Boldly Sharing the Gospel: A Call to Action
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, Edgefield First Baptist Church. Today, I shared the incredible experiences from my recent mission trip to Zambia with Miss Carolyn Holland. We witnessed dozens of people accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and equipped local pastors with Bibles and resources to spread the Gospel. The average age in Zambia is 16, and many families lack access to the Scriptures. By providing Bibles, we aim to impact entire families and communities for generations.
I emphasized the importance of confessing our faith openly. Christianity is not a one-hour Sunday activity but a 24/7 commitment to Jesus Christ. We must be willing to share the Gospel with everyone we encounter, whether in Zambia or right here in Edgefield. I shared the story of how I preached in Zambia, even through a translator, and how the message of eternal hope in Jesus transcends cultural and language barriers.
We read from Romans 10, which calls us to believe in our hearts and confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord. This confession is not just a private matter but a public declaration of our faith. I challenged everyone to examine their heart's desire and to make sharing the Gospel their primary focus. We must not let culture push Jesus out of our lives; instead, we should boldly proclaim His name in every aspect of our lives.
I also addressed the false teachings of the prosperity gospel, which promises health and wealth in exchange for faith. True Christianity promises eternal life with Jesus, not an easy life on earth. We must be prepared to face trials and tribulations, just as Job and Jesus did, but with the assurance of eternal hope.
Finally, I encouraged everyone to take part in evangelism training and to seize every opportunity to share the Gospel. We have a responsibility to make Jesus known, and we must not keep this life-changing message to ourselves.
### Key Takeaways
1. Equipping Local Pastors in Zambia: The mission trip to Zambia highlighted the importance of equipping local pastors with Bibles and resources. By providing these tools, we empower them to spread the Gospel and impact entire communities. This act of giving not only meets immediate needs but also sows seeds for future generations to know Christ. [10:01]
2. Confessing Our Faith Openly: Christianity is a 24/7 commitment, not just a Sunday activity. We must be willing to confess our faith openly and share the Gospel with everyone we encounter. This public declaration is a testament to our belief in Jesus and our desire to make Him known. [35:35]
3. The True Promise of Christianity: Unlike the false teachings of the prosperity gospel, true Christianity promises eternal life with Jesus, not an easy life on earth. We must be prepared to face trials and tribulations, but with the assurance of eternal hope and the presence of Jesus in our lives. [36:48]
4. The Importance of Evangelism: We have a responsibility to share the Gospel with those around us. Whether in Zambia or Edgefield, we must seize every opportunity to make Jesus known. Evangelism is not just for missionaries; it is a calling for every believer. [47:10]
5. Living Out Our Faith Daily: Our heart's desire should be to make Jesus known in every aspect of our lives. This means integrating our faith into our daily routines, conversations, and actions. By doing so, we become living testimonies of God's love and grace. [41:01]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[10:01] - Equipping Local Pastors
[10:53] - Impacting Families with Bibles
[11:20] - Bitwell's Role and Future Visit
[12:04] - Eternal Worship with Zambians
[12:58] - Announcements and Deacon Voting
[13:42] - Opening Prayer
[25:49] - Worship in Zambia
[33:52] - Health and Wealth Preaching
[35:35] - Eternal Hope in Jesus
[36:48] - True Christianity
[37:16] - Romans 10: Belief and Confession
[41:01] - Examining Our Heart's Desire
[47:10] - Evangelism in Edgefield
[49:11] - Overcoming Nervousness in Evangelism
[50:36] - Upcoming Evangelism Training
[56:20] - Responsibility to Share the Gospel
[58:55] - Obligation and Privilege of Evangelism
[01:06:03] - Prayer for Disaster Relief Team
[01:07:38] - Closing Prayer and Future Opportunities
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Romans 10:1, 9-15 (ESV)
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the primary goal of the mission trip to Zambia as described in the sermon? ([10:01])
2. According to Romans 10:9, what are the two actions required for salvation?
3. How did the pastor describe the impact of providing Bibles to families in Zambia? ([10:53])
4. What false teaching did the pastor warn against, and how did he contrast it with true Christianity? ([34:10])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important to equip local pastors with Bibles and resources, according to the sermon? ([10:01])
2. How does openly confessing our faith serve as a public declaration of our belief in Jesus, based on Romans 10:9-10?
3. What does the pastor mean when he says Christianity is a 24/7 commitment and not just a Sunday activity? ([36:48])
4. How does the pastor's experience in Zambia illustrate the concept that the message of Jesus transcends cultural and language barriers? ([35:14])
#### Application Questions
1. The pastor emphasized the importance of confessing our faith openly. Reflect on your daily life: Are there specific situations where you find it challenging to share your faith? How can you overcome these challenges? ([37:16])
2. The sermon highlighted the false teachings of the prosperity gospel. Have you encountered similar teachings, and how did you respond? How can you help others understand the true promise of Christianity? ([34:10])
3. The pastor shared his heart's desire for people to know Jesus. What is your heart's desire, and how does it align with your actions and priorities? ([41:01])
4. Evangelism was a key theme in the sermon. Identify one person in your life who does not know Jesus. What steps can you take this week to share the Gospel with them? ([47:10])
5. The pastor mentioned the importance of integrating faith into daily routines. What are some practical ways you can incorporate your faith into your daily conversations and actions? ([41:01])
6. Reflect on the pastor's story about preaching in Zambia through a translator. How can this example encourage you to share the Gospel even when it feels uncomfortable or challenging? ([35:14])
7. The pastor encouraged participation in evangelism training. Are you willing to take part in such training? If so, what specific skills or knowledge do you hope to gain? ([50:36])
Devotional
Day 1: Equipping Local Pastors for Generational Impact
Equipping local pastors with Bibles and resources is a powerful way to impact entire communities and future generations. In Zambia, where the average age is 16 and many families lack access to the Scriptures, providing these tools is crucial. By empowering local pastors, we enable them to spread the Gospel more effectively, ensuring that the message of Jesus Christ reaches every corner of their communities. This act of giving not only meets immediate spiritual needs but also sows seeds for future generations to know Christ. [10:01]
