against the
God of the Bible, against the Bible itself, and against
Bible believing Christianity. Our hearts are hardened by our
abominable wickedness. We think that by refusing to hear
God’s word that we will not be held accountable. There has
never been a time in the history of the world when the Bible
was more available to a people as it is in America. Yet, we
refuse to hear. In fact, the prophet Jeremiah said that our
spiritual ears are uncircumcised so that we CANNOT hearken
to the Word of God because we consider it to be a reproach
unto us. In America, we have gone beyond having no delight
in the Word of God to utterly detesting it. America is
possessed of the spirit of Mahatma Ghandi’s three unclean
frogs that see no evil, hear no evil, and speak no evil of
America’s wickedness. Our preachers must start preaching the
law again. The Bible says in Galatians 3:23-24: |
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Galatians 3:23-24
23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut
up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24
Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto
Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
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What
that means is that we MUST preach the law and the
commandments and hell fire and damnation until people become
desperate to be delivered from the torture and consequences
of their sin. Many times, knocking on doors and passing out
tracks is the way the Holy Ghost opens the door to get the
lost into the house of God so that the Word of God can be
expounded unto them.
I have said all that I have said about the resistance
to the Gospel in America not to discourage you, but to warn
you and prepare for the resistance you will surely receive
at the hand of Satan when witnessing. Forewarned is
forearmed. Regardless of the resistance that we will receive
in our soul winning endeavours, we are charged to deliver
the Word of God anyhow. After warning Ezekiel that the
people would not hearken to his word God told him in Ezekiel
3:10-11: |
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Ezekiel 3:10-11
10 Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, all my words that I
shall speak unto thee receive in thine heart, and hear with
thine ears. 11 And go, get thee to them of the captivity,
unto the children of thy people, and speak unto them, and
tell them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; whether they will hear,
or whether they will forbear.
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Regardless of the expected resistance that we will receive
we are commanded to go forth into the harvest. “He that
goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall
doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves
with him”. (Psalm 126:6). The harvest is well worth whatever
it costs us. Hallelujah! |
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Acts 4:12
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is
none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we
must be saved.
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There are seven simple steps to
take in sharing God’s plan of salvation: |
|
A.
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Share Your Personal Testimony Of Salvation.
Don’t give your life story. It should not take more that a
few minutes to tell how the Lord saved you. As you come to
the close of your testimony, bring out your Bible and say,
“May I share with you God’s plan of salvation that changed
my life?”
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B.
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Now Tell Them: “It Is A Fact That God Loves You.”
Read (John 3:14-17) and the study notes with them:
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John 3:14-18
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness,
even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever
believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only
begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not
perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his
Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world
through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is
not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned
already, because he hath not believed in the name of the
only begotten Son of God.
STUDY NOTES: “Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness”
(Numbers 21:5-9). He lifted up the serpent for a sinful,
disobedient people. When anyone was bitten by a serpent, he
had a choice: He could humble himself and by a simple act of
faith look and live (Isaiah 45:22); or he could refuse to
look on the serpent of brass and die.
“Even so must the Son of man be lifted up.” Just as the
serpent in the wilderness was the only means for the healing
of Israel, so the death of Jesus Christ is the only means
for the new birth. And the only way to appropriate the
regenerating power of God is by faith in the vicarious
death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1
Corinthians 15:1-4).
The sinner must come to Christ by faith, believing:
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(1)
(2)
(3)
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That Christ died for our sins
according to the Scriptures (Isaiah 53:1-12 and Zechariah
13:6).
And that He was buried. This is the proof of His death. He
was in the grave three days and nights.
And that He rose again the third day according to the
Scriptures. This is the gospel that saves-but it is
powerless to save until the sinner believes it (Romans
1:16).
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The means of the new birth is found
in that:
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(1)
(2)
(3)
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“God so loved the world, that He
gave His only begotten Son”to be the only means of the new
birth (John 3:16).
Jesus Christ gladly came into the world to become the only
means of the new birth (John 12:27 and John 17:1-5).
The Holy Ghost came into the world on the day of Pentecost
to convince men of their need of the new birth (John
16:7-11). A personal faith in the death, burial and
resurrection of Jesus Christ is the only means of the new
birth.
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When you come to the close of the
study notes, say something like this: “Will you now admit
that God loves you?” Lead them to admit it, if you can. This
will get them involved in the plan of salvation.
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C.
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Now Tell Them: “It Is A Fact That You Are A Sinner.”
Read (Romans 3:23) and the study notes with them.
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Romans 3:23
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
STUDY NOTES: What is sin?
Sin is lawlessness (1 John
3:4).
Sin is unbelief; it calls God a
liar (1 John 5:10).
