Impact 2 - Salvation, Soul Winning, and Your Testimony

This Christian Journey:

Impact Two

Salvation, Soul-Winning, and Your Testimony

Dr. Walter D. Huyck Jr. D.Min. D.R.S.

www.thischristianjourney.com

Unit One, Unit Two, Unit Three, Unit Four, Unit Five

UNIT ONE

SALVATION

In Impact One we studied how God's Word is the source and foundation of our faith. We also know that our salvation is the beginning of our Christian lives. So, lets consider what God's word has to say about salvation. How does one get saved? What does salvation do for us? What are salvations possibilities? And how long does one's salvation last?

Before we actually get into the details of God's Word, try to answer a few basic questions about salvation?

1. If you were to die tonight, in your sleep, where do you think you would go; heaven or hell? _________________________________

2. Why?

________________________________________________________

3. What do you think gets an individual to heaven, how does one get there?

________________________________________________________

4. How do you know?

________________________________________________________

5. Is there anything else that a person must do for salvation?

________________________________________________________

Please be sure you honestly answer these questions before you go any further. It is important that you examine your current beliefs now, so that, when we finish this unit you can compare them with what God's Word clearly reveals.

Now, lets go on to examine the truth's of God's Holy Word. You may have already memorized John 3.16, if not, please take a moment to memorize it now!

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3.16

According to God's Word there are five things that a person must know in order to understand Scriptural salvation, and to receive its benefits. By the way, when we speak of salvation we are speaking of that which will rescue an individual from the eternal torments of hell, and give him or her access to the eternal bliss of heaven to come. So, what are these five points.

POINT ONE - ALL ARE SINNERS

Romans 3.10,23

6. According to Romans 3.10, How many righteous people are there? ________________.

7. Building on this biblical fact, is the Catholic Pope, the highest ecclesiastical position of that religious system, righteous? ________

8. Consider Romans 3.23, How does it answer this question, why are there none righteous?

________________________________________________________

9. What is sin?

________________________________________________________

Scripture clearly teaches that there is none righteous, because all are sinners. Sin is anything one does that is against God. If I sin against my fellow man it is as if I am sinning against God at the same time, because my fellow man was made in the very image of Almighty-God. The clear fact of Scripture is that ALL are sinners. There is no mortal man, who has lived a perfectly sinless life.

POINT TWO - THE COST OF SIN

Romans 6.23

Everything in our lives, and our world tells us that nothing is free. Everything has a cost or price; even our actions produce a result or cost. Keeping this in mind, answer the following.

10. According to Romans 6.23, what is the cost of sin? ____________

We all deserve to die, because of our sin!! Life teaches us that everything has a price tag. If you need a loaf of bread and you go to the local market to purchase one, the loaf of bread you choose does not become yours until you purchase it. You must pay the price in order to take home that loaf of bread. This is true about almost everything in life. It is certainly Scripturally true about sin. There is a price tag affixed to your sin. The cost is eternally revealed, and that cost is death. If you choose to sin, then you must know that there is coming a payday someday; as R.G. Lee used to say.

POINT THREE - SCRIPTURAL DEATH

Revelation 20.11-15

11. Look up Revelation 20.11-15. Define Scriptural death, what is this death the Bible talks about?

________________________________________________________

12. How long will this death last? ____________________________

13. Is there any hope for a second chance when once one experiences this death?

_______

Therefore, the cost of our sin, the price tag that is affixed to your unrighteous choices is an eternity in the Lake of Fire, or otherwise known as HELL. Now, someone might say, "I can't believe this! do not believe that a loving God would throw anyone into hell!" If you properly understand these last two points then you must know that God does not cast anyone into hell. Each individual earns the right to go to hell by sinning. In essence each person throws themselves off the precipice into hell. People deserve to go to hell because it is, and always has been, the required penalty for sin.

There is another important point that must be fully realized concerning death and hell. Look up Romans 6.23 again and notice the text again.

