Soul-Winning Motivator Podcast #163
Welcome to the Soul-Winning Motivator Podcast #163.
This is Daniel Whyte III, president of Gospel Light Society International. As always, it is so good to be with you today to challenge you, encourage you, exhort you, and motivate you to witness for the Lord Jesus Christ right where you are to those who are not believers in Christ. Even though we will share some instructions on how to witness for the Lord from time to time, we believe that most Christians do not need to learn how to witness for the Lord, they just need to go and do it; so our aim is more motivational than instructional.
Our soul-winning Passage from the Word of God today is 1 Corinthians 9:22 which reads: “To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.”
Allow me to share with you some insights regarding this Scripture from the Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable:
The “weak” are those who have extremely sensitive consciences in the area of non-moral practices, such as the Jews. Here the apostle meant unbelievers, as is clear from what he said about them. Paul accommodated himself to their scruples. This policy undoubtedly led some people to conclude that Paul was inconsistent. His superficial inconsistency really manifested a more fundamental consistency. He did everything non-moral (“I have become all things to all men”) with a view to bringing people to the Savior (“that I may by all means save some”).
“By this phrase Paul means exactly the opposite of what it means in common speech to-day [sic]. He does not signify any weak compliance with the wrong actions and immoral practices of others. He is not approving the maxim: ‘When in Rome do as the Romans do.’ Paul is referring to matters of moral indifference, to weak prejudices, and to foolish scruples.”
Our soul winning quote today is from Jim Elliot. He said: “Rest in this – it is His business to lead, command, impel, send, call or whatever you want to call it. It is your business to obey, follow, move, respond, or what have you.”
Our soul winning devotional is part 28 of our series titled “The Master Plan of Evangelism” from Robert E. Coleman.
Consecration – The Principle in Focus
From the standpoint of strategy, however, it was the only way that Jesus could mold their lives by His word. There could be no development of character or purpose in the disciples without it. A father must teach his children to obey him if he expects his children to be like him.
It must be remembered, too, that Jesus was making men to lead His church to conquest, and no one can ever be a leader until first he has learned to follow a leader. So He brought up His future commanders from the ranks, drilling in them along the way the necessity for discipline and respect for authority. There could be no insubordination in His command. No one knew better than Jesus that the satanic forces of darkness against them were well organized and equipped to make ineffectual any half-hearted effort of evangelism. They could not possibly outwit the devilish powers of this world unless they gave strict adherence to Him who alone knew the strategy of victory. This required absolute obedience to the Master’s will, even as it meant complete abandonment of their own.
The Principle Applied Today
We must learn this lesson again today. There can be no dillydallying around with the commands of Christ. We are engaged in warfare, the issues of which are life and death, and every day that we are indifferent to our responsibilities is a day lost to the cause of Christ. If we have learned even the most elemental truth of discipleship, we must know that we are called to be servants of our Lord and to obey His Word. It is not our duty to reason why He speaks as He does, but only to carry out His orders. Unless there is this dedication to all that we know He wants us to do now, however immature our understanding may be, it is doubtful if we will ever progress further in his life and mission. There is no place in the Kingdom for a slacker, for such an attitude not only precludes any growth in grace and knowledge but also destroys any usefulness on the world battlefield of evangelism.
One must ask, why are so many professed Christians today stunted in their growth and ineffectual in their witness? Or to put the question in its larger context, why is the contemporary church so frustrated in its witness to the world? Is it not because among the clergy and laity alike there is a general indifference to the commands of God, or at least, a kind of contented complacency with mediocrity? Where is the obedience of the cross? Indeed, it would appear that the teachings of Christ regarding self-denial and dedication have been replaced by a sort of respectable “do as you please” philosophy of expediency.
The great tragedy is that little is being done to correct the situation, even by those who realize what is happening. Certainly the need of the hour is not for despair, but for action. It is high time that the requirements for membership in the church be interpreted and enforced in terms of true Christian discipleship. But this action alone will not be enough. Followers must have leaders, and this means that before much can be done with the church membership something will have to be done with the church officials. If this task seems to be too great, then we will have to start like Jesus did by getting with a few chosen ones and instilling into them the meaning of obedience.
It is when this principle is accepted in practice that we can develop fully according to the next step in the Master’s strategy of conquest.
In our next episode, we will look at Chapter 4, Impartation – He Gave Himself Away.
* * * * * * * * Let’s Pray * * * * * * * *
Dear friend, if you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, may I encourage you to get to know Him today.
First, accept the fact that you are a sinner, and that you have broken God’s law. The Bible says in Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”
Second, accept the fact that there is a penalty for sin. The Bible states in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death…”
Third, accept the fact that you are on the road to hell. Jesus Christ said in Matthew 10:28: “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Also, the Bible states in Revelation 21:8: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”
Now this is bad news, but here’s the good news. Jesus Christ said in 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.” Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will.
Romans 10:9-13 says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Until next time,
Keep the soul winner’s fire!
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