2 Timothy 2:2 (ESV): "And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also."
Reflection: Think of a way you can support or equip someone in your community to spread the Gospel. How can you contribute to their spiritual growth and effectiveness in ministry?
Day 2: Confessing Our Faith Openly
Christianity is not a one-hour Sunday activity but a 24/7 commitment to Jesus Christ. We must be willing to confess our faith openly and share the Gospel with everyone we encounter. This public declaration is a testament to our belief in Jesus and our desire to make Him known. Whether in Zambia or right here in Edgefield, we should boldly proclaim His name in every aspect of our lives. [35:35]
Matthew 10:32-33 (ESV): "So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven."
Reflection: Identify one person in your life with whom you have not shared your faith. How can you start a conversation about Jesus with them this week?
Day 3: The True Promise of Christianity
True Christianity promises eternal life with Jesus, not an easy life on earth. Unlike the false teachings of the prosperity gospel, which promises health and wealth in exchange for faith, true Christianity prepares us to face trials and tribulations with the assurance of eternal hope. We must be ready to endure hardships, just as Job and Jesus did, knowing that our ultimate reward is eternal life with our Savior. [36:48]
James 1:12 (ESV): "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent trial or hardship you have faced. How did your faith in Jesus help you endure it, and how can you use that experience to encourage others?
Day 4: The Importance of Evangelism
We have a responsibility to share the Gospel with those around us. Evangelism is not just for missionaries; it is a calling for every believer. Whether in Zambia or Edgefield, we must seize every opportunity to make Jesus known. By participating in evangelism training and actively seeking opportunities to share the Gospel, we fulfill our duty to spread the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. [47:10]
1 Peter 3:15 (ESV): "But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect."
Reflection: Think of a specific place you frequent (e.g., work, school, gym). How can you intentionally create opportunities to share the Gospel in that environment?
Day 5: Living Out Our Faith Daily
Our heart's desire should be to make Jesus known in every aspect of our lives. This means integrating our faith into our daily routines, conversations, and actions. By doing so, we become living testimonies of God's love and grace. Our commitment to Jesus should be evident in how we live, making our lives a reflection of His teachings and love. [41:01]
Colossians 3:17 (ESV): "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Reflection: Examine your daily routine. What is one specific change you can make to ensure that your actions and words reflect your commitment to Jesus?
Quotes
1. "Thank you for allowing Carolyn and I to go. Thank you for praying for us. Thank you for encouraging us. Thank you for being willing to give back. I get to worship around the throne of God Almighty with these people one day in eternity. I'll probably never see those people in New Jerusalem ever again. But I have the privilege of worshiping with them for an eternity." [12:04] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Christianity is not a get out of hell free card. Christianity is not fire insurance. Christianity is not say a prayer and all life's problems will be. Christianity is giving all you to the only one who can, to the only one who's worthy of that devotion, and his name is Jesus Christ." [36:48] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Christianity is not a call to one hour on Sunday mornings. Christianity is not even a call to Sunday mornings or Wednesday nights. Christianity is a call to 24-7 allegiance to the king of the universe with wherever he might take me and whatever he might do with my life." [37:16] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "My religion will influence my politics because my relationship with Jesus Christ changes everything about who I am. We read now in Romans chapter 10, we're going to read verse 1, then we're going to hop over to verse 9. Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved." [38:13] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the scriptures say, everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame." [38:42] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "If you have a relationship with Jesus, you don't have to fear these forces. If you have been sealed with the Holy Spirit, Satan can't have your soul. And then we come to the American culture and we go, you think abortion is okay? Murdering children is alright? You look at our culture and say, you think gambling is okay? You think alcoholism is okay?" [43:15] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Christianity is 24-7. My heart's desire is to go to church. The thing that gets me out of bed in the morning, that helps, that I'm praying about as I go to sleep that night, that I'm focusing all my efforts on as a pastor, as an engineer, as a nurse, as a stay-at-home mom, as a stay-at-home dad, whatever you do, my heart's desire is that the people I encounter might know Jesus." [44:12] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "If I'm not willing to confess it with my mouth, guess what? I don't really believe it in my heart. If I'm not willing to confess it with my mouth, I'm willing to go out of my way to tell people about Jesus." [47:36] (10 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "If we claim to long for Jesus, if we claim to long to meet him, if we claim to belong to him, why isn't he as freely coming off our lips as my family is? I shared stories about things my kids did that made me laugh. I shared stories, sweet stories about Catherine and I from when we first met. Why am I not sharing stories about from when I first met Jesus?" [48:37] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "If you have truly accepted Jesus Christ, he separated your sins as far as the east is from the west. Hey, how far do you have to fly to get from the east to the west? Just keep flying and flying and flying. You'll never get there, right? Jesus Christ has separated your sins as far as the east is from the west." [55:16] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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