TRAITS OF SUCCESSFUL SOUL WINNERS

Some Successful Soul Winners By soul winners we are talking about those leading others to salvation in Jesus Christ. He is Lord. He is the one anointed by God to save the world (John 3:16). “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…” And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham. 10"For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.“ (Lk. 19:10).10

John 10: The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. New King James Version (NKJV) New King James Version

Matthew 16: Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works. 28 “Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”

SOUL WINNERS IN NEW TESTAMENT Apostles like Peter, Paul, John who taught publicly and from house to house (Acts 2 and Acts 20:18-20; Acts 3) Note Paul’s life: Acts 20: And when they had come to him, he said to them: “You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, 19 serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; 20 how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house,

Acts 20: testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. 24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

25 “And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more. 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

THE SOUL WINNER (Acts 20) Consistent effort Honest emotion and care Humility Endurance in trials Courage to teach all Consistent effort Without prejudice Desire to finish the race Putting the Lord First

STEPHEN THE SOUL WINNER Stephen was “a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit” (Acts 6:5). Notice the results of his service and efforts helping widows and teaching along with others. (Acts 6:7-9) 7 Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. 8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen

THE SUCCESS OF STEPHEN He had a good reputation He was full of faith and the Holy Spirit He knew the power of the gospel (Romans 1:16) He taught with passion and truth He cared about the lost and prayed for them He died for the Lord

PHILIP THE EVANGELIST He was one of the special servants helping widows in Acts 6:5. He along with others went “everywhere preaching the word” (Acts 8:4) He preached effectively in Samaria (Acts 8:4-6) He baptized both men and women (Acts 8:12) At the instruction of an angel he went and preached to an Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26-40).

He preached in Azotus and all the cities in the area of Caesarea (Acts 8:40). Philip the Evangelist appears several times in the Acts of the Apostles. He was one of the Seven chosen to care for the poor of the Christian community in Jerusalem (Acts 6). He preached and performed miracles in Samaria, and met and baptised an Ethiopian man, a eunuch, in Gaza, traditionally marking the start of the Ethiopian Church (Acts 8). Later, he lived in Caesarea Maritima with his four daughters who prophesied, where he was visited by Paul the Apostle (Acts 21).Acts of the ApostlesSeven ChristianJerusalemActs 6miraclesSamariabaptisedEthiopian maneunuchGaza Ethiopian ChurchActs 8Caesarea MaritimaPaul the ApostleActs 21

PHILIP AS A SOUL WINNER He first was a servant He was proactive in seeking the lost He was without prejudice and preached to Samaritans He preached Christ He was hospitable He preached the kingdom of God and baptized those who believed He baptized men and women He taught at every opportunity He taught His family

AQUILA AND PRISCILLA AS SOUL WINNERS Paul found them at Corinth (Acts 18:1-4). Aquila was from Pontus, from a Jewish background, and had fled from Roman persecution of Jews. They were tentmakers. They listened to Apollos at Ephesus then took him aside privately and explained “the way of God more accurately” (Acts 18:24-26). Paul described them as “my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Likewise greet the church that is in their house” (Romans 16:3-5)

WHAT ABOUT US AS SOUL WINNERS? There are many others we could study including Lydia, Phoebe, Dorcas, Mary “who labored much for us;” Timothy, Luke, Titus, Apollos, etc… They all did what they could. What can we do? Are we doing it? Is our daily life, character, and attitude helpful or hurtful? Are our lives focused on Christ?