Embracing Our Call: Proclaiming the Gospel Together
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound mission of God as outlined in Romans 10, focusing on the necessity of preaching the gospel to fulfill the Great Commission. This mission is not just a task for pastors or missionaries but a calling for every believer. We began by acknowledging the challenges faced by church leaders in recent times, emphasizing the importance of supporting and encouraging them. The heart of our discussion centered on the Apostle Paul's deep sorrow for those who do not know Christ, as expressed in Romans 9 and 10. Paul’s anguish for his kinsmen who are without Christ serves as a poignant reminder of the urgency and necessity of evangelism.
We delved into the theological tension between God's sovereignty in salvation and our responsibility to evangelize. While God ordains the ends, He also ordains the means, which includes our active participation in sharing the gospel. Paul’s logical progression in Romans 10:14-17 outlines the process of salvation: people cannot believe in Christ without hearing about Him, and they cannot hear without someone preaching. This underscores the critical role of every believer in proclaiming the gospel.
The gospel, or "good news," is the victorious announcement of what God has accomplished through Jesus Christ. It is not merely an invitation but a command to repent and believe. The gospel must be preserved as good news, free from threats or warnings, which follow the proclamation to emphasize the consequences of rejecting it. We are reminded that the gospel is for everyone, transcending cultural and ethnic boundaries, and it is our duty to ensure it reaches the ends of the earth.
In conclusion, we are all called to be heralds of this good news, to live lives that point others to Jesus, and to support the mission of the church through prayer, giving, and personal witness. Let us be inspired by the example of those who have gone before us, dedicating their lives to the proclamation of the gospel, and let us strive to do the same in our own contexts.
Key Takeaways:
1. Support for Church Leaders: In challenging times, it is crucial to support and encourage pastors, elders, and church staff. Their roles are demanding, and they need the congregation's prayers and encouragement to continue serving faithfully. [01:00]
2. The Heart for the Lost: Paul's deep sorrow for those without Christ challenges us to examine our own hearts. A genuine burden for the lost is a sign of understanding the gospel's significance. If we lack this burden, it may indicate a need to deepen our relationship with Christ. [06:47]
3. God's Sovereignty and Our Responsibility: While God is sovereign in salvation, He has ordained the means, including our role in evangelism. This is not a contradiction but a mystery that calls us to faithful obedience in sharing the gospel. [08:53]
4. The Universality of the Gospel: The gospel is for everyone, transcending cultural and ethnic barriers. We must be diligent in ensuring that all people have the opportunity to hear and respond to the good news of Jesus Christ. [11:03]
5. The Essence of the Gospel: The gospel is the good news of what God has done through Jesus Christ. It is a command to repent and believe, not merely an invitation. Preserving the gospel as good news is essential, with warnings and calls to repentance following its proclamation. [35:18]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction and Acknowledgment of Pastors
- [01:26] - The Mission of God
- [02:18] - Reading from Romans 10
- [03:06] - Prayer for Understanding
- [03:59] - The Challenge of Romans 9
- [05:11] - Paul's Sorrow for the Lost
- [06:47] - A Heart for the Lost
- [07:33] - God's Sovereignty and Human Responsibility
- [09:08] - The Means of Salvation
- [10:38] - The Universality of the Gospel
- [13:14] - The Need to Call on God
- [15:00] - The Reality of Unreached Peoples
- [20:28] - The Role of Preaching
- [25:29] - The Importance of Being Sent
- [28:52] - The Good News of the Gospel
- [35:18] - Preserving the Gospel as Good News
- [37:36] - The Beautiful Feet of the Messenger
- [43:06] - The Example of the Marathon Runner
- [44:57] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Romans 10:14-17
- Romans 9:1-3
- Isaiah 52:7
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Paul express in Romans 9:1-3 about his feelings towards those who do not know Christ? How does this set the tone for his message in Romans 10? [05:47]
2. According to Romans 10:14-17, what is the sequence of events that leads to someone believing in Christ? How does this passage emphasize the role of preaching? [02:31]
3. In the sermon, how is the term "good news" described, and what is its significance in the context of the gospel? [30:12]
4. How does the sermon explain the relationship between God's sovereignty and human responsibility in evangelism? [08:53]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Paul's deep sorrow for his kinsmen in Romans 9:1-3 challenge believers today in their approach to evangelism? What does this reveal about the importance of having a heart for the lost? [06:47]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the universality of the gospel, and how does this challenge cultural or ethnic barriers in evangelism? [11:03]
