Empowered for Soul-Winning: A Call to Action
Summary
### Summary
Today, we embarked on a journey of warfare prayer, emphasizing the urgency and necessity of soul-winning. The kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and we must take it by force, pulling souls from the clutches of the enemy. The state of the body of Christ has been concerning, with many wanting to be experts but few willing to be learners or soul-winners. Our mission is clear: to become a soul-winning church, leading the lost to the cross at any cost. This is not just the preacher's job; it is the responsibility of every believer. High anxiety and negativity levels are often a result of low evangelism efforts. We must shift our focus from self-centeredness to soul-winning.
We took a practical step by writing down the names of people we know who need to hear the gospel, committing to pray for opportunities to share our testimonies with them. The Holy Spirit empowers us to be witnesses, and our bodies are now the temple of the Holy Spirit. The call to action is clear: we must lead others to Jesus, not just talk about ministry or criticize other churches. True maturity in faith is measured by our soul-winning efforts, not by our knowledge or spiritual gifts.
We also addressed the idolatry of self and the obsession with the future, urging everyone to focus on the present and the mission at hand. The future is fake; today is all we have. We must break out of our cocoons of comfort and step into the fullness of God's plan for our lives. The fire of God must be kept burning in our hearts, and we must feed it daily with the Word and prayer. We are a royal priesthood, and it is our duty to keep the holy fire burning.
Finally, we extended an invitation for salvation, emphasizing that being a Christian is a personal decision, not a cultural or familial identity. Many responded, stepping forward to accept Jesus and commit their lives to Him. This is just the beginning of a transformative journey for them and for our church as we continue to focus on winning souls for Christ.
### Key Takeaways
1. Urgency of Soul-Winning: The kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and we must take it by force. Our mission is to lead the lost to the cross at any cost. This is not just the preacher's job; it is the responsibility of every believer. High anxiety and negativity levels are often a result of low evangelism efforts. [00:47]
2. Practical Steps for Evangelism: We took a practical step by writing down the names of people we know who need to hear the gospel, committing to pray for opportunities to share our testimonies with them. The Holy Spirit empowers us to be witnesses, and our bodies are now the temple of the Holy Spirit. [02:46]
3. True Maturity in Faith: True maturity in faith is measured by our soul-winning efforts, not by our knowledge or spiritual gifts. We must shift our focus from self-centeredness to soul-winning. The call to action is clear: we must lead others to Jesus, not just talk about ministry or criticize other churches. [09:10]
4. Breaking the Idolatry of Self: We addressed the idolatry of self and the obsession with the future, urging everyone to focus on the present and the mission at hand. The future is fake; today is all we have. We must break out of our cocoons of comfort and step into the fullness of God's plan for our lives. [12:09]
5. Keeping the Holy Fire Burning: The fire of God must be kept burning in our hearts, and we must feed it daily with the Word and prayer. We are a royal priesthood, and it is our duty to keep the holy fire burning. This requires daily commitment and intentionality. [31:03]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:47] - The Urgency of Soul-Winning
[01:57] - Responsibility of Every Believer
[02:46] - Practical Steps for Evangelism
[03:23] - Writing Down Names for Prayer
[04:40] - Sharing Your Testimony
[05:12] - Praying for Boldness
[06:08] - Empowered by the Holy Spirit
[07:08] - True Maturity in Faith
[09:10] - Breaking the Idolatry of Self
[12:09] - The Future is Fake
[15:12] - Building the Kingdom
[18:14] - The Fire of God
[19:29] - Integrity in the Workplace
[21:04] - The Story of C.B. Hedstrom
[23:57] - Serving Others
[25:25] - Overcoming Self-Obsession
[28:00] - Remember Who You Are
[29:20] - Prayer of Commitment
[31:03] - Keeping the Holy Fire Burning
[33:44] - Feeding the Fire of God
[35:07] - Changing Your Diet
[36:40] - You Are a Royal Priesthood
[38:20] - The Secret of the Kingdom
[39:44] - Fanning the Flame
[41:12] - Giving God What He Demands
[42:35] - The Simple Gospel
[44:04] - Speaking to the Spirit
[45:17] - The Joy of Salvation
[46:50] - The Power of Testimony
[48:25] - Fresh Wind from God
[50:17] - Breaking Out of the Cocoon
[52:09] - Overcoming Passivity
[53:42] - Loose Thyself
[55:35] - Personal Decision for Christ
[58:30] - Invitation to Accept Jesus
[01:00:32] - Stepping into the New
[01:02:08] - The Power of God
[01:03:51] - Unified as a Family
[01:05:21] - Prayer of Salvation
[01:08:13] - Conclusion and Next Steps
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 11:12 (NIV): "From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it."
