Lesson 13

Learning to Share God's Love

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The Apostles did not, originally, comprehend the breadth of the "Great Commission" given to them by Jesus in Matthew 28:19-20. They sought to establish a Jewish Christian Church consisting of converted Jews and Jewish proselytes.

 

Later, through the enlightening influence of the Holy Spirit they recognized the universality of the Gospel call, and admitted Gentiles into full fellowship. Acts chapter 15

 

Jesus' last words were, "Ye shall receive power after the Holy Spirit has come upon you to be my witness".

 

The responsibility of proclaiming the GOOD NEWS about Jesus has been given directly to the BODY OF CHRIST, which we are when we become Born-Again.

 

The Angels Of God are not able to take this Message of God's LOVE to the world. They are sometimes given assignments to assist in the work of the Body of Christ fulfilling their assigned task.

 

In Acts chapter two, we read about Peter's first opportunity to preach. Three thousand people gave their lives to Christ because of what Peter said under the POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

 

About nine years later the Holy Spirit gave Peter a vision to wash out his prejudices toward the gentile people, and sent Peter to the house of Cornelius. All that lived in this house received Jesus as their personal Savior, as a result of Peter, being obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

 

In chapter nine we read about the conversion of Paul, how God gave him a vision and a visitation of Jesus to correct all of the learning he had received going to the religious seminary. Paul wanted to be a servant of God with all his heart, but, he was going about it the wrong way. Paul himself, had to be converted and receive Jesus as personal savior.

 

Paul's ministry and missionary work covered about twenty-seven years. He was put into prison for preaching the gospel. It was while in prison, Paul wrote the letters to the churches and these letters are now the larger part of the New Testament as we know it today.

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It is an AWESOME PRIVILEGE and RESPONSIBILITY, the Lord has given us. Shall we PRAY that we too, SHALL CATCH GOD’S VISION, THAT HE IS NOT WILLING ANY SHOULD PERISH, and we WILL DO OUR PART, that those we come in CONTACT WITH, WILL HEAR FROM OUR MOUTH AND SEE, THROUGH OUR LIFE-STYLE, THAT WE SERVE, THE ONE AND ONLY TRUE LIVING GOD.
II Peter 3:9

SALVATION PREACHING

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THE CROSS AND THE RESURRECTION,
WATER BAPTISM AND THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT

In all four Gospels, Jesus is the ROLE MODEL. He begins with the twelve Apostles, teaching, training and grooming. Then He sends them out two by two. Then He sends seventy others out two by two. For three years Jesus is preparing the leaders He is going to leave behind to do the Father's WORK and to prepare His Bride.

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THEN JESUS SAID TO THE CHURCH: "AS THE FATHER SENT ME, SO SEND I YOU." This command is still in effect today.

 

HERE ARE SOME EXAMPLES:
 

1. John the Baptist, Preached repentance and to look for the coming of Jesus. (The Messiah)

2. John 3:3; Jesus told Nicodemus: "YOU MUST BE BORN-AGAIN"

3. John 4:5-30: Jesus taught about the LIVING WATER

4. John 14:6: Jesus said, "He was THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE."

5. Acts 2:38-39; Then Peter said unto them: "Repent, and be baptized every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call."

6. Acts 3:17-24; "Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, have foretold of these days."

7. Acts 4:12; "Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be SAVED."

8. Acts 8:26-40; Philip and the Eunuch

9. Acts 9:1-22; The conversion of Saul

10. Acts 10:1-48; Cornelius and his house

11. Acts 13:26; Paul said, "Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you (GENTILES) WHO FEARETH God, to you is the WORD of SALVATION SENT."

12. Acts 20:20 could be called, "Gods VISION” of how He wants His church to VIEW, “ THE WORK OF THE HARVEST". Look at Matthew 9:37-38

 

LEARNING TO SHARE GOD’S LOVE

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1. OUTLINE OF GODS REASON FOR SENDING JESUS.

 

A. Luke 19:10 & Ezekiel 34:11-16 To SEEK and to SAVE that which was LOST.

 

B. Luke 4:14-21 To SET the CAPTIVES FREE

 

C. Luke 7:18-23 To SET the CAPTIVES FREE

 

D. Isaiah 58:6 To SET the CAPTIVES FREE

 

E. John 3:16 For God so LOVED the world that HE SENT JESUS, His Son.

 

F. John 3:17 Jesus Came to SAVE the world and NOT to CONDEMN THE WORLD.

 

G. Acts 10:38 God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and with POWER, TO SET THE CAPTIVES FREE.

 

2. THE CHAIN OF COMMAND.

 

A. John 20:21 “As the FATHER sent ME, so SEND I YOU”

 

B. II Tim. 2:15 We are instructed to study.

 

C. Rom. 10:17 FAITH comes by hearing.

 

D. John 16:1-33 THE PERSON OF THE HOLY SPIRIT was SENT to GUIDE, LEAD and TEACH US.

 

E. Luke 4:1-13 Jesus OVERCAME the enemy WITH THE WORD. Matt 4:1-11

 

