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Chapter 11
HOW
MEN SERVE CHRIST...
“Now then we
are ambassadors for Christ.” 2 Cor. 5:20.
“We then
as workers together with Him.” 2 Cor. 6:1.
A story is
told of an incident that occurred during the days of
slavery in America when a boy was being auctioned off to
the highest bidder. A very cruel, callous looking man
was bidding against a fine gentleman. The boy looked on
in terror at the prospect of being separated from his
mother. Higher and higher the price rose until at last
the cruel man quit and the boy was sold to the gentleman
who in turn came to the lad and kindly laid his hand
upon him saying, “Laddie, you have nothing to fear. You
may go free.” The boy looked up with wonder in his eyes
and finally, when he could speak, he said, “Massa, I’ll
serve you as long as I live.” This story illustrates in
a measure the longing in each redeemed person to serve
Christ.
It is said
that Mohammed gave a sword to every man he conquered and
placed him in his army to conquer others. The only way
the world can be won to Christ is for each convert to
take the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God
and win others. The importance and necessity of winning
men to Christ cannot be over emphasized. In this chapter
we shall endeavor to discover ways to accomplish this
purpose. Let us try to follow the method used by the
Apostles. We recommend reading the Acts of the Apostles
carefully noting each reference to the Holy Spirit. You
will soon realize that the Holy Spirit is the most
prominent agent in soul winning. Knowing this fact
should cause us to seek His help. We can never be very
successful in winning souls unless we are filled with
the Spirit of God. D. L. Moody and John and Charles
Wesley are examples of men whose efforts to win souls
were comparatively fruitless until they were filled with
the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ emphatically charged His
disciples to await the power of the Holy Ghost before
engaging in evangelistic work. Acts 1:8.
Let us first
study co-operation in soul winning. In Acts 2:14 we
read, “But Peter standing up WITH the eleven lifted up
his voice …” This statement emphasizes the Holy Spirit
as a co-operative Agent. The disciples were just filled
with the Holy Spirit and now they stood up TOGETHER and
supported Peter. This presents a great contrast with
Mark 14:50–52 which says “They all forsook Him and
fled.” It was everybody for himself, one even losing his
coat in his haste to escape and save his life. To be a
Spirit-filled follower standing by a Spirit-filled
leader is sometimes more important than for each one
trying to work independently The success of the work at
Jerusalem is in no small degree due to the fact that all
the Apostles worked together. Their policy insured the
success of each new point. Just as soon as a revival
took place in any town some of the apostles would
immediately go out to strengthen the converts. (Acts
8:14).
A good place
to bring people to Christ is in a revival meeting. You
can speak to your friend about your Saviour better than
anyone else. But, instead of vehemently urging your
friend to go to the altar or telling him he ought to go,
suppose you gently suggest to him (or her) “I’ll go to
the altar WITH you. Let’s both go together.” Your friend
will appreciate your company even if you are a silent
partner praying with him until other sympathetic
instructors arrive.
This method
is demonstrated very beautifully in John 1:35–51. Verse
41 says “He first findeth his own brother,” (this shows
that your own home may prove to be the first place to
start winning souls) and saith unto him, We have found
the Messias.” V. 42 says “And he brought him to Jesus.”
Andrew didn’t send his brother or tell him he ought to
go. One can almost hear Andrew saying, “Simon, we have
found Christ COME WITH US and we will bring you to Him.”
And to this Simon agreed. Verse 45 tells us that “Philip
findeth Nathanael.” But Nathanael was a skeptic, even
though he might be called an honest doubter “Can any
good come out of Nazareth?” he asked incredulously.
Philip was not drawn into any arguments. He said simply
“COME and see.” Together they went and found Jesus.
Finding Christ settled all Nathanael’s doubts quicker
than any amount of convincing arguments from Philip
could have done.
It is not
usually wise to over persuade or coax people to go to
the altar. However, good results will often be obtained
by suggesting a private place of prayer other than the
meeting place. If the party is under conviction but does
not respond to the altar call, make certain that the
party knows the purpose of your interest and suggest
some other place of prayer. Camp meetings and revivals
will furnish many opportunities to try this method.