How many sins does it take for a person to suffer sins consequences? ________

That's right, the word sin is singular. This reveals that it only takes a single sin for a person to end up in the Lake of Fire. It does not matter how great or small one might think their sin is. The penalty is always the same.

POINT FOUR - GOD'S LOVE GIFT

Romans 6.23

14. According to the second half of Roman 6.23, What has God given us?

_____________________________________________________

15. If someone were to give you a gift, what must you do to possess it?

_____________________________________________________

16. Is there any cost or price attached to a gift? __________________

17. If we deserve death, because we have actively worked against God, then why would God give us a Gift (Romans 5.8; John 3.16)?

________________________________________________________

18. When did God give us this gift? ___________________________

an overwhelming thought!! While I deserved the eternal torments of hell, God loved me enough to send Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, to pay the price required for my sin. You see, someone had to pay the price; either you pay it, hopelessly, after you die, or someone else had to pay it for you. That's what Jesus did, He came and took your sin onto Himself, in order to give you eternal life. Jesus, the only one who never sinned, died in your place, for your sins, so you wouldn't have to pay the penalty for your sins yourself.

Consider this. If I were to hold out an ink pen to you and say, "I am giving you this pen as a gift." When would the pen become yours? When I gave it to you, or when you took it from me? The gift can only become yours when you take it, or receive it from me. I could hold the gift out for days and it would still be mine if you refused to take it. Therefore, a gift must be received, and to receive anything takes a decision and an action on the part of the receiver.

Now, what if I were to hold out the same ink pen and were to say, "I am giving your this pen as a gift, for a dollar." Would that be a gift? Of course not. If you had to pay a dollar for the pen then you bought it. That dollar is merely representative of your labor; you worked for the dollar, and you use the dollar to purchase things you want as a result of your labor. Many people approach God that way. They say, God I want salvation, but I will feel better if I work for it. In essence they are trying to buy their salvation. The only thing in all of creation you can not buy is your eternal salvation. It is offered as a gift from God. If you try to buy salvation with your good works you will find that God says in the Bible that you can not get it that way. It comes only, as a free gift from God.

Therefore, you cannot buy your salvation from God. There is nothing you could ever do that would be greater than what Jesus has already done in respect to your sins. If you insist upon purchasing your own salvation, then God has revealed the only acceptable price. That price is death. However, God has provided another way, through Jesus Christ. If you will accept what Jesus has already done for you and your sins, then God will lay the penalty paid by Jesus to your account. Will you accept God's free gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ?

POINT FIVE - HOW DO I RECEIVE IT

Romans 10.9-10

We know that we are sinners, and deserve to go to hell. However, we also know that God is offering us the free gift of eternal life. The only question that remains is, How does one receive this gift?

19. According to Romans 10.9-10, what are the two things that will result in salvation?

. __________________________________________

If a person will believe that God has done what He said He has done in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. If you will take God at His Word (Faith), then you will be half way to receiving the gift of eternal life.

Next, a person need only confess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord. Consider this phrase carefully. We are asked to acknowledge that Jesus is Lord, not just that He is Savior.

The word Lord is a bit strange to Americans. We do not know what it means to be under a Lord. This passage of Scripture was written to people who lived under kings and emperors; they knew what it meant to acknowledge someone as Lord. A Lord owns everything in his land. As a matter of fact the Lord is the only owner in a land, everyone else is merely using, borrowing, or renting what belongs to the Lord. Even a persons body belonged to the Lord; if the Lord required your life you would immediately be put to death. The Lord was the only authority and the only one with any rights of his own.

So put this into the context of the passage. God is not asking you to only acknowledge Jesus Christ as your Savior. There are many who are eager to accept Jesus as their Savior. The passage clearly requires that you confess Jesus Christ as Lord. You must surrender to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and confess His Lordship personally. It is important that you understand that you are not making Jesus Lord; He already is the Lord of all creation. Instead, you are coming to agree with what God has already revealed.

