It is Time to Win Our World

I will read two portions of scripture for my textual foundation for this message today. Mark 16:15 says, “And he said unto them, go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”  And Matthew 28:19-20 which says, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” This command is what the disciples carried out in Acts 2, 4, 8, 10, and 19, and the command that we as believers are still to obey until Jesus comes back to receive us into glory.

By way of introduction, let me congratulate you all for allowing God to help you make it to the last day of 1994. (Wow, I say as the editor and presenter, this is over thirty years ago!) Some of you have come to this point and find yourself on the mountain top, and some of you may be in the valley; however, the main point is that you are still here. Let me add that if each of us lives to see midnight tonight, tomorrow will be the first day of the rest of your life! It is a new day and year, which allows us to have new beginnings. Jeremiah recognized this fact when he wrote in Lamentations 3:22-23, “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”

This may be the starting line for the last lap of the race that we are running, whether collectively or personally. I would venture to say that many of you have heard more of “God’s Word” in  a more positive sense over the past twelve months than you did ten years prior, because the Lord has shifted our mind sets to see who He really is and what He can accomplish in just a short time, if we will let him. Also, you have probably heard more of “God’s Word” than some people have been privileged to hear in their entire lifetime. If this is true, then you are conditioned for the race and the enormous job that is before you. We have been given a commission from the Lord, as we read in our text, and I propose to you that “It Is Time to Win Our World!”

Let us consider the importance of “God’s Word” in our quest to win our world. If you have learned the value of “God’s Word,” you will study it, love it, and esteem it greater than your daily bread. Psalm 126:6 says, “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”  2 Timothy 2:15 admonishes us, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”  The reason behind these two verses is obvious. Only through “God’s Word” can we win our world.

I want to encourage you to be positive in your approach to making disciples. Firstly, believe that when God opens the way for witnessing that the results will be positive. A winner is positive and says, “Let’s find out!” while a loser is negative and says, “Nobody knows what’s going to happen.” Remember the attitude that the ‘Little Engine That Could’ had, “I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.” Paul stated in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” A winner will explain to others the gospel, and a loser will explain to himself why it is ‘not his job’ or how that ‘others’ should be doing the soul winning. It is not our ability that God is looking for, but our availability. He wants us to have a willingness of heart to obey him and a loving compassionate heart towards those who do not yet know him.

Secondly, you must determine for yourself that you will be a soul winner at any cost. Luke 9:62, “And Jesus said unto him, no man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 14:28 says, “For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?” Never forget that ‘God’s part’ in the equation of salvation, we cannot do, and that ‘our part’ in the equation, God will not do, nor will an angel from heaven. The gospel has been given into the hands of men to deliver. When Paul had his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, he did not get a salvation message right then and there, but was told in Acts 22:10, “And I said, what shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.” He obeyed, and when he met Ananias in Damascus on the street called Straight, he was told what he needed to do to be saved. Isaiah 55:11 says, “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”

Thirdly, we must remember as we step out by faith, to ‘Win Our Lost World,’ that biblical witnessing is not all about storytelling, lecturing, or giving motivational seminars. The key is found in Paul’s second letter to the young minister Timothy. 2 Timothy 4:2 says, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.”  The ‘what’ in that sentence is ‘God’s Word.’ We will not be able to follow this biblical approach in winning souls if we ourselves are not willing to listen to the voice of God for our own lives. A winner will listen, and a loser just waits until it is his or her turn to talk. This will only end in disaster. James 1:19 says, “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, and slow to speak…”  It is said we were given two ears and one mouth for a reason. You folks can do the math on that one. Remind yourselves daily that you are responsible for your obedience to God, and not the results of that action. If it were necessary; God forbid, it would be better to go to heaven alone, that to hell with a crowd. Therefore, we must obey the call. You do your part, and God will do the rest.