Meetings come and go but the gospel must go on
continuously. The Holy Spirit frequently does work
independently of the crowd. Acts 8:4 says, “Therefore
they that were SCATTERED abroad went everywhere
preaching the Word.” The word “propaganda” was
originally a Christian word meaning to spread like a
strawberry. The vines of the strawberry plant reach out
in all directions and take root at intervals. Once the
stem is rooted the vine may be severed from the mother
plant and the new plant wilt continue to grow and send
out more vines in all directions. That is the manner in
which the gospel first spread. Each disciple who
traveled or who was persecuted was like a strawberry
vine going forth from the place of conversion and
stopping long enough to make converts and get them
established in some new place, before reaching out again
for others. A beautiful example is found in Acts 8:5–8,
where Philip went to Samaria.
The case of
the Ethiopian in Acts 8:26–40 deserves special study. It
shows God’s concern over one seeking soul and of the
manner in which a spirit filled person may be guided in
extraordinary ways. God sometimes uses angels to carry a
message of instruction to a disciple. The disciple then
went to perform the duty of healing or telling someone
how to get saved. Angels (a word meaning messenger) do
not tell people how to get saved for they have not been
redeemed. Only the redeemed can accomplish this task.
(Acts 10:3). Don’t fail to observe how the disciples
used the Scriptures in their soul winning efforts. We
must try to use them efficiently also.
We must not
overlook the discriminating use of tracts. You can hand
them out or place them in letters. Tracts should be
offered courteously and not thrust at people. It helps
too, when passing them out, if you say “Do you mind
reading this little message. You may find it very
helpful.” Use some such introduction. They may be placed
in parcels, left in buses or trains. Always have a
supply on hand. They are inexpensive and you never know
when the message will win a soul. A booklet of Scripture
verses given to a lady recently was the means in God’s
hands of bringing assurance of salvation to her troubled
soul.
Another good
idea is to watch for opportunities to invite people to
gospel meetings. If you see a stranger standing around
alone after the meeting is dismissed, speak to your
pastor about him. Perhaps he is in distress of soul. A
deaf mute experienced the joy of salvation not long ago
because two Christian ladies noticed him and suggested
to a gospel worker that he might want spiritual help. He
is now an earnest Christian.
It is well
to notice the sane evangelistic methods used by the Holy
Spirit. We read in Acts 13:1–3 of how the foreign
missionary work began under the leadership of Paul and
Barnabas. To understand, however, why this worldwide
movement began in Antioch we should read Acts 11:19–26.
You will notice first of all that a strong home base was
built up and that their missionary endeavor did not
weaken the home work. Chapter 14:26–28 shows that the
church was prospering when Paul and Barnabas returned
from their missionary journey. Every church must have
some missionary project.
Each gospel
worker should seek to be skillful in using the Word of
God. Heb. 5:13, says, “For everyone that useth milk is
unskilled in the Word of righteousness; for he is a
babe.” It takes time and patience to become adept in
using the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
Eph. 6:17. But great power and benefit is the reward for
each person who will diligently apply himself to
mastering its use. See Heb. 4:12. You can have the
utmost confidence that God’s word can help any soul out
of distress into joyful assurance and that a permanent
victorious experience is the heritage of every honest
seeker. Our next chapter will deal with some examples of
how the Word of God helps in special cases.
Chapter 12
HOW TO
DEAL WITH SPECIAL CASES...
“The fruit
of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth
souls is wise.”—Proverbs 11:30.
It is wise
to win souls and one must also be wise in order to win
them. Many Christians testify that the greatest thrill
of their lives was in leading someone to Christ. If each
Christian would lead one person to Christ each year, the
world would be won in less than a generation. The great
need of our time is for more personal soul winners.
A Christian
in his late teens named Ted, had a friend named Jack who
was unsaved. Ted was burdened for Jack and he was
confident that Jack was under conviction so he resolved
to talk to him about his soul. Having earnestly prayed
before hand, Ted took his Bible and was soon knocking at
Jack’s door. “Come in”, said Jack. “What’s on your mind?
Are you going to church or somewhere with your Bible?”
Ted lost no time in explaining his mission. “You know
Jack, we’ve been friends a long time and I just came
over to talk to you about your soul. You have been
thinking about getting saved for some time, haven’t you,
Jack?” “That’s the trouble,” Jack replied, “I have been
thinking alright, and while I would like to get saved, I
find there are many things I just can’t understand. And
anyway, I’m not so bad. There’s lots worse fellows than
I am, you know.”
