By God’s grace, I benefited from partaking in a recently concluded ten (10) days conference of the World Soul-Winning Evangelistic Ministry, which took place at Ilesha, Nigeria. During the grand finale ceremonies, the General Overseer, Dr. Paul Obadare, encouraged all people in attendance as he preached a sermon titled “A Watchman Asleep In The Storm” to wake up from being slumbering and Christians. He admonished all people, especially leaders, to cease being watchmen like Jonah of the Bible, who was sleeping in the storm. I wish to share this message with you so that you, too, may examine your status in Christ, whether you are active in soul-winning or sleeping on the Job.

In a biblical story found in the Old Testament book of Jonah chapter one, God instructed one of His servants by the name of Jonah to travel to a place called Nineveh and preach to them for repentance. If they heed the warning, they will escape God’s wrath. Unfortunately, the prophet did not want the people to repent or care less about their perishing souls. He did not want to go to Nineveh, so he boarded a ship to another city and paid his fare. A storm arose on the sea as he journeyed on, but Jonah was busy sleeping. The other passengers later realized that Jonah was the cause of the storm because God was annoyed with him for refusing to do the assignment he was given. Then they tossed him into the sea, and he was swallowed by a whale that still took him to Nineveh (the place he did not want to go to).

Dr. Paul Obadare, through the biblical story of Jonah, emphasized the urgency of the soul-winning mission. As a Christian, you are called to be the Jonah that will go to Nineveh (the world) and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to the unsaved. This is not a task you can afford to sleep off in your Christian journey. Every Christian must take the assignment of soul-winning seriously, as people all over the world are dying daily without hearing about the gospel (good news of Jesus Christ).

Any Christian who continues to sleep on the job, refusing to tell others about Jesus, is living in disobedience.  Such a life of disobedience will cause one to be disconnected from God, as Jonah lost connection with God for a period. When one is disconnected from God, the next thing is for one to start carrying his own life’s burden by himself. The next thing that happens to a disobedient Christian is that he starts going the wrong way in life. Following this, he will also become troublesome to the people around him. What a waste of time and danger to the community! May you not be like Jonah in Jesus’ name.

Some Christians start well, doing the work of the gospel, like Demas (Colossians 4:14), but later turn to another way (2 Timothy 4:10). Be careful not to become a victim of backsliding and a disobedient spirit.

Please beware: anyone who fails to listen to God’s instruction to win souls will experience desolation. You must be careful about how many people are talking and what they are saying to you. Listen to God rather than people, and you will remain connected. Jonah initially refuses to go and win the soul, and he gets into God’s trouble.

Remember, soul, winning is the instruction given by Jesus; it is a duty that all Christians must perform without hesitation – Mat. 28:19. Do not sleep on the job; your job as a Christian is to tell the unsaved about the death, resurrection, and return of Jesus Christ, who loves people enough to give His life for them. The Apostle Paul said in 1 Cor. 9:16, “For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!” Ask for strength from above, which will be granted by the Holy Spirit. Ask for the grace to love those dying souls so you may go to them sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. God bless you richly.

Do you have a sermon notebook for yourself? I have customized one for you. You can also request my book “Chosen But Naughty” if you call 516-8605729. Also available for your benefit is a daily devotional that you may obtain by calling 718-658-8981