Sin is active rebellion against
God (1Samuel 15:23).
Sin is passive rebellion against
God (Isaiah 1:2).
All unrighteousness is sin
(1 John 5:17).
God, who cannot lie, said: All have sinned. All includes
you! You have sinned against God by thought, word, and deed.
You have committed sins of commission and sins of omission.
In the sight of God, you are a lost sinner. Before going to
the next fact, admit to yourself that: I am a lost sinner,
because I have sinned
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When you come to the close of the
study notes, ask them to admit that they are a lost sinner.
When they admit that they are a lost sinner, say something
like this, “Isn’t it wonderful? God loves you even though
you are a sinner!”
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D.
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Now Tell Them: “It Is A Fact That You Are Now Dead In Sin.”
Read (Romans 6:23) and the study notes with them.
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Romans 6:23
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is
eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
STUDY NOTES:
You have already confessed and admitted that you are a
sinner. Now God would have you know that ... the wages of
sin is death. You are dead in sin until you accept Christ as
personal Saviour. The Apostle Paul said, And you were dead
in your trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1). To be saved is
to be made spiritually alive in Christ.
Ephesians 2:1
1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and
sins;
What is death?
Death is spiritual separation. Your sins have separated you
from God; you are dead in your sins.
Death is physical separation. It separated the spirit and
soul from the body.
Death is eternal separation.
If you remain lost in your sins, you will stand before God
at the great white throne judgment. And there your sins will
separate you from the mercy of God forever; this is Hell
(Revelation 20:11-15).You know that God loves you, and that
you are a sinner-dead in sins. Before going to the next
fact, admit to yourself: I am dead in sins.
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Revelation 20:11-15
11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat
on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled
away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And
I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God;
and the books were opened: and another book was
opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were
judged out of those things which were written in the
books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave
up the dead which were in it; and death and hell
delivered up the dead which were in them: and they
were judged every man according to their works. 14
And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire.
This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not
found written in the book of life was cast into the
lake of fire
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When
you come to the close of the study notes, ask them to admit
that they are dead in sin. When they admit that they are
dead in sin, say something like this, “Isn’t it great? Even
though you are a lost sinner, dead in sin, God loves you!”
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E.
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Now Tell Them: “It Is A Fact That Christ Died For You.”
Read (Romans 5:6) and the study notes with them.
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Romans 5:6
6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ
died for the ungodly.
STUDY NOTES:
He died for those who are unlike God; this includes you!
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we
were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). “For he
hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we
might be made the righteousness of God in him”. (2
Corinthians 5:21).
“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with
corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain
conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But
with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without
blemish and without spot:” (1 Peter 1:18-19).
“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also
received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the
scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again
the third day according to the scriptures:” (1 Corinthians
15:3-4).
In light of these wonderful Scriptures, will you now thank
God for His great love in sending His Son to bear your sins
in His own body on the cross, and admit to yourself that:
Christ died on Calvary for me!
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When
you come to the close of the study notes, ask them to admit
that Christ died on Calvary for them. When they admit that
Christ died for them, say something like this, “Isn’t it
wonderful? Isn’t it great that God loves you so much that He
died on Calvary bearing your sins?”
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F.
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Now Tell Them: “It Is A Fact That You Can Be Saved By Faith
In The Lord Jesus Christ.” Read (Acts
16:30-31) and the study notes with them.
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Acts 16:30-31
30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to
be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus
Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
STUDY NOTES:
The Philippian jailor asked Paul and Silas: Sirs, what must
I do to be Saved? The answer was quick in response, and
positive in content: And they said, Believe on the Lord
Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. Paul
and Silas preached the gospel to the jailer and those in his
house; they believed and were saved. What is this gospel
that saves when believed?
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1.
2.
3.
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First, it
is: that Christ died for your sins.
Second, it is: that He was buried.
Third, it is: that He was raised
on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
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Jesus
Christ the God-man died for you, was buried for you, and
rose from the dead for you; and is now at the right hand of
the Father interceding for you (1 John 2:1). “For I am not
ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God
unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew
first, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16). The gospel is
the power of God for salvation only when you believe. Your
faith in Jesus Christ releases the power of God that saves
your soul. The man born blind received physical sight by a
miracle; but, spiritual sight came when Jesus asked, Dost
thou believe on the Son of God? He answered, Lord, I believe
(John 9:35-38). Salvation came to Thomas when he believed
and confessed, My Lord and my God (John 20:24-29). “That if
thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt
believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the
dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth
unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made
unto salvation.” (Romans 10:9-10).
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1 John 2:1
1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye
sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the
Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
Romans 1:16
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is
the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth;
to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
John 9:35-38
35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had
found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of
God? 36 He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might
believe on him? 37 And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both
seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. 38 And he
said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.