Ted opened
his Bible at Isa. 53:6 and asked Jack to read: “All we
like sheep have gone astray …” Ted repeated the phrase
putting the emphasis on the word “ALL”. He then turned
to Romans 3:23 and read again: “ALL have sinned …” “You
know Jack, that even though you are not so bad, still
you have committed some sins.” “Yes,” Jack admitted, “I
know that alright, but I don’t want to be a hypocrite
and I’m afraid that if I start I may not be able to hold
out.” Ted turned to Matt. 28:18 and Jack read “ALL power
is given unto Me in heaven and in earth.” He then
referred to Jude 24 which says “Now unto HIM that is
able to keep you from falling …” “You see Jack you don’t
have to stand alone. He who has all power is willing and
able to keep you. Don’t you think that is sufficient to
guarantee your ability to stand?”
“I guess you
are right, Ted. I hadn’t thought of it that way. But
here is another thing. How am I going to give up some of
those amusements that you Christians condemn? After all
a person is entitled to some enjoyment in life.” Jack
was more aggressive. “That is true,” Ted said ever so
kindly. “But God doesn’t take anything away from you
that is for your good. Phil. 4:13 says ‘I CAN do all
things through Christ which strengtheneth me.’ And
besides what are a few questionable amusements to give
up when in return you will receive eternal life?”
“Listen, Jack,” Ted said earnestly, “the devil will keep
putting up all kinds of excuses. He will tell you to
come some other time, but the Bible says, ‘NOW is the
day of salvation’ (2 Cor. 6:2). He will point out the
shortcomings of professed Christians. Jesus says,
‘Follow THOU Me’. (John 21:22). If no other argument
keeps you back he will tell you that you have gone too
far and that it is too late. 2 Pet. 3:9 says that ‘God
is not willing than ANY should perish.’ So why not
accept Christ now and we will pray together?” All Jack’s
resistance left him as Ted pleaded with him. Together
they knelt in prayer. Again Ted took out his Bible and
pointed to 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is
faithful and just to forgive us our sins.” “Have you
confessed your sins to Christ?” Ted asked gently. “Yes,
I have,” said Jack as tears rolled down his cheeks.
Turning to John 6:37 Ted read “Him that cometh to
ME”—“Did you come?” he asked. “Yes, I did.” Then said
Ted, “This says, ‘I will in NO WISE cast out.’ Do you
believe that?” “Yes, I do,” said Jack, his face lighting
up with a joyous smile. Ted read Romans 10:9, and 1 John
5:13 putting the emphasis on the word KNOW and the
assurance of salvation dawned unmistakably in Jack’s
soul. Jack was soon on his feet telling what Christ had
done for him. (See Matt. 10:32). “I don’t know why I
didn’t do it long before,” he said at last.
Ted’s next
experience was with a man much older than himself. He
had been a Christian but had drifted away and was deep
in sin but the gospel message touched his heart and he
was under great conviction.
Ted
approached the older man saying, “I can see that the
Lord is talking to your soul and I came to offer to help
you come back to Him.” The man did not hide his
eagerness to come but said that he felt he was too great
a sinner. “I have drifted away from Christ and there is
no hope for me.” “You know you are lost?” Ted asked
sympathetically. “Yes, I know that”, the man replied.
“Well, praise the Lord, that’s just the ones Jesus came
to save. Read what Luke 19:10 says: ‘The Son of Man is
come to seek and to SAVE that which is lost’.” Next Ted
read Jer. 3:14. Then quickly turning to Isaiah 44:22–23
he read “ ‘I HAVE blotted out as a thick cloud THY
transgressions … return unto Me!’ … “Did you return to
Christ?” Ted asked eagerly. “Yes,” sobbed the man.
“Then,” said Ted, “This Word says: ‘I HAVE redeemed
you’.” Nothing more was needed to bring the glorious
assurance to the broken man. He shouted, “I believe, I
believe.” On one occasion Ted witnessed a seeker who did
not get assurance. Later on the minister preached a
powerful sermon but no one responded. Walking over to
the seeker, Ted said, “I’ll go to the altar with you.”