3. How does the sermon address the tension between God's sovereignty in salvation and our responsibility to evangelize? What practical implications does this have for believers? [08:53]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the gospel should be preserved as "good news," and why is it important to maintain this perspective? [35:18]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own heart for the lost. Do you feel a genuine burden for those who do not know Christ? If not, what steps can you take to cultivate this burden in your life? [06:47]
2. How can you actively support and encourage your church leaders, especially during challenging times? What specific actions can you take this week to show your support? [01:00]
3. Consider the people in your life who have not heard the gospel. What practical steps can you take to share the good news with them, keeping in mind the sequence outlined in Romans 10:14-17? [02:31]
4. How can you ensure that the gospel you share remains "good news" and not just a set of rules or warnings? What language or approach might you use to communicate this effectively? [35:18]
5. Identify one cultural or ethnic barrier that might be hindering the spread of the gospel in your community. What can you do to help overcome this barrier and ensure the gospel reaches everyone? [11:03]
6. Reflect on the concept of being "sent" as a preacher of the gospel. In what ways can you embrace this calling in your daily life, even if you are not a pastor or missionary? [25:29]
7. How can you balance the understanding of God's sovereignty with your responsibility to evangelize? What practical steps can you take to be obedient in sharing the gospel, trusting in God's plan? [08:53]
Devotional
Day 1: Encouragement for Church Leaders
In challenging times, church leaders face immense pressures and responsibilities. They are tasked with guiding their congregations through spiritual and practical challenges, often without adequate support. It is crucial for the congregation to recognize the weight of these responsibilities and to actively support their leaders through prayer, encouragement, and tangible acts of kindness. By doing so, believers not only uplift their leaders but also strengthen the entire church community. Supporting church leaders is a collective responsibility that ensures the church remains a beacon of hope and truth in the world. [01:00]
Hebrews 13:17 (ESV): "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you."
Reflection: Who is one church leader you can encourage this week, and how will you do it?
Day 2: Cultivating a Heart for the Lost
The Apostle Paul's deep sorrow for those who do not know Christ is a powerful reminder of the urgency of evangelism. His anguish for his kinsmen, as expressed in Romans 9 and 10, challenges believers to examine their own hearts. A genuine burden for the lost is a sign of understanding the gospel's significance. If this burden is absent, it may indicate a need to deepen one's relationship with Christ. Cultivating a heart for the lost involves prayer, empathy, and a willingness to share the gospel with those who have not yet heard it. [06:47]
2 Corinthians 5:20 (ESV): "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."
Reflection: Who in your life does not know Christ, and how can you begin to share His love with them today?
Day 3: Balancing God's Sovereignty and Our Responsibility
The theological tension between God's sovereignty in salvation and our responsibility to evangelize is not a contradiction but a mystery. While God ordains the ends, He also ordains the means, which includes our active participation in sharing the gospel. This calls believers to faithful obedience, trusting that God is at work even as they share the good news. Understanding this balance encourages believers to engage in evangelism with confidence, knowing that their efforts are part of God's divine plan. [08:53]
Philippians 2:12-13 (ESV): "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."
Reflection: How can you actively participate in God's mission today, trusting in His sovereignty?
Day 4: The Gospel for All Nations
The gospel is a universal message that transcends cultural and ethnic boundaries. It is the good news of what God has accomplished through Jesus Christ, and it is meant for everyone. Believers are called to ensure that all people have the opportunity to hear and respond to this message. This involves being diligent in sharing the gospel across different cultures and communities, recognizing that the love of Christ knows no bounds. The universality of the gospel challenges believers to step out of their comfort zones and reach out to those who are different from them. [11:03]
Revelation 7:9 (ESV): "After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands."
