Could there be any better time for Christians in this late hour to become
harvesters of souls before the Lord's return?
Remember the Great Commission of our Lord, which He passed through
His disciples onto us. We must remember that this was given as a
COMMAND, not an OPTION ...
"I have been given all authority in heaven and earth. Therefore go and
make disciples in all the nations, baptizing them into the name of
the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and then teach these
new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you; and be sure
of this - that I am with you always, even to the end of the world"
(Matthew 28:18-20)
The Lord dealt with this same command on the Mount of Olives, just
prior to His return to The Father. He knew that witnessing would not come
by our own strength, but by the power of the Holy Spirit ...
"When the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power to
testify about me with great effect, to the people in Jerusalem, throughout
Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth, about my death and
resurrection" (Acts 1:8)
The Great Commission was the focus of Jesus' ministry on this earth,
for He told the disciples, "I will make you fishers of men".
Death is the destiny of every man; the living should take this to
heart (Ecclesiastes 7:2)
Christ does not want anyone to perish, but wants everyone to come
to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
Our Lord has commissioned each of us to share the Good News and
"seek the lost." He said, "Go and make disciples of all nations"; and "Go
into all the world and preach the good news to all creation" (Matthew 28:19;
Mark 16:15). It is our greatest calling, then, to share the love and
forgiveness He has given us with those who have never received Him as
their Savior and Lord.
Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to
the Father, except through me" (John 14:6). God's Word also reminds us,
"There is salvation in no one else! Under all heaven there is no other
name for men to call upon to save them" (Acts 4:12).
Men and women are truly lost without Jesus Christ. He is the only
way to bridge the gap between man and God. Without Him, people
cannot know God and have no hope of eternal life.
Jesus said, "The fields are ripe unto harvest." Can we afford to be
selfish with the gospel when such overwhelming evidence shows that so
many people are hungry for God? By sharing our faith in Christ with
others, we can help change our world for our Lord.
1. Know that you are a Christian yourself
2. Understand the empowerment of the Holy Spirit in your life personally
3. Learn how to present the gospel simply, clearly, and convincingly
that the one with whom you are sharing will be able to make an
intelligent decision for Christ as Savior and Lord
2) Be sure there is no unconfessed sin in your life. If some sinful attitude
or action is hindering your fellowship with God, He cannot live through
you, and you will not be a joyful Christian or a fruitful witness for Christ.
3) Be filled with the Holy Spirit. To be fruitful in your witness for
Christ, you must appropriate by faith the fullness of God's Spirit. Invite
the Holy Spirit to control and empower you - to enable you to live a
holy, godly life by faith and to make you a fruitful witness for Him.
4) Be prepared to communicate your faith in Christ. Keeping Christ on
the throne of your life as the Lord of your heart is the best preparation
for communicating your faith.
Just as Jesus prayed that the Holy Spirit would work in the lives of
His disciples, so we can pray that the Holy Spirit will convict non-believers
and give them a strong desire to know God.
Although God wants everyone to come to repentance, He chooses to
wait for the prayers of a concerned believer to release the Holy Spirit in
that person's heart. In our efforts to lead people to Christ, we must first
talk to God about men, then talk to men about God. If we follow this
divine order, we will see results.
Since it is God's will that none should perish, and since God promises
to answer any prayer offered in accordance with His will (1 John 5:14,15),
we can know with assurance that God will answer our prayers
for the salvation of souls for whom he has impressed us to pray
(Philippians 2:13).
You are assured of that same resurrection power and presence today
through the power of the Holy Spirit. Our Lord honors the faithful witness
of all who place their trust in Him.
Jesus Christ, the King of kings, has chosen to send His message of
salvation to a lost and dying world through human means. Whatever the
cost, the message must reach those who have never heard it. Every
faithful and willing Christian is a human instrument through whom the
King's voice is reaching the lost.
Proverbs 11:30 tells us ... " ... he that winneth souls is wise"
Successful witnessing is simply taking the initiative to share Christ in
the power of the Holy Spirit, and leaving the results to God.
2. When you quote scripture, type out the verse you are wanting them
to see. Most non-Christians don't have a Bible handy or want to look up
scripture.
3. Be as polite as you can. Remember that if you were suddenly told
you were going to go to hell separated from God you would be shocked and
probably not believe that was the truth. Instead show that person you are
talking to love and genuine affection in who they are and that they don't
know Christ like you do. Remember that the whole reason you are witnessing
is to lead them to Jesus, not to debate or argue with them when they say
rude statements!
4. Be prepared not to have someone accept Christ the first 10 minutes
you talk to them. Sometimes it takes days, weeks, months and even years
for someone to accept Christ. Just remember you are planting a seed of
the message in them that might not blossom until later in that person's
life.
5. Don't worry about what words to say when you witness. You should
have a general knowledge in how to receive salvation, but remember
that Jesus said the Holy Spirit will give us the words to say.
