Christ's Method (2)
Introduction to Soul Winning • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 4 viewsChrist had a very specific method of reaching people for the kingdom. We will have best success when we mimic the ultimate soul-winner: Jesus.
Notes
Transcript
A British publication once offered a prize
for the best definition of a friend.
Among the thousands
of answers received
were the following:
"One who multiplies joys, divides grief, and whose honesty is inviolable."
"One who understands our silence."
"A volume of sympathy bound in cloth."
"A watch that beats true for all time and never runs down."
The winning definition read:
"A friend is the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out."
This is a continuation
of the sermon series
Each One Win One.
God has called all of us
to make disciples
for His kingdom.
Everyone,
Old or Young
Rich or Poor
Male or Female
Each Ethnicity
All are called.
Everyone can make a friend.
Overcomplicated Evangelism
Overcomplicated Evangelism
I fear we have
made soul winning
too complicated.
We have made it seem
like only professionals
can even do it.
Winning souls
is winning friends!
And influencing them
in a positive way.
Ministry of Healing Medical Missionaries and Their Work
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.”
Now,
let’s break it down...
Mingling
Mingling
Mingling is about
making new friends.
Have Friends That Are Not Church Members
Have Friends That Are Not Church Members
Risk and Reward of
Relationship with Unbelievers
In some places
the Bible warns about
worldly friends.
Chris and Chris
from Sac State.
To the Young
Be Careful
To the Mature
Proceed Cautiously
Jesus struck the balance:
I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one...
We should be here,
in the world.
not of the world.
While we are
in the world
we must have
friends in this world!
We have been commanded:
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Can’t make a disciple
of someone we don’t
know very well.
Be Intentional at Creating Relationships
Be Intentional at Creating Relationships
Just read book
Let Them Theory.
Studies show
pillars of friendship is:
1. close proximity
2. shared life timing
3. energy
In childhood school
friendship was natural.
Lots of proximity.
In adult life,
we must try...
Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
We must be friendly!
If we want
to make friends
we must be friendly!!!
Sounds simple...
but so true.
While in line.
To pick up kids.
Silence is deafening.
We are Relationally Retarded
Statistics about social media and social skills
People who spent over two hours daily on social media were twice as likely to report feeling socially isolated compared to those who spent under 30 minutes.
Research has found that adolescents who use social media have lower self-esteem and higher levels of negative body image, with a higher risk of "fear of missing out" (FOMO) and relational aggression.
Young people are especially affected, with 79% of adults aged 18-24 reporting feeling lonely, compared to 41% of those 66 and older.
Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment.
We have become
professional isolators.
Shop from home.
Work from home.
Exercise at home.
Learn at home.
We must break trends
fight against trend of isolation.
How?
Mingle.
Intentionally Mingle.
Stop being so busy.
Take time for people.
Intentionally pursue relationships.
Find shared interests
Triathlon - Jeremy
Homesteading - Couple
Kayaking -
Basketball -
Hiking Club -
Showing Sympathy
Showing Sympathy
This is a world of
brokenness
hurt
loneliness.
You don’t have to
look very far to
find someone who
needs a friend.
What do they need most?
Listen
Listen
First stage of sympathy
is to simply listen.
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;
I struggle with
not listening.
Or only listening enough
to build argument
or give quick advice.
If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.
Sit with friends
Like Job’s friends
And they sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his suffering was very great.
This is sympathy.
Sit and listen.
When the spoke
they made a mess
accused Him
spoke falsehood about God.
Their friendship was amazing
until they opened their mouth.
Friend parents divorce
walk in park.
ice cream.
Care
Care
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Stages of caring:
Be present
Listen
Awareness of need
You can’t support them
unless you know
what they need.
Frequently,
those who are hurting
cannot articulate need
won’t ask for help.
But a perceptive listener
will take note of
what type of support
they could use.
Oil and incense bring joy to the heart, and the sweetness of a friend is better than self-counsel.
People need friends
who are sweet.
who don’t need to
be asked to help.
Be perceptive to
moments of need.
Moments of Pain
moments of spiritual growth.
Brother - Divorce
Friend - Admin Leave
Raluca - Dad in ER
Pain is everywhere.
If you listen and care
they will share the pain.
Neighbor in Berrien Springs
Look hard
suddenly dying
lonely...
Empathy
Empathy
Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
People want
cheerleaders:
Celebrate wins.
cornerman
Boxing match
Getting beat down
encouragement support.
Don’t Highlight Faults
Don’t Highlight Faults
For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?
If someone is not
professing to be something
they can live however they want.
Let Them.
Once they become
member of the body
there must be standards.
Don’t argue with them.
Or highlight their short-comings.
The truth is,
whether they willing to admit
they already know.
They already
experience much shame.
Don’t address growth areas
until they trust you!
Dad used to say
Joseph - You could
argue with the wall.
As a young person
won lots of arguments
not very many friends.
Ministering to Needs
Ministering to Needs
Actions Speak Louder Than Words
Actions Speak Louder Than Words
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction...
If we would
be like christ,
we must be near people.
People who are hurting.
James goes on,
Next chapter:
If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?
If we see need
and say,
“I’ll pray for you...”
Don’t take action...
We are not:
friend
Christian.
We can’t help all
but God places
specific people
for each of us to
love and help.
I’m over my head
(not my greatest spiritual gift)
too much need
too many people.
I need your help
can’t call you
(break confidence).
I need perceptive members
love each other
notice needs.
Don’t Ask, “Can I Do Something?”
Don’t Ask, “Can I Do Something?”
Just bring the food.
Raluca listened
brought food
shared phone number.
Winning Confidence
Winning Confidence
Natural Consequence
Natural Consequence
How hard was it
for us to win
neighbor’s heart?
Divine opportunities
perceptive heart
intentional actions.
Create Spiritual Friendship
Create Spiritual Friendship
Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
Suddenly became natural to say
“I’m praying for you.”
“Would you like to
study the Bible together?”
“Do you want to
come to my small group?”
Follow Me
Follow Me
Once you have
won their confidence
it is time for
an invitation.
Jesus’ words:
And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
Invitation
Invitation
There may be some,
who are already on the stage
ready for invitation.
They are
friends,
you know their needs
you ministered to their needs
they truly trust you.
You’ve been there for them.
It is time for
invitation of some kind.
Lot’s of different
type of invitations:
Invite to church social
Invite to prayer meeting
Invite to small group study
Invite to SS
Invite to christian campout
Invite to lunch with other church members
Invite to church
Invite to bible studies
Invite to prophecy seminar
Invite to consider baptism
Three Ways To Invite Someone
Three Ways To Invite Someone
Invite in morning.
Invite in afternoon.
Invite in evening.
Don’t be paralyzed
by fear of rejection.
The biggest invitation
usually unspoken:
Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
Appeal
Appeal
People need friends.
You need friends.
Make a friend
Lead them toward Christ
with your example.
And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.”
D. L. Moody wrote the following words next to Isaiah 6:8 in his Bible:
“I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. What I can do, I ought to do, and what I ought to do, by the grace of God I will do.”
God and do it.
Make a friend
for God’s kingdom.
