Soul Winner: Whose job is it?
The following comes from the pastoral column in the publication of Calvary Baptist Church, Shreveport, LA.
Charles Spurgeon was one of the greatest preachers in history. Volumes of his sermons are still studied today. During his pastorate in England, God touched thousands of lives. However preaching alone is not enough. The people of God must become passionate about lost people and the opportunity for them to come into a living relationship with Jesus Christ. The People of God must also become dynamic prayer warriors. Spurgeon related well the priority all Christians must give to praying for the lost. In one of his many books, Soul Winner, Charles Spurgeon writes these words:
The soul-winner must be a master of the art of prayer. You cannot bring souls to God if you go not to God yourself. You must get your battle-ax, and you weapons of ware from the armory of sacred communications with Christ.
If you are much alone with Jesus, you will catch His Spirit; you will fired with the flame that burned in His breast, and consumed His life. You will weep with the tears that fell upon Jerusalem when He saw it perishing; and if you cannot speak so eloquently as he did, yet shall there be about what you say somewhat of the same power which in Him thrilled the hearts and awoke the consciences of men. My deal hearers, especially you members of the church, I am always so anxious lest any of you should begin to lie upon your oars and take things easy in the matters of God's kingdom. There are some iof you... I bless you, and I bless God at the remembrance of you ... who are in season, in earnest for winning souls, and you are the truly wise; but I fear there are others whose hands are slack, who are satisfied to let me preach, but do not themselves preach; but do not themselves preach; who take seats, and occupy these pews, and hope the cause goes well; but that is all they do.
The Bible clearly expresses the appropriateness and propriety of praying for the lost.
Rom. 10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel, is that they might be saved.
1. Tim. 2:1-4 I exhort therefore, that , first of all, supplications, prayer, intercessions and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2. For Kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
3. For the good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4. Who will have all mean to be save, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
Without a doubt, we ware commissioned to pray for all men. The goal of the church, is to reach the world with the saving truth of God. o carry out this great mission to the world, the world breath of the Gospel call. And the first feature in understanding that is to come to grips with evangelistic praying.
In Christ Alone,
Bro. Trey Lewis