Next let us look at what Jesus said in Acts 1:8 right before his ascension, “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.” Your first obligation as a disciple of Christ is to tell a lost world about him. Where do we come up with this conclusion? It is found in ‘God’s Word,’ which we know as ‘The Holy Bible.’ From the fall of mankind, or the recorded disobedience of mankind to God’s commands or directives, in the book of Genesis all the way through to the end of the book of Revelation, his objective has been to repair this relationship between himself and us. This can only be accomplished if people are told about him and his desire that all should be saved. 2 Peter 3:9 tells us, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”  

There is a vast difference in preaching the word and preaching about the word. People often read a verse of scripture and use it as a diving board to swim wherever they feel they want to go. If you stay with what the ‘Good Book’ says, and within the context of the passage you are reading, studying, or sharing, you will be able to make ‘Good Disciples.’ Jesus said in John 5:39, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.”  You cannot spend ‘too much time’ reading and studying God’s word. However, Bible reading goes hand in hand with prayer because the Spirit of God gives us direction, revelation, power, and authority. John 16:13 says, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” We must have our ears tuned to God’s voice, to give us clarity on his word. Keep in mind, there will not be a new or different word given than we already have. He said in Matthew 24:35 “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”  Despite today’s inflation, the spiritual economy has not changed. We can find this in Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Jesus said in John 12:48, “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” Knowing “God’s Word” is of utmost importance to get the job done.

What is the situation that we face in the year that is ahead of us? Really, it is basically as it has always been. Ecclesiastes 1:9 tells us, “The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.” You will find two kinds of people. People who know they are lost and in need of God, and people who think they are saved, yet cannot explain why or how someone else can be saved. A portion of them will be like Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:3-4, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears. And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”  However, there are others who are as those that Jesus described in Matthew 13 in the parable of the Sower in verse eight, “But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some a hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.”  If you use “God’s Word” to witness, you may not be popular, but you will be successful. Always be on guard. Watch out for half-truths because you may have heard the wrong half. There are those who know a portion of “God’s Word,” but not enough to have the whole, true picture.

You must face your calling as a witness with a cheerful outlook. Determine to impart strength to those who hear you. Offer them encouragement in the Spirit by the spoken word of God you bring. Witness with long suffering, but use doctrine, which is truth, and truth is the reality of what we must obey. Jesus said in John 8:32, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” You will not be able to be impatient and win a soul. Patience and soulwinning go hand in hand. You cannot detest and despise teaching and witnessing, you must show love for the lost soul and for “God’s Word” that you are trying to share. Remember, as mentioned, God will bring the results that He desires.

The next question is, “Pastor, how can I do this?” Listen to others. Every time you leave your house just think in your heart, “Well, it sure is a nice day to be going fishing!” “Where should I go today? I did not catch much yesterday.” Jesus said to Simon in Luke 5:4, “Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.” We must fish in the deep. God to where the fish jumping and active. So, wherever you find someone deep in sin, that is a good place to start fishing. Remember to spend time with the Great Fisherman, to get all the tips and tricks you will need for the task. Mark 1:17 says, “And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.” In Simon and Andrew’s day, the fishing profession must have paid well. We are told in scripture that they had servants in their homes at their feet, but they gave it all up to follow Jesus and become fishers of men. This is the example of ‘How it’s done!’

Not only must we acquainted with the Great Fisherman, but we must also know the Great Fisherman’s Handbook, aka, the Word of God. We have seen Paul’s instruction in 2 Timothy 2:15, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” This will assist us in finding not only the best bait, but what works for us. Your way of speaking is not mine, nor mine, yours. We must all learn “God’s Word,” so that we can share with others in a way that is comfortable for us. If you love it and know it, you will be able to share it. Jesus said in John 13:35,” By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” And John 15:12 says, “This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you.”  Love is the bait, by which you can bring lost souls to Jesus. If love is removed from the equation, there will be no bites. The lost will not see any benefit or advantage of coming to the Lord, that is different than the life of misery they are already living in.

In conclusion, remember; Firstly, money can buy a find dog, but only love can make him wag his tail. Secondly, everything in your household will run smoothly when love is what oils the machinery. Thirdly, love is the fairest flower that blooms in the garden of God. 1 John 4:8 says, “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”  Harsh to those who think they are saved but do not have a loving spirit, but so true. They do not really know God and can therefore not be an effective soul winner.

Finally, Matthew 22:36-40 tells us, “Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”  I admonish you to be careful, though, because the question is, I say in jest, “Will they be able to stand that much affection?” In all sincerity, let your New Year’s resolution be to go our and become fishers of men, and win your world.