Someone, might object, "This is lordship salvation, and I don't agree with lordship salvation!" Call this whatever you wish to call it, but I must agree with the late Adrian Rogers, who said, "You cannot accept Jesus Christ as your Savior without accepting Him as what He is, Lord."

20. What is required by Romans 10.13?

________________________________________________________

You make all of this happen by simply declaring it with your mouth. You confess by speaking, and you call out by articulating. You open your mouth and proclaim what is in your heart. Jesus is Lord and Savior, and you must call out to him for your salvation.

21. Look up Revelations 3.20, what is the door Jesus Christ is knocking on?

________________________________________________________

22. Who has to open the door? _______________________________

23. What happens when one opens the door?

________________________________________________________

The picture of this passage in Revelation is a beautiful one indeed. Jesus is standing at the door to your life, He is knocking and asking if you will let Him into your life. The choice is yours. All you have to do is open the door and Jesus will come into your life. The door is your will, and the question is simple, will you believe what God has said about Jesus Christ, will you acknowledge who God has said that He is, and will you allow the Lord Jesus Christ to come into your life?

So, in order to receive this free gift one need only acknowledge Jesus is Lord and ask for the free gift of eternal life.

24. Is there anything else a person can do to earn his or her salvation
Ephesians 2.8-9?

________________________________________

There is absolutely no other way to receive God's free gift of eternal life.

25. Is there anything a person can do to lose his or her salvation Hebrews 13.5?

__________________________________________

The key words in this passage are ". . . I will never leave thee nor forsake thee." Once the Lord Jesus Christ comes into your life He says that He will never leave you again. He is there to stay. You are safe and secure in your Lord Jesus Christ. We will study eternal security a little later.

26. How has this unit of study affected you Christian life?

________________________________________________________

UNIT TWO

UNDERSTANDING SALVATION

Salvation is a supernatural act of God provided in response to the conscious choice of those whom God loves dearly. There is no doubt that God unconditionally loves every man, woman, and child. In the Bible God says,

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

God said with a cross, “I Love You!” Almighty-God took the very best that heaven had to offer, His only begotten son, shrouded Him in human form, sent Him to a sinful and corrupt earth, to save rebellious and stubborn people. Without a doubt, God has proven His incredible love for all mankind.

But our human, mortal minds have trouble grasping the spiritual concepts that surround the salvation God provides. For this reason our Heavenly-Father has provided some distinctly Christian terms that strive to help us understand this distinctly supernatural event. These terms include Redemption, Adoption, Sanctification, and Consecration.

Redemption

Redemption is the act whereby our Lord Jesus Christ has purchased us from the required penalty of our sins. Every human being is a sinner (Romans 3.23). Every sin regardless of how great or small it may seem carries a consequence or cost.

Romans 6:23 For the __________ of _________ is ___________; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Since every sin requires the eternal death of the transgressor, and since God is perfectly just, all the time. God can not just look over our sin, the penalty for our sin must be paid. The debt owed by our sin requires that someone must die and go to hell.

So God sent His son, our Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible records,

Romans 3:23-26 ²³ For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; ²⁴Being justified freely by his grace through the _____________________ that is in Christ Jesus: ²⁵Whom God hath set forth to be a _________________________ through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the __________________ of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; ²⁶To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the _____________________ of him which believeth in Jesus.

