The Final Catch a Biblical Guide to Soul Winning

By Jeff Bravard

Jesus was teaching them to put God and His kingdom first. The carnal things that seemed so important to these men were a hindrance for them to follow Jesus. They put them first in their life and Jesus was trying to show them that following Him and preaching the gospel was more important.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Balboa Press
• Release date: Jul 8, 2021
• ISBN: 9781982269845

Book preview

Copyright © 2021 Jeff Bravard.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means,

graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by

any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author

except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Balboa Press

A Division of Hay House

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.balboapress.com

844-682-1282

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in

this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views

expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the

views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

The author of this book does not dispense medical advice or prescribe the use of any

technique as a form of treatment for physical, emotional, or medical problems without the

advice of a physician, either directly or indirectly. The intent of the author is only to offer

information of a general nature to help you in your quest for emotional and spiritual well-

being. In the event you use any of the information in this book for yourself, which is your

constitutional right, the author and the publisher assume no responsibility for your actions.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

ISBN: 978-1-9822-6985-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-9822-6984-5 (e)

Balboa Press rev. date: 06/15/2021

CONTENTS

Chapter 1     How The Disciples Grew In The Faith

Chapter 2     Study The Bible

Chapter 3     How To Pray For A Sinner According To Scripture

Chapter 4     The Laws of Sowing and Reaping

Chapter 5     Quench Not The Spirit

Chapter 6     Gifts Of The Spirit

Chapter 7     More Conversions!

Chapter 8     Why All Christians Need The Baptism Of The Holy Ghost

Chapter 9     Repentance

Chapter 10   What To Say To A Sinner

Chapter 11   16 Reasons Why Sinners Don’t Get Saved

Chapter 12   Don’t Waste Time

Chapter 13   Be A Good Listener

Chapter 14   The Role Of The Holy Spirit

Chapter 15   Don’t Limit Yourself

Chapter 16   Discipleship: Show Them The Way!

Chapter 17   Don’t Be Pushy

Chapter 18   The Power Of Our Words

Chapter 19   Common Questions About Going To Heaven

Chapter 20   Why People Reject Christ

Chapter 21   A Heart For The Lost

Chapter 22   Going From House To House

Chapter 23   Love

Chapter 24   Joy

Chapter 25   Zeal

Chapter 26   Jesus Is Knocking!

Chapter 27   The Blood Of Jesus

Chapter 28   Cross

Chapter 29   The Empty Tomb

Chapter 30   Lost Church Member

Chapter 31   The End Of The World

Chapter 32   Using Tracts To Witness

Chapter 33   Let The Master Change You!

Chapter 34   How To Turn Your Faults And Failures Into Victory

Chapter 35   Be Ready!

Chapter 36   Allow God To Arrange The Meeting

Chapter 37   Finish The Battle

Chapter 38   Who’s Blood Is On Your Hands?

CHAPTER 1

HOW THE DISCIPLES

GREW IN THE FAITH

39453.png

1) They believed

Water turned into wine

This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory and his disciples believed on him (John 2:11)

Temple cleansing (Read John 2:17 & 22)

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matt. 6:33 cf. Mark 10:17-31)

Jesus was teaching them to put God and His kingdom first. The carnal things that seemed so important to these men were a hindrance for them to follow Jesus. They put them first in their life and Jesus was trying to show them that following Him and preaching the gospel was more important.

Solomon taught us in the book of Ecclesiastes that all is vanity. This world will pass away but God and His kingdom won’t. Many people have missed salvation to whosoever will call upon the name of the Lord. They are not willing to let go of what they have so God can give them what He has, which is eternal life.

2) Commitment

Matthew 4:19-20

v.19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

v.20 And they STRAIGHTWAY left their nets, and followed him.

They didn’t hesitate to follow Jesus. They immediately left their world behind them, ready to pursue a new one. It is VERY important to have a willing mind and heart to follow Jesus daily. Some people waste time contemplating if they will follow the Lord. There will be a day when their time will be up.

Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near. (Isaiah 55:6 cf. Heb. 3:15)

And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. (Luke 9:23)

Jesus said deny himself which means that serving the Lord means more to them than their own life. We will be more passionate about serving the Lord and eager to help establish the kingdom of God by spreading the gospel. To do this we must surrender to the lordship of Jesus. We do this by obeying his commandments daily and doing those things that are pleasing in his sight.

Matthew 16:25-26

v.25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

v.26 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?

Save his life by living according to their own purposes and his desires. Shall lose it means to miss out on all of the things the Lord offers them who love him. It makes no sense at all to be selfish and live according to our desires. Sinners will only enjoy this world and never enter the joy of the Lord as a believer on Earth or in heaven. Carnal believers who enjoy this world will miss out on what the Lord has for them.

3) They took action

Matthew 9:18-19

v.18 While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshiped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.

v.19 And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples.

The disciples followed Jesus to be with him in this time of need. They must have cared about what was happening to get involved the way they did. I am sure the example that Jesus had showed them was a big influence in their life at this time. And even more as they continued to follow him. In Acts, you read time after time where they took action by preaching, casting out devils, miracles, etc. They were putting their faith into action.

But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? (James 2:20)

4) They were willing to learn more

Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. (Matthew 13:36)

The disciples were willing to learn more. They were always asking Jesus questions about the kingdom of God. The Bible says Ye have not because ye ask not refers to prayer. But the disciples proved they were willing to follow Jesus by continually trying to learn more. Each of us needs to continue to strive to learn more about our Lord and the kingdom of God to be fruitful in our salvation.

More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. (Psalm 19:10)

5) They were aware of their shortcomings

Matthew 8:23-27

v.23 And when he entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.

v.24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.

v.25 And his disciples came to him and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.

v.26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea: and there was a great calm.

v.27 But the men marveled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and sea obey him!

I know many believers like to criticize the disciples for being afraid in this passage. I am sure everybody has had some kind of fear in a situation not quite as serious as this one. There are plenty of times when we have fear and we shouldn’t because the Master is on board.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Tim. 1:7)

Sound means disciplined or controlled.

6) They didn’t judge the sinners

Luke 5:29-32

v.29 And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them.

v.30 But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?

v.31 And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician: but they that are sick.

v.32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Jesus and the disciples expressed their love to these sinners by having fellowship with them. They could have got up and left but they stayed with them and accepted them for who they were. They looked beyond their faults and realized these sinners needed salvation. These days Christians might get offended by the very presence of sinners and leave. We should stay and share the gospel and love of God with them. Tell them how much Jesus loves them and present the plan of salvation by telling them about Jesus dying on the Cross for them and raising from the dead.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matt. 5:16)

7) Anointed

And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. (Matt. 10:1)

They were anointed for service. Jesus wanted them to prepare the way by sending them to places he hadn’t visited yet during his earthly ministry. The disciples were sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel and instructed to not go unto the Gentiles or into any city of the Samaritans (v.5-6). He wanted them to demonstrate the power of God in the presence of sinners. So they would know that the kingdom of God is among them.

Jesus told them to do four things along with preaching; heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead and cast out devils. He went on to tell them, freely ye have received, freely give. God will anoint Christians for service to bless others and for His glory. It’s not for Christians to have show and tell with others. God never intended for us to be selfish with the anointing by keeping it to ourselves. Jesus gave unto others during His ministry by healing, casting out devils, raising the dead, etc. For those who have the anointing, you need to be a blessing to others as much as you can.

8) Served others with humility

And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and broke, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. (Matt. 14:19)

They served others by feeding them fish and bread. We are called to serve others too. Jesus washed the feet of the disciples.

John 13:14-15

v.14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.

v.15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. (Phil. 2:7)

Meekness is not weakness. We need to serve others with humility. Whether we are preaching, teaching or no matter what we are doing. Humility is a very good quality to have. Meekness is a part of the fruit of the Spirit. Meekness will be developed and manifested through us as we walk in the Spirit by dedicating our life to the Lord.

9) Baptism of the Holy Ghost

And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:4)

They received the power of the Holy Ghost to be a witness and He used them in a mighty way for signs and wonders and other great things. This was the key turning point in their walk with the Lord. Just Compare the disciples before the day of