Boldly Sharing the Transformative Power of the Gospel
Summary
In my sermon, I emphasized the importance of sharing the Gospel, the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. I shared a personal story about my father, who after a long career in the military and various other fields, received a call to ministry. He now meets with seven different men on an individual basis to preach the Gospel. I used this story to illustrate the transformative power of the Gospel and the importance of sharing it with others. I then turned to Romans 1:16, the theme verse of our series on the good news, where the Apostle Paul declares that he is not ashamed of the Gospel because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes. I urged the congregation not to be ashamed of the Gospel, but to share it boldly, as it is the power of God that leads to salvation.
In the second part of the sermon, I delved deeper into the implications of Romans 1:16. I suggested that perhaps Paul felt the need to declare his lack of shame because of the human tendency to be fearful, timid, or shy. I encouraged the congregation to overcome these tendencies and to share the Gospel boldly, as it is the power of God that leads to salvation. I concluded by reminding the congregation that they do not need to be preachers to share the Gospel; they simply need to share the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ.
Key Takeaways:
- The Gospel is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes, and we should not be ashamed to share it (01:03:17).
- Personal transformation through the Gospel can lead to a call to ministry, as illustrated by my father's story (35:38).
- The human tendency to be fearful, timid, or shy can prevent us from sharing the Gospel, but we should overcome these tendencies and share the Gospel boldly (53:00).
- We do not need to be preachers to share the Gospel; we simply need to share the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ (50:37).
- Praying for opportunities to share the Gospel and for those who need to hear it is an important part of our Christian walk (01:05:14).
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 1 Corinthians 15 #!!56:26!!#
2. Philippians 4 #!!01:00:27!!#
Observation Questions:
1. What is the Apostle Paul's shorthand version of the gospel in 1 Corinthians 15?
2. How does Philippians 4 address the issue of anxiety?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does 1 Corinthians 15 define the gospel and its importance?
2. How can the promise in Philippians 4 be used to combat anxiety?
Application Questions:
1. How can you get more comfortable with the gospel and articulate it better in your daily conversations?
2. Can you recall a time when you shared your salvation story? How did it impact the listener?
3. How can you take your conversations deeper this week, moving from casual topics to something more eternal?
4. Can you think of a situation where you can apply the promise of Philippians 4 to exchange anxiety for peace?
5. How can you demonstrate the power of the gospel in your interactions this week, regardless of your comfort level?
Devotional
Day 1: Seek the Lord Daily
In our daily lives, we should actively seek the Lord, allowing Him to teach us, show us new things, and deepen our faith. These encounters with God should be cherished and reflected upon, as they provide us with key insights that we can share with others in their times of need. This daily seeking of the Lord is a continuous journey of spiritual growth and understanding ([59:25]).
Psalm 105:4 - "Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent encounter with God. How did it deepen your faith and what insights did you gain that you can share with others?
Day 2: Worship Sincerely and Wholeheartedly
Our worship should be sincere and wholehearted, lifting high the name of God. As we open our Bibles, our worship should continue, allowing God's word to renew our minds, transform our hearts, and build up His church. This sincere worship is a testament to our faith and devotion to God ([35:38]).
John 4:24 - "God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth."
Reflection: How can you make your worship more sincere and wholehearted? What changes can you make to ensure your worship continues as you study God's word?
Day 3: Trust in the Work of Jesus
Our salvation comes from trusting in the work that Jesus has already done. This trust is not a one-time event, but a continuous act of faith, acknowledging that Jesus' sacrifice was sufficient for our salvation. This trust brings us into a deeper relationship with God and transforms our lives ([01:07:27]).
Ephesians 2:8-9 - "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."
Reflection: How does your trust in Jesus' work affect your daily life? How can you deepen this trust?
Day 4: Share the Good News
As believers, we are called to share the good news of the Gospel. This is not just a responsibility, but a joyous privilege. We should not hoard or hide the Gospel, but share it with great joy, knowing that it has the power to transform lives ([01:03:17]).
Romans 10:15 - "And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!'"
Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the good news of the Gospel? How can you share it with them this week?
Day 5: Pray for Opportunities to Share the Gospel
We should pray for opportunities to share the Gospel, asking God to open doors and put people in our path. These prayers not only prepare us for these opportunities, but also align our hearts with God's desire for all people to come to know Him ([01:05:14]).
Colossians 4:3 - "And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains."
Reflection: How can you be more intentional in praying for opportunities to share the Gospel? What specific people or situations can you pray for this week?
Quotes
1. "Seek the Lord every day and as you're seeking the Lord every day, he should be teaching you things and showing you things and pushing you into deeper Faith. You should be encountering him time and time again and when those moments happen, grab a hold of them, think through them a little bit, process them a bit and then perhaps take those God moments and pull from them a few key statements and share them." 58:52
2. "When those around you speak of Doom and Gloom, you can respond with the hope of the Gospel that Jesus redeems us and as we discussed last week, one day he will make all things new. Don't be ashamed of the Gospel. Share the good news whether you're male or female, young or less than young." 01:01:21
3. "God doesn't care about your comfort level, he cares about people coming to know the good news of Jesus Christ. Trust in the work Jesus has already done." 01:06:48
4. "Get comfortable with the gospel. I've reminded you in almost every sermon in this series of 1 Corinthians 15 where the Apostle Paul shorthands the gospel. He says very quickly the gospel which is of first importance is that Jesus died for our sins, Jesus was buried, Jesus rose from the dead, Jesus appeared in Resurrection form and all of that according to the scriptures." 55:36
5. "God cares about the salvation of Souls and as the church, we have good news. Let us spread it, let us share it, let us trumpet it for all to hear. May we not hoard or hide that gospel but like the prophet of old, May that good news burn like fire in our bones until we share it with great joy." 01:03:17
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