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take to share the gospel with someone from a different cultural background?
Day 5: Preserving the Essence of the Gospel
The gospel is the victorious announcement of what God has accomplished through Jesus Christ. It is not merely an invitation but a command to repent and believe. Preserving the gospel as good news is essential, with warnings and calls to repentance following its proclamation. Believers must ensure that the gospel remains untainted by threats or distortions, focusing on its core message of salvation and hope. By doing so, they uphold the integrity of the gospel and its transformative power in the lives of those who hear it. [35:18]
Galatians 1:8-9 (ESV): "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed."
Reflection: How can you ensure that the gospel you share remains true to its essence and free from distortions?
Quotes
Please please encourage your pastor, please encourage your elders, please encourage your officers, please encourage the staff and the receptionists who've received all sorts of different calls and issues and problems from within the church and outside the church. Another reason I'm very grateful to be here speaking on this is that the mission of God is one of my favorite things to talk about. [00:01:02]
Paul had this heart and this all surrounds this great and beautiful but very difficult chapter nine of Romans where Paul lays out the beautiful theology of God's sovereignty in all things in particular in salvation, and then he answers the necessary question, the question that's on everyone's mind if they're reading through Romans 9 carefully and studying it well. [00:07:15]
God ordains not only the ends of all things, He also ordains the means of all ends, and so in truth it's not an apparent contradiction, it's a mystery that we in our finite minds cannot fully comprehend. But what we do understand is that God has ordained the ends, He has ordained salvation, but He's also ordained the means of that salvation. [00:08:49]
Now before going on we need to examine just a couple of things here because we usually skip over this we say well we get it but what is Paul saying there he says how then will they where are they well today he's just outlined really throughout the entirety of Romans thus far but particularly there in verses 5-13 it's everyone whether Jew or Greek anyone. [00:10:44]
Most people that we come across in our lives in our spheres of influence, most people don't really think they need to call on the Lord. They assume that they're good, God's good, I'm good, He's a good God, He's a loving God, He created me, I'm a good person for the most part, why wouldn't God love me? [00:13:56]
The reality of it is is that even 20 30 years ago we could say to people hey I hear you're going to that church over there that bible church that baptist church that presbyterian church and you could at least know for the most part that they were probably getting the bible and some gospel thrown in. [00:16:29]
Every one of us is a preacher, every one of us is called to preach the gospel proclaim the truth now some of you say well I'm not very good at that or I don't really have many opportunities for that. Do you have any opportunities ever? I'll tell you what, coming to corporate worship on the Lord's day coming to gathered worship is in part fulfilling the fullness of the great commission. [00:21:40]
The ordinary work that we do in the ordinary lives that we have in sharing the gospel with friends and encouraging brothers and sisters in Christ and encouraging our pastors in speaking truth to them and taking opportunities when they arise to present the gospel to proclaim the truth to give a rebuttal to declare the antithesis to say that's not actually, that's not actually true. [00:22:59]
We send missionaries, we send pastors, we commission them with our blessing with our funding, we send them off with our prayers and with our love and care, and if you're not going yourself and you're staying, then your call is to pray and to give generously to support to come alongside. [00:25:48]
The gospel must be preserved as that good news notice that in the good news the announcement of what God has done through Christ for his people comes with no threats in it, no warnings in it, it's good news. Now, the threats and the warnings follow the gospel, they follow the proclamation of the gospel because if you do not receive and heed the gospel and obey the gospel you will all likewise perish. [00:35:18]
The call to repent the call to believe the call to follow me as Jesus said to his disciples the call to take up your cross the call to die to yourself all of that comes right on the heels of the gospel it is a necessary part of the preaching of the gospel but in and of itself it's not the gospel you see the gospel must be preserved as that good news. [00:35:56]
All that we do, all that we're called to do, is tell everybody about our savior. I love what Zinzendorf Count von Zindendorf said at some point in his life from Moravia as a pastor, he desired simply to preach the gospel, to die, and to be forgotten. We will all die unless the Lord comes first and we hope he does. [00:43:59]
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