Without hesitation the seeker seized Ted’s arm and
started forward. Ted interrupted the prayer to ask his
friend WHAT he was seeking. “I don’t know for sure, I
want to be sanctified and have more power and victory,”
he said. “You believe that God hears prayer, do you
not?” “Yes, but I can’t believe He answers me.”
“Suppose”, said Ted, “I show you a prayer that God does
hear, will you believe that?” “Yes,” said the seeker.
“Then read 1 John 5:14, 15. ‘If we ask anything
according to His will He heareth us …’ ” “Now,” pursued
Ted, “read 1 Thess. 4:3 ‘For this is the will of God,
even your sanctification.’ Now you know God hears you
for you are praying for something that is according to
His will. You must believe His word as it is written in
1 John 5:15 “We know we HAVE the petition we desired of
HIM.” It took some time before the truth dawned upon the
seeker, but Ted had learned the value of resorting to
one or two good promises and going over and over them
until the Holy Spirit brought assurance.
Ted soon
found many people who were perplexed over some spiritual
problem or other. Sometimes he would ask a friend if he
were saved and would get the answer, “On yes, I belong
to the _____________ Church. Anyway I live in a
Christian country, don’t I?” Ted would explain how
salvation is a personal matter. “As for joining a
church, that will not save you. You have to be born
again, to be converted and have your sins forgiven. John
3:7 says ‘YE MUST be born again.”‘ To the indifferent he
would ask “Do you know you have committed the greatest
sin it is possible to commit?” Sometimes they would deny
this charge, whereupon Ted would read Matt. 22:36–38 and
point out that the greatest sin is in breaking the
greatest commandment.
There is
nothing Ted did that any spiritual student cannot
follow. Gradually you will learn what Scriptures to use
for each case. It is a good idea to mark the verses you
use. It is interesting to read 1 John and note the word
“know” there. It appears in 1 John 2:3, 5, 13, 14, 20,
21 and 29, 3:2, 5, 14, 15, 19, 24; in 4:2, 6, 13, 16 and
5:2; 13, 15, 18, 19 and 20.
You will
find some Scripture verse that will apply to every need.
You will also discover that in seeking to help others
you will grow stronger yourself. A story is told of a
man who was caught in a blizzard away from home. He
started walking home but the driving snow numbed his
arms and legs and he became weak and tired. Just when it
seemed he could go no farther he stumbled over the form
of another man who had fallen and who was freezing. He
began to rub the man vigorously and to work his arms and
legs and in doing so he got warmer himself. At last he
got the man on his feet and together they made safety.
The way to victory in the Christian life is to help
someone else. We can always find opportunities to serve
Christ provided we are willing, for Christ said:
“Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of the least of these My
brethren, ye did it unto Me.” Read Matt. 25:34–40.
Serving Christ is helping others.
Chapter 13
HOW
THE OLD NATIVE AMERICAN FOUND PEACE...
Early in his
Christian life Ted felt a call to preach the gospel.
There was nothing spectacular or sensational about the
call but there was an unmistakable inner urge to devote
all his time to telling others about Christ and how He
could save men. It was not long until he found
opportunities to preach the gospel in many different
places. Soon he was winning people to Christ, and they
in turn began to feel the same call to tell others.
On one
occasion Ted decided to call on a minister named Joe who
was preaching at a country point many miles away.
Towards evening he boarded a train and was soon speeding
through rich farm lands and prosperous towns. At last,
far into the night he approached his destination. First
there was a long, shrill whistle and then a sudden
slackening of speed and soon the mighty engine rumbled
past the station and ground to a jolting stop. As Ted
stepped from the train he was greeted by Joe who
joyously grasped his hand and took him out to his home
where his wife had prepared a tasty lunch for them
before retiring. The following morning an old Indian and
his wife came to the minister’s home looking for some
stray horses. Joe was unable to tell him anything about
the missing horses but he invited them to stay for
dinner which was about to be served. The Indian needed
very little persuasion to accept the invitation. He was
an old man and his face was deeply wrinkled. His clothes
were shabby and patched in many places. His hair was
matted and gray and although he spoke fairly good
English, he spoke in a sort of plaintive tone of voice.
His wife said very little but she too had the marks of a
hard life of poverty and want. As they gathered around
the table Joe asked Ted to return thanks for the food.
