Christians, God's Foot Soldiers

Transcription

1 Sunday September 20, 2009 Phone: Pastor David Miklas Message Soul Winning Text: Ephesians 6:10-17; Romans 10:13-17 Christians, God's Foot Soldiers Introduction: I want to address an area of the Christian life that I believe is essential to the life and ministry of this church. Now before I get into the main thrust of the message, let me refer you to a number of scriptures. Proverbs 11:30, "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise." Psalm 126:6 "He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shalt doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing the sheaves with Him." Acts 1:8, "But ye shall receive power after the Holy Spirit is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto me..." Theses verses and many others like them are pressing upon us the ministry of soul winning. If we do not seek to obey this command, there are some dangers that we face. We face the danger of churches dying and closing all over the country. I believe this is true, because we Christians have become so comfortable with WHAT WE HAVE and with WHAT WE HAVE BECOME that we have forgotten that it was WINNING THE LOST TO CHRIST THAT BUILT THEIR CHURCH. Churches that began as a result of soul winning often reach a point where they stop doing what made them what they have become. Consequently, they stop growing and then start to decline. The following quote came from a recent The writer wrote: Evangelicalism as it is known in the West will soon collapse because many people who are identifying themselves as evangelicals are not at all sold on the evangelical version of personal discipleship and commitment to Jesus Christ. We Evangelicals have failed to pass on to our young people an orthodox form of faith that can take root and survive the secular onslaught. Ironically, the billions of dollars we've spent on youth ministers, Christian music, publishing, and media has produced a culture of young Christians who know next to nothing about their own faith except how they feel about it." I remind you that soul winning is not just the spiritual responsibility of the Pastor. It is the responsibility of every born-again believer. The OUTREACH of the CHURCH REGARDING WINNING SOULS TO CHRIST IS BIBLE TRUTH. The only way we can maintain a church that is alive and growing is to do like the Bible says - win souls to Christ. We face the danger of becoming a Sunday religion. Frequently after the service the attitude of many is: Please don't disturb me to do any spiritual things. Let me come and hear the Word and that's all I need. My friends, I believe it's going to be a sad day at the Judgment Seat of Christ, when we see our comfort-ability go up in smoke before Almighty God. We face the danger of hearing things so often that they cease to be effective or have little meaning to us. A wise man once said, "Some truths are so true that they lie bedridden in the dormitory of the soul and need to be awakened." I sincerely believe this to be true about the command of every man, woman, boy and girl, who names the name of Jesus Christ, to be a SOUL WINNER. We have heard this message so often that we pay little attention to the CRY OF SOULS GOING TO HELL. Others before me have stood behind this pulpit and sounded forth Page 1

2 the message that we are to be soul winners. Yet that message has fallen upon hard hearts and deaf ears. We face the danger of going out without our Spiritual clothes on and therefore the Devil can get to us. We become so PROUD of our ministries and accomplishments that we become SET IN OUR WAYS and say, Don't disturb what we have. We start to criticize and complain and the Devil uses that to get us off the front lines and then we just sit back and watch the show go on. We gather for the entertainment ministry and not for the battlefield ministry. So when we run into some difficult times and find ourselves discouraged by it all, we just QUIT doing what God has command us to do and what will ultimately bless us - BEING SOUL WINNERS. As we move into the message, let s focus on two very familiar passages: In Romans 10:13-16 we read, For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (14) How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? (15) And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! (16) But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? (17) So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Notice again verses 15, "...How beautiful are the FEET of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things." In Ephesians 6:10-18 we read, Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. (11) Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (12) For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (13) Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (14) Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; (15) And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; (16) Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. (17) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: (18) Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; Please notice again verse 15, "And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace." From these two verses, here in Romans 10:15 and in Ephesians 6:15, we discover that you and I are God's foot soldiers. Now in Ephesians 6 God is reminding us to have on the whole armor of God to enable you and I to stand against the Wiles or strategies of the Devil. In order to be equipped for the battle we need the WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD. Please understand that armor is not for hiding in a bunker, armor is for hand to hand combat, out in the battlefield. Don't be mistaken. The Devil is showing himself strong in this day and age. He realizes his time is short, and he is giving us a living hell. We are experiencing a lot of casualties and fatalities and many folks are no longer serving God because they are not wearing the ARMOR GOD HAS GIVEN TO PROTECT THEM from the EVIL ONE. The FIRST piece of ARMOR mentioned speaks of "gird about the loins with truth." Since the LOINS are the mid-section of the body, I believe God is talking about what will protect us morally and keep us pure. We know that the Word of God is truth and we certainly want to know the truth. But I believe this also has to do with us being TRUTHFUL. No one has ever been immoral Page 2

