Five things we must do to win people for Christ
Text: Luke 19:1-10
Introduction: Last Sunday we spoke about the Great Commission and why we need to go into the entire world, preaching the Gospel to all creatures. I want to encourage us today to win people for Christ. Paul encouraged his spiritual son Timothy to “do the work of an evangelist,” and I know that you are busy at your school, trying to learn Chinese. You have a lot of things going on morning until evening, but winning souls is something we must focus upon doing.
According to a research done in the US, 88% of the believers had never won any for Christ.
Wherever Jesus went, He was focused upon men and women. He saw the crowds, but He also saw the individual in that crowd. I want us to just briefly go through this story about Jesus and Zacchaeus. In this story we can find five things that can help us to be better soul winners.
1. Jesus was looking for Zacchaeus (vv. 1-5).
We must go after people because they are looking for hope and answers.
Jesus was looking for Zacchaeus more than the opposite. V. 10, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”
Someone said, “Too many Christians are no longer fishers of men but keepers of the aquarium.”
2. Jesus cared for him (v. 5a).
We must care enough to find out more about them. Jesus called him by name. Before Jesus spoke with him, He knew his name.
3. Jesus fellowshipped with him (vv. 5b-6).
We must be willing to go to them, into their homes, into their culture (not being influenced by their culture but instead influence them), into their circles of friends while still being separated in our actions.
Matt 9:9-13 Jesus, friends of sinners
4. Jesus shared the Truth with him (vv.8-9).
We must be willing to say, “So says the Lord!” I am no friend of show your hand if you want to be saved, and say after me. Sometimes if the Holy Spirit urges us to do that, we need to be obedient but I believe that many times when we lead people to do that, we lead them away from Christ instead. Why? Because, they don’t really know what they are doing, the Holy Spirit has not convict them of sin and they are not counting the cost but just takes an opportunity to say yes to the preacher’s invitation of getting to heaven.
5. Jesus taught him how to live and give (vv.8-10).
Jesus has commanded to us to go out and make disciples not only converts. We exist to disciple people who become followers of Christ.
a. Jesus taught Zacchaeus how to live honestly
b. Jesus taught him how to live generously (or when he met Jesus, he was changed and became a giver). But we need to teach new believers how to live for Christ and how to give to Christ.
Conclusion: If we are going to reach people for Christ, than we must seek out lost people, care for them, fellowship with them, share the truth with them, and teach them how to live and how to give their lives for Christ. If we follow the example of Jesus, we will be effective witnesses for Him!
