How to Lead a Soul to Christ Part 4
“Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain,
and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain,
and the earth produced its crops. 19 My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth
and someone should bring that person back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.” James 5:17-20
Intro: We are now on week four in the worship series called “How to Lead a Soul to Christ.”
I am teaching on five simple steps to learn and use
when talking to someone about becoming a Christian.
The first one was: “Show The Need For Salvation?”
Most people believe they are a good moral person.
But even good moral people must have a relationship with Jesus Christ to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
The second step was “Share the Gospel.”
The harvest is ripe.
We have to find a balance between timid and pushy to start a spiritual conversation.
The third step was “Proclaim Forgiveness.”
Forgiveness of sin is something that only God can do…, through Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit.
because of the Resurrection we can proclaim forgiveness as a free gift for those who will accept it.
It is job of every believer, every professing church member,
It is the duty of every Christian
to be able to lead a soul…,
thru the process of understanding how available and simple it is to be forgiven of sin.
Today we are going to talk about step four “How to Lead a Soul to Christ”
IV. Guide in Prayer
You might think that this step is the one step in Leading a Soul to Christ that you already know how to do.
I say from my own personal experience of evangelism…,
that it is step…, that most Christians can get to…, but they never use.
Because there are many times that we actually get to this place in a conversation
Many times that we have talked to someone
But we rarely recognize and actually grab the handle
and actually invite a response…, to your conversation.
Having a spiritual conversation…, and not inviting a response of some kind…., is like:
Telling a person you are going to bake their favorite pie.
Baking the pie and bringing it out of the oven.
But then not asking them if they would like a piece to eat.
The invitations to prayer wraps up the conversation.
So I am going to give you scenario:
I want you to open your imagination and walk with me.
You are getting ready to go for a walk in your neighborhood.
Just as you are starting out…, you hear the voice of God
God says instead of going your normal route.
I want you to walk one street over.
Stop and think about: “What are you first thoughts?”
You might first think: This is stupid. Why should I go a different direction?
I have been walking this same way all the time.
Why should I change what I have been doing?
Second you might think: Is this really God talking to me?
Am I just hearing voices in my head?
Am I going crazy?
One thing that will keep you from hearing the voice of God is your own unbelief.
John 20:31 “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God,
and that by believing you may have life in his name.”
The Bible contains everything we need to know to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God
and through Him we receive eternal life.
This is why is it must be a priority in your life to read and study the bible.
So that you will understand the life and mission and calling God has
More fully upon your life.
If you don’t want to believe or do any more than what you are doing right now then don’t read the bible.
Because I guarantee when you read and study the bible
You will hear the voice of God
And God will be calling you to preach
God will be calling you to serve, to speak, to teach, to preach, to help, to give, to lead, to exhort,
to faith, to knowledge, to wisdom, to believe in miracles.
God is always trying to speaking to you
But sometimes my own unbelief…, will get in the way of me hearing what God is trying to say.
Let’s say you get beyond all of that.
You are going for a walk in your neighborhood.
You walk up a different street than you have always gone before.
You are now in uncharted territory.
You come to a house where someone is out doing yard work.
And God speaks to you again.
God says go up to that person and talk to them.
Now, you are probably back to the whole awkward thing
This can’t be happening.
This can’t be happening.
This can’t be happening.
They are going to think I am a fruit cake.
They are going to think I am nuts.
You may even be wrestling with yourself…, that they may be right.
But somehow you are able to gain control and overcome the urge to run the opposite direction.
So you slowly…, casually…, walk toward the person and as they look at you.
Your eyes meet.
You say hi to them and suddenly you find yourself in a conversation with them about life.
This may seem unlikely to happen so easily.
But in truth it really happens all the time.
You can be at the checkout counter at the market and ask the person how are you doing?
The next thing you know they are telling you about their two kids.
A boy and a girl. The boy is 5 and the girl is 4.
The girls name is Lisa. She was running a fever last night.
Tommy also had a stomach ache.
He threw up all over the place.
It could have been something they both ate.
You are standing there thinking to yourself.
This is too much information.
This is too much information.
All you wanted to do was be polite and check out.
But the fields are ripe for Harvest.
People are eager to talk with someone, anybody…, who will listen and show they care.
But we often miss these opportunities because we ourselves are either in too big of a hurry.
