Witnessing to others is no doubt time consuming, stressful, and irritating at times. The song of Moses was about the Horse and the Rider (Exod 15): I will sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously;horse and rider he has thrown into the sea. They love the buzz of the crowd when their name is announced. Becoming part of Gods family is more than a change in title. How is this to be done? We have to draw on our own discernment and experiences to apply the gospel to our lives. In each of those cases, these individuals felt needs were where Jesus started the conversation about the good news he offered.. . But do this with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15). Why Is the Gospel Called "Good News"? - Ligonier Ministries The fact is that every Christian has a duty to take part in teaching people how to become followers of Jesus, since Jesus gave all of His followers this on-going Commission: 18And Jesus came and said to them [the apostles],All authorityin heaven and on earth has been given to me. These accounts werent just ancient biographies; they were meant to present Jesus as the prophesied Savior and King. First of all, sinners arent being saved, since the preaching of the gospel is Gods ordinary means by which He draws people to Himself, and makes them His children. Nothing teaches a fisherman like fishing. Watch simple ways to love, share and invite. The most natural reason we have to share the gospel with our unbelieving neighbors is that the subject of our Lord Jesus is the topic we love to talk about most. Testimonies remind us that every Christian had a moment when someone explained the gospel to them. This is a backwards way of saying that hes proud of the gospel. Yes. How to Reach Generation Z with the Gospel. I'm a biblical Christian, amateur Bible scholar, and theological writer. As the Ruler of the universe, He has the right of rule over His followers and over all nations of the entire world. Lets be completely honest; talking to others about Jesus makes others (and ourselves) feel tense and uncomfortable. There are four books of the Bible that are referred to as gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Jesus did for us what we could never do for ourselves and he paid for what we had done in his . We have been commanded to preach the gospel to all creation. The word evangelism is derived from the Greek word euangelistes which literally means bringer of good news. When we think of evangelism we tend to think of spiritual giants like the apostle Paul, Billy Graham, or Bill Bright. When youre sharing the gospel, Kim suggests focusing on the truths that transcend our differences. But this is not what we see from Paul in v erse 11-12. And on some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh (Jude 22,23). But we have Gods Word (and reason) to tell us what awaits guilty sinners. But that doesnt mean that Jesus is the only messenger for the gospel. What is impossible to leave out of the story because you cant understand the significance of the good news without it? Jesus infiltrated the world in a grand act of redemption. This is why He follows this boast with therefore, before giving His followers their primary task. They could not stay in the Upper Room because Gods love provoked them to reach out to the lost. But the reason Paul gives for why we should use gracious speech is so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. Since the gospel is Gods message, and not our own, it requires His power to communicate it to sinners, and to grant them repentance and faith. All Scripture references quote the New International Version unless otherwise noted. You may have gotten this far and youre thinking, I get it. When Jesus met the rich young ruler, he knew that the man most needed to be freed from the suffocating idol of financial security. 5 Ways to Share the Gospel like Paul - Leaders Go Last But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. They may be annoyed at times with their recognition but theyd have it no other way they are jealous when others get more glory, more headlines, more money. Inviting the gospel into new places can also enhance our understanding of the gospel itself. Office: (407) 826-2300Fax: (407) 826-2375. Here are six ways that treating evangelism as a necessary part of discipleship helps to grow mature disciples. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. Following the biblical gospel today requires every Christian to adapt it for a very different cultural context than it came from. What do we have to celebrate anymore? Change). My character should reflect the gospel. The gospel of Jesus Christ offers new life to lost people, justifying them by His righteousness so they may experience eternal, abundant life in right relationship with God. I am the vine; you are the branches. So as you share the gospel, you may find your view of it evolves, too. Contributors: Bill Peel, Leah Archibald and Randy Kilgore (research) Adopted by the Theology of Work Project Board September 24, 2020. Sara Gregory, a pastor at Meredith Drive Reformed Church in Des Moines, Iowa. I love what Jesus has done for