SUPERNATURAL POWER FOR SOUL WINNING

Luke 10:1-19; 9:1; Mat.10:1-20; 28:18-20; Acts 1:8

If Jesus was physically with us today what would be His priority? Soul winning! “For the Son of man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). With our world as lost as it is today, I don’t think anything would rank near in importance to soul winning. If you have been chosen as a disciple of Jesus what should be your priority today? Soul winning! The next important question is have we got our priorities right? Let us examine the scriptures and examine ourselves. I think many times we would provide what we think are cast iron excuses for not being involved in soul winning. But none of those excuses will hold water in the presence of Christ our Saviour. Jesus trained and commissioned His disciples to go and preach the gospel.

A.   The People Commissioned

(Luke 10:1; Luke 9:1; Mat.10:1).

The appointment to preach is from the Lord.

The people appointed are His disciples. If you are a born again Christian, then this commission is for you. These seventy people were distinguished, dedicated and so are disciples. The Great Commission (Mat.28:18-20) is an open commission given to all who would become disciples of Jesus. Everyone of us who professes to be Christ’s disciple must be out in the field of soul winning. Notice that first Jesus appoints twelve disciples and called them apostles and then commissioned them to preach. He gave them power over unclean spirits to cast them out, and to cure all manner of sicknesses and diseases. In (Luke 19:1), He appointed seventy other disciples and gave them the same commission and the same power to preach, heal, and cast out unclean spirits. Then He gave that universal commission called the Great Commission.

B.   The Prompting for the Commission

(Luke 10:2; Mat.9:37-38)

There is a statistic that says that 153000 people die every day, and most of these will go to hell. No wonder the heart of Christ is filled with compassion for the lost! Here we see the Heart of the Saviour, the heart of compassion. Can we pray for the same heart of Christ towards those who are lost? It was compassion that took Christ to the house of sinners, which made him to dine with them so he could save them. It was compassion that drove Him to the Cross. Great soul winners are men of great compassion. The Harvest is great – that goes without saying! The Helpers (or labourers) are few. You and I can bear witness to this fact. Compassion always filled the heart of Christ when He saw the lost wondering aimlessly without a guide of a shepherd. 

C.   The Praying For the Commission

(Luke 10:2; 18:1; 1Thess.5:17)

The Place of the Praying – pray alone with God. Pray together as a family. Pray together as a church. The prayer that brings results is unceasing prayer.

The Passion in the Praying – we need to pray or passion for lost souls.

The Problem for the Praying – the lost are like sheep without a shepherd. The labourers are few. Pray for labourers.

The Possibilities of the Praying – the Lord who has asked us to pray will send labourers. When praying for labourers do not be like a hypocrite – praying for others to be sent while you sit relaxing.

D.   The Perils in the Commission

(Mat.10:22-31; Luke 10:3, 19).

We are sent as Sheep among wolves. Wolves howl at night! The want to terrify us. Wolves are ravening – they are ready to devour anything that comes their way.

But the Lord will care for faithful disciples. He gives them power to overcome the enemy.

When we preach, we should not worry about those who do not hear us. When people refuse to hear us, it is Christ they are refusing!

What is our commission? To preach the Gospel; to heal the sicknesses and diseases; to cast out unclean spirits. This we will do by God’s power in this Church.

It is true that our enemy the devil raises opposition and hindrance to our preaching the Gospel, but I believe that the greatest hindrances come from ourselves. Listen to what our Lord says in (Luke 14:26-27).

You can make anyone of these groups listed here a hindrance to your winning souls. Again let’s hear Jesus speak (Luke 14:16-20). Business concerns, family, education, personal preferences, family concerns, etc., are always given as excuse not to come out and win souls. We must bear in mind that the greatest blessing we have received is to be called children of God through Christ; and if children, Disciples of Christ.

E.   The Promise In The Commission

(Mat. 10:1, 29-31; Luke 9:1-2; 10:8-9,19; Acts 1:8)

The commission to preach is filled with precious promises from our Lord! Jesus also provides us with the power to preach, power to heal every sickness and every disease, power to cast out unclean spirits. May the Lord help us not to be blind to these! Why would the Lord give these promises?  He knows there are perils involved. He wants us to overcome these and obey Him. He knows we will have to give up many things – business opportunities, educational opportunities, money making opportunities, socially enhancing ventures, family concerns… Listen to what He tells Peter (Mat.19:21-22, 27-29). Whatever we give up in accordance with our individual circumstances, the Lord promise to give us hundredfold more! All who are faithful to the Lord must obey His command.