Most Christians regard God as someone you go to only when you are in need; when you have a problem to solve, a life-threatening illness, or when you are under attack, etc. and not someone you live for every day. You use God whenever he meets your need, delivers you and heals you or protects you but you must realize that he created you to live for him: to use you to fulfil his divine purpose. The extent to which you allow him to use you is what determines the reward you receive for this stewardship.
We said two Sunday’s ago that God rewards Kingdom stewardship and we said that Kingdom stewardship is serving the interest of the Kingdom as a priority. It is committing to the growth, expansion and overall advancement of the Kingdom.
It is serving the interest of others both within and outside of the body of Christ.
We identified three types of stewardship which are mandatory if you want to be rewarded in the kingdom:
• Spiritual Stewardship. Bringing others to Christ and developing them to maturity. You reap life everlasting. You will reap forever.
• Physical Stewardship- making available your skills to serve God and humanity.
• Financial Stewardship – investing towards the expansion of the kingdom.
The soul winner’s rewards
John 15:16 “16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”
The primary reason for our calling is to bear lasting fruit. We are charged with the responsibility of bringing others to Christ and developing them to maturity.
1. Answered Prayer. The soul winner has a hot line to heaven. God answers the prayers of a soul winner as a matter of priority. “And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. 1John 3:22” The Bible makes it clear that the salvation of souls brings pleasure to God. When you start doing things that bring pleasure to God, He will take you to higher levels.
2. Comprehensive Supply. Matt 6:33, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” God provides everything the soul winner needs-relationship, material blessings, wealth, health, wisdom etc.
Psalm 84:11 says, “For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.”
Mummy told me the story of a sister as told by a notable pastor. She heard this kind of message and went out to start winning souls and bringing them to church making sure they abide in the church. It was not long after that the Lord spoke through her house cell leader and told her God had answered her prayer for a husband. Shortly after, someone proposed to her and they tied the knot within a very short time.
3. Divine Empowerment. God anoints the soul winner – Acts 1:8. The anointing is given for a purpose: to bring the lost back to God. Jesus was anointed without measure for this purpose; the apostles were anointed for this purpose. I am anointed for this purpose. Soul winners never lack oil. God will ensure that you never lack the anointing as long as you are doing something to facilitate soul winning. If you want to witness the release of God’s power in your life, begin to bring people to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
4. Long life. God preserves the soul winner. The unfruitful are discarded, cut off and dumped in the fire- John 15:2(NIV), “2He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[1] so that it will be even more fruitful.” God prolongs the lives of those who declare his works. Psalm 118:17 “17I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.” God wants us to share our testimonies of our encounter with Jesus and his goodness to us. The major work God wants declared most is the work of Jesus on the Cross of Calvary. God has no obligation to prolong the lives of those who do not declare his works. Do you want to live long? Cut a deal with God that as long as you live, you will declare his works; that you will testify of his goodness.
5. Divine Multiplication. God multiplies what you spend on the propagation of the gospel, not what you spend on yourself. Mark 10:29-30.
6. Distinction. God distinguishes the soul winner. God beautifies the soul winner. Soul winners shine as stars. Daniel 12:3, “3And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” You cannot lay claim to true wisdom if you are not a soul winner.
7. Divine Favour. God is pleased with the soul winner and when God is pleased, favour is released. John 15:8 “8Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.”
8. Divine Upgrade. God constantly builds and improves the soul winner. The soul winner is pruned. God takes special care to work on the soul winner so that he will become more fruitful. John 15:2
9. A Crown In Eternity.
10. Eternal Life is guaranteed for the soul winner. Only the unfruitful will be cast into outer darkness.
11. Manifestation of Divine Presence. Matt 28:20
12. Divine Protection.
Why does God want us to preach the Gospel?
The gospel is GOOD NEWS!
• Jesus, on the cross, liberated man from the root cause of all his problems: sin. Jesus shed his blood to free mankind from the domination of sin and all its attendant consequences.
• On the cross, Jesus liberated man from sickness.
• Jesus freed man from poverty.
• Man has been liberated from the oppression of the devil.
You don’t have to go to hell anymore; all you need to do is accept Jesus.
You don’t have to live with that disease anymore; all you need is to receive healing from the Healer. You don’t have to endure poverty anymore; all you have to do is to practice the Covenant.
You don’t have to be oppressed anymore; all you need is to renounce the devil and cast him out of your life in the name they respect and obey i.e. Jesus!
Bishop Dr. Charles Olowojoba is the General Overseer of Dayspring Bible Church Worldwide with HQ in Abuja, Nigeria & President, Dayspring Christian Ministries Int’l.
Website: www.dayspringcmi.org
e.mail: [email protected] Help lines: 08035150515, 08054224779, 08036387989
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