2. Acts 1:8 (NIV): "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
3. Leviticus 6:13 (NIV): "The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously; it must not go out."
### Observation Questions
1. According to Matthew 11:12, what does it mean that the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence? How does this relate to the urgency of soul-winning mentioned in the sermon? [00:47]
2. In Acts 1:8, what is the significance of receiving power from the Holy Spirit? How does this empower believers to be witnesses? [06:08]
3. Leviticus 6:13 emphasizes the importance of keeping the fire burning on the altar. How does this Old Testament practice relate to the call for believers to keep the holy fire burning in their hearts today? [31:03]
4. What practical step did the pastor suggest for evangelism, and how did the congregation respond to this call? [02:46]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of "taking the kingdom by force" in Matthew 11:12 challenge our understanding of spiritual warfare and evangelism? [00:47]
2. Acts 1:8 speaks about the power of the Holy Spirit enabling believers to be witnesses. How can this power manifest in our daily lives and interactions with others? [06:08]
3. The sermon mentioned that true maturity in faith is measured by soul-winning efforts rather than knowledge or spiritual gifts. How does this perspective shift our focus in our spiritual growth? [09:10]
4. The pastor spoke about the idolatry of self and the obsession with the future. How can focusing on the present and the mission at hand help us break free from these obsessions? [12:09]
### Application Questions
1. The sermon emphasized the urgency of soul-winning and the responsibility of every believer. How can you personally take steps to lead someone to Christ this week? [00:47]
2. Reflect on the practical step of writing down names of people who need to hear the gospel. Have you done this? If not, who are three people you can start praying for and seeking opportunities to share your testimony with? [02:46]
3. The pastor mentioned that high anxiety and negativity levels are often a result of low evangelism efforts. How can increasing your evangelism efforts help reduce anxiety and negativity in your life? [01:57]
4. True maturity in faith is measured by soul-winning efforts. What are some ways you can shift your focus from self-centeredness to actively leading others to Jesus? [09:10]
5. The sermon addressed the idolatry of self and the obsession with the future. What are some practical steps you can take to focus more on the present and the mission God has for you today? [12:09]
6. Keeping the holy fire burning requires daily commitment and intentionality. What are some daily practices you can implement to ensure that the fire of God remains burning in your heart? [31:03]
7. The pastor extended an invitation for salvation, emphasizing that being a Christian is a personal decision. How can you support and disciple new believers in their transformative journey with Christ? [55:35]
Devotional
Day 1: The Urgency of Soul-Winning
Our mission as believers is to lead the lost to the cross at any cost. The kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and we must take it by force, pulling souls from the clutches of the enemy. This is not just the preacher's job; it is the responsibility of every believer. High anxiety and negativity levels are often a result of low evangelism efforts. When we focus on soul-winning, we align ourselves with God's heart and purpose, which brings peace and fulfillment. We must shift our focus from self-centeredness to soul-winning, understanding that our efforts in evangelism have eternal significance. [00:47]
Matthew 11:12 (ESV): "From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force."
Reflection: Think of one person in your life who does not know Jesus. How can you intentionally create an opportunity to share the gospel with them this week?
Day 2: Practical Steps for Evangelism
Evangelism is not just a theoretical concept but requires practical steps. One effective method is to write down the names of people we know who need to hear the gospel and commit to praying for opportunities to share our testimonies with them. The Holy Spirit empowers us to be witnesses, and our bodies are now the temple of the Holy Spirit. By praying for boldness and seeking divine appointments, we can be more intentional in our evangelistic efforts. This approach helps us to be proactive and prepared to share the good news whenever the opportunity arises. [02:46]
Acts 1:8 (ESV): "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
Reflection: Write down the names of three people you know who need to hear the gospel. Commit to praying for them daily and ask God for opportunities to share your testimony with them.
Day 3: True Maturity in Faith
True maturity in faith is measured by our soul-winning efforts, not by our knowledge or spiritual gifts. We must shift our focus from self-centeredness to soul-winning. The call to action is clear: we must lead others to Jesus, not just talk about ministry or criticize other churches. Our spiritual growth is evidenced by our willingness to step out of our comfort zones and actively engage in evangelism. This requires humility, a teachable spirit, and a genuine love for the lost. [09:10]
James 2:17-18 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."
Reflection: Reflect on your recent actions. How have you demonstrated your faith through soul-winning efforts? What steps can you take to grow in this area?
