Practical Soul-winning

Introduction

Paul and his companions are determined to follow the Spirit’s leading and have now answered the Macedonian call, making their way to Philippi.

Once they arrive in Philippi, they immediately set out to share the gospel with the people of the city.

In doing so, they provide for us a wonderful example of the simplicity of winning souls.

God is going to lead you to:

Certain Places

Paul and his companions came to Philippi through the leadership of the Spirit of God.

If you and I desire to be effective soul-winners we must also remain sensitive to the leadership of the Holy Spirit.

As we yield ourselves to the Spirit’s control, He will guide us to to a place where we can be used.

It was no accident that Paul and his companions found themselves in Philippi. It was no accident that they were found themselves down by the river where people were gathering to pray.

You and I must be willing to yield ourselves to be an instrument that God can use by If you have been saved and you have a sincere desire to share the gospel, you can be certain that the Spirit of God will lead you to opportunities where the gospel can be given.

One simple truth that we must not miss is the fact that Paul and his companions went where they knew that there were people who needed to hear the gospel. They did not wait on people to come to them.

Once Paul, Silas, and Timothy arrived in Philippi they gained knowledge of a place where people were gathering for prayer. They proceeded to this place and there began to speak to the women who were gathered there.

We do not have a detailed record of their speech there, but we can be certain that it was centered around the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

If you and I are sincerely set on following the Lord, we must realize that, wherever God leads us, it is His intent that we share the gospel there.

God brought you to Clovis, NM and you can be sure that there is someone in this community that God would have you to share the gospel with. God may have led you to a certain career, and you can be certain there is someone who works alongside you that you can share the gospel with.

Certain Persons

In this passage we find Paul and his companions sharing the message of the gospel with an entire group of women that had gathered in this place to pray.

However in verse 14 the narrative focuses in on a “certain woman” whose name was Lydia.

God, through the leadership of the Holy Spirit, will lead us to cross paths with certain people. It may be a coworker, a neighbor, a friend or family member.

You and I should be willing to share the gospel with anyone and everyone anytime that God gives us the opportunity. At the same time we must realize that not all who hear us will respond to the message.

This should not cause discouragement. We must realize that the results of our efforts to win souls are not dependent upon our skill or ability in sharing the message. The results are entirely dependent upon God.

Lydia did respond to the message, but why? It was because her “heart the Lord opened”. - father draw him

Ultimately if we will remain sensitive to the Spirit’s leadership and will seize the opportunities He brings to share the gospel, we can be sure that some (not all) will place their faith in Christ.

God will lead us from time to time to certain people whose hearts are open and receptive to the gospel. Other times we may be simply planting a seed or watering one that has been previously planted. - Paul planted, Apollos watered, God gave increase.

For a Certain Purpose

When Paul and his companions followed the Spirit’s leading to this certain place and gave the gospel to this certain person, it led to a certain salvation!

There was no denying Lydia’s salvation. She apparently was so affected by the gospel that she carried it home and ultimately her entire household came to Christ and were baptized.

She even invites Paul and his companions to dwell in her home during their time in Philippi apparently to show here gratitude to them for bringing the gospel to she and here household.

It is supposed that the church that was established in Philippi initially met in this woman’s home. God certainly led Paul and his companions in ministry to the right person to give the gospel to, and the impact would be far reaching in Philippi.

God has a desire to use you and me to fulfill His will on this earth. God desire was that a church would be started in Philippi and He used Paul and his traveling companions to accomplish this task.

There are certainly many things that God desires to do right here in Clovis, NM, where he has planted you and I. He does not need you and I but it is His desire to use us to accomplish His will in this place.

We can be sure that it is God’s will for everyone in our community to be saved but God’s desire to used you and I as His instrument for delivering the message of the gospel to them!

If we want to be a part of the fulfilment of God’s will, we must yield ourselves to the leadership of the Holy Spirit as He guides us to places and to people to make an eternal impact on this world through people coming to Christ, believers being strengthened in their faith, and churches being planted!