1. According to these verse who provides this redemption?

________________________________________________________

2. This redemption is available through what?

________________________________________________________

Propitiation is a big word that means that Jesus took your place, and paid the price that you owed. Therefore, when Jesus was beaten, mocked, crucified, and died He was suffering what you deserved to suffer for your sin. When you accept what Jesus sacrificially did for you, then you are redeemed by His Blood. Other scriptures record,

Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Colossians 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

Hebrews 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

3. As a result of the incredible price that Jesus paid for you and I, how should we respond?________________________________________

1 Corinthians 6:20 For ye are _________________ with a __________________: therefore ______________God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

Since Jesus paid the penalty owed for your sins he has redeemed you from the dominion that the penalty of your sins held over you. Your penalty has been paid in full by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. So while your salvation is free to you, it is not totally free. Jesus paid the price that needed to be paid for your sin. Hence, you have been bought with a price, and that price is the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Justification

4. What is justice?

________________________________________________________

Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not ________________ by the works of the law, but by the ________________ of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be _______________ by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

It has been said:

Justice is getting what you deserve,

Mercy is not getting what you deserve,

Grace is getting what you do not deserve.

God is a perfectly just God. He will not do anything that will violate His just nature. Therefore, God cannot just overlook our sin, to do so would make God unjust. Our sin demands a payment, that payment is eternal death in hell and spiritual death on earth (Romans 6.23).

God loves humanity too much to leave us in this hopeless state. Therefore, God provided a way to satisfy the just demands of the law, and provide redemption, renewal, and adoption for all who will receive it. God sent Jesus, His sinless Son, to pay the penalty we owed. He sent the just for the unjust (1 Peter 3.18), that God might satisfy His just nature and save us from the hopelessness of our sin. Hence God is the just justifier of redeemed mankind (Romans 3.26).

Because of our justification, through faith in the sacrificial death of our Lord Jesus Christ, we are able to receive the adoptions of Sons, the new-birth, and establish a new relationship with Almighty-God, who is now our Heavenly-Father. Praise God, because of the payment Jesus made for us we are now joint-heirs in God’s eternal kingdom.

The Bible says it this way:

Titus 3:5-7 ⁵Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; ⁶Which he shed on us abundantly _________________________ Jesus Christ our Saviour; ⁷That being justified by his grace, we should be made ________________ according to the hope of eternal life.

Adoption

The adoption of sons is probably one of the most precious truths of our salvation and provides the strongest assurance of our eternal security. The Bible records,

John 1:12-13 ¹²But as many as _______________ him, to them gave he power to __________________ the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: ¹³Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

5. What must one do to become a child of God, according to this verse?

__________________________________________________

There are those who teach that everyone on the face of the earth is one of God’s children. However, the truth of Scripture is that everyone is God’s creation and servant, but not His child. God desires that everyone would become one of His children, but human beings are not automatically a child of God. Those who receive God’s love gift of eternal life through the shed blood of Jesus Christ are redeemed and receive the adoption of sons.

Consider these verses,

Galatians 4:4-7 ⁴ But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, ⁵To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the ___________________ of sons. ⁶And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. ⁷Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a __________________; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

6. According to these verses how do we become God’s Child?

________________________________________________________

God only has one natural (begotten) son, He is the Lord Jesus Christ. The rest of us are His adopted children. Hence, God became our Heavenly-Father when we accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Savior. How does this make us secure in our salvation. Our Heavenly-Father will never abandon one of His children (Hebrews 13.5).

There is another life changing truth that needs to be mentioned here. God is King of kings and Lord of lords. When God adopted you into His family then you become princes and princesses. You may not feel like royalty, you certainly don’t always act like royalty, but nothing can change the fact that you are royalty.

Sanctification

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 ⁹Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, ¹⁰Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. ¹¹And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are ______________________, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

The word sanctify means to set apart as holy or to separate for a specific purpose. It implies that something of a divine nature happens to those who receive the Lord Jesus Christ and are redeemed by His precious blood. God has supernaturally set them apart for some divine purpose.

What has our Heavenly-Father set us apart for?

Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a ______________________________ people, zealous of _________________ works.

1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a ___________________ people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

7. According to these verse what has God set you apart for?

_______________________________________________________

When sanctification is understood in scriptural terms it is the act whereby God takes you out of your mortal relationship with this sinful world and places you in a new relationship with God as His dear child.