3 who was not first dishonest. Our honesty and purity are closely related. Therefore we must have on the ARMOR OF TRUTH ABOUT MY LOINS. The SECOND piece of ARMOR mentioned is "...having on the breast plate of righteousness." This piece of armor covers the chest area. Now a MAIMING wound to the arm or the leg would take a man out of battle, but that type of wound would heal up and he could fight again another day. But a MORTAL wound to the chest would take his life and put him out of the battle forever. The Bible says we are to have on the breast plate of righteousness. The righteousness Paul is talking about here is our PERSONAL righteousness or RIGHT LIVING. Living right will help us in the battle against the Devil. Oh, he may hurt us but he cannot defeat us if we have on this armor. The THIRD piece of ARMOR mentioned is the Helmet of Salvation." This is not a helmet to protect us from losing our salvation. This helmet has to do with protecting our heads. A head wound was considered a mortal, life-threatening wound. We need the protection of right THINKING. That is to allow the principles of God's Word to govern us through life. The helmet is there to protect us from filling our minds with harmful thoughts. The Bible says "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he." In this day in which the evil philosophy of situation ethics in both religious and worldly minds is dominant, there are a lot of Christians who have been knocked out of the spiritual battle. They have a saved soul, but a lost mind. They think like the world thinks; they make decisions on the same basis that the world decides, and it results in their destruction. The FOURTH piece of ARMOR mentioned is the "the Shield of Faith." This is our defensive piece of armor against the fiery dart of Satan, who throws DOUBTS our way. Listen to this definition of faith that is so simple, yet so profound. "FAITH IS WHEN THE WORD OF GOD IS ENOUGH." God's Word is enough to act upon. "God said it, the Bible records it, I believe it, and that's settles it." The FIFTH piece of ARMOR mentioned is the "the sword of the spirit." This is our offensive attack weapon. God never intended for soldiers of the cross to be just on the defense. He didn't tell us to hide in the church and say to the Devil, "Na, Na, Na, Na, you can't get me,." He promised that the gates of Hell could not withstand against the attack of a SPIRIT-FILLED, SOUL-WINNING, SIN-FIGHTING CHURCH. The SIXTH piece of ARMOR mentioned is your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace." The Lord said we must have our shoes on. The shoes are a part of the armor. For what do we need them? Try fighting on the battlefield without them. Try carrying a heavy load without good shoes on. Try walking over rough ground without good shoes on your feet. What type of shoes are these? They are our soul-winning shoes. Soul-winning is a part of the armor. If we are not soul-winners, then we are BARE-FOOTED SOLDIERS. Let me say this. If we are going to be victorious in the Christian life, then we had better have our spiritual shoes on. Page 3

4 We've a lot of Christians who are spiritual causalities, sitting on the sidelines, out of the will of God, who started well, but didn't finish well. We've a lot of Christians who are totally out of Church, who no longer serve the Lord. These folks have been defeated by the Devil. They have dropped out of the battle. I believe one reason this has happened relates to Christians trying to make their journey in the Christian life without their spiritual shoes on. If you or I think "we are too BUSY, or too IMPORTANT or have no desire to reach souls for Christ, we had better watch out." That thought will be our downfall. We will be a casualty unless we take Paul's advice to "Put on or take the whole armor of God." That includes our feet being shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Without those shoes, we are bare-footed soldiers. MY FRIENDS, SOUL-WINNING IS A VITALLY ESSENTIAL PART OF OUR SPIRITUAL ARMOR THAT WE MUST ENGAGE IN TO HAVE A VICTORIOUS CHRISTIAN LIFE. If the DEVIL can get us to take our spiritual shoes off, he s got us whipped. If we lay soul-winning aside for any reason, the DEVIL knows we will shortly be on the spiritual sideline. If we try to operate without our feet being shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, the DEVIL knows that we will become a defeated Christian. Let me be very clear from this passage of scripture: We may have sound Christian convictions, good standards, attend church regularly, read our Bibles every day, memorize Bible verses, and even serve in several church ministries, but don't bother to put on our soul-winning shoes. We need more than just the Helmet of Salvation. We need more than just the Shield of Faith. We need more than just the Sword of the Spirit. We need more than just the Breastplate of Righteousness. We need more than just our Loins gird with Truth. You and I need the WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD to be a spiritual survivor and a victor in spiritual warfare, and that includes the shoes in the ministry of soul-winning. Over the years in my ministries, I've hit some rough stretches of road, and in some cases, SOUL-WINNING has allowed me to KEEP ON GOING. For encouragement, provision and strength, there is nothing like sharing the gospel with someone and then seeing them come to faith in Jesus Christ. When that happens, it seems as though it takes the wind out of old smutty-face (the Devil) and puts life back into my Christian walk. Winning souls gives life to the ministry and a new desire to keep on keeping on in the battle for the souls of men and women, boys and girls. After all, we read in Luke 15:7, "Joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance." SUPPOSE we were to see a blind man unknowingly approach the brink of death, and we sat by without concern or any effort to warn or save him from that death. Would we not be as guilty of his death in God's sight as though we had murdered him outright? Yes, we would, for in Ezekiel 3:17-21 we read, "If thou givest him not warning...his blood will I ( speaking of God ) require at thine hands." SUPPOSE that "when the roll is called up yonder" we are there, but through the eternal ages we are unable to find a single person who is there because of our having led them to Christ. HOW MUCH WILL HEAVEN MEAN TO US? Daniel 12:3 tells us "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever." Page 4

