Winning Souls and Training Saints

​Dr. Lester Sumrall has been quoted as saying, “If you’re not winning souls or training saints, what you are doing is worthless.”  This is, of course, a reference to the Great Commission Jesus Christ gave His disciples.  Matthew 28:18-20 says, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.  Amen.”  When churches or Christians begin to add various other activities to Christianity, those activities that do not win souls or train saints are worthless.  Christians are not called to entertain people, market the church, or make friends with the whole community.  Churches and Christians are called to get people born again who are not part of the body of Christ and make disciples by training how to live the Word of God.  Even in Acts 1:8, Jesus says, “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.”  When culture becomes more evident in churches than this commission given by the Son of God, the focus has changed from God-ordained to man-ordained motives.  Christians must refocus on what is truly important to God and the mission He has established for every church and every Christian to complete on the earth.  Entertainment, social justice, and other culturally relevant activities do not build the kingdom of God but distract from the purpose of the Great Commission.  The pastors and preachers who give in to this ideology become teachers itching the ears of the people rather than obeying God (2 Timothy 4:2-4; Jeremiah 5:30-31).  The people who grow accustomed to this type of entertainment Christianity, grow dull in heart, have ears that no longer hear, and have eyes that no longer see (Matthew 13:15; 2 Timothy 3:1-17; Zechariah 7:11; Isaiah 30:9-11).  Although this type of Christianity is easier, it is not the genuine Christianity God established through Jesus Christ.  One could say this easier Christianity is worthless because it does not fulfill the mandate of God (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16).  The current times reflect the last days within the Bible, and it is more vital now than ever to be ready for the return of Jesus Christ.  The entertainment culture of today’s time is designed by the spiritual enemies to not only distract the heart and mind in natural life but also to make its way into the churches to distract from being trained as true disciples of Jesus Christ, changing the world with the Gospel and holy lifestyles.  When Christianity becomes about individuals, the spiritual enemy wins.  This is the same situation Peter found himself in when walking on the water towards Jesus (Matthew 14:27-33).  When Christians began to recognize the storms meant to distract, the spiritual enemy had to have a new plan to hinder God’s people in their relationship with God.  The new plan came with diverting from winning souls and training saints.  Christians must get back to fulfilling the Great Commission and taking the saying of Dr. Lester Sumrall that if it does not win souls to Jesus Christ or train disciples, it is worthless and does not need to be conducted.  For more information about Abundant Grace Church, visit agcsparta.org.