F. Rev. 12:11 We OVERCOME the enemy by the BLOOD OF THE LAMB and by our testimony, connected TO THE WORD.

 

G. Mark 16:14-20 Jesus works with us and confirms the WORD. Look at verses 19 & 20 also Isaiah 55:11.

 

H. Acts 1:8 Go into all the world, BEGINNING in YOUR own NEIGHBORHOOD.

 

3. THE PART WE DO

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A. I Peter 3:15 Be ready to give an answer

 

B. Acts 1:8 You shall be witnesses

 

C. I Cor. 4:6-11 We are CO-LABORERS together with God

 

D. II Cor. 5:14-21 We are AMBASSADORS for Christ

 

E. II Tim. 1:7 Live a SPIRIT-FILLED life (Ephesians 5:18)

 

F. Joshua 1:8 Meditate (absorb, commit to memory) on God's WORD so you will be a GOOD SUCCESS.

 

G. Psalms 107:1-2 Give thanks unto the Lord, and let the redeemed say so!

 

4. GOD'S CONTINUED ATTITUDE

 

A. II Peter 3:9 He is NOT WILLING that ANY SHOULD PERISH

 

B. I Tim. 2:3-5 God would have all men SAVED

 

C. Luke 15:10 ALL HEAVEN REJOICES when one PERSON repents. THIS PLEASES OUR Heavenly FATHER.

 

D. John 15:8 Our Father is GLORIFIED when we are soul winners.

 

E. Luke 14:23 Go and COMPEL them to come in. We should take this responsibility very seriously.

 

F. Matt. 9:37,38 Pray to the Lord of the harvest. For the laborors are few.

 

G. Isaiah 6:8 Here FATHER, here am I, SEND ME.

 

H. Ezekiel 3:17-21 READ THESE VERSES IF YOU ARE NOT SURE, HOW GOD FEELS ABOUT THIS SUBJECT.

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THE FIVE PHASES OF SOUL WINNING

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INTRODUCTION: A person won to Christ usually has had previous work done in his life. There are exceptions, but generally speaking this previous history in contact can be found if we investigate. This study will analyze the before and after work with souls.

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1. PLOWING – I Corinthians 9:10 “… he that ploweth should plow in hope.” This is cultivation, when a Christian makes a favorable impression on a non-Christian by a good turn, sweet conduct under pressure, consistent godliness in an ungodly atmosphere, etc.

2. PLANTING – John 4:37 “one soweth and another reapth.” Plowed ground can take the seed and the seed is the WORD OF GOD. Psalms 126:5. “He that goweth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed. This is another term given to this aspect is “sowing”.

3. WATERING - I Corinthians 3:6-8 “I have planted and Apollos watered.” This follows seed planting, and includes the calling, sharing truth, prayer, travail (with pangs), etc. Sometimes this involves years and sometimes only days or weeks.

4. REAPING – John 4:36 “He that reapeth recieveth wages.” This is the act of winning a soul to Christ. Before you dealt with the person, he or she was a sinner. After you dealt with him or her, that one was a child of God – whether at the moment of dealing or later at church or at home alone, your persuasion brought the act.

5. THRESHING – I Corinthians 9:10 “ … and that he that thresheth in hope.” This is follow-up when the genuine wheat in a person is separated from the chaff. (It can be “removing of grave cloths” John 11:44) Follow-up is often the most difficult part of the process and most exacting.

 

HOW ABOUT REWARDS?

 

“--- and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor” I Corinthians 3:8. The amount of effort, labor and time put into a person determine the amount of reward received.

 

HOW ABOUT WAGES?

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“And he that reapeth, receiveth wages and gathereth fruit unto life eternal” John 4:36. “Wages” is given to the one who actually wins the soul, just as the farmer who reaps the field gets the crop. He has benefit from the life of the person won and also shares in his souls. Christ reaped the women at the well, she told the town and her converts invited Him and His team to stay and they stayed there two days. “And more believed because of His own word. ” More converts (wages) came as a result of this one convert.
John 4:39-42

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LESSON BY--CHRISTIANS IN ACTION , LONG BEACH, CA.

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EVANGELISM -THOUGHTS

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1. CONSIDER THE VALUE GOD HAS PLACED ON EACH PERSON.

A. Each person is worth, more than all of the world and all the things there in. “What does it profit a person, if they gain the whole world, and then loose their soul”.

 

2. JESUS SAID: " I WILL MAKE YOU FISHERS OF MEN."

 

A. We need to learn how to use, different types of BAIT, for the DIFFERENT TYPES OF FISH.

 

3. Ask some qualifying questions such as: What would you say is man’s greatest spiritual need? –or- What does a person need to do to go to Heaven? -or- How could you guarantee that you will go to Heaven when you die?

When a person says, "I’ve been asked that before, or I have thought about that before."

 

Then ask, What was your response to the question then, and how do you feel now?

 

Wait for their response. Their answer will tell you where they are spiritually at his time.