Day 4: Breaking the Idolatry of Self
We addressed the idolatry of self and the obsession with the future, urging everyone to focus on the present and the mission at hand. The future is fake; today is all we have. We must break out of our cocoons of comfort and step into the fullness of God's plan for our lives. This involves letting go of self-centered ambitions and embracing God's call to evangelism. By focusing on the present and being obedient to God's leading, we can make a significant impact for the kingdom. [12:09]
Matthew 6:34 (ESV): "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."
Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you are overly focused on the future. How can you shift your focus to the present and God's current call to evangelism?
Day 5: Keeping the Holy Fire Burning
The fire of God must be kept burning in our hearts, and we must feed it daily with the Word and prayer. We are a royal priesthood, and it is our duty to keep the holy fire burning. This requires daily commitment and intentionality. By immersing ourselves in God's Word and maintaining a vibrant prayer life, we can stay spiritually fervent and ready to share the gospel. This daily discipline helps us to remain connected to God's heart and purpose, fueling our passion for soul-winning. [31:03]
Leviticus 6:12-13 (ESV): "The fire on the altar shall be kept burning on it; it shall not go out. The priest shall burn wood on it every morning, and he shall arrange the burnt offering on it and shall burn on it the fat of the peace offerings. Fire shall be kept burning on the altar continually; it shall not go out."
Reflection: How can you incorporate daily practices of reading the Word and prayer to keep the fire of God burning in your heart? What specific steps will you take to ensure this commitment?
Quotes
1. "We are going to become a soul winning church. We're going to be a church that leads the lost at any cost to the cross. That is the reason for our very existence. That's the reason why you're alive right now, because the harvest is vast, but the laborers are few. And so we pray to the Lord of the harvest, send more laborers, God, come on, who would reach out their hand across every location and say, Lord, send me, come on." [00:47] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The reason why your anxiety levels are so high is because your evangelism levels are so low. Is this on the reason why your negativity is so high is because you're so winning is so low. The only people who got time to complain are the people that aren't leading people to the cross." [01:57] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "I don't have time to talk about ministry. I don't have time to talk about somebody else's church. I'm leading the loss to the cross at any cost. This is the only reason why I'm alive. And this isn't the preacher's job. This is why we're alive. And so I'm going to get that infused into you today because I'm telling you the secret. The secret is soul winning." [02:46] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "How many of you feel moved in your heart right now, because even when you thought about their names, the Lord was just like, just touching you to do this. Yeah, come on now, let me just talk to you. Some of you are like, how can I do this? How can I lead somebody to Jesus? I don't know how to talk. I'm not eloquent. I don't know the Bible, but you have a testimony. You're going to tell your testimony. I once was lost. Now I'm found. I once was blind. Now I see, come on." [04:40] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The reason why your family is not saved is because you have not allowed the Holy spirit to use you to do it. You are the temple of the Holy spirit. And let this be a rebuke to every person who calls himself a minister, but cannot tell me the last time you've led somebody to Jesus, I don't care about your seminary degrees. How many people have you led to Jesus?" [07:08] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Maturity is not knowing the Greek and the Hebrew, maturity is not prophesying accurately, maturity is not casting out demons, maturity is leading the lost to the cross at any cost. That is maturity, and the faith is that you're a soul winner." [09:10] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "If you were at home, and you discovered the cure for cancer, and you knew that it worked 100% of the time. If you were at home, and you discovered the cure for Parkinson's disease, you knew that you had the cure, and it worked 100% of the time. You would tell everybody, but you have the cure for death, hell, and the grave, and you're afraid to tell anybody. Maybe you don't believe it." [13:46] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "The will of God was never for you to listen to a sermon and decide whether or not you believe it. It was for you to eat the scroll and get into the word for yourself and then have the discernment of spirits. See, what happened is we become consumers, but we've constructed nothing. But what I want to do is get back up on the wall, and I want to build that wall, and while they're all murmuring and complaining, I'm going to say, I'm building this wall, and I can't come down." [15:12] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "The revelation of the book of Leviticus is you cannot give a holy God what you want to give him. You give him what he demands. And this whole idea of like, I'm going to decide if I evangelize, I'm going to decide how much I give. I'm going to decide if I, I'm telling you, if I'm telling you, the more you read the book of Leviticus, the only people that approach God with that mindset never pleased him." [41:12] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "The secret is salvation. The mystery of the gospel. Y'all, would you just stand to your feet with me? We're about to close. For this reason, I remind you to fan into the flame, the gift of God that was given to you. Let me give you some good news about, it's really hard to start a fire, but let me tell you something. Cause I'm, I'm a little bit from Indiana. I got a little bit from West Virginia, hillbilly and mountaineer. And I'll tell you something about fires." [46:50] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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