What To Do in Soul Winning
Having seen what NOT to do in soul winning from the example of Paul the apostle, I now wish to show you what Paul DID do in soul winning, taken from I Thessalonians 2.
What Paul DID Do in Soul Winning
1) “But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children (verse 7).” The word “gentle” deals with Paul’s spirit. In the previous post, I discussed some things Paul did not do in soul winning. He did not flatter them; he did not deceive them – he gave them the truth. But here, we find that Paul was also GENTLE among them. He was a gentle as a mother handling her infant. I have known a few preachers who take pride in being rough. Now, I believe in telling it like it is, and have done my share of it! However, if you can’t give someone the truth, and do it with a gentle spirit, something is wrong with you! In soul winning, let us give them the unadulterated truth, but let our spirits be gentle. Let us remember that the same Jesus who rebuked the leaders of Jerusalem sharply also wept over Jerusalem.
2) “…we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls (verse 8)…” Paul says here, “I did not give you the gospel only; but I gave you MYSELF.” What words! Soul winning is not always done in one attempt. Sometimes you pour yourself out; you wear yourself out; you pray yourself out; you exhaust yourself out! It is going to cost you to win souls. Winning souls may involve being there for someone in the middle of the night. Winning souls may involve you spending money on someone’s need. Yes, give the truth. Give the gospel. But if you do not give yourself, you will win few souls for Christ.
3) “For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail (verse 9)…” Labour and travail! Soul winning is work! Convincing people of anything is hard work, and convincing them that they need a Saviour is no different. There is no easy route to win souls. You must speak to people to whom it is hard to speak. You must go places to which it is hard to go. Jesus gave us the great commission, and never told us that it would be easy! As a matter of fact, He implied that it would be hard! When he told the disciples to go into all the world and preach the gospel, He gave them orders to go to Jerusalem and get filled with the Spirit FIRST! The reason we need the Holy Ghost to win souls is because – it is labour and travail! It is hard work!
4) “Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe (verse 10).” Paul backed up his words with a holy life. People may accuse you of wrongdoing, but make sure it is not true! Back up your words with a pure, clean life.
5) “As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children (verse 11).” Three things Paul did in giving the Thessalonians the gospel – he exhorted them; he comforted them; and he charged them! Webster defines “exhort” this way: “To excite or to give strength, spirit or courage.” Paul motivated them! He stirred them up. And we cannot stir up this world if we ourselves are not stirred. If the message of hell does not move you, it will not move your lost family. If the second coming of Christ does not motivate you, do not expect it to motivate your lost neighbors. Paul exhorted them. He comforted them. And before departing, he CHARGED them! He challenged them! He gave them a task! After winning them to Christ, they must be discipled. They must receive the charge to win souls as we received.
