BEING AN EFFECTIVE WITNESS

LESSON FOUR

Being an Effective Witness

Introduction:

Our job as soulwinners is to sow the gospel seed—faithfully and regularly. Some people will trust Christ the very first time you share the gospel with them—even if it is the first time they meet you.

Not everyone is saved the first time they are presented with the gospel.

The apostle Paul said:

1 Corinthians 3:6 KJV 1900

6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

Sometimes it takes multiple times of planting the gospel, watering through prayer, and going back again and again nurturing a relationship with the goal of a spiritual harvest. The best way I know how to remain diligent in these types of efforts is to use what I call a “prospect list.”

I. Using a Prospect List

John 4:38 KJV 1900

38 I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.

A. What is a Prospect List?

The prospect list is the single most important and effective soulwinning tool for stewarding gospel contacts.

Keeping and maintaining a prospect list allows you to be intentional and persistent in your efforts to develop a relationship and to share the gospel.

This list helps me follow up on people I’ve met out door knocking as well as seeing new Christians baptized, added to the church, and grounded through discipleship. The prospect list is not complicated. It is a simple list of names with contact information and a record of attempts you’ve made to make contact.

B. Who do I include on my prospect list?

Add anyone that you believe is a positive prospect for the gospel message.

It may be a visitor at church that you just met who is not saved.

It may be a coworker or classmate. It may be a business contact—a vendor or a client. It may be someone you meet while you are canvassing a neighborhood with gospel tracts. It may be another parent you meet at the park when you’re there with your children.

All of these are contacts to add to your prospect list.

This list helps you keep track of any contact whom you can continue to follow up with for the purpose of sharing the gospel.

It is easier to knock on fresh doors every time you go out soulwinning, but in doing so, you’ll neglect people whose hearts the Holy Spirit began stirring since your first visit.

Also, if a person does trust Christ as Saviour, I don’t want to leave this young Christian with a simple admonition to come to church. I’m going to keep following up on him until he is baptized and added to the church.

Bevery slow to remove someone from your prospect list, but there are occasions when they have expressed they are no longer interested or they have moved without giving me new contact information that I will remove a person from my list.

Even then, I keep praying for them, and if there is an event or a special Sunday at church that I think they would be interested in, I may attempt to renew contact again.

Once someone is added to your prospect list, what do you do with his information?

Over time, you will accumulate many names. What do you do with these?

1. Pray daily.

You can visit, call, and write notes, but only God can work in hearts. Use your prospect list as a daily prayer list rather than just a contact list, and it will become ten times more valuable.

2. Contact weekly.

Strive to contact each person on my prospect list at least once per week with a visit, note, or phone call/text.

The key here is to diligently pursue them, not to simply ease my mind that I tried to make an effort.

Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit in dealing with prospects. There may be a time you will need to “back off” and allow the Word of God to Work. But do not put off reaching out to them for too long, after all life is short and time is precious.

3. Update regularly.

Your list is only as good as it is current. Be diligent in recording your weekly contacts, and periodically update your entire list.

I’ll be honest with you—using a prospect list requires diligence. It takes time to update your list, and it takes intention and effort to make weekly follow up contacts.

II. Developing an Everywhere Mentality

Acts 8:4 KJV 1900

4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

Sometimes it’s easier to develop the habit of sharing the gospel weekly with strangers than it is to continue sharing the gospel with a lost family member or friend. And sometimes it’s easy, even while sharing the gospel with others at scheduled times, to miss windows of opportunity to present the gospel in an everyday encounter.

How do we also develop this “everywhere mentality” when we are ready to share the gospel at all times and are seeing fruit among our friends and family?

Allow me to suggest four ways.

A. See People as Souls

In reality, however, we are surrounded by people who need the Lord—some of which are our family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors. We want to lead them to Christ as well.

Matthew 9:36

But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them,…

We too easily see people and are moved with frustration at the inconveniences they may bring or we are moved by intimidation of what they would say if we spoke up with the truth.

But, as we noted in an earlier message, every person has an eternal soul, and you and I know the truth of salvation.

Remember the eternality of a soul as you encounter people throughout your day or week, and it will help to make you more mindful of developing relationships with people with whom you want to share the gospel.

B. Look for Opportunities

We have a tendency to “miss the forest for the trees.” But there are people all around us who need the Lord.

How can you see and seize these opportunities? By specifically looking for them!

When you’re going through the checkout counter at a store, give the clerk a tract with an invitation to your church.

When a coworker tells you about a difficult situation in his life, offer to pray for him, and then tell him what a difference knowing Christ personally makes in your life.

You would be surprised how many opportunities there are to share the gospel when you are looking for them.

First Thessalonians 2:4 says, “But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.”

You and I, too, were “put in trust with the gospel.”

And we should look for opportunities to share it with those around us.

C. Steward Relationships

Less than two months after Jesus rose from the dead, the Apostle Peter preached in Jerusalem, and Acts 2:41 records, “the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” What an incredible victory for the gospel as Peter preached that day!

But do you remember who led Peter to Christ?

It was his brother, Andrew.

John 1:41 says of Andrew, “He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.”

Andrew’s faithfulness to witness to his own family played a part in the backstory to Pentecost—even though Andrew himself didn’t preach the powerful sermon of Pentecost.

