Embracing God's New Work: Sharing the Gospel

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound truth that God is actively doing a new thing in our lives and in the world around us. Drawing from Isaiah 43:18-19, we are reminded to not dwell on the past but to perceive and embrace the new work God is initiating. This newness calls us to not only witness God's movement but to actively participate in it by sharing our faith with others. We likened this to the simple actions of liking, subscribing, and sharing a video. While many of us may be comfortable with liking and subscribing to our faith—attending church, reading the Bible, and praying—the challenge lies in sharing this faith with others.

The concept of sharing our faith is rooted in the Greek word "euangelion," meaning good news or gospel. This is not just good advice but transformative news that offers hope and salvation through Jesus Christ. We are called to be the salt of the earth, enhancing and preserving the world around us with the message of Christ. This involves stepping out of our comfort zones and being willing to share the gospel with those who have not yet heard it.

We discussed the importance of understanding who needs to hear the gospel and recognizing our role in God's plan. Each of us is strategically placed in our unique "soil"—our workplaces, schools, and communities—to be a light and a witness. The method of sharing may vary, but the message remains the same: Jesus is the way to salvation. We are encouraged to be persistent, like Albert McMacken, who led Billy Graham to Christ, and to be adaptable, like Hudson Taylor, who immersed himself in the culture he was ministering to.

Ultimately, the call is to be someone’s "someone," the person who prays for and reaches out to others with the love of Christ. We are challenged to do whatever it takes to share the gospel, knowing that even if it impacts just one life, it is worth it. As we close, we are reminded that the invitation to follow Jesus is open to all, and today could be the day of salvation for someone.

Key Takeaways:

1. Embrace the New Thing God is Doing: God is constantly at work, doing new things in our lives and the world. We are called to perceive and participate in this newness, not dwelling on past glories but stepping into the fresh opportunities God presents. This requires spiritual awareness and a willingness to act on what God is revealing to us. [00:02:00]

2. The Power of Sharing the Gospel: The gospel is not just good advice but the transformative good news of Jesus Christ. It is the only message that offers true hope and salvation. We are entrusted with this message and called to share it with others, recognizing that it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. [00:45:00]

3. Be the Salt of the Earth: As followers of Christ, we are the salt of the earth, meant to enhance and preserve the world around us. Our role is not to draw attention to ourselves but to point others to Jesus, enhancing the message of the gospel through our lives and actions. [01:09:34]

4. Recognize Your Unique Role: Each of us is placed in specific environments—our "soil"—to make a difference. Whether it's our workplace, school, or community, we are called to be a light and a witness, sharing the love of Christ with those around us. Understanding our unique role helps us to be effective in our witness. [01:13:35]

5. Persistence and Adaptability in Evangelism: Sharing our faith requires persistence and adaptability. Like Albert McMacken and Hudson Taylor, we must be willing to keep reaching out and to adapt our methods to effectively communicate the gospel. The key is to start where we are and trust God to use our efforts for His glory. [01:17:21]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:02:00] - Embracing God's New Work
- [00:10:00] - The Sloth Video Illustration
- [00:20:00] - Like, Subscribe, Share: Our Faith
- [00:30:00] - Understanding Euangelion
- [00:45:00] - The Power of the Gospel
- [00:55:00] - The Reality of Destruction
- [01:09:34] - Being the Salt of the Earth
- [01:13:35] - Recognizing Your Role
- [01:17:21] - Stories of Evangelism
- [01:20:30] - Hudson Taylor's Example
- [01:23:25] - Will You Be Someone's Someone?
- [01:27:09] - Invitation to Follow Jesus

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Isaiah 43:18-19
- Romans 1:16
- Matthew 5:13

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#### Observation Questions
1. According to Isaiah 43:18-19, what is the new thing that God is doing, and how are we encouraged to respond to it? [00:02:00]
2. In Romans 1:16, Paul speaks about the power of the gospel. What does he say about its significance and who it is for? [00:45:00]
3. How does Jesus describe the role of believers in Matthew 5:13, and what does it mean for salt to lose its saltiness? [01:09:34]
4. What examples were given in the sermon of individuals who effectively shared their faith, and what methods did they use? [01:17:21]

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#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to "perceive" the new thing God is doing, and how can believers actively participate in it? [00:02:00]
2. How does the concept of being the "salt of the earth" relate to the way Christians should live and interact with the world around them? [01:09:34]
3. Why is the gospel described as "good news" rather than "good advice," and how does this distinction impact the way it should be shared? [00:45:00]
4. How can the persistence and adaptability demonstrated by Albert McMacken and Hudson Taylor serve as a model for modern evangelism? [01:17:21]

