Basics of Soul Winning

We want to be vessels fit for the Master's use. We do not wish to be like the earthen vessels, fit for only some tasks, but we wish to be used of God in a mighty way. We wish to be vessels that are useful for every good work.

We saw last week that we must recognize certain facts in order to be fit vessels:

1. The foundation upon which our salvation rests is unshakeable!

2. There are two types of vessels for our Master to use.

3. We must purge our inner man in order to be fit for the Master's use.

Tonight we finish this passage. Tonight we will see that our external testimony is also vitally important.

IV. We must purge our external relationships in order to be fit for the Master's use

Avoid foolish questions

2 Timothy 2:23 KJV 1900

But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.

1. Foolish = "moros" – morally worthless

2. These questions gender strifes

a. Gender = bring forth

b. Strife = fighting, discord, contention, dissention

1 Timothy 6:3-5 - 3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

3. Seek edification, not pointless rambling

1 Timothy 1:4 - Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

Titus 3:9 - But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

1 Timothy 4:7 - But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.

God's servant must not strive

2 Timothy 2:24 - And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

1. This is a command, not merely advice

2. We do not need to rely on fleshly means to try and accomplish a spiritual outcome

2 Corinthians 10:14 - For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ:

James 3:17 - But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

James 1:20 - For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

3. We must be gentle and humble, like Christ

Philippians 2:3-7 - 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

4. We must teach, not argue

5. We must be patient = forbearing and enduring

We must instruct with meekness

2 Timothy 2:25-26 - 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

1. We must be meek = tender and patient

Matthew 11:29-30 - 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

2. We must recognize that those who embrace error actually oppose themselves

Galatians 6:1 - Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

Jeremiah 13:15-17 - 15 Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud: for the LORD hath spoken. 16 Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness. 17 But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the LORD’S flock is carried away captive.

3. The goal of this meek instruction is restoration

a. God may grant repentance

Zechariah 4:6 - Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.

b. As they repent, they can recover from the Devil's snare

Acts 5:13 - And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.

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