The Auburn Beacon
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works
and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

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All Joy and Peace in Believing 
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One Thing I Do 
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We Must Broaden Our Vision
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Our God He is Alive
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The Final Stages of Israel's Apostasy

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Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men ...
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University church of Christ

 

Assembly Times

 Sunday

   Bible Classes (9:30)

   AM Worship (10:20)

   PM Worship (6:00 pm)

 Wednesday

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(7:00 PM)

 

Location

449 North Gay Street

Auburn, AL 36830
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Larry Rouse
1174 Terrace Acres Drive
Auburn, AL 36830

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Auburn, AL 36832

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Bearing Fruit and Winning Souls
 

by Irvin Himmel

 

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise (Prov. 11:30).

Every life is like some kind of tree. A righteous life is like a good tree bearing good fruit. A wicked life is like a bad tree bearing bad fruit. Jesus said, "Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit" (Mt. 7:17,18).

Fruit of a Righteous Life

A righteous person produces fruit that may be considered "a tree of life." This includes the following:

(1) Good Influence In Word and Deed. The faithful child of God, "by his good deeds, is as a tree of life to those whose lives he sustains" (Whiteside). Many around us can be uplifted by the power of a good example. The Christian wields a wholesome influence as the "salt of the earth" and the "light of the world" (Matt. 5:13-16). Good words have added weight when backed by good deeds.

(2) Food For Souls Through Teaching. The truly righteous man is more than a "Good Samaritan." He feeds hungry souls the bread of life. While people of the world often perform humanitarian acts that aid the temporal man, the Christian sees his main task as helping the spiritually destitute.

(3) Encouragement That Helps Weary Souls. "Tree of life" means "that tree which bears fruit that contributes to the life and happiness and good health of those who eat it" (Lanier). The righteous have the right to the tree of life, that is, access to heaven (Rev. 22:14). And each life which reaches out to help others who have grown fainthearted is lifting them from death to life.

"The effect of a righteous life on others is like that of a tree of life; and the result which flows from a life of wisdom is the winning of souls" (L. G. Thomas).

Wisdom of Winning Souls

The winning of souls is a wise thing to do, and the winning of souls requires wisdom. Where is the wisdom of winning souls?

(1) Souls Are More Precious Than Gold. Every human being is endowed with a soul which dwells in a physical body.

However, that which kills the body does not kill the soul (Matt. 10:28). The soul is one's most priceless possession. "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" said Jesus (Matt. 16:26).

(2) Souls Won Are Saved From Death. While the soul does not die physically, it can die in the sense of being separated from God. "The soul that sinneth, it shall die" (Ezek. 18:20). "Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins" (Jas. 5:19,20).

(3) Winning Souls Increases The Influence of Good. Every time one soul is won to the Lord the influence of good multiplies just that much on this earth. Each soul won to the Lord becomes a potential for winning additional souls. I can think of no better way to improve conditions in this world than by turning men and women from darkness to light, from the power of Satan to God.

(4) Winning Souls Brings Joy. The New Testament tells about people who rejoiced when they were baptized (Acts 8:39; 16:33,34). Sometimes people weep for joy when they obey the gospel. But there is joy in the heart of the soul winner as well as in the heart of the converted-sinner. Paul referred to his converts at Philippi as his "joy and crown" (Phil. 4:1). It is a great thrill to have a part in leading someone to the Savior.

 

How Souls Are Won

The New Testament teaches Christians how souls are brought to Christ. Here are some truths to consider in this connection:

(1) By The Gospel, Not A Direct Operation of the Holy Spirit. No apostle, no evangelist, no teacher in the New Testament instructed sinners to pray for God to send the Spirit to save them from their sins. In every case of conversion the gospel was presented, and by the power of God's word sinners were drawn to the Lord. Jesus said, "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me" (Jn. 6:44,45). Indeed, the gospel of Christ "is the power of God unto salvation" (Rom. 1:16).

(2) Through Persuasion, Not Force. God does not attempt to coerce people against their wills to serve him. We should use every righteous means to convince people to accept the gospel, but we cannot force them to turn to the Lord. Paul said, "Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men" (2 Cor. 5:11). To "persuade" means to prevail upon or win over by bringing about a change of mind by the influence of gospel promises, warnings, and exhortations. People who are baptized because of high pressure tactics turn back as soon as the pressure is removed. To pressure a person is one thing; to win him to the Lord is another thing.

(3) Through Godly Living. Peter advised women whose husbands were not Christians that they might be won by the conduct of the wives (1 Pet. 3:1-4). Many who will not listen to the oral presentation of the gospel can be influenced when they see the gospel in action. We should live daily with the thought of winning others who may be watching our behavior.

Bearing fruit is inseparably connected with winning souls in a righteous life. God does not want us to be barren or unfruitful (2 Pet. 1:8).

Guardian of Truth— February 1, 1990

 

 

Other Articles by Irvin Himmel

By Many or by Few
The Church at Work in Benevolence
A Few Ominous Isms
The Sufferings of Christ Prior to His Death

Pearls From Proverbs - A Seeming Right Course
Pearls in Proverbs: Glorying in Glory
We Wait by Faith
The Suffering of Jesus Prior to His Death
Unity in the Church
Maturity
The Grace of God that Brings Salvation

 

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The Christian and Money

Sunday Morning College Bible Class by Larry Rouse
Sunday Mornings at 9:30
Download the current outlines:

Lesson 1 - Money and the Revealing of Our Hearts
Lesson 2 - Earning Money
Lesson 3 - Spending Money and Debt
Lesson 4 - Money and the Family

Lesson 5 - Money and the Local Church
Click Here for Audio



The Character and Attributes of God

Download the current outlines:
Lesson 1 - Diligently Seeking God
Lesson 2 - A Holy God
Lesson 3 - A Jealous God
Lesson 4- The Wrath and Longsuffering of God
Lesson 5 - The Love and Forgiveness of God
Click Here for Audio


University church of Christ

 

Assembly Times

 Sunday

   Bible Classes (9:30)

   AM Worship (10:20)

   PM Worship (6:00 pm)

 Wednesday

   Bible Classes
(7:00 PM)

 

Location

449 North Gay Street

Auburn, AL 36830

Click Here for Specific Directions



 

Overcoming the Present Apostasy

Sermon Series by Larry Rouse

Piscataway, NJ Nov 20-22, 2009

 

 

Friday Night 7:30

Lesson1 - How Do We View the Bible?

Outline
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Saturday Night 7:30

Lesson 2 - How do we View the World?

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Sunday Morning 9:15
Lesson 3 - How do we View God's Order for Leadership?

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Sunday Morning 10:00
Lesson 4 - How Do We View the Local Church?

Outline
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Sunday Morning 11:00
Lesson 5 - How Do We View God's Instruction on Fellowship

Outline
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For Additional Information, Audio and Outlines Click Here

 


Recent Bulletins:

The Auburn Beacon - Dec 26, 2010 Edition

The Auburn Beacon - Dec 19, 2010 Edition

The Auburn Beacon - Dec 12, 2010 Edition

The Auburn Beacon - Dec 5, 2010 Edition

The Auburn Beacon - Nov 28, 2010 Edition


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