THE GREATEST GIFT IN A DYING WORLD: A CALL TO SOUL-WINNING IN THE HOLIDAY SEASON By: Major Frank Materu
Key Scripture: “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.” Proverbs 11:30
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INTRODUCTION
Every year, the world enters what it proudly calls the “Holiday Season.” Streets glitter with lights, malls overflow with decorations, music plays from every corner, and people rush about in frantic activity. To the world, this appears to be a season of joy, celebration, gifts, and family gatherings. Yet beneath the glitter, millions of people are silently drowning in despair. Depression increases, addictions rise, loneliness deepens, and suicides spike at alarming rates. For many, the “Holiday Season” is not a season of joy but a season of sorrow, heaviness, and hopelessness.
This prophetic message reveals a painful truth: the Holiday Suicide Season is real. While the world celebrates commercialism, countless souls battle demons of depression, hopelessness, addiction, emptiness, and spiritual death. They search for meaning in drunkenness, drugs, sexual escapades, reckless spending, and temporary pleasures—yet these things leave them emptier than before. The holiday lights do not brighten their souls; instead, the darkness grows thicker.
But in the midst of this darkness, God issues a mighty call: the Warriors of the Return to Righteousness Revolution must rise. This is an urgent cry from the heart of God to His people to step forward, take their positions on the front lines, and proclaim the only message that can save the lost, restore the broken, and deliver the oppressed—the message of Jesus Christ the Savior.
This lesson explores the depth of responsibility that God places on His people in this season. It challenges every believer to shift their focus from materialism to evangelism, from empty holiday traditions to soul-winning, and from self-centered celebrations to Kingdom-centered obedience. As you read, the Spirit of God will awaken your heart, convict you, and empower you to become a vessel of salvation in a dying world.
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THE REALITY OF THE HOLIDAY SUICIDE SEASON
“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.” John 10:10
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The world paints the holidays with bright colors, but spiritually, it is one of the darkest seasons of the year. Many people enter December filled with expectations that reality cannot sustain. When the excitement fades, they are left with unbearable emptiness. Debt increases, addictions intensify, loneliness grows sharper, and unresolved family tensions explode.
People search for joy in gifts, parties, alcohol, sexual relationships, and entertainment, but these things cannot heal the soul. The prophetic message calls this season a full-scale attack, a time when demons take advantage of emotional vulnerability to push many toward self-destruction.
Instead of joy, countless people experience depression, despair, confusion, and inward torment. The world does not recognize the spiritual warfare behind this suffering, but the people of God must not be blind.
We must see this season for what it is: a battlefield where souls are fighting for survival.
And in this battlefield, God calls His warriors to stand between the living and the dead with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
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THE URGENT NEED FOR SOUL-WINNERS IN THIS SEASON
“And of some have compassion, making a difference; And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire.” Jude 1:22–23
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God is calling His people to step out of comfort, routine, and complacency and become rescuers of souls. The prophetic message warns that while many believers are planning shopping sprees, parties, and holiday gatherings, souls around them are dying spiritually—and even physically.
The greatest tragedy of the holiday season is not financial waste or family conflict; it is that millions suffer without hope because no one tells them about Jesus.
The world does not need more gifts, decorations, or entertainment. It needs the Gospel. It needs the message of salvation. It needs the power of Jesus to break chains.
The Spirit of God asks a pointed question:
Are you willing to give up worldly holiday traditions to save a soul that is drowning in darkness?
The message is clear:
The best gift you can give the world is Jesus Christ.
The best use of your time this season is witnessing.
The most meaningful Christmas activity is leading a soul to salvation.
Heaven rejoices over one sinner who repents—not over any material celebration the world calls “holiday joy.”
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THE DANGER OF WORLDLY HOLIDAY TRADITIONS
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.” 1 John 2:15
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Many Christians unknowingly participate in holiday practices that are rooted in worldliness rather than righteousness. They spend money on decorations, expensive gifts, parties, and events that have nothing to do with Christ and everything to do with commercialism. These activities are not sinful in themselves, but they become harmful when they overshadow the true purpose of the season: Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.
