Winning People 11/13

Winning People

Intro - Matthew 28.19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”

As christians we are called to win people for Jesus! Today we are going to talk about winning people. Im not going to teach you how to preach at people or how to get them into church but how to SHOW them the love of Jesus and give you influence with them.

These principals come before you share anything spiritual, you must win people before you can win them for Jesus!

Pray

Title - Winning People

The Idea - Winning people before saving people.

3 Principals to winning people

1. Smile

Numbers 6:24-26 - 24 “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; 26 The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.” ’

Shine & lift mean to look favorably toward. It is a blessing when God smiles at you and you bless people when you smile at them!

Story of me scowling at the gym then seeing Hardy. Smile more be aware of how you carry yourself!

We don’t get to see the Bible played out we just get to read about the life of Jesus. The bible says that Jesus had thousands following Him, I don’t believe that they followed Him just because of Him wise words but I believe Jesus was HAPPY!

“Let the children come to me” - He loved people and was happy to see them and they loved Him too!

Smile! Show people that serving Jesus is fun!

2. Be interested in others

The most attractive thing someone can hear you say is their own name! People LOVE talking about themselves. When you show that you are genuinely interested in other people, people want to be around you and will open up like a book!

Christians spend too much time talking and not enough time listening!

Story of seeing Isaiah and him asking a million questions and because his interest in others people love him!

John 4.16 Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.”17 The woman answered and said, “I have no husband.”Jesus said to her, “You have well said, ‘I have no husband,’ 18 for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly.”

This passage always has a negative connotation but I believe that this statement was more than a rebuke it was Jesus showing her that He cares for her and is interested in her life. The result is amazing! The woman goes back to her village and says - “Come see the man who told me everything I ever done”

Don’t start by telling people how they are wrong or need to come to church, but first be genuinely interested in them and watch them open up to what you have to say about Jesus!

3. Encourage always

Story of Moes worker rolling his eyes and me encouraging him instead of rebuking him and at the end of the line we were laughing about the whole thing.

People do not respond to criticism! You might be able to get them to be obedient but the moment your back is turned they will resent you.

Pastor Clarence “ I always find something I can encourage someone with”

John 21.15-19 - 15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” 16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. 18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” 19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.”

Jesus doesn’t beat peter up, He reminds him of who he is and encourages him.

Church, if you want to win people you must learn the importance of encouragement! Basketball mentality - I always encourage my teammates. I need them to play with confidence! Encouragement brings confidence!

Closing

People don’t come to Jesus when we beat them up, we win people for Jesus when we win people relationally first! Win people before saving people!

Smile

Be interested in others

Encourage always