Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday evening, April 07, 2002, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia.

OPPOSITIONS TO SOUL-WINNING

By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia

Scripture Reading: John 15:1-8

Text: John 15:8

John 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

Introduction: Sometimes opponents to the big emphasis on soul-winning say that our chief emphasis should not be to win souls, but rather to glorify God. Well, let’s suppose that is correct. The question follows, “What glorifies God?” The answer is our text for tonight’s message:

John 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

If that’s the case, many Christians are not glorifying God, at least in this area. Not only that, but it also appears from our text that a Christian is not a true disciple of the Lord if he isn’t bearing fruit.

I want you to think with me tonight about some of the things that hinder believers from being soul-winners. Why is that some of you will not be present this week when our church meets to go soul-winning?

I. THE WEATHER

Ecclesiastes 11:4-6 He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap. 5 As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all. 6 In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.

A. Temperature

Remember that other Christians suffer worse temperatures than you do.
Air conditioning is a recent invention!

B. Threat of rain

Go soul-winning anyway and do what you can

II. WEARINESS AND WORK

2 Corinthians 11:23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.

2 Corinthians 11:27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

A. Pray for strength from the Lord

Other Christians go soul-winning who have worse health than you have.
Draw your strength from the Lord! He is the vine; we are the branches.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

B. Ponder the state of the lost

If you really believed that people were going to hell, you would give your last breath to save them.
Witness the efforts of the rescue workers at the World Trade Center.

C. Prioritize the sort of labor that you do

Maybe you’re working too much overtime, if you’re too busy to go soul-winning.
Maybe you’re spending too much time on your yard, car, or house, if you’re too tired to go soul-winning.

III. WORKERS

Matthew 9:37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;

It’s discouraging when you don’t have help or company. Many pastors don’t go soul-winning because they can’t get anyone to go with them.

Many Christians are

A. Not enlisted for soul-winning

We should pray for workers.
We should persuade workers.

B. Not equipped for soul-winning

Churches need to start soul-winning training programs.
Christians need to sign up for soul-winning training programs.

C. Not encouraged to go soul-winning

Fear is the biggest hindrance to soul-winning
Preachers can encourage others by winning souls themselves.
Preachers can encourage others by preaching on it. The Bible will work on hearts!
Preachers can encourage others by training them!

IV. THE WILL

Philippians 3:13-14 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

“This one thing I do …” he said: “I press toward the mark.” Paul’s mind was made up. He made his choice. His choice was to be all that God wanted him to be. It was a matter of the WILL. What do you WANT? If you’re saved, you can be a soul-winner if you WANT to be one.

A. Do you want to please yourself more than to please God?

B. Do you want to prepare your own house rather than prepare people for heaven?

C. Do you want to ponder the news, the comedians, and Hellywood actors rather than ponder the lost people of this world?

D. Do you want a paycheck more than you want the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus?

No? Then GO SOUL-WINNING!

Don’t let anything ever get you off track from telling people how to be saved!

Don’t look for obstacles to keep you from going soul-winning; look for opportunities!