Winning Witness
1. Jesus said, "Hither! Walk with me, and I will cause you to become fishers of men." This implies a continuing and intimate walk with Jesus. For apart from Christ we can do nothing. So what shall we do, and how shall we live to win others to Christ? I think that walking with Christ means that He is more than just our leader, He is our lover. We delight to walk with Him. In that kind of relationship there will be some fruit. Others will want to know why we love Him so, and why our lives are laid down for them. We want them to know Jesus too. Where do we begin?
2. Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men; for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence, for this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all. I Timothy 2:1-6
He that wins souls is wise. Proverbs 11:30
3. In order to have a winning witness there are some things we need to remember.
- Remember Grace (and practice grace) The president of my Bible school used to say, "Grace is like water running downhill, seeking the lowest place." That's how you got saved. Otherwise you had no chance. Salvation is a gift of God's grace. Remember that. You did nothing to deserve it. In fact, you did everything wrong. Even faith itself was given to you as a gift of God's Holy Spirit. (For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 ) God's best witnesses are those who remember what they have been saved from, what they have been saved to, and what they have been saved for. They are the ones who are ready to share the gospel of peace.
- Speak of Grace. Grace is the gospel. The world may not want our hymns, our stuffy church services, or any of our religious programs, but they are all starving for love and forgiveness.
- Speak of Jesus as the author of grace. That kind and gentle man, was also the Son of God. He's the One who loved us so much that He gave His life for us.
- Aim for the heart, not the mind. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness. This is why your testimony can be powerful. Your testimony, if it brings glory to God, reaches people's hearts.
4. Most people come to Christ through the personal witness of a family member or a friend. Yet it is said that only one out of a hundred Christians in North America is a witnessing Christian. Why is that? If we are ever going to see large numbers of people coming to Christ, then we must have large numbers of people excitedly talking about the Him. Yet many Christians seem to dread the very thought of sharing their faith. That's because they don't know they can do it successfully. People will listen. Their hearts are open to someone who cares. Here are some suggestions for a winning witness..
5. Prepare your heart. Always be ready. Oh, if we could be worshipping God at all times, our hearts would be singing His praises, and we would be ready to speak of His grace and glory to all those we meet. But sanctify (set apart) the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; I Peter 3:15
6. Pray first! Soul winners realize that any witnessing encounter is spiritual warfare. The most important part of soul winning with any person is prayer. Realize that all unsaved people are idol worshippers. As such, they may have built up strongholds against Christ and His word. (But maybe they have not. Maybe they are just waiting for someone to come and tell them the truth. Maybe they have been searching - and praying that someone would come) But if they have built up strongholds against Christ, those strongholds can be pulled down through prayer - especially the prayers of someone who loves them. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. II Corinthians 10:4 So pray...
- For the sweet, holy presence of God to pervade the entire home, or other surroundings.
- For love, and for wisdom to witness the love of God - to meet the person at the point of his need.
- That the Holy Spirit will give you exactly the right words, and open the ears of those who hear.
- That God will remove any deceiving spirits, and all thoughts will be made captive to Christ.
- That the Holy Spirit will bring understanding, and conviction of sin to that person; that they may know the love of Jesus our Savior, and that they may see their need of salvation. Pray that the person will be arrested by the Holy Spirit, saved by God's grace, and their whole lives transformed by gospel of peace.
- Pray that God would give the person a new heart. (Ezekiel 36:26-27
- Pray that blind eyes would be opened
- Pray for boldness
- Pray that God would do miracles, signs and wonders; confirming His word to the world.
- Pray that the people you witness to would receive healing, deliverance, and most of all grace.
But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost, in whom the god of this world has blinded the eyes of those who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. II Corinthians 4:3-4
7. Serve God with a pure conscience: But sanctify (set apart) the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evil doers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. I Peter 3:15
8. Witness with boldness and power. Spirit led witnessing will bring people to Christ.
- Exalt God's Word. The Bible didn't come from men. It came from God - who is love. It is God's Word that changed your life. The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation.