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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current spiritual awareness. How can you become more attuned to the new things God is doing in your life and community? [00:02:00]
2. Identify a specific area in your life where you can be the "salt of the earth." What practical steps can you take to enhance and preserve the message of Christ in that environment? [01:09:34]
3. Consider someone in your life who does not know Jesus. What is one specific action you can take this week to share the gospel with them? [01:13:35]
4. Think about a time when you hesitated to share your faith. What was the reason, and how can you overcome similar hesitations in the future? [00:45:00]
5. How can you adapt your approach to sharing the gospel to better connect with the unique individuals in your "soil"? [01:17:21]
6. Reflect on the story of Albert McMacken and Billy Graham. Who is someone in your life that you can persistently invite to church or share your faith with, even if they initially seem uninterested? [01:17:21]
7. What is one way you can step out of your comfort zone this week to share the love of Christ with someone new? [01:23:25]

Devotional

Day 1: Embrace God's New Work in Your Life
God is constantly at work, doing new things in our lives and the world. We are called to perceive and participate in this newness, not dwelling on past glories but stepping into the fresh opportunities God presents. This requires spiritual awareness and a willingness to act on what God is revealing to us. The passage from Isaiah 43:18-19 reminds us not to dwell on the past but to be open to the new work God is initiating. This newness calls us to not only witness God's movement but to actively participate in it by sharing our faith with others. [00:02:00]

Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV): "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you sense God is doing something new? How can you actively participate in this new work today?


Day 2: The Transformative Power of the Gospel
The gospel is not just good advice but the transformative good news of Jesus Christ. It is the only message that offers true hope and salvation. We are entrusted with this message and called to share it with others, recognizing that it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. The Greek word "euangelion" emphasizes the gospel as transformative news that offers hope and salvation through Jesus Christ. We are called to be the salt of the earth, enhancing and preserving the world around us with the message of Christ. [00:45:00]

Romans 1:16 (ESV): "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek."

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the transformative message of the gospel? How can you share this good news with them today?


Day 3: Be the Salt of the Earth
As followers of Christ, we are the salt of the earth, meant to enhance and preserve the world around us. Our role is not to draw attention to ourselves but to point others to Jesus, enhancing the message of the gospel through our lives and actions. This involves stepping out of our comfort zones and being willing to share the gospel with those who have not yet heard it. We are encouraged to be persistent and adaptable in our evangelism efforts, trusting God to use our efforts for His glory. [01:09:34]

Matthew 5:13 (ESV): "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet."

Reflection: In what ways can you enhance and preserve the world around you with the message of Christ today?


Day 4: Recognize Your Unique Role in God's Plan
Each of us is placed in specific environments—our "soil"—to make a difference. Whether it's our workplace, school, or community, we are called to be a light and a witness, sharing the love of Christ with those around us. Understanding our unique role helps us to be effective in our witness. We are strategically placed in our unique "soil" to be a light and a witness, sharing the love of Christ with those around us. [01:13:35]

1 Corinthians 12:18 (ESV): "But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose."

Reflection: What is your unique role in your current environment, and how can you be a light and a witness for Christ there today?


Day 5: Persistence and Adaptability in Evangelism
Sharing our faith requires persistence and adaptability. Like Albert McMacken and Hudson Taylor, we must be willing to keep reaching out and to adapt our methods to effectively communicate the gospel. The key is to start where we are and trust God to use our efforts for His glory. We are challenged to do whatever it takes to share the gospel, knowing that even if it impacts just one life, it is worth it. [01:17:21]

2 Timothy 4:2 (ESV): "Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching."

Reflection: How can you adapt your approach to sharing the gospel to be more effective in your current context? What steps can you take today to reach out to someone with the love of Christ?