· Where you once were God’s servant and lost in your sin, you now are God’s child redeemed by the blood of Jesus.

· Where you once lived in the wrath of God (John 3.18), you now live in the wonderful grace of God (1 Peter 5.12).

The supernatural act of your Heavenly-Father has eternally and spiritually changed you and your relationship to this sinful world. Nothing can ever reverse that divine act. You never will be nor ever can be the same as you once were. Your Heavenly-Father won’t change you back, and you can’t change yourself back.

There is another sense for sanctification in the Bible, this is the sense where we are being sanctified more each day as we learn to become a little more like Jesus with each passing moment. It carries the idea of Christians become more and more spiritually mature as they learn to walk according to God’s Word. This brings us to the next point.

Consecration

Consecration is the act of bringing your mind and will to the same place that God brought you when He sanctified you. It is when you willing surrender yourself to God’s work and will for your life. The Bible reads,

Romans 12:1-2 ¹I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye ___________________ your bodies a living __________________, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. ²And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the _________________________ of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

8. What does it mean to be a living sacrifice?

_______________________________________________________

9. What does it mean to transform your mind?

_______________________________________________________

Notice in this verse that we are called upon to present ourselves to God as a living sacrifice. God has already set you apart, now you must bring your mind into alignment with God’s divine act. Many Christians spend their entire spiritual lives wrestling against God. God has change them through their sanctification, but they are struggling to lives their lives as they always have. They struggle to remain the same when everything in their life has changed.

Consider what these Bible passages have to say:

2 Corinthians 5:17-20 ¹⁷Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a ____________ creature: old things are __________________ away; behold, all things are become new. ¹⁸And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; ¹⁹To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath _____________________ unto us the word of reconciliation. ²⁰Now then we are ___________________ for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

Ephesians 4:22-24 ²²That ye _________________ concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; ²³And be ________________________ in the spirit of your mind; ²⁴And that ye ______________________ the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then you are not the same as you used to be. Everything has changed for you. You have been:

· ______________________ by Jesus sacrificial blood.

· ______________________ and made worthy of God’s family.

· ______________________ into God’s divine and royal family.

· ______________________ by the divine act of God.

Now you must bring your mind into this new spiritual relationship through your own personal _______________________.

UNIT THREE

THE NEED TO WIN SOULS

There is more to being a Christian than just accepting Jesus Christ as ones personal Lord and Savior. While one does not have to do anything beyond accepting Jesus in order to go to heaven; if one is going to truly experience the wonder and joy of the Christian life, and know a real walk with Him, then one must willingly do those things that their Lord requires. Responsibility is a part of the Christian life.

Consider what Jesus said, look up John 14.15.

1. What does it say?

________________________________________________________

Obedience is an evidence of ones love towards God. Consider this, if you really understand what Jesus did for you, that He suffered what you really deserved to suffer, then it would be hard not to be thankful, and to love Him "because He first loved us" (1 John 4.19). So, just what has He commanded that we do?

2. What does Matthew 28.19-20 say we are to do?

________________________________________________________

3. Could that include soul-winning? ___________________________

4. What does Acts 1.8 say that we are empowered to do?

________________________________________________________

Some might say, "Well, I know what the Bible says I should do, but I just don't know how to do that." Or, "I'm just to scared to do that!" Knowledge and experience are the enemy of fear, that's why the Bible says:

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth. (2 Tim 2.15).

Soul-winning rarely comes naturally, that's why it is commanded. If it were not a command there would be very few that would ever consider soul-winning; it just is not something that comes naturally, nor is it something that one wants to do, at first. Now, it may become more desirable as one sees souls saved, but that is part of the affect of experience.

Soul-winning must be worked at!!

Soul-winning is a Christians duty!!

Let's take this line of thought a step further.

