Confidence For Soul Winning
Introduction
What happened to the disciples? They had heard Jesus say, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me" (Luke 9:23, RSV). Now they were hiding in fear behind locked doors. Fear erects a barrier that dominates the mind, depresses motives, and discourages the mission of Jesus' followers. Fear turns attention inward toward self. Fear defeats soul winning. Can we get rid of the fear that hinders evangelism? Yes, indeed! The presence of Jesus removes fear for those who trust and obey Him. Jesus suddenly appeared in their midst and said, "Peace be with you" (John 20:19, RSV). Then, "he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord" (John 20:20, RSV). Knowing Jesus' love and loving Jesus overcomes fear. "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear" (I John 4:18, RSV).
I. The Person Of Jesus Gives Confidence For Soul- Winning
A. Peace Comes From The Abiding Presence Of Jesus (John 20:21)
Jesus said, "Peace be unto you" in verse 19. He said it to resolve their fear of His sudden appearance and their anxiety for personal safety. Later he gave assurance, as His followers were sent out on mission to be His witnesses. Jesus affirmed His presence with the disciples in Matthew 28:20 (KJV), "And, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." Summary: Jesus promised to give His peace as we obey Him in soul-winning.
B. Peace comes from the authoritative presence of the person of Jesus (John 20:21, RSV).
He was sent by God, the Father, as the eternal Son to redeem the lost world: "As my Father has sent me ..." He has sent His followers as an extension of His mission to redeem the lost world: "... even so I send you." Summary: The followers of Jesus are sent under divine authority to reach lost people with the gospel of Christ.
II. The Plan Of Jesus Gives Confidence For Soul-Winning
Jesus' plan is recorded in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). This same commission is found in different forms in the four Gospels and in Acts. Repetition is the key to establishing direction and building enthusiasm for soul-winning. It is Jesus' plan: "... so I send you" (John 20:21, RSV).
A. To Involve Every Christian
Total participation of the membership is required to reach every person with the gospel. Christians do not witness because they are not sent by lost people. The lost are in spiritual darkness and do not see their need (see 2 Corinthians 4:3-4). The lost are in spiritual deadness and have no power to change, apart from the work of God and the work of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:1) Christians do go to witness because they are sent by the Lord (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:47-49; Acts 1:8).
B. To Include Every Person
Total penetration of every geographic area with the gospel, not overlooking any person, is Jesus' plan.
III. The Power Of Jesus Gives Confidence For Soul- Winning (John 20:22-23)
God uses three things to reach people for Himself.
A. The Work Of The Spirit (John 20:22)
"He breathed on them, and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit.'" The Holy Spirit came and filled the church at Pentecost later. God breathed into the body of the first Adam the breath of life and he became a living soul (Genesis 2:7). God breathed His Spirit into the body of Christ, the last Adam.
The church became the dynamic body of Christ. The Holy Spirit empowers the believer for effective witness (Acts 1:8).
B. The Word Of Salvation (John 20:23)
No person has the power to forgive any other man's sins. The power to remit or retain sins is in the word of salvation. God forgives as people respond in repentance and faith. This verse is parallel to Jesus' word to Peter about the keys of the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 16:19). The word of forgiveness is entrusted to believers. The believer witnesses to convey forgiveness to repentant hearts. Their sins are remitted. The believer warns sinners that they are forfeiting the forgiveness of God. Their sins are retained.
C. The Witness Of The Saved
It is the privilege and responsibility of every believer to bear the good news of God's forgiveness through Christ to every lost person. Jesus came "to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10, KJV). If our hearts beat as beats the heart of Jesus, we will seek and reach the lost with the gospel of salvation.