 

4. A thought about body language: It is about 55% of how your communication impacts the person you are talking to.

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5. If the opportunity is there… DON’T LET IT PASS THEM BY. DON’T WASTE IT!

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Then say - Would you like to ask Jesus into your heart to be your Personal Lord and Savior.

 

6. WAIT ON THEIR ANSWER.

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7. Do not force a person for an answer. You can BRUISE THE FRUIT by forcing and NO ONE will be able to HARVEST it later. The Holy Spirit is a perfect gentleman, He never forces Himself on anyone.

 

The only thing we can do as workers is, PRAY, SOW SEEDS AND WATER. THE HOLY SPIRIT GIVES THE INCREASE. I Corinthians 3:1-15

 

THE TOP TEN EXCUSES

 

EXCUSE #1 "I can't live the Christian life."

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ANSWER: Have you let the true source of POWER come into your HEART? John 1:12 "But as many as received Him, to them, gave He power, to become sons of God, even to them that believe on His name."

 

EXCUSE #2 "I will accept Jesus later."

 

ANSWER: You are only one, heart beat from eternity. James 4:14 "whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."

 

EXCUSE #3 " I have my own religion."

 

ANSWER: What would happen if each person set his own traffic rules. Isaiah 53:6 says, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on JESUS, the iniquity of us all."

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EXCUSE #4 "All religions are good."

 

ANSWER: But only Jesus rose from the dead. John 14:6 " Jesus saith to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by me."

 

EXCUSE #5 " I go to church."

 

ANSWER: While attending church, have you ever received the gift of eternal life? Romans 6:23 " For the wages of SIN is death, but the gift of God is eternal life; through JESUS CHRIST our Lord."

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EXCUSE #6 "I'll make it by my good works."

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ANSWER: Then Jesus' death was a horrible mistake. Ephesians 2:8,9, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

 

EXCUSE #7 "God doesn't have time for me."

 

ANSWER: He took time while dying to save a thief. Romans 5:8 "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

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EXCUSE #8 "When you're dead you go six feet under and that is it"

 

ANSWER: Yes, that's where the body goes but--how about the soul? Luke 16:22-23 says, "And it came to pass, that the beggar died and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried -AND IN HELL he lift up his eyes, being in torment, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom."

 

EXCUSE #9 "There are too many hypocrites in the church."

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ANSWER: Agreed! But would you throw a good $10 dollar bill away because you received a counterfeit one? Matthew 13:30 "Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, "Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn."

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EXCUSE #10 "The Bible has too many errors."

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ANSWER: Here is my Bible; will you show me one? 11 Timothy 3:16 SAYS, "All scripture is given by
inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness."

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THE SIX STEP APPROACH

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STEP 1

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Soul Winner: "Do you ever give much thought to spiritual things?”

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Response: "Oh, I guess I have. Not as much as I ought to though."

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Step 2

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Soul Winner: "What would you say is man's greatest spiritual need?"

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Response: "Oh, I don't know; going to church and believing in God I guess."

 

Step 3

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Soul Winner: God tells us, a man's greatest spiritual need is, an experience called, Being Born-again, which means being forgiven of, all our sins, and receiving God’s Gift of Eternal Life. Was there ever a time in your life when you seriously thought about your need of God's Gift?

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Response: Oh, sure, just about everyone has.

 

Step 4

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Soul Winner: What would you say a person should do to receive, God's Gift of Eternal Life?"

Response: Well, I'd say to believe in God and do the best you can."

 

Step 5

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Soul Winner: Yes you're right. Everyone ought to do those things. What I really had in mind was, how do WE go about receiving, God’s Gift of Eternal Life?

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Response: Usually, None.

 

Step 6

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Soul Winner: Would it be all right if I shared a few verses of scripture with you? Together we can see what God has to say in regard to receiving, His Gift of ETERNAL LIFE.

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NOTE: The response here, is important, (do not push) be sensitive to the Holy Spirit.

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Step 6, Response continued.

 

If the person says no. I do not want to talk about this now. You must respect their position at this time.

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• Do not be pushy.

• Do not communicate your disappointment.

• Continue to be courteous to them.

• Thank them for their time and for listening to you.

• Put them on your Prayer list for people to be saved.

 

If the response is Yes.

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• Simply pull out one of your brochures and share God’s Truth with them.

• Be sure to have gotten their name so you can make John 3:16, personal to them as shown in the Brochure.

• When you are done sharing and answering the persons questions-

• Then say to them, Would you like to ask Jesus in to your heart to be your Personal Savior.

• If the answer is Yes;

• Ask the person if you may lead them in prayer to ask Jesus to be their Savior

• If the response is yes, then say; let’s bow our head and you may follow me in prayer.

• You may use the prayer that is in the brochure or one that you are more comfortable with.

• When you are done praying, congratulate them on becoming a New Christian and for Becoming a brother or sister in the Lord.

• Be sure to get their name, address and phone number so you can do follow up and get them into church. They are a NEW Babe in Christ, and it is important to follow up on them.

 

Remember;

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All of Heaven will be REJOICING with you, because of what has just taken place. Amen!

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