5. What does Matthew 10.32 say?

________________________________________________________

6. What does this appear to mean?

________________________________________________________

7. Could this have anything to do with ones salvation, why?

________________________________________________________

While we know that salvation is simple, we also know, and will study in the near future, that there are results that accompany ones salvation. Salvation will actually have such an effect on ones life that it will cause a change in their character, attitudes and actions. However, one must always remember that these changes are merely the result of one's conversion, not the agent of it.

If an individual is ashamed to witness or testify of his or her Savior, then there is a problem in their lives. Lets examine some of these problems.

8. List some things that could cause someone to be ashamed or afraid to witness to others:

________________________________________________________

Below is a list of some of the things that might keep someone from sharing their faith, look up the scripture next to it as see how God answers each excuse.

I don't know what to say - 2 Timothy2.15

________________________________________________________

I am afraid - 1 John 4.18

________________________________________________________

I'm not sure what to do - Eph 4.11-12

________________________________________________________

One of the primary reasons that Christians refuse to go soul-winning is a lack of knowledge. The fact of the matter is that many even refuse to honestly try to learn how to do it. Perhaps they think that their lack of knowledge gets them off of the hook, so to speak. However, they are commanded to be a soul-winner. It is their Christian duty. It is your Christian Duty also. In our next unit we will learn how to be a soul-winner.

Friends, Don’t Let Friends, Go to Hell!

If you really love someone you will find a way to bring them to salvation!

UNIT FOUR

THE ART OF SOUL-WINNING

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. (Proverbs 11.30)

Of all that we work for during our lives (our houses, our cars, our furniture, etc . . .) none of these physical possessions will be of any value when once we step through the mortal threshold into eternity. However, there is one thing that indeed we can take with us into eternity, the souls of all those we win to Jesus Christ.

How quick we are to lose sight of what truly is important in life. It seems that our priority lists have become a little mixed up. After all, what really is important in life? We work all our lives to achieve all these things that we believe will indicate that we have been successful in life; yet, fail to realize that the only eternal indicator of success is completely contained in those individuals we contact on a daily basis. Life truly is about people, and not just things.

The focus of this unit is to help you to become a soul-winner, through an understanding of what a lost individual needs to know to find Jesus Christ.

1. What are the five points of salvation that a person must know in order to be saved (find them in unit one)?

1.___________________________________________

2.___________________________________________

3.___________________________________________

4.___________________________________________

5.___________________________________________

These five points must be explained or presented to an individual in a practical, and understandable manner. Don't think that you will just walk up, the Holy Spirit will speak through you, and the person will mystically respond. While the Holy Spirit can indeed move in and through you, God still expects you to study and prepare.

Now, lets go soul winning. You have just left the Church and the Pastor has given you and your partner a great pep talk, and sent you out saying 'Go get one for Jesus'. This is your partners first soul winning experience, so, he or she, is looking for you to do all the talking. You walk around to the front of the Church and someone is sitting on the Church steps waiting for a bus. Here is your chance to be a soul winner.

How would you begin your conversation with this unsuspecting person?

________________________________________________________

How would you get the conversation onto spiritual matters?

________________________________________________________

How would you determine whether or not this person was already saved?

________________________________________________________

Since this person is not saved, how would you ex-press his need to be saved to him?

________________________________________________________

Right now your probably thinking, "These are all good questions, but I don't have any idea how to answer them."

Three Important Phrases

Learn to say the following phrases out loud:

1. Could you please read this verse for me, out loud.

2. What does that verse(s) say to you?

3. Could you please read that again, out loud?

Two Important Responses

Learn to say these two responses:

1. That's Great.

2. Wonderful!

Prepare Your Soul-Winning Bible

I have a Bible that I have prepared as my Soul-Winning Bible. I carry it with me everywhere I go. Some people use a pocket New Testament. I happen to carry a regular size Bible as my Soul-Winning Bible. In your Soul-Winning Bible, find and highlight the following verses:

Romans 3.23
Romans 6.23 - in this verse underline the word "Sin" and write "Hell" next to "Death".
Romans 5.8
Romans 10.9-10,13
Revelation 3.20
John 1.12
Hebrews 13.5

Highlight only these verses in your Bible, and place the book mark at Romans 3.23. As you use your Bible to lead someone to Christ you will hold your Bible so they can read it. So you will remember where the next verse is that you will use you may need to write the next verse reference in the margin of your Bible facing you. So, when you are open to Romans 3.23, you will see Romans 6.23 written in the margin of the Bible reminding you where to go next.

