Category: Bible Study

Christianity is designed to produce more Christians. In 2 Timothy 2:2, Paul commanded what could be described as a “domino effect” for God’s people.

And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

While this command is made regarding Timothy, a young preacher, finding other Christian men who will also be ministers of the gospel, there is an evangelistic application here, too. The idea behind soul winning is not only to baptize people, but to produce those who will be so committed to the Lord that they desire to spread the saving message of the gospel themselves. Jesus commanded us to go into all the world and “teach all nations” (KJV). The original wording literally says, “make disciples of all the nations” (NKJV, ASV, NASB, ESV). Jesus wants true converts produced from our evangelistic efforts. It is His desire – and His command – that one will teach another, who will teach another, who will teach another … and, as the cycle continues, Christianity will be spread throughout the world.

Jesus taught that Christians who fail to bear fruit are taken away and “thrown into the fire” (John 15:2, 6). He concluded this line of thought by saying, “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples” (John 15:8). In his outstanding commentary on the gospel according to John, Guy N. Woods says that fruit bearing “includes every activity of the Christian.” Bro. Woods continues,

It embraces every act which Jesus endorses and which he would, if present do, but not being present, must depend on his followers to do for him (325).

Are you bearing fruit? Are you doing the Lord’s will in general and, specifically, in evangelism to produce more Christians? These are important questions for each of us to ask and answer. If we do not do our part, then the domino effect does not work.

The success of the domino effect depends on four factors.

1. Your proclamation. Jesus’ specific command is to go and preach, or teach, the gospel (Mat. 28:19-20; Mark 16:!5-16; Luke 24:47). The gospel is the good news of Christ. “How shall they hear without a preacher” (Romans 10:14-16)? We can go and teach others.

2. Your pattern. The lost will not respond to hypocrisy. In order for the domino effect to work, we must live what the Bible teaches. We shine as lights in a world that is darkened by sin (Mat. 5:16; Phil. 2:15). They need to know about God’s love (John 3:16), and we have the message. Never underestimate the value of a life well lived (1 Pet. 2:12; 3:1-2).

3. God’s power. Ultimately, the power to convert someone does not lie within us. While we have an obligation to lead people to the gospel, we must remember that the power lies within the gospel itself to save and convert them (Rom. 1:16). God gives the increase (1 Cor. 3:6; cf. 2 Cor. 3:5). Paul says that those who are involved in the work of the Lord will access a power that is beyond what we can ask or think. Notice what he says next: “according to the power that works in us” (Eph. 3:20, emp. mine, RH). You do the work. God will give the increase.

4. The other person’s penitence. God does not force people to obey the gospel. You and I cannot force someone to be saved. Instead, the success of the domino effect (at least, on an individual level), depends upon whether the person’s heart is receptive to the teaching of the Bible (Luke 8:11, 15). To change one’s life through repentance and full obedience to God is a necessity if someone wants to be saved (Luke 13:3, 5; Acts 17:30-31; Mat. 7:21-23, etc.), and that is a sacrifice that they must be willing to make (Rom. 12:1-2).

Let’s start a wildfire of soul winning! The domino effect will work if we will work God’s plan!

It seems strange that at that time the gospel had been preached among all the nations, but if we consider the earnest character of the Christians, who gloried in persecution and death for Christ’s sake, it will not seem so strange. The greatest hindrance to the gospel in our day is the lukewarm and indifferent character of professed Christians. Personal consecration and devotion are the great needs to spread the gospel abroad (page 265, emp. added).

Brother Andrew Connally used to preach that overcoming mediocrity involves three dynamics of Christian excellence: the courage to care, the dare to dream, and the willingness to work. Having examined the courage to care last week, we now come to the dare to dream.

Does the great commission seem big to you (Mat. 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:46-48)? The thought of going “into all the world” to “preach the gospel to every creature” can be overwhelming. Zoom in from the global level to a personal level and the task is magnified. As discussed last week, it is not easy to invite someone to have a Bible study or to come to worship. However, there is no room for negativity in the Christian’s life. We have the greatest Helper who will guide us and bless our efforts, however small they may be. It is amazing what God’s people can do when they trust in Him!