Ted was wondering why this old Indian had to come to
this home on this particular day. It was much more
difficult to talk about the things of God in the
presence of a complete stranger who perhaps was not
sympathetic to such conversation. Then it occurred to
him that perhaps God had brought him there for a purpose
and that perhaps he was in need of spiritual help.
Addressing
the Indian Ted asked him about his home and how they
lived and if they were comfortable and happy. As the
three men talked together the Indian became more and
more friendly so Ted asked him if he belonged to any
church. “Yes,” he said, and he named a large well known
church of which he was a member. “And how did you come
to join that church?” persisted Ted. “Well, it was this
way,” he began, “you see I joined a different church
when I was a young man but when I got married my wife
belonged to this church so I just joined it because she
was a member of it.” He then related a long experience
of how he had brought up his children in that faith but
also testified that he had no confidence in that
particular system of religion. That gave Ted the
opportunity he was seeking. He became more earnest and
looking squarely at the Indian he said, “When you joined
these churches you were seeking peace with God, were you
not?” “Yes,” said the Indian without hesitation. “And
you didn’t find peace?” asked Ted. “No,” he replied
deliberately. “I would like to ask you a very important
question,” said Ted, “did you find the religion of these
churches that you joined much better than your Indian
religion that you gave up?” The old Indian hung his head
sadly and said, “I don’t see much difference. They are
both about the same.” “But,” said Ted more seriously,
“You are still seeking and longing for peace with God,
are you not?” “Yes, indeed I am,” he replied earnestly.
“Then,” said Ted emphatically, “You can have that peace
today.”
The meal was
over so Ted took out his Bible and began to unfold the
simple story of redemption. He told how sin separates
man from God and robs us of our peace. The Indian
frankly admitted his sinful guilt. “That feeling of
guilt is the Holy Spirit convicting us of sin,” said
Ted, as he continued to unfold the part accomplished by
Jesus the Saviour in redeeming us from our sins. The
Indian and his wife were both listening very attentively
and for the first time in their lives they heard that
God could forgive their sins and give them peace in this
life. They had often before confessed their sins to a
priest but they never found any real peace that way.
“Sin,” said Ted, “is something between you and God, and
no man has the authority nor the power to forgive it.
Only Christ has that right as you read in 1 Tim. 2:5:
“For there is one God, and ONE MEDIATOR between God and
men, the man Christ Jesus.” Christ is our mediator and
when we come to Him and turn away from our sins and lay
them on Him, He forgives us.” Then Ted asked the Indian
directly, “Would you not like to have that peace you
have sought all your life?” The Indian replied in the
affirmative. “Would you be willing to confess and
forsake your sins?” asked Ted. Again the Indian agreed
that he would. It was not long until Joe’s home was the
scene of a prayer meeting that will long be remembered.
Both Ted and Joe prayed for the Indian and his wife and
then they encouraged them to pray also. The Indian
prayed in the Cree language but God understands that
also; it is not the words that count so much as the
desires of the heart.
When he
finished Ted went to him and asked him if he really
confessed his sins and the Indian replied that he had.
Turning to 1 John 1:9 Ted read, “If we confess our sins,
He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to
cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” “Since you have
confessed your sins to Christ, do you believe He
forgives you now?” asked Ted. “Yes,” replied the Indian.
Next Ted turned to John 6:37 and read, “Him that cometh
to Me I will in no wise cast out.” “Now,” said Ted, “Did
you come to Christ?” Again the Indian replied that he
had. “Then we have the promise that those who come will
in NO wise be cast out,” said Ted, emphasizing the word
“no.” Ted read several other promises from God’s Word,
always pausing to apply them to the seeker directly.
Gradually the truth of forgiveness began to dawn upon
the old Indian’s mind and he grasped the promises of God
with assurance. His countenance began to light up with a
new hope and his heart had found a new sweet abiding
peace for which he had sought so long but which had
eluded him up till this moment. His wife also sought the
Saviour in the same manner. Soon they were all on their
feet rejoicing and praising God for His wonderful mercy
and for the blessing of forgiveness. At last the Old
Indian had found peace with God. When he left the
minister’s home “he went on his way rejoicing.” Acts
8:39. He had not found his horses but he had found his
Saviour.
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