A Simple Process

You are riding on a bus and someone is sitting next to you. You have been talking to this individual about different things, like the weather. When an opportunity presents itself, or when you can open a new subject ask:

"So, where do you go to Church?" It doesn't matter how they answer. Just say, "That's Great." or "Wonderful."

Next ask:

"Who Is Jesus Christ to you?" Now you must listen, if this person says;

"Jesus is God."
"Jesus is the Son of God."
"Jesus is the man upstairs."
Jesus was a great man."
or anything else, this person needs to here your salvation plan. Use one of the two phrases and go on.

If this person says, "Jesus is my personal Lord and Savior." or something very personal and similar to this statement, then this person is a Born-Again believer. You can end your presentation and fellowship with your brother or sister in Christ.

Next Ask:

"Do you believe in heaven and hell?" Regardless of the answer, even if they say, "No, I don't believe in a heaven or hell." Use one of the two phrases and go on.

Next Ask:

"If you were to die tonight where would you go, heaven or hell?" Use one of he phrases and go on.

Next Ask:

"If you were wrong, would you want someone to tell you?" If they say “no” at this point, then they are not ready to hear you and you should stop your presentation. If they say yes, then continue.

Next Ask:

"Would you allow me to show you in the Bible how God says a person gets to heaven?" Once they give you permission then open you Bible to Romans 3.23 and go on.

Next point at the highlighted Romans 3.23 and ask:

"Would you please read that verse, out loud."

Once they have read it ask:

"What does that verse say to you?" They will give you an answer. If their answer is pretty accurate go on with the process. If their answer is not even close then say, "Could you please read that again, out loud."

Notice - In this process you are merely pointing this person to the Word of God, and then letting the Word of God speak to them. You do not have to give an explanation for God's Word, you will only provide an occasional illumination. The truth is that your words have no real power, but God's Word has all power, so let God's Word work. That's why this process works so well.

Next Turn to Romans 6.23

Call their attention to the word sin and ask "How many sins does it take to have to die?" Then ask, "What does that word death mean." They will notice your notation and answer correctly.

Next take a Pen or something and do the Gift Illustration.

Illustration: Hold out a pen and ask, "If I were to give you this pen as a gift when would it become yours?" The only correct answer is when I take it. Many people will answer, "When you give it to me." But I always respond with, "Is it yours." They will then get the point and say, "When I take it."

I will then ask, "If I were to say, I'm giving you this pen as a gift for a dollar, is that a gift?" Most people answer this question right the first time.

I them point out that God is offering Salvation as a Gift through Jesus Christ.

Next Ask:

"What did Jesus Do?" Most people know that Jesus died on a cross, was buried, and then rose from the grave. You may have to talk this through a bit to get the whole Gospel. Be sure they understand all three elements of the Gospel; the death, burial, and physical resurrection. That's what Jesus did for them.

Next turn to Romans 5.8 and ask:

"Why would God let His only begotten Son die for you? Why would God offer you the gift of eternal life?" Some people will say, because God loved me. Many will not. Have them read Romans 5.8, out loud. Then ask, "What does that say to you."

Next turn to Romans 10.9-10 and say now you must be wondering how to take this gift from God. Ask:

"Would you please read this verse, out loud." And then, you guessed it, "What does this verse say to you." You may want to help them notice the word Lord in this verse and what that should mean to them. You might recall the initial study in this Impact study.

