By Osbourne Bailey
Jesus, while He was here, wore the mantle of the teacher. He taught His disciples by precepts and by example to evangelize. Lacking from many churches today is that teacher-sender leader with an official programme to do the work of evangelism. Every Christian should be empowered to present the Gospel. They should know the components of the Gospel and how to integrate the stories of the Bible into their presentation of the Gospel. They should also be taught how to begin the Gospel presentations and end by leading a salvation-seeker to make a decision. They should know how to expertly deal with distractions while lovingly presenting the Gospel.
There will be times when the Gospel presentation will not lead to a decision to accept the Lord as Saviour. This is what is deemed as an unsuccessful attempt at presenting the Gospel. A soul-winner ought to learn to address the issues of the unsuccessful attempt to lead someone to the LORD. Because some churches are not equipped to impart this teaching to their members, this lack of training often triggers fear of failure, which is one of the primary reasons many do not engage in Personal Evangelism.
DISCOURAGED BECAUSE OF DELAYED RESULTS?
The issue of how delayed results can cause discouragement is another concern. Many in the church who started well on the road of Personal Evangelism have become discouraged. One of the many reasons for this discouragement is the salvation-seeker not responding positively to the evangelistic encounter. I have seen many who were committed to evangelism, only to become dashed when they realize the disproportion between the seeds they planted, and the time it often takes to reap a harvest. As God’s people, we are called to be diligent in sowing the seeds of evangelism. Unfortunately, the devil is actively involved in discouraging many believers from transitioning to become soul-winners. Do not allow him to intimidate or discredit you from your God-given call to evangelize.
RECALL PAUL’S WORDS
“I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.” (1 Cor 3:6-9KJV)
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Bible teacher Rev. Osbourne Bailey has a Spirit-driven desire to fulfil the LORD’s Great Commission by not only witnessing to un-Believers, but also training and transforming the ordinary Believer into a powerful soul-winner.
Ever since his call to Ministry in 1980, he has been passionately engaged in “resharpening the edge of the Church’s evangelistic sword” and has written a book by this name.
Contact: Manonfirepublishing@gmail.com, 876-793-3393