Or we are not tuned into the Holy Spirit.
Or our unbelief blocks us from hearing.
John 14:16 Jesus said, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever.” The Greek word “Counselor” means “one who is called alongside”
This has the idea of someone who encourages and exhorts you in the work of leading someone to Christ.
So you are standing their talking to your newly discovered neighbor around the block.
And you talking to them about your family
and you are talking to them about work
and also what you do for fun on the weekend.
They ask you if they like to watch ball games on Sunday.
And you answer you don’t get to watch ball games as much as you would like to because of church activities.
And you are really involved in your church.
They are surprised that you would prioritize church so highly.
But they ask you what church do you go to?
And you say, I go to First United Methodist
And you ask them if they know where that is at.
And they say no they don’t know where it is.
And you ask them if they know where the public Library is.
They say yes.
And you say it is located right across the street from the Library
And they oh, yes, I know the one you are talking about.
I remember now I went to that church.
That was years ago but I have not been back and now I don’t go to church anymore.
You are tempted to just end the conversation right there.
But after this moment of silence comes the next opportunity.
I ask them “What do you think about Jesus or Church now?”
What has changed that you no longer go to church.
They tell you that they are pretty much over, finished, done with church.
Church is not really for them.
It is boring.
People are judgmental
People are hypocritical.
So they tell you they can stay at home and watch church on t.v.
That is how they have a relationship with God.
I want to pause right here.
And ask you where are you in this story?
1. Walker who hears God’s voice and does
2. Walker who hears God’s voice and does nothing.
3. Person trimming shrubs.
I want you to know that you are the person who is out trimming the shrubs.
Not expecting someone to show up and start talking to you about God.
Every one of you were out in the world.
Without any hope. Lost without salvation
Maybe minding your own business.
Doing your own thing.
I want you to write down the word: Vulnerability.
1. Vulnerability if you look it up in a dictionary you will find a definition of something like: weakness that may be the first thing that you think of when you hear the word vulnerability.
But when it comes to being obedient to God vulnerability also takes on the meaning of openness.
How much am I willing to trust?
How much am I willing to share?
How willing am I to put myself out there and be use able as a servant of the Lord.
The next word I want you to write down is the word Story. We all have a story to tell.
2. Story
A witness for Christ is like a legal witness, who tells his/her story
and relays the facts and circumstance he/she saw and experienced
without giving an opinion
And leaves the rest to God.
Like a legal witness, we are many times afraid or reluctant to come forward
Especially to be cross examined by the world
So we remain silent.
This brings us back to the word:
3. Invitation
Write down the word Invitation
How did you respond to the invitation to receive Christ as your Lord and Saviour?
Who shared the Gospel with you?
How did you come to the conclusion that you are forgiven of your sin?
Who shared with you that God cares
God is very close
Christ really work in life today.
Who have you invited to become a disciple with you?
After you shared your Story did you ask
Does this make sense to you?
Did you invite a response?
Can I pray for you or with you?
Again Elijah prayed, and the heavens gave rain,
and the earth produced its crops.
Prayed----
Water symbol of life
Earth produced its crops? Harvest
19 My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth
and someone should bring that person back, 20 remember this:
Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death
and cover over a multitude of sins.” James 5:17-20
That is really the challenge isn’t it.
To try and figure out what is the condition of our own heart first?
Where is your soul when it comes to your own relationship with God?
This alone is reason enough to come to the altar this morning and pray.
And pray earnestly that God would help you
And help us
discover where we are and what we are supposed to be doing to serve him.
And what it is God wants us to be doing as individual Christians.
And what God wants us to be doing in as the church corporate in the community.
I think all believers can agree that we need to unite in prayer about our lives
and how we worship and serve God in Ministry and Missions.
I want you to think about his with me for a moment.
The value of something is determined by the price someone is willing to pay.
Paintings that sell for $2,000,000.00 I don’t get it.
If God would give his Son upon the cross
That means that you and me are incredibly valuable to God.
Remember Jesus didn’t die for the church he died to save the lost sinner.
God sent Jesus to die
So that his death would make it possible to come to him.
Let us pray: God forgive me for I know I need Jesus as my Saviour. I now turn from my past and trust in Jesus. I give Jesus control of my life. With all of my understanding receive your love into every area of my life. Amen.