When you and I steward the relationships God has given us, who knows the outcomes of that faithfulness?

God has placed specific relationships in your life—family, neighbors, coworkers, friends, and even briefer acquaintances such as your barber or accountant or child’s soccer coach. See these relationships as a gift from the Lord, and nurture them for the purpose of sharing the gospel.

You may not share the gospel every time you see that person. For instance, if every time I saw my neighbor outside, I invited him to church and asked him if he is on his way to Heaven, pretty soon, he’d start avoiding me and tuning out everything I say to him. But if I nurture a relationship with him, asking the names of his family members and compliment his lawn and am careful not to be a difficult neighbor myself, I’ll have more of an entrance into his life.

How do begin to nurture a relationship so that I can share the gospel?

Pray for them.

Be careful to maintain a good testimony for the Lord.

If your coworkers see you being dishonest in your work or your neighbors hear you always losing your temper, they’re not going to be open to what you have to share with them.

This is what Philippians 2:14–15 speaks of: “14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;”

Think of it this way: you may have a chance to “tell” them gospel, but you will never be able to “tell” the gospel if you are not “living” the gospel!

D. Obey Every Prompting of the Holy Spirit

The story of Philip and the Ethiopian. Philip was part of God moving in Jerusalem, yet God instructed him to leave the place of comfort and go out into the desert.

Acts 8:26–29

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. 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, Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.

No doubt Philip thought this leading of the Spirit of God to be a little strange, yet he obeyed and God used him to lead the Ethiopian man to the Lord.

Acts 8:30–35

And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? 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. 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: In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

When the Holy Spirit nudges your heart give a gospel tract, to give an invite church or to share the gospel, begin to obey. Even if it is uncomfortable, God will enable you to say that which you should say.

III. Staying Motivated

Bernard Lagat is a world class runner from Kenya. Set records for the 1500, 3000 and 5000 meter runs. During the Sydney Olympics in 2000 and interveiwer asked him what was the secret of his motivation...he said it was the road signs.

Beware of lions.

Many of us struggle with staying motivated in the things that matter most. We are great at starting a new hobby, project, skill or venture. But when obstacles come up or time passes by we lose interest or the will to continue.

That may be fine for some areas of life, but it’s not fine for personal soulwinning.

Going with the gospel is meant to be a lifetime calling for the Christian.

It is our great commission for our life.

Regardless of how we feel on a given day, there is a world in need of a Saviour. And we have been entrusted with the message of salvation.

How do I stay motivated in this most important responsibility of my life?

Four motives as truths for us to regularly reflect on, especially when you find your motivation slipping.

A. The Love of Christ

Everytime we share with someone that Jesus died for them, we sometimes for that Jesus died for us.

He died for me.

We should never get over the fact that Jesus Christ saved us. The apostle Paul never got over his salvation and often spoke of this great event in his life.

2 Corinthians 5:14–15

For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

When you get a fresh glimpes of God’s love, a heart level desire wells up in you encouraging you to live for Him.

His love for you and your love for Him are the purest of all motivations.

When you sense your love for Him begin to slip just read the accounts of the Crucifixion in the gospels. Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, and John 19.

B. Reality of Eternity

The soul of a man is eternal in nature. Where that souls spends the rest of eternity is determined by what they do with Jesus.

Every person around us has a soul and that soul is either going to spend eternity enjoying the joys of Heaven or enduring the justice of Hell.

Follow along as I read:

Luke 16:19–25

There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

Note the last word: “tormented”. A form of this word is used 3 times in just 3 verses.

Hell is a real place with real torments where real people will go for a real eternity.

C. Compassion for the Lost                                                    

The life and ministry of Jesus was characterized by compassion. Compassion simply means: your hurt in my heart.

Four specifice times in the gospels the Bible records that Jesus was moved with compassion.

Real compassion moves us to passionate action.

Matthew 9:36–38

But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

Mark 16:16

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

D. The Judgment Seat of Christ

Recognizing Hell will motivate through compassion us to witness but there is another eternal reality that motivates us to witness.

The judgment seat of Christ motivates us with joy to share the gospel with our lost friends and loved ones.

We will stand before Jesus Christ and will be rewarded for everything that we have done for Him by His Grace.

Romans 14:10–12

…for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

What a joy it would be to hear....

Matthew 25:21

…Well done, thou good and faithful servant:…

Whatever reward that I am given for serving, I will able to cast at Jesus feet in worship, acknowledging that He alone is worthy!!

Revelation 4:10–11

The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

At the end of life our greatest rewards will be for those things done for eternity.

1 Thessalonians 2:19

For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

Philippians 4:1

Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

What a joy to stand before Christ with the fruit of souls! But it will only happen as we let the Biblical motivations of The Love of Christ, The reality of Eternity, the compassion for the lost and Judgment seat of Christ to stir our hearts to faithfully, consistently share the gospel message.

We only have a short amount of time to make an impact for Jesus.

 John 9:4

I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

Conclusion:

There are people all around you who don’t know the Lord. There are people who God has allowed you to know who perhaps will not hear the gospel from anyone but you!

So TAKE IT PERSONALLY-take the gospel to others. Make HIS GREAT COMMISSION YOUR PERSONAL PRIORITY.