5 Realize that in the physical, material sense there is not one thing we can take with us in death? At the time of death we will leave everything behind. However, everyone that we have had a privilege to lead to Christi will be there with us in heaven. Over in I Thessalonians 2:19-20 we read, "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For you are our glory and joy." That's why I again ask, How much will heaven means to us, if there is no one there that we have had the privilege of bringing to the Saviour? May you and I not SUPPOSE, but HUMBLY DO as the Lord says in Luke 14:23, "Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled." Listen my friends we may have most every piece of spiritual armor on and in place, but we also need to have on the shoes of soul-winning. We might be busy in service of the Lord. We might be living in purity. We might be living with the sword of the Spirit sharpened and attacking the devil. We might be living with the shield of faith in our hands, having faith to always trust God. We might have on all the armor of God, but neglect to put our shoes on and therefore, we will be defeated. The text tells us we are to have on the "WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD." My friends, that means we need to be SOUL-WINNERS if we are going to be victorious in this Christian life. This is not an option. This activity is not related to our spiritual gifts that we might or might not possess. IT IS PART OF THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD THAT WE ARE TO PUT ON. I'm not talking about keeping track of NUMBERS, such as how many people we have won to Christ. Or about setting a goal of how many people a Christian should win or how many hours we should spend out soul-winning. Let God keep the statistics. I'm saying that we had better keep our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace so that we are: always ready to share the gospel with a tract, always ready with a word of testimony, and always ready to share the gospel. I am preaching because there are multitudes of sinners on their way to an eternal hell, and they don't know the way of salvation unless someone tells them. I am preaching to challenge you to make an effort to win the lost to Christ. So, let s bring this challenge to where the rubber meets the road. If 5 Gospel tracts were placed in your hands each month throughout this year, how many of you would be willing to take them and just hand them out to 5 different people during the week? How many of you would commit yourself to speaking to at least one person each week about their need of Christ? How many, with one specific individual in mind, will go within the next two weeks to see that person, take a Bible, show him how to be saved, and ask him to trust Christ as Saviour? If that one you are thinking of is too far away to visit, will you write them a letter and get it in the mail within the next two weeks? In the letter, will you tell them that you love them and want them to be saved by the power of the Lord Jesus Christ? Will you enclose a simple gospel tract and ask them to read it? May God continually speak to our hearts about winning souls to Christ. Amen! ****************************************************************** If God has spoken to your heart after reading the sermon Christians, God's Foot Soldiers then right now talk to God about what He has spoken to you. Page 5

6 Do you have the assurance that one day you will go to heaven? If you have no assurance that you know Jesus Christ, then I trust you will decide to accept Him as your personal Savior. The Bible tells us in Acts 16:31,...Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved... Romans 10:13, For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. This prayer is here for those who need to ask Jesus to be their personal Savior: I do want to go to Heaven. I know I am a sinner, and I do believe Jesus Christ died for me. I realize I cannot buy this great salvation, nor can I earn it. Knowing Jesus died on the cross and arose from the grave to pay my sin debt and to purchase my salvation, I do now trust Him as my Savior, and from this moment on I am completely depending on Him for my salvation. If you made the decision to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior let me know? Please send an to, pdmikbbm@aol.com and I will send you some literature that will help you in your Christian life. The Weekly SERMON was sent as a ministry of Bible Baptist Ministry, 48 Alexie Rd., Hanover Township, PA Privacy policy: your address will not be sold, or shared with any third party. Copy write permission: Because the Weekly SERMONS will be reproduced into other formats, PLEASE TAKE NOTE OF THE FOLLOWING: The Weekly SERMON in it s original form, without any changes, may be copied and re-transmitted by electronic mail, and copies may be printed for individual or ministry purposes, provided that such copying, re-transmission, printing, or other use is not for profit or other commercial purpose. Any copying, re-transmission, distribution, printing, or other use of the Weekly SERMON must set forth in full the heading that is given before each Weekly SERMON. Any other request for use, please contact Bible Baptist Ministries at pdmikbbm@aol.com or by phone at Page 6