me, but I struggle with the desire to share the gospel. Acts 2:14-41; 6:7-10; 11:4-18; 13:13-49; 17:11-12. Many modern readers dont automatically grasp why Jesuss disciples are so scandalized when he opts to wash their feet or ask a Samaritan woman for water at the well. After all, one of the proofs that youve been saved from Gods wrath is that you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord . document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2023 BEARING CHRIST CRUCIFIED AND RISEN. Paul asks the Ephesians to pray for him to be able to do this in Ephesians 6:18-20: . Image by In first-century Greek culture, gospel in both its noun and verb forms was used most often when announcing an important news event like a victory in battle. This applies to individual co-workers, friends, and family, but also strangers in public settings. What is the gospel? | GotQuestions.org Hence, part of being a saved person who has been born again is that we cant help but talk about the Lord Jesus. As one of these representatives of Christ, Paul implores, or begs, sinners for Christ to receive Gods reconciliation through repentance and faith. Different pieces of the gospel story rise to the surface to meet the needs of different times and places. The Bible points to a severed relationship between God and humanity. The Bible describes both the message of the apostles and Christian teachings as the gospel, too. The only way our sins are forgiven is if we put our faith and trust in the Lord with our lives. Although her curiosity has challenged her faith at times, it's also how her relationship with God has grown to where it is today. Although the Great Commission might be the most well-known passage of Scripture about spreading the gospel, the Bible has a lot more to say on the subject than just what is captured in, The gospel is literally good news, says. the Gospel for the coming Sunday, or, having previously selected a scripture theme, to proclaim the scripture for that day . In either case, God will be able to use any beneficial, purifying, words that we speak to unbelievers to either persuade them of the truth of the gospel, or to harden them against it (2 Cor. Theology of Work Project Online Materials by Theology of Work Project, Inc. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. This is about order: first Christology, second soteriology. Jesus himself adjusted the way he shared the gospel depending on who he was speaking to. His understanding of the gospel changed because he shared it. Sharing the Gospel. Like him, our thoughts are not on ourselves but on the fate of the perishing. We accept these transgressions of our government blindly, either because of ignorance or apathy, and in doing so have allowed the government of King George to make a comeback in America. If Hell didnt exist, we would have a legitimate excuse for passivity. Does every Christian have to be an evangelist? Couldnt they be ignorant of the most glorious message in the entire universe the gracious and loving work of God to redeem sinful mankind through the eternal redemption accomplished and granted through His Son? In. Ultimately, Jesus Christ is the primary source of both the teachings of Christianity and the message of the apostles. When Jesus met the rich young ruler, he knew that the man most needed to be freed from the suffocating idol of financial security. You don't have to be the first person to share the gospel with someone to play a part in their journey as a disciple. Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, singing, To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!. Invest in organizations that share the gospel. The word gospel wasnt strongly associated with religion or used to refer to written literature until later (Bible Gateway Encyclopedia of the Bible, What Is A Gospel? Introduction to the Synoptic Gospels). His missionary journeys covered more than 10,000 miles and established churches throughout the known world. "Successful witnessing is taking the initiative to share Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit and leaving the results to God.". It impacts our understanding of ourselves and our place in the world. This does not mean that you have to ignore your differences from others or accept different faith traditions as the truth. Acts 1:1-8 It is showing and telling with both word and deed who Jesus is and how it's possible to have a relationship with Him. The Greek word behind gracious literally means speech that is beneficial to the hearer. both examining what the gospel meant in its original context and applying its messages in your own contextis an important part of following the gospel. And for the love of God, read the Declaration of Independence. The Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches reported that there were 600,000 clergy serving in various denominations in the United States, not including clergy serving independent churches, not tied to a denomination. F or some time now, American Christians have conceived of their witness in terms of "sharing the gospel.". Paul even set aside Jewish practices like circumcision in the gospel