We often achieve and feel successful simply because we set our goals so low. As children, we would dream big, but it seems that, as we grew, our dreams became smaller. We brand these small dreams as “realistic” and “possible,” all the while limiting God’s power and our own God-given potential. Does this describe your view of soul winning? If so, you are not alone. Our challenge is to overcome the sentiments of the nay-sayers and to cultivate the enthusiasm of our first-century brethren who actively fulfilled the Lord’s commission (cf. Col. 1:23).

Michael Hyatt, former CEO and current chairman of Thomas Nelson Publishers in Nashville, wrote a blog post in which he described big dreams as “God sized dreams.” Hyatt, though not a New Testament Christian, offers three great insights to the benefits of God-sized dreams.

First, God-sized dreams ensure our growth. Small dreams require the least effort. By contrast, big dreams often force us to push ourselves beyond our previous limits. In other words, big dreams cause big growth. Hyatt said, “[God] is not just interested in what we can accomplish for Him, but in who we are becoming along the way.” The one talent man exerted little effort, while the two and five talent men went out and doubled what they had been given (Mat. 25:14-30). That is God-sized dreaming.

Second, God-sized dreams force us to invite others into a bigger story. I am not much for self-promotion. When inviting someone to worship, I never want to say, “I wish you would come hear me preach.” Instead, I want to invite that person to come experience God’s people offering their worship to God. Evangelism is not about us, it is about inviting the lost to learn about Jesus Christ and His way that leads to eternal life (Mat. 7:13-14). The cause of evangelism is so much bigger than we are. In fact, we wil be amazed at what is possible for ordinary people who have a God-sized dream when those people put their faith in Him. “With God all things are possible” (Mat. 19:26).

Third, God-sized dreams give glory to Him, not us. Our policy at East Hill is that numbers are not everything, but numbers are important because each number represents at soul. Can the church at East Hill double in size within the next five to ten years? It can if God’s people will pray hard, work hard, and get out of the way to give God all of the glory. “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created” (Rev. 4:11).

Brother Connally said, “We have to learn to dream again!” Let’s break the mold of the status quo, and dare to dream God-sized dreams. “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (Eph. 3:20-21).

In the 1960’s the late brother Andrew Connally preached a sermon titled “Overcoming Mediocrity.” In that sermon, brother Connally cited three things we must possess if we will rise above the status quo: the courage to care, the dare to dream, and the willingness to work. It seems that these are three characteristics that every Christian must have regarding soul winning, as well. Let’s consider the first point today.

We must have the courage to care about the problem. The problem is adequately expressed in a song we sometimes sing: “souls that are precious, souls that are dying, while we rejoice our sins are forgiven!” Statistics indicate that roughly 155,000 people worldwide die each day. How many of that number do you think are New Testament Christians? The problem is further magnified by the fact that many Christians shirk their soul winning responsibilities. Jesus came to save lost souls (Luke 19:10), and He has commissioned His disciples to be active in spreading the saving message (Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:46-48). However, Jesus Himself said, “the harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few” (Matt. 9:37). What about you? Do you have the courage to care about the problem?

Care requires courage. No one denies that soul winning is not easy – especially when we first begin. It takes courage to invite someone to have a Bible study with you, to then lead that Bible study, and to say the things that need to be said. But we must cultivate a compassionate heart for the lost. “When [Jesus] saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion” (Matt. 9:36). Caring engages your conscience. It causes you to be particularly mindful of lost souls that are all around you as you live your life. It causes you to feel badly if you miss an opportunity. The feeling of a nagging conscience is not always pleasant, but God gave it to us for a reason – perhaps that is exactly the motivation that we need to get busy in the Lord’s work. Caring opens your eyes. Suddenly the world population of 7 billion people turns into 7 billion souls that we must reach! But we can do it (cf. Col. 1:23). We have help from our Christian brethren and help from our loving God, who does not put on us more than we can bear. Caring may even bring pain. What about when you ask someone you love for a Bible study and that person refuses? Or when you teach someone the truth but they will not accept it and obey it? This can be painful. Our responsibility is not to force someone to obey; in fact, we simply cannot do that. Our responsibility is to try. Brother Connally said, “when we begin to have the courage to care, the world will change!”