Next have them read Romans 10.13 and ask for their response.

Then turn to Revelation 3.20 and ask them to read and explain this verse.

Next you must draw the net by saying:

You have seen how all are sinners and deserve to go to hell.

You have seen that God loves you and does not want you to go to hell.

You have seen that God is holding out the gift of eternal life to you through Jesus Christ.

You have seen that you need to confess Jesus as Lord and call out to Jesus to save you.

You have seen that Jesus is knocking at the door to your life.

Would you like to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior right now.

When they respond positively you say:

I am going to lead you in a simple sinners prayer. You will need to repeat it out loud so I can hear you. But in your heart you pray to God, and God will respond to your prayer.

Lead them to pray:

Dear Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and that I deserve to go to hell. But I don't want to go to hell. So, I ask you to save me. I open the door to my heart and ask you to come into my life as my Lord and Savior. Amen.

Next take them to John 1.12 and show them that they have now become a child of God. Then take them to Hebrews 13.5 and show them that Jesus will never leave them.

That's all there is to winning a lost soul to Christ. I have used this same process many times with thrilling results. If you really think about this process, you really aren't doing anything, God's Word is doing everything, and that's what really matters.

By the way, I like to use the term Soul-Winner, but the truth of Scripture is that you are not required to win the lost to Christ, you are really only required to witness. But if you prepare and plan properly you will win, because God wants the lost to find Jesus. So enjoy the thrill of seeing lost souls accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

UNIT FIVE

Your Personal Testimony

One of the most powerful Christian tools that you have available to you is your personal testimony. You can use your testimony to give others some real life examples of God's influence on people. Keep in mind that a testimony does not have to be complicated or what some might describe as colorful. Some of the most powerful testimonies you might hear in your lifetime, are often the simplest ones.

There are three basic parts of a testimony:

1. What your life was like before.

2. What caused the change in your life.

3. What is your life like now.

Look up Acts chapter 22 in your Bible, and lets study Paul's testimony for a few moments.

According to verses 1 - 5, how did Paul describe his life prior to his conversion?

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According to verses 6 - 16, what did Paul say changed his life?

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How would you describe Paul's life after his salvation experience?

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How did the people respond to Paul's testimony (vs 17-23)?

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Lets make things a little more personal, honestly answer the following questions.

How would you describe your life before you were saved, include your feelings about things in general?

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Describe your salvation experience; where were you, what compelled you to call out for Jesus, etc...?

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What has your life been like since?

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We often apply a testimony only to our salvation experience. However, there are many other things that we experience in our Christian lives that draw us closer to God; these can be, and should be testified about as well.

Webster's defines a testimony as a firsthand authentication of a fact. It is the facts of our Christian experiences that we want to provide to others; for through these facts they will see Jesus in us.

Another thing to keep in mind is that you don't have to be a great orator to give your testimony to another person, or group of people. Don't try to use big words, just speak the truth in love; and let the reality of your experience impact their hearts. And don't loose your focus, you are trying to touch their hearts with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, so try to make your testimony magnify Him; mention His name a lot.

Can you think of something that you have experienced, since you have been a Christian, that has dramatically impacted your walk with Jesus? What was it?

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What was your Christian walk like before that experience?

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Describe this experience?

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How has it affected your life?

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How could it benefit another Christians life?

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Every thing that you experience in your Christian walk has a reason. There will almost always be a threefold perspective to your experience. First, How it impacts your personal walk with Jesus. Second, How it impacts those around you. Third, how it impacts your community as a whole.

God wants us to share our experiences with each other. In doing so we can help strengthen and encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ; for many would never have believed that someone else was going through what they are going through. We can also draw strength for ourselves, for just the thought that I am not alone in my trials can provide a fortress of encouragement to a distressed Christian. Share with your brothers and sisters in Christ.

How has this study impacted you?

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