The Urgency of Soul-Winning

Main Text: John 4:35

"Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up
your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest."

Key Points:

1. The Spiritual Harvest is Ready Now

o Jesus used the imagery of the harvest to describe the souls that are ready to
receive the Gospel. In His time, the harvest was a critical time for gathering crops,
and the same urgency applies to the spiritual harvest.
o Jesus tells His disciples that the fields (the world) are already white for harvest.
This means that people are already prepared and waiting to hear the truth of
salvation.
2. Time is Short
o In Matthew 24:14, Jesus told His disciples that "this gospel of the kingdom shall
be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end
come." We do not know the day or hour when Christ will return, but the urgency
of sharing the Gospel is clear.
o Life is brief, and each day presents an opportunity that may not come again.
People around us—our neighbors, coworkers, family members—may be lost
without Christ, and we must not delay in sharing the Gospel.
3. Eternal Consequences
o The stakes of soul-winning are incredibly high. In 2 Corinthians 5:11, Paul writes,
"Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men." We are not just
offering a temporary solution; we are offering eternal life or eternal separation
from God. The urgency comes from the reality that souls are at stake, and eternity
is long.
o In Matthew 9:37-38, Jesus calls the laborers to pray because the harvest is
plentiful but the laborers are few. This is a call to action. It’s not just about
recognizing the need—it’s about doing something now to help meet that need.
4. The Lord of the Harvest
o Jesus reminds His disciples that the harvest is God's work, and He is the Lord of
the harvest. We are simply His instruments. It’s not our job to save anyone, but it
is our job to be faithful in planting and watering the seeds of the Gospel (1
Corinthians 3:6-9).
o We must rely on God’s timing and His power, trusting that He is at work in
people's hearts, even when we don't see immediate results.

Application: Ready to Practice and Apply Soul-Winning

Now that we’ve established the urgency, how do we become ready and effective in soul-
winning? This section will equip you with practical steps to apply in your daily life.

1. Prepare Your Heart

  Pray for a burden for souls. Ask God to give you compassion for the lost. Paul had
such a burden for souls that he was willing to be accursed for his people’s salvation
(Romans 9:3). This kind of heart is cultivated in prayer and through intimacy with God.
 Pray for opportunities. Jesus tells us to pray for laborers in the harvest. Pray specifically
that God will open doors for conversations about the Gospel and that He will prepare the
hearts of those you encounter (Colossians 4:3).
 Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will guide and prompt you in your
conversations (Acts 8:29). Be willing to listen and follow His leading in everyday
encounters.

2. Know the Gospel Well

 Understand the simple Gospel message so you can clearly and confidently share it with
others. A great place to start is in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, which summarizes the core of the
Gospel: Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day.
 Practice sharing your testimony. Your personal story of salvation is a powerful tool for
soul-winning. Practice telling others what God has done in your life and how He changed
you. People may argue with doctrine, but they can’t argue with your testimony
(Revelation 12:11).

3. Be Ready to Speak

 Look for natural openings to talk about the Gospel in your everyday conversations.
o 1 Peter 3:15
"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer
to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness
and fear."
o This verse emphasizes the importance of being ready and prepared to speak about
the hope we have in Christ. We should always be prepared to share our faith, not
in arrogance, but with humility and respect.
 Use tracts or resources.
o Romans 10:14
"How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall
they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear
without a preacher?"
o Tracts, books, or other resources can be a simple way to share the Gospel with
someone who may not be ready for a full conversation but is still curious. It helps
them hear the Gospel in a form they can take with them.
 Be prepared for questions.
o Acts 8:30-31
"And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said,
Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man
should guide me?"
o This passage shows the importance of being ready to answer questions and guide
others when they are confused or seeking understanding. We can be the ones to
help guide them to the truth of the Gospel.
 Be quick to listen and respond thoughtfully.
o Proverbs 15:23
"A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season,
how good is it!"
 o This verse encourages us to speak at the right time, offering words that are timely
and appropriate. Being ready to answer isn’t just about knowing what to say but
also knowing when to say it.

4. Be Intentional

 Start with your immediate circle.