he preached to the Gentiles, feeling Christs message transcended Jewish law. These accounts werent just ancient biographies; they were meant to present Jesus as the prophesied Savior and King. He and his wife had been looking for God for some time, he said, and now he was eager to take the Four Spiritual . The heart of the gospel is the good news of his love and salvation. . He is not merely the rope that pulls us from the threatening waves; he is the solid beach under our feet, and the air in our lungs, and the beat of our heart, and the warm sun on our skin, and the song in our ears, and the arms of our beloved. The word gospel is an Old English translation of the Greek noun euaggelion, which means good news, and the Greek verb euangelizo, which means to announce good news.. Oct 11 5 Reasons to Share the Gospel Before You Invite - Cam Hyde As the American federal government expands, the people have lost more and more representative power to influence the changes they actually wish to see. We are called to share our feelings and our love for Jesus, as well. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of Gods one and only Son. So, if youre a blood-bought servant of the Lord Jesus, go and make disciples! For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:10). Weve just addressed why the gospel is the message that we must preach, but why must we be preachers of it? However, when we're honest, the majority of us would admit that we find this last calling the most difficult. 2. Lewis sums up how Jesus changed that reality, The Son of God became a man to enable men to become sons of God.. Were not just laying Jesus truth out before people and hoping theyre interested; we want to influence them to truly consider it-but not through an argument. The songs of the redeemed are about God first and foremost, and only because they are about God do they tell their personal story as well. But the truth is that were all called to share the good news. Nicole Reyes / Unsplash But Pauls understanding of Greek culture in Asia Minor helped him to share the good news in a way people understood. When you watch Jesus in the gospels, he does not give the same stump speech to everyone he meets, says Gregory. Now this probably seems like an impossible task for most of us. Christians in other countries recognize the huge mission field in America. Personal evangelism is sharing the message of Jesus Christ with others. And the most loving thing we can do for perishing sinners is to preach the gospel to them. This ought to motivate us, just as it moved Paul, to pray that the Lord would enable us to open our mouths and to clearly explain the gospel to the unbelievers that were able to witness to. There are no acts or good deeds that can save us from Hell. Sign in to comment to your favorite stories, participate in your community and interact with your friends. Wanting to know how to answer every man will send us to Gods Word. 10 key points from the Bible give a foundation for Christians asking what the Bible says about our work. Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ (1 Corinthians 10:3311:1). The people he encountered there werent familiar with Jewish culture. We gladly support the evangelistic ministries of others, but most of us feel discouraged by our own attempts at witnessing because our memorized approaches don't seem to work. Whether your work takes you to a construction site, a cramped cubicle or the corner office, every Christian plays a significant role in the Great Commission. The Internet and social media are tools the Lord has given us to live His commandment that the gospel be taken to the "uttermost parts of the earth.". We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. , associate professor of Missiology and Global Christianity at New Brunswick Theological Seminary. Our fears and sense of inadequacy will also drive us to our kneesthe safest place for a Christian. And through his mission journey, Paul realized you could be spiritually transformed without adopting the physical customs of Judaism. The apostle Pauls missionary work among Gentile (non-Jewish) communities offers a biblical example. His understanding of the gospel changed because he shared it. Its easy to forget the value of sharing the gospel-until we start experiencing other peoples stories. They are to pray through the Holy Spirit, or by His power and direction. . Ephesians 6:15 In this passage, he calls all sinners the world, and says that God has already reconciled the world of His chosen ones in Christ. Now if we are children, then we are heirs-heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory (Romans 8:14-17). Paul does this because he recognizes not only that its his duty, but also because receiving peace with God will save sinners from the damnation they deserve for their trespasses against Him. Wheres the focus? But evangelism doesnt have to mean making your best sales pitch for Christianity to anyone who will listen. Read any book or listen to any talk on personal evangelism, and you'll inevitably . The fact that he was a Pharisee, an important leader in Jewish culture, meant nothing to them.