Winning Souls by Example
When we think about the disciples and study their lives there is so much we can learn. For example, the Apostle Peter was a great soul winner. Have you ever thought what caused Peter to lead at least over five thousand people to Christ within a few years? He led three thousand souls to the Lord in one day. He had no media advantages as we have today, and yet he could impact so many lives in one sermon.
How did he do that? It was with great faith in G-d’s love for the world; his great faith in Jesus’ power to forgive sins and grant eternal life!
It takes a forgiven man or woman to preach passionately about forgiveness. It takes a good man or woman to passionately preach salvation and about their Savior. Peter had been forgiven much and so he easily shared the power of forgiveness. People knew that it was beyond just talk on Peter’s part. It was something he had experienced and people could identify with that. They connected with him. Peter was not perfect. He denied the Master three times, but yet didn’t lose his calling. He repented later, asked forgiveness, and did not let failure stop his calling and the fulfilling of his divine destiny.
I believe he remembered the word’s of his Master, “and I say unto thee, thou are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18). After being forgiven and reinstated as a disciple (John 21) he began to do what Jesus commanded to all His disciples (including you and I), “Go into the world and preach the Gospel to every creatures” (Mark 16:15). It is clear through his message in Acts 4:12 that he understood that the cross wasn’t just something Christ suffered! It was something He conquered and achieved for mankind. As Bible believers we are too called to share the same message with the world. The message is simple: John 3:16.
Regardless of where we may be in our walk with Him, this simple message (that G-d loves the world) must be a heart felt, living example and be the center of all we do. This is our time! Seize your opportunity, use your great testimony, share your faith, spread the Gospel and bring the lost souls in. We have a great testimony for such a time like this!!!
In Him,
Pastor Paul Santos