John 20:24-29
24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not
with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore
said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them,
Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and
put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my
hand into his side, I will not believe. 26 And after eight
days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them:
then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the
midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 27 Then saith he to
Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and
reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be
not faithless, but believing. 28 And Thomas answered and
said unto him, My Lord and my God. 29 Jesus saith unto him,
Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed:
blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
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G.
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Now Ask The Potential Convert The Following Questions:
(1) Do you believe that God loves you? (2) Do you believe
that you are a sinner? (3) Do you believe that you are dead
in your sin? (4) Do you believe that the Lord Jesus Christ
shed his blood on the cross for your sins, died, was buried,
and was resurrected? (5) Do you believe that you can be
saved by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ? (6) Would you be
willing to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal
Saviour today? If the answer to all six of these questions
is YES, then encourage them to call upon the Lord Jesus
Christ to save them by reading them Romans 10:13-14:
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Romans 10:13-14
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall
be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they
have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom
they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a
preacher?
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At
this point, ask them if it would be okay for you to pray.
Ask them to join you. Then you pray and ask God to convict
them, to draw them, to give them understanding, and to save
them. Most lost folks will not know how to pray. At this
point, if they have agreed to all six of the points just
covered it will be alright to help them out. Tell them
something similar to the following:
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“If
you will accept the Lord Jesus Christ by faith and ask Him
in your own words to save you, He will save you. Asking
something of God in your own words is praying. If you
believe in your heart that you are sinner, and that the Lord
Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins, was buried,
and then arose from the dead on the third day, then just
tell Him that and ask Him to save you and He will save you.
The prayer itself will not save you, but your faith will.
The prayer is making confession with the mouth unto
salvation (See Matthew 10:32-33). The prayer is that which
publickly reveals the saving faith that is in the heart. The
Bible says that you must confess the Lord Jesus Christ
before men.
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If
they are reluctant to join you, do not force the issue. If
what they say they believe is not strong enough to overcome
their reluctance, then you run the risk of getting a false
convert who is twofold more a child of hell. If they are
still unwilling to call upon the Lord, be gracious above
all, thank them for their time, invite them to church, and
ask them if it would be okay if you came back for a visit.
Make sure that you write down their name, address, and
telephone number before you leave
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Matthew 28:19-20
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 alway, even unto
the end of the world. Amen.
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Verse 19 is the commandment to evangelize the lost. Verse 20
is the commandment to disciple the converts by teaching them
to observe all things that the Lord Jesus Christ has
commanded. Those verses mean that we are to be active soul
winners and that we are to teach the converts the Bible.
Once you lead someone to the Lord, your responsibility does
not end there. In a very real sense they become your baby.
You are to make sure that they are started out with the
sincere milk of the Word Of God (1 Peter 2:2) followed by
the strong meat of the Word Of God (Hebrews 5:11-14): |
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1 Peter 2:2
2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word,
that ye may grow thereby:
Hebrews 5:11-14
11 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be
uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. 12 For when for the
time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach
you again which be the first principles of the oracles of
God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of
strong meat. 13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful
in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But
strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even
those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to
discern both good and evil.
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In order to feed new converts the milk and meat of the
Bible, they need to become members of a local New Testament
Church. Salvation is the prerequisite for baptism and
baptism is the prerequisite for church membership. Acts
2:41-47 says: |
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Acts 2:41-47
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized:
and the same day there were added unto them about three
thousand souls. 42 And they continued stedfastly in the
apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread,
and in prayers. 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many
wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44 And all that
believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And
sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all
men, as every man had need. 46 And they, continuing daily
with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house
to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of
heart, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the
people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as
should be saved.
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New converts must be
reminded of the necessity of attending church on a regular
basis. Read to them Hebrews 10:24-25 where it is written: |
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Hebrews 10:24-25
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and
to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves
together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one
another: and so much the more, as ye see the day
approaching.
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1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
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Make sure they have a King James
Bible.
Take them to church and sit with them. If they drive
themselves sit with them.
Introduce them to your Pastor and other church members.
During the invitation ask them to go forward with you and
make a public profession of faith (Matthew 10:32-33).
Take them to your Pastor so that they can talk about setting
a date for baptism.
Tell them that since they are saved, they are to obey the
Lord in all things.
Teach them to pray on a daily basis.
Teach them to read and study their Bible on a daily basis.
Stress to them the importance and necessity of witnessing
and soul winning.
Remind them of the wonder and beauty of publickly testifying
to their salvation and giving God the glory (Psalm 107:2).
If your church has a new converts class, get them into it as
soon as possible.
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