WHY WIN SOULS?
Pastor Joel Bernardino – January 13, 2026
Someone once asked the great preacher Lyman Beecher,
“Mr. Beecher, what do you consider the greatest thing a human being can do or be?”
Without hesitation, he replied:
“The greatest thing is not that one should be a scientist—important as that is;
nor that one should be a statesman—vastly important as that is;
nor even that one should be a theologian—immeasurably important as that is.
The greatest thing of all is for one human being to bring another human being to Christ.”
Why?
Because Jesus values people more than anything else in this world.
• God created the world for humanity
• Jesus gave His life to restore our broken relationship with God
• Heaven’s greatest priority has always been people
That is why the greatest thing we can do is to bring someone to Jesus.
WHY SHOULD WE BECOME SOUL WINNERS?
1. WE OBEY THE COMMAND OF JESUS
Soul-winning is not a suggestion.
It is a command.
It is not optional for a few;
it is the Great Commission for every believer.
Acts 1:8 – “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses… to the ends of the earth.”
Mark 16:15 – “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”
Jesus never told us to wait for people to come to church.
He told us to go to where the people are.
• We bring the Gospel to them
• We take the initiative
• We follow the example of Jesus Himself
Illustration:
Jesus went out of His way to meet the woman at the well (John 4).
She was ignored by society—but not by Jesus.
Romans 10:14 – “How can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?”
The Great Commission is clear:
We are called not only to bring people to Christ—but to help them become His disciples.
2. WE DO NOT WANT PEOPLE TO END UP IN HELL
Hell is often treated as a joke.
But hell is no joke—hell is real.
• The Bible mentions hell repeatedly
• Jesus spoke about hell more than anyone else
• He warned us because He loves people
Jesus talked about heaven to inspire us,
but He talked about hell to warn us.
The truth is sobering:
• Hell is real
• Eternity is real
• Decisions in this life have eternal consequences
Jesus’ teaching about the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19–31) gives us powerful lessons:
• Earthly wealth cannot save a soul
• Opportunities ignored on earth cannot be recovered in eternity
• Compassion neglected becomes regret remembered
The rich man had everything—except Christ.
Lazarus had nothing—except hope in God.
The saddest truths about hell:
• Eternal separation from God
• Eternal regret and sorrow
• Eternal suffering with no second chances
The rich man had many regrets:
• He wished he had listened
• He wished he had repented
• He wished he had cared
• He wished someone had warned his brothers
But it was too late.
Once life is over:
• There are no do-overs
• No more chances to repent
• No more opportunities to witness
John 14:6 – “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
The decision must be made now.
3. WE VALUE PEOPLE ABOVE EVERYTHING ELSE
Jesus values souls over success,
people over possessions,
eternity over temporary comfort.
That is why soul-winning matters.
Proverbs 11:30 – “He who wins souls is wise.”
Mark 8:36 – “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet lose his soul?”
Jesus died for people.
He desires that none should perish.
2 Peter 3:9 – “The Lord is patient… not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
Let us reflect honestly:
• Have we lost compassion for the lost?
• Have we grown comfortable instead of concerned?
• Do we still carry God’s heart for people?
If we only care about ourselves,
we will miss what God is calling us to do.
Do we truly love Jesus?
Then we must love who He loves.
A CHALLENGE TO THE CHURCH
Let no one go to hell unwarned and unprayed for.
At the very least:
• We prayed for them
• We invited them
• We shared the Gospel
• We supported the mission
• We did something
God does not require success—
He requires obedience.
CONCLUSION
WE HAVE OPPORTUNITIES
Jesus said the fields are ripe for harvest.
The problem is not the harvest—
it is the lack of laborers.
Your family, friends, neighbors, coworkers—
they are your harvest field.
WE HAVE THE GOOD NEWS
The Gospel brings:
• Freedom to the bound
• Light to those in darkness
• Hope to the hopeless
WE ARE DEALING WITH ETERNITY
This world is temporary.
God’s Kingdom is eternal.
Jesus has conquered sin, death, and the grave.
WE WILL RECEIVE GREAT REWARDS
• What we do for the least, we do for Him
• What we give in His Name will never be forgotten
• Earthly treasures fade, but heavenly rewards last forever
Let us rise as a church that loves people,
obeys Christ,
and wins souls for eternity.
Because the greatest thing we can ever do—
is bring someone to Jesus.