o Acts 1:8
"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye
shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria,
and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
o Jesus begins with “Jerusalem,” the place where His disciples were, showing that
evangelism begins close to home. We should first look to our family, friends, and
neighbors for opportunities to share the Gospel.
 Build relationships first.
o Luke 10:5-6
"And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. And if the
son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you
again."
o Jesus instructs His disciples to offer peace first, indicating that relationship-
building is key in sharing the Gospel. It’s not just about preaching to others; it’s
about showing love and kindness, earning the right to speak into their lives.
 Ask God for divine appointments.
o Colossians 4:3-4
"Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to
speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: That I may make it
manifest, as I ought to speak."
o Paul requests prayer for "a door of utterance"—an open opportunity to speak the
Gospel. We should pray for such open doors and be watchful for them as we go
through our daily lives, trusting that God will direct us to people ready to hear.
 Look for opportunities in everyday life.
o Ephesians 5:15-16
"See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the
time, because the days are evil."
o Being intentional means making the most of every opportunity. We should live
carefully and purposefully, recognizing that every day is a chance to share Christ
with someone. Whether in the workplace, at school, or in casual interactions, we
can redeem the time by being sensitive to God’s leading.
 Engage with others about their spiritual needs.
o Matthew 9:12-13
"But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a
physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will
have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners
to repentance."
o Jesus teaches us here that soul-winning is about reaching out to those who are
spiritually sick. Be intentional about identifying those who are in need of the
Gospel and actively engaging with them, offering the "physician" who can heal
their souls.
 Set goals for evangelism.
 o Philippians 3:14
"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
o Paul set his sights on the goal of serving Christ and pressing forward with the
mission He had been given. Setting goals—whether it’s to share the Gospel with
one person per week or to invite someone to church—can help keep you focused
and intentional in your evangelism.
 Jesus Sent His Disciples Two by Two
o Mark 6:7
"And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two;
and gave them power over unclean spirits;"
o Luke 10:1-2
"After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and
two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.
Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few:
pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into
his harvest."
o Jesus not only commanded His disciples to go out, but He also sent them in pairs.
This model is important for soul-winning because it encourages collaboration,
accountability, and mutual encouragement. When we share the Gospel with
someone, it’s helpful to have a partner who can pray for us, support us, and help
us in any conversations or challenges that arise. It also creates an opportunity to
encourage one another in the faith, as the work of evangelism can sometimes be
overwhelming.
o Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
"Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For
if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he
falleth; for he hath not another to help him up."
o This principle is evident in soul-winning. Going out two by two provides strength
and encouragement for both the workers and the one who hears the Gospel. When
believers work together in evangelism, they help each other grow, and they’re
better able to handle the difficulties of spreading the Good News.

Conclusion

Being intentional in our soul-winning efforts includes not only actively seeking out opportunities
but also ensuring we are not going it alone. Just as Jesus sent His disciples out in pairs, we too
can find strength, accountability, and encouragement in working together in the task of
evangelism. Whether it’s your family, church friends, or fellow believers, teaming up with others
can strengthen your efforts and help you stay committed to the mission of reaching the lost.

As we go, we must remember the urgency of the harvest and be intentional about our approach.
May God equip us with boldness, wisdom, and a spirit of collaboration to share His love and
truth with the world.

5. Trust God for the Results

  Remember that the ultimate outcome of soul-winning is not in our hands. Paul said in 1
Corinthians 3:6, “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.” Our job is
to faithfully share, and God will take care of the rest.
 Trust that God’s Word will not return void (Isaiah 55:11). Even if someone doesn't
immediately respond, you have planted a seed, and God may cause it to grow in their
heart later.

6. Take Action Today

 Set a goal. Challenge yourself to share the Gospel with at least one person each week.
This will help keep you focused and motivated.
 Get involved in outreach opportunities. Join your church’s outreach events, door-to-
door evangelism, or community service activities that create opportunities to share the
Gospel.
 Equip others. Once you start winning souls, share what you’ve learned with others.
Encourage and disciple new believers to continue the work of evangelism.

Conclusion: Responding to the Urgency

Jesus is calling each one of us to join in the harvest. Souls are waiting to hear the message of
salvation, and we must act quickly, knowing that time is fleeting. As we go about our daily lives,
we must have a sense of urgency to share the Gospel, with the understanding that the harvest is
plentiful, but the laborers are few.

Let us not be idle in the work of God but rather active and ready to be vessels for His glory. May
we be found faithful in doing the work He has called us to, trusting that He will provide all that
we need to fulfill His command.

Action Step:

 Commit to one action this week—pray for someone specifically by name, share a verse
or tract, or invite someone to church. Let this be your first step toward a lifetime of soul-
winning.

This expanded section not only emphasizes the urgency of soul-winning but also offers practical
steps for being ready to practice and apply soul-winning in everyday life. The key is to take
action—starting with prayer and preparation, followed by boldness and trust in God’s
sovereignty.

Altar Call Invitation

Pastor/Leader:
"Today, we have heard the call to go and make disciples, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with
the world. But before we can share that message with others, we must first respond to it ourselves. The
Bible tells us in John 14:6 that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and that no one comes to the
Father except through Him.
If you’re here today, and you’ve never personally received Jesus Christ as your Savior, I want to invite
you to come forward. There is no better time than now, as the Bible says in 2 Corinthians 6:2, ‘Behold,
now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.’

Jesus is calling you. He loves you and has a plan for your life. You don’t have to carry your burdens alone
anymore. His sacrifice on the cross was for you, and through Him, you can be forgiven, reconciled to
God, and receive eternal life.

Perhaps some of you have known Jesus before but have drifted away. You’ve been living in a way that
isn’t aligned with God’s Word, and today, you feel Him drawing you back. Jesus is waiting with open
arms, ready to forgive and restore you. 1 John 1:9 promises that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and
just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Today is the day of salvation, and God is calling you to make that decision. Don’t wait. The fields are
ready for harvest, but the time to respond is now.

As we sing this next song, I invite you to come forward. There are prayer warriors ready to pray with
you, and you don’t have to walk this journey alone. You can be part of the family of God today, and we
would love to walk with you on that path of faith."

Invitation Song: (Optional – a song of invitation like "Just As I Am" or "I Have Decided to Follow Jesus"
could be sung here.)

Pastor/Leader:
"If you're ready to surrender your life to Christ or rededicate your life to Him, come forward right now.
Our prayer team is here, ready to help you. Don’t wait—today is the day of salvation."

This altar call invitation encourages a response from those who need to accept Christ for the first time,
as well as those who may need to recommit their lives to Him. It highlights the urgency of responding to
the Gospel and the love and forgiveness that are available in Jesus Christ.