Quotes

"Forget the former things, don't dwell in the past. See, I'm doing a new thing. Now it springs up, right now it springs up. Do you not perceive it? I'm making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. God is saying to the people of Israel back in Isaiah saying I'm doing a new thing and you need to forget the past not in the sense that you don't ever give glory to God for the things that he's done in the past but he's saying you can put those things aside because I have something new for you for right here right now." [00:46:32] (29 seconds)


"In the original language the bible in the original language uses a word to describe this practice of sharing Jesus with others the word is euangelion now look to the person next to you and say euangelion now I'm not euangelion you euangelion yeah you euangelion but it's where we get our word evangelize evangelist even evangelical we get from that but it means good message or good messenger and it's where we get that phrase or that word gospel we've heard that gospel right it's a good news a good message it being proclaimed and all those phrases are the same they mean the same thing to share the good news to share the gospel to share our faith to evangelize but it comes from this word we see throughout scripture over and over and over euangelion the gospel listen we have the best message on the planet sometimes we shy away from that we have the best message that's out there the only message that offers hope there's a lot of opinions there's a lot of ideas a lot of quote-unquote enlightenment or ways to get to God but none of it's true outside of Jesus Christ right that's not an arrogant thing it's not like we're so much smarter and better it's like no there is only one way to God but there is a way he provided that way right and it's the best message that anyone it's open to anyone there's no one that God's going to turn away saying no you've done too much no he can cover anyone's sin at any moment right it's available to all." [01:00:32] (87 seconds)


"Jesus says enter through the narrow gate for wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction and many will enter through it but small is the gate and narrow is the road that leads to life and only a few are going to find it so listen for starters if everyone is doing something doesn't necessarily mean it's the right way to go we need to follow Jesus down the straight and narrow path rather than man everyone else is doing this let's let's get on on board with no he's saying don't get into don't follow that follow me and I'll lead you to true life right down the narrow path because many like most are not going to find it this is the reality we don't want people to go to hell right we love this is done from a motivation of love not insecurity not not we got to reach more people to get more numbers no it's because we love people and we don't want them to go to the place that we read about in scripture." [01:22:32] (54 seconds)


"Who doesn't know Jesus that's a very important who now we can preach the gospel to all our Christian friends all day and that's great bless God but who doesn't know Jesus that needs to know him who would love to hear the gospel message who would love to hear about Jesus but no one's ever told them they've seen one picture of Christianity that's not even accurate they need someone to tell them to show them the true love of Christ right so who is that who I guess who is that who that doesn't know who Jesus is the second who is you you the who you the second who all right if that helps you but we need to realize who we are before we go out and share sometimes we get insecure sometimes I can't do that let me just set the record straight as far as who you are here's what I mean Jesus Christ this is what Jesus says here's what he says who you are he says you are the salt of the earth Matthew 5 13 you're the salt of the earth but if the salt loses its saltiness how can it be made salty again he's making a point that like salt can't physically lose its saltiness it doesn't do that it stays salty but he's making a point there's no there's without us being salty and I'll explain that in a second there's no point how can it be made salty again it's no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot before I explain that I want you to think about this for a second in all of human history you were born when you were born but you're alive right now you're alive in 2025 and you might not have never thought about you might have thought yeah whatever I could have been born anytime did you know you're alive in the one and only time in human history where there's an open message to receive Jesus the cross has happened the resurrection has happened and all we have to do is go tell people about it we don't live before that right that'd be very tough so he's coming the messiah is coming no we live in the 2 000 years after that and you might think well 2 000 years is a long time but in the course of human history is not as long right God chose you to live in this moment in this very time whether you're 15 or whether you're 85 God has you here on this planet to make a difference to share the message that it's an open invitation we live in a period of time where it's an open invitation it's not always going to be the case right there's going to be a time when that invitation closes but now is not that time that invitation is open man we should be eager." [01:30:32] (144 seconds)


"How did you come to faith in Jesus? How do you come to faith in Jesus? Think about it. If we went around the room and asked every person, how did you come to faith in Jesus? We would have a different story. Some came to faith in Jesus because they were raised in a Christian home and their parents showed him what it means to follow him. Some was a coworker that talked to him about Jesus. Some went to a church service somewhere. Some, a missionary came to their country and preached, right? It's so many different things that we can't just say, this is the one way to evangelize the world, right? Look, we're all different people, but the people we're reaching, the world around us, everyone is a unique individual. Some come to faith intellectually, like they need to wrap their minds around it, right? We need to get them some good resources. C.S. Lewis or something they can read and intellectually, that's how C.S. Lewis himself, if you know who that is, how he came to faith. He investigated it and he said, this has to be true. He was an atheist before, right? My point is we all come to faith in different ways, so we don't need to worry so much about the methods. The methods are important, but the message, the message is what's important, that Jesus is the one who can change a life. Different people come to Jesus in different ways and he'll use us in a variety of ways." [01:47:36] (73 seconds)


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Transcript
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