A Heart for Souls - Amy Sapp

Let me start by confessing something… I’m not the world’s greatest salesperson. Some people may disagree with that, but I tried once to sell Girl Scout cookies when I was younger, and let me tell you, it wasn’t pretty. I ate half the box myself and tried to sell the rest to my neighbor. Needless to say, I didn’t get the badge. But here’s the funny thing, when it comes to the Gospel, the Lord doesn’t call us to be saleswomen. He doesn’t ask us to twist arms, manipulate, or push people into a decision. He simply asks us to share what He has done in our own lives. AKA.. Our testimony.

And yet… even though the Lord has given us such a simple command "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel" so many times, I fail to open my mouth. Sometimes it’s fear, sometimes busyness, and sometimes, if I’m honest, just plain selfishness. If you are human, you know where I am coming from.

1: The Weight of Eternity

Romans 10:13-14

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 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?”

A lady in our church once shared how she prayed for her brother for over 20 years. She begged God, cried out to God, and every family get together, she tried in some way to slip in the Gospel. And she told me, "I almost gave up so many times. But one day, when he was on his hospital bed, he whispered to me.... I’m ready now. Tell me again how I can be saved.”

And she got to pray with him before he slipped into eternity.

That story makes my heart heavy, because for every soul that comes to Christ, there are countless others slipping into eternity without Him. Heaven and hell are real places. Real people are going there. And if we believe that, how can we be silent?

Imagine you’re standing at the gates of Heaven, and someone you loved deeply looks at you and says, "Why didn’t you tell me?" That thought should drive us to our knees and then drive us out into the world with a burden for souls.

2: The JOY of Soulwinning

Luke 15:10.

“Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.”

Soulwinning is hard work sometimes. It can be awkward. You get doors slammed in your face. You get strange looks at the grocery store when you try to hand out a tract. And sometimes you feel like saying, "Lord, can’t You just email them the Gospel?"

But, the joy when someone bows their head and says, "Lord, save me." It makes every rejection worth it.

The first time I ever led someone to Christ, I was nervous. My knees were shaking. Yes, even me, with all of my extroverted self. I stumbled through the verses. I was sure I messed it all up. But God’s Word is powerful! That person prayed and accepted Christ, and I felt like I could’ve floated home. If you have never felt that feeling, there’s nothing like it.

Soulwinning isn’t just about their joy. It brings us joy too. And it brings joy to Heaven itself!

3: The Command of Christ

Mark 16:15.

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”

This isn’t a suggestion. This isn’t for the pastor only. This isn’t for the missionaries only. This is for me. This is for you. This is for every Christian woman who has ever been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ. If we have been saved, we have been sent.

Hudson Taylor once said, "The Great Commission is not an option to be considered; it is a command to be obeyed."

And one day, we’ll stand before the Lord. Can you imagine the look in His eyes when He asks, "Who did you bring with you? Oh, I don’t want to come empty handed."

~ A Call to Action

Ladies, this world is dark. People are hurting. They’re searching everywhere for answers. And we have the answer, the only right answer, it’s Jesus. But if we keep Him to ourselves, what a tragedy. Why would we not tell everyone? Each person is someone that my very best friend died for....

If your neighbor’s house was on fire, you wouldn’t say, "Well, I don’t want to offend them. I’ll just let them figure it out." No, you would pound on the door, scream, do everything you could to save them! That’s what soulwinning is. It’s urgent!

Who is that one person God has put on your heart? Your mom, your sister, your friend, your co-worker? Don’t give up! Don’t stay silent! Be faithful! Pray! Share the Gospel! Eternity is at stake!

Psalm 126:5-6:

“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”

People need the Lord.