Holiday gatherings often become places of strife, arguments, jealousy, competition, drunkenness, and disappointment. Families gather, but hearts remain divided. People laugh externally but cry internally. The world’s version of celebration offers no healing, no transformation, and no eternal impact.
God’s message challenges believers to break away from meaningless traditions and instead embrace activities that bring souls into the Kingdom of God.
It is time to replace holiday shopping with soul-winning.
It is time to replace parties with prayer.
It is time to replace material gifts with the gift of eternal life.
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THE CALL TO WITNESS WITHOUT FEAR OR COMPROMISE
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation.” Romans 1:16
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One of the greatest obstacles to soul-winning is fear—fear of rejection, fear of offending others, fear of losing relationships, fear of being misunderstood. But God asks a direct question in this prophetic message:
Are you more afraid of people than of displeasing God?
Many believers keep silent about Jesus because they do not want family members, neighbors, or colleagues to be angry with them. Yet the silence of believers is costing souls their salvation.
You are not called to please people; you are called to please God.
You are not called to be popular; you are called to be effective.
You are not called to fit in; you are called to stand out.
If you and your household unite in obedience to God, you will become instruments of salvation. God promises that many souls will be saved if believers rise and witness boldly.
This season requires courage, conviction, and compassion. It requires believers to preach Christ with love, clarity, and boldness. People are ready to hear the truth. Their hearts are broken, their lives are empty, and their souls are desperate for hope.
You carry the message they need.
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RETURNING TO YOUR FIRST LOVE AND DIVINE ASSIGNMENT
“Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.” Revelation 2:4
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God warns that some believers have become spiritually fat, worldly, distracted, and complacent. They once loved prayer, evangelism, holiness, and obedience, but now they are entangled in the cares of life. They have forgotten the price Jesus paid on the cross and the urgency of saving souls.
The prophetic message calls believers to repent, return, and restore their commitment to God.
Repent of spiritual laziness.
Return to your first love.
Restore your passion for the lost.
The world is perishing. The harvest is ready. Souls are ripe. This is not the time for spiritual sleep. It is the hour of divine assignment. Every believer must rise, obey, and go forth to reap the harvest for Christ.
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SUMMARY
This lesson reveals a powerful prophetic warning and a divine mandate for the holiday season. While the world celebrates commercialized holidays, countless souls are drowning in depression, addictions, hopelessness, and suicidal thoughts. God urgently calls His people to rise as warriors, break away from worldly traditions, and dedicate their time to witnessing and soul-winning.
Believers must understand the spiritual darkness of this season and boldly proclaim Jesus Christ, the only true source of hope, salvation, and new life. This is the time to return to our first love, obey God wholeheartedly, and bring the message of Jesus to the lost and dying world.
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CONCLUSION
The greatest gift ever given was God’s gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. The greatest response we can give is to dedicate our lives to His mission. As the world sinks deeper into emptiness and misery, the Church must rise with compassion and courage. Your obedience can save a soul from suicide. Your testimony can bring someone back from darkness. Your witness can restore hope to the hopeless.
This season, choose the work of the Kingdom over the noise of the world. Choose souls over shopping. Choose obedience over tradition. Choose Jesus over everything else. The harvest is ready—go forth and reap.
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CALL TO ACTION
Spend this season witnessing, praying, interceding, and pointing people to Jesus. Reach out to neighbors, families, strangers, and those battling depression. Share your testimony. Pray for deliverance. Offer hope. Obey the Spirit’s promptings without fear. This season, make it your mission to lead souls to Christ.
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FINAL WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT
You are not alone in this assignment. The Holy Spirit will empower you. Jesus will walk with you. Heaven will back you. Your obedience will bear fruit that will last for eternity. Rise boldly, speak fearlessly, and shine brightly in a world full of darkness. You are God’s vessel for such a time as this.
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SALVATION PRAYER
Lord Jesus, I come before You today recognizing my need for salvation. I confess that I have sinned and fallen short of Your glory. I believe that You died for my sins and rose again to give me eternal life. Today, I open my heart and receive You as my Lord and Savior. Forgive me, cleanse me, and make me new. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and guide me to live for You from this day forward. I surrender my life completely to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