- Exalt Christ. Jesus is God. He has all honor, power, wisdom, glory, and love. He is the author of grace. He died - and rose - that we might have eternal life. He is alive, and invites us to participate in His LIFE!
- Speak clearly of God's grace. God alone forgives sin, and cleanses us from all unrighteousness.
- Aim for the heart, not the mind. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness. Rom. 10:10
9. If it is true that most people come to Christ through the personal witness of a family member or a friend, then what about the people who don't have a family member or a friend who is a Christian? What about them? How will we reach them? Answer: We must befriend them, or even invite them into our family. Human beings are fragile. They've been hurt. Most of the time they must know that you care about them before they will listen. But then they must know the source of your caring. It is because of Jesus. You can tell them that. Perhaps nobody ever cared for them before. What makes you different?
note: If witnessing to some people is an earned privilege (as some say it is) then it is not hard to earn. People everywhere are hungry for love. They prove that by looking for it in all the wrong places. God is the One who loves them - and He has chosen you to show them His love.
note: Sometimes you need a "lead in" (something that will turn the conversation to Christ and His Word). Ask God to give you a lead in. Or just be bold and jump in. A friend of mine used to boldly ask, "Do you believe in God?" Another friend of mine picks up hitch-hikers. As soon as they get in the car, he says, "I'm so happy! I'm really happy!" Intrigued, the hitch-hiker usually asks, "Why are you so happy?" Then my friend says, "Something happened to me five years ago and I've been happy ever since." By now the hitch-hiker is dying to know what could have happened to make someone happy for five years. Then my friend tells what happened, "I got saved!" He says. And for the next hour or more he has a captive audience as he speaks of Jesus.
10. You can give your testimony, but make it short. Remember to exalt Christ, and His Word. What Bible story, or verse was it that changed your heart, and made you into a new creature? No testimony is weak. Yours is powerful enough to change nations. After you have given your testimony you can ask the listener if he understands the gospel, or if he has ever heard it before, or if he knows what grace is, or how much God loves him. Then you may have an opportunity to make a clear presentation of the gospel.
11. Witnessing has to be conversational. You may have to challenge the other person's belief systems. Who told him that? Why does he believe it? Where did he get it from? Has he ever heard of Christ? Or met anyone who knows Him? How can he know for sure, that if he died tonight he would go to heaven? Ask him if he understands the gospel. It is so simple and direct - anyone who calls upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ will be saved. Would they like to do that?
12. The sinner's prayer goes something like this:
"Jesus, I believe that You are the Son of God. I believe Your Word. I believe that You died for me and rose again to save me from the guilt and power of sin. You shed Your blood on the cross at Calvary to wash away all my sins. I repent of my sinful ways. Jesus, Savior, I come to you for salvation and cleansing. Create in me a new and clean heart, and lead me into Your paths of righteousness, peace, and joy. I believe you for salvation. Save me, and fill me now with Your Holy Spirit. Thank You! Amen."
Many, many times when I have prayed with people to receive Jesus, the Christ, as their personal Lord and Savior, they could not get past the first word. I asked them to repeat after me, and they only managed to stammer, "Jesus," and that was it: They had come home! They broke down and cried like babies for hours. When they finally recovered themselves they started laughing - and then singing. And then they said, "I've got to tell my friends!" That's the power of the Holy Spirit at work! He is the Evangel. I only do the work of an evangelist.
13. If witnessing is a conversation, it might continue for some time. If you are witnessing to a coworker, or a friend, it could take years. But you must never be discouraged. You are planting seeds, and watering them. Someone else may harvest. Your labor of love is not in vain. God's Word will not return void.
So shall My Word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void. But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11
14. After you have led someone to Christ, you have a responsibility to nurture them in their new faith. Give them a Bible. Invite them to a Bible study, or prayer meeting. Introduce them to other mature Christians. Lead them into praise and worship. Help them witness to their friends etc...
Those who are wise shall shine, Like the brightness of the firmament; And those who turn many to righteousness, Like the stars forever and ever. Daniel 12:3