"How to Present the Plan of Salvation" - Lesson 132

Lesson 132: “How to Present the Plan of Salvation”

The Lord does not want anyone to perish (2 Pet. 3:9) and has commanded we as Christians to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:19-20). How you present the plan of salvation to another person may mean “life or death” to that person (John 1:4, John 14:6, Col. 2:9-10, John 3:16-18, Rom. 6:23). The suggestion is that you first get acquainted with the person with whom you are led to witness. An encounter with a stranger on the street or at your front door most times is a “turn off” and you will likely get the door slammed in your face. Meeting those who are not believers is the work of God and He will guide you, through the Holy Spirit’s nudging. Salvation is the work of God and conviction is the work of the Holy Spirit (John 16:8). However, the Holy Spirit needs a voice to speak to the ones that He convicts. This is where Christians come in!

Christians are to be prepared in season and out of season to ‘preach’ the Word of God, WITH GREAT PATIENCE AND CAREFUL INSTRUCTIONS (2 Tim. 4:2). Be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. BUT DO IT WITH GENTLENESS AND RESPECT (1 Pet. 3:15). Defend the gospel as Paul did even though it put him in chains (Phil. 1:17). Always be honest because the ones that are not will be recognized immediately as wolves in sheep clothing (Matt. 7:15). Believers and non-believers alike are recognized by their fruit; remembering that fruit isn’t what you do but what you are (John 15:4, 5, 10, John 15:1-2, Gal. 5:22)! Jesus didn’t say, ‘go and do witnessing’, but ‘go and BE my witness’. James 1:22 tells us that we are not merely to read the Word but do what it says while Ephesians 5:17 instructs us not to be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. The will of God is that everyone be saved and that we as believers see to it. You may say that you do not know anyone that is not saved but Jesus says to “open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest for eternal life” (John 4:35-36).

Millions of lost people live in our country, yet some of us cannot name one. Develop sensitivity to the spiritual condition of people you know and meet. Develop a list of lost people or perhaps those you think to be lost and pray for them daily. These people need personal relationships with ones who care, share and give. They are waiting for you to reach out to them, many times feeling insecure and shy about coming to you. Most of lost people do not even realize they are lost and do not understand the helpless feeling they have deep inside. Look for opportunities to begin cultivating relationships and watch for the “receptivity” of the person. Open doors through the Bible since they do not know the righteousness of God (Rom. 10:3), and are ignorant of the mystery of the gospel (Rom. 11:25). Show your love to these people (John 15:12) with patience, encouragement and above all honesty. Prove you can be trusted, understanding, non-judgmental and a good listener. Never miss an opportunity to answer the person’s questions with the Word of God.

Always have your Bible with you. Don’t leave home without it! If it is within your budget or the church’s budget, take a simple to read Bible to give to the person with whom you are witnessing provided they do not have one. How do you know if they have one? ASK THEM!! Guide them to John 3:16-18, Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23 and Romans 10:13 reading with them because how can they hear without someone “preaching” to them (Rom. 10:14b). Always remembering that “preaching” is not the ‘in your face’ condescending attitude of the pious Christian. “Woe to you experts in the law because you have taken away the key in knowledge; you yourselves have not entered and you have hindered those who were entering” (Luke 11:52). After sharing the scriptures, ask if they understand what the two of you are reading. If the answer is, ‘yes’, then ask if they agree with the reading of the Word. If again the answer is, ‘yes, then ask if there is any reason why they would not be willing to receive God’s gift of eternal by accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior, believing that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (Rom. 10:13). Prayerfully the third answer will also be, ‘yes’ and now it is time to lead them in what is commonly know as the sinner’s prayer or the believer’s prayer. Pray your own words as the Holy Spirit leads you using the ‘guide’ below and ask the person to pray after you line by line. {Dear Lord, I believe you are the Son of god and that you died on the cross and was raised from the dead. I know I have sinned and need forgiveness. I turn from my sins and receive you as my Savior and Lord. Thank you for saving me}.

Welcome this loved one into the family of God saying they have just made the most important decision of their life. “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children” (Rom. 8:16). Assure them that as a new born babe in Christ they will find direction for living a Christian life and live eternally with Jesus in Heaven. Now back off! Give them time to let all this soak in, call a friend or just ask more questions concerning the Bible. Next it is time to call a pastor, preacher or deacon of the person’s choice of church and set up preparations for Baptism (Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38) and fellowship/membership in a church body (Heb. 10:25). Now listen carefully and maybe you can hear the “rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:7). This sound of rejoicing is not necessarily hidden from human ears. I believe we can hear it in the crying of a Mother whose lost child has just been saved; in the singing of a choir as their godly emotions carry their voices higher than their expectations in praise of our Lord; through a sermon that we have heard numerous times but this time there is a word that awakens our spirit. It is my belief that during these reverent, awe filled moments that some soul has been rescued even if we do not have the privilege of being a witness.

Leading a person to Christ is the most rewarding, exciting and refreshing experience that I have ever had as a Christian. To some this may seem a bit frightening but remember that when Jesus commanded us to “save the nation” He also assured us that He would be right there with us. “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matt. 28:20b). Follow the lead of the Holy Spirit and “as soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move quickly, because that will mean the Lord has gone out in front” (2 Sam. 5:24). The end of our time is near; “yes, I am coming soon” (Rev. 22:20) and there are some that are not ready “to meet the Lord in the air” (1 Thess. 4:17). “Our God comes and will not be silent” (Ps. 50:3) and Jesus said that “if we keep quiet, the stones will cry out” (Luke 19:40). Do you want the stones to do your talking for you?