“Few there are who seem to care, and few there are who pray; melt my heart and fill my life: give me one soul today!”

Isn’t it ironic that Thanksgiving is followed by Black Friday? Please do not misunderstand, I am all for incredible sales and great deals – they certainly help this time of year. However, think about that for which Black Friday is known: great sales, long lines, insane hours, and rude (even violent) shoppers. Yes, just a mere few hours after they gave thanks for all that they already have, these shoppers were out fighting tooth and nail for that hot item that they simply cannot live without, daring someone to stand in their way. News reports are filled with stories of fights that broke out in the middle of the aisles, with hundreds of people around who could potentially be hurt, all because of something that certain shoppers wanted.

Consider whether you think the following Bible passage and observations are appropriate as we enter the gift-giving season.

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we may boldly say: “The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Heb. 13:5-6).

1. God desires holy hearts – not counterfeit Christianity. Your conduct, translated “conversation” (KJV), “life” (ESV), and “character” (NASB) is how you live. This is the deepest, most true part of yourself – who you really are. It is no surprise that God’s Word calls our attention to our true selves. The Bible is “a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Heb. 4:12). In fact, true Christianity starts in our hearts and manifests itself by our righteous actions and speech (cf. Phil. 1:27; Col. 3:1-2; Mat. 6:33; etc.). God does not want charades; He wants converted hearts, whole and living sacrifices (cf. Rom. 12:1-2). Which leads us to the particular point of character noted in this passage: covetousness.

2. A Christian’s conduct will be without covetousness. Covetousness is greed; a strong-willed determination to have what belongs to others. In his book Studies in Hebrews, Robert Taylor says that covetousness is “selfishness gone to seed” (p 236). Why are some Black Friday shoppers willing to inflict violence upon others in pursuit of their goods? Does it not stem from a covetous, greedy heart? Notice just two other passages dealing with covetousness:

But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints … For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God (Eph. 5:3, 5).

Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry (Col. 3:5).

Notice that, in these two passages, Paul says covetousness is idolatry. As much as many of us love this time of year – times with family, sharing meals together, decorations, and even giving gifts – we must all keep our hearts in check so that we do not bow before the god of materialism! In his commentary on Ephesians, Albert Barnes wrote the following about a man with a covetous heart:

[He is a] man who, in this insatiable pursuit, is regardless of justice, truth, charity, faith, prayer, peace, comfort, usefulness, conscience; and who shall say that there is any vice more debasing or degrading that this? (p 96)

Covetous thinking, though so much a part of our culture, has two major flaws. First, covetous people place entirely too much confidence in the power of the things in the world. The world, and all that is in it, will be burned up when the Lord comes again (2 Pet. 3:9-11). If we depart from this life in death before the second coming of Christ, then we must remember that we can take none of it with us (1 Tim. 6:7). Therefore, the Holy Spirit says, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15-17).

The second flaw of covetous thought is that covetous people have a very low opinion of the willingness and ability of God to provide. When one finds security and happiness in things, then he or she is not looking to the One from Whom all blessings flow (cf. James 1:17). This promise follows the Hebrews writer’s exhortation: “For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you'” (Heb. 13:5). God promises to provide all of our needs, we must simply place our trust and our faith in Him (Mat. 6:25-34).

3. We must learn the Christian virtue of contentment. It is not sinful to wish for things that we would like to have. Goals are healthy in our lives and meeting our goals enriches our lives. However, there is a difference in wanting and coveting, in desire and materialism. God’s Book tells us that we must “be content with such things as you have” (Heb. 13:6). Contentment is not necessarily something with which we are born. In fact, contentment must be learned, developed, and maintained. Paul said, “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content” (Phil. 4:11). Elsewhere, he stated, “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Tim. 6:6), and “having food and clothing, with these we shall be content” (1 Tim. 6:8).

If we will train our hearts to learn and to practice contentment, then we will find ourselves relying more on God (cf. Phil. 4:11-13). Because he learned contentment, the Hebrews writer was able to trust in God’s promises and to boldly say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Heb. 13:6).