Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday evening, Nov. 4, 2001, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia.
BE THANKFUL IN SOUL-WINNING
By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Text: 1 Thessalonians 1:2
1 Thessalonians 1:2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;
Introduction: Notice in this passage that Paul was thankful about soul-winning in two areas: 1. that the Thessalonians had been won to Christ; and 2. that the Thessalonians were winning others to Christ
Since Thanksgiving is a big American holiday, we talk about thanksgiving a lot in November. Tonight I want to point out seven reasons why we should be thankful in soul-winning.
I. BE THANKFUL FOR THE PROMISE OF SOUL-WINNING
Psalms 126:5-6 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
What a solid promise – SHALL reap … shall DOUBTLESS come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him!
A. Anyone who is saved can do this
B. Anyone who starts can do this
- “He that goeth forth”
C. Anyone who is sincere can do this
- “and weepeth” – Psalms 126:6
- “in tears” – Psalms 126:5
D. Anyone who sows can do this
- “bearing precious seed”
II. BE THANKFUL FOR THE POSSIBILITIES OF SOUL-WINNING
John 4:35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
A. Because of the fields that are white
- There are MULTITUDES of lost people! We just don’t win them because we don’t TRY.
B. Because of the few workers
- You don’t have much competition in going after prospects
- The only ones in our church who have been consistent in confronting people with the gospel have been those who have been trained and have CONTINUED in our soul-winning training program.
- Of those who dropped out, not ONE of them is winning souls regularly.
- The workers are FEW!
III. BE THANKFUL FOR THE PROSPECTS FOR SOUL-WINNING
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Matthew 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
A. Anyone of any race
B. Anyone of any religion
C. Anyone on any road
IV. BE THANKFUL FOR THE PATTERN FOR SOUL-WINNING
Matthew 4:19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
A. There is a command – “Follow me”
B. There is a change – “and I will make you fishers of men”
V. BE THANKFUL FOR THE POWER IN SOUL-WINNING
Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
A. The power of the Holy Ghost
B. The power of the heavenly gospel
- Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
VI. BE THANKFUL FOR THE PARDON IN SOUL-WINNING
Acts 16:29-31 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, 30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
A. It is simple
B. It is sure
VII. BE THANKFUL FOR THE PARTNERS IN SOUL-WINNING
Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.