Embracing Our Call: Spreading the Gospel in 2025
Summary
In reflecting on the past year and looking forward to the new one, it's essential to focus on the Great Commission and our role in spreading the gospel. The story of Operation Christmas Child serves as a powerful reminder of how simple acts, like packing a shoebox, can lead to profound spiritual impacts. These boxes, filled with gifts and the message of Jesus, reach children worldwide, sparking faith and community growth. This is a testament to the power of sharing the gospel and the importance of not being too busy to tell others about Jesus.
The scriptures remind us of our calling. Romans 10:14 questions how people can believe if they haven't heard, while Matthew 28:19-20 commands us to make disciples of all nations. This is a call to action for each of us to be "gospelers," zealously sharing our faith. The book "Gospeler" by Willie Robertson encourages us to be active witnesses, using our unique gifts to spread the good news. The diagram in the book illustrates the journey from sin to salvation, emphasizing repentance, faith, and baptism as steps toward a new life in Christ.
As we move into 2025, we must evaluate our past year and strive to improve. Billy Graham's devotion challenges us to consider how God views our past year and what lessons we can carry forward. We must ask ourselves if we are living distinctly different lives that reflect Jesus to those around us. The questions posed by Willie Robertson urge us to take our role in evangelism seriously, using our gifts to make a difference.
The hymn "Go Tell It on the Mountain" encapsulates the message of spreading the gospel. Like Isaiah, who responded to God's call with "Here I am, send me," we must be ready and willing to go and tell others about Jesus. As we pray for guidance and opportunities in the coming year, let us commit to being faithful in our mission to share the love and salvation of Christ with the world.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Power of Simple Acts: The story of Operation Christmas Child illustrates how small gestures, like packing a shoebox, can have a significant spiritual impact. These acts of kindness open doors for the gospel to reach those who might not otherwise hear it, reminding us that our everyday actions can be powerful tools for evangelism. [32:38]
2. The Call to Evangelize: Romans 10:14 and Matthew 28:19-20 highlight the importance of sharing the gospel. We are called to be active participants in spreading the message of Jesus, ensuring that others have the opportunity to hear and believe. This is a reminder that evangelism is not just for pastors but for every believer. [35:06]
3. Living as Gospelers: The concept of being a "gospeler" challenges us to live out our faith actively and visibly. By using our unique gifts and talents, we can share the gospel in ways that resonate with those around us, making a tangible difference in their lives. [39:23]
4. Reflecting and Improving: As we transition into a new year, it's crucial to reflect on our past actions and seek ways to improve. Billy Graham's devotion encourages us to consider how God views our past year and what lessons we can carry forward, urging us to strive for spiritual growth and greater impact. [49:03]
5. Answering the Call: Like Isaiah, we must be ready to respond to God's call with willingness and enthusiasm. The hymn "Go Tell It on the Mountain" serves as a rallying cry for us to share the gospel boldly and joyfully, ensuring that the message of Jesus reaches all corners of the earth. [53:14]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:45] - Introduction and Personal Anecdote
- [02:30] - Operation Christmas Child Impact
- [05:15] - Community Engagement and Accomplishments
- [08:00] - The Great Commission
- [10:45] - Scripture Reading: Romans and Matthew
- [13:30] - The Call to Evangelize
- [16:00] - Introduction to "Gospeler" Book
- [18:45] - Diagram of Salvation Journey
- [21:30] - Reflecting on the Past Year
- [24:00] - Billy Graham's Devotional Insights
- [26:45] - Questions for Personal Reflection
- [29:00] - Hymn: Go Tell It on the Mountain
- [31:30] - Isaiah's Call and Our Response
- [34:00] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Romans 10:14
2. Matthew 28:19-20
3. Isaiah 6:8
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Observation Questions:
1. What is the significance of the shoeboxes in the Operation Christmas Child story, and how do they relate to the Great Commission? [32:38]
2. How does Romans 10:14 emphasize the necessity of preaching the gospel to those who have not heard it? [35:06]
3. What does the hymn "Go Tell It on the Mountain" symbolize in the context of the sermon? [53:14]
4. How does the book "Gospeler" by Willie Robertson encourage believers to share their faith? [39:23]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the story of Operation Christmas Child illustrate the power of simple acts in evangelism? [32:38]
2. How does the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 serve as a call to action for all believers, not just church leaders? [35:06]
3. What does it mean to be a "gospeler," and how can this concept challenge believers to live out their faith more actively? [39:23]
4. How does Isaiah's response to God's call in Isaiah 6:8 inspire believers to be ready and willing to share the gospel? [53:14]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your past year. How have you been actively involved in sharing the gospel, and what changes can you make to improve in 2025? [49:03]
2. Identify a simple act of kindness you can perform this week that could open a door for sharing the gospel. How can you ensure it has a spiritual impact? [32:38]
3. Consider the people in your life who have not heard the gospel. What steps can you take to share your faith with them, as encouraged by Romans 10:14? [35:06]
4. How can you use your unique gifts and talents to be a "gospeler" in your community? What specific actions can you take to make a difference? [39:23]
5. Think about a time when you felt too busy to share your faith. What practical changes can you make to prioritize evangelism in your daily life? [35:06]
6. How can the message of "Go Tell It on the Mountain" inspire you to share the gospel with enthusiasm and joy? What specific opportunities can you seek out this week? [53:14]
7. Reflect on Isaiah's willingness to respond to God's call. Are you ready to say, "Here I am, send me"? What steps can you take to prepare yourself for this commitment? [53:14]
Devotional
Day 1: The Impact of Small Acts of Kindness
Simple acts of kindness, like packing a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child, can have profound spiritual impacts. These small gestures open doors for the gospel to reach those who might not otherwise hear it. The shoeboxes, filled with gifts and the message of Jesus, reach children worldwide, sparking faith and community growth. This illustrates the power of sharing the gospel through everyday actions, reminding us that we can be powerful tools for evangelism in our daily lives. By not being too busy to tell others about Jesus, we can make a significant difference in the world. [32:38]
"Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." (Hebrews 13:16, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a simple act of kindness you can do today that might open a door for sharing the gospel. How can you make this a regular part of your life?
Day 2: Embracing the Call to Evangelize
Romans 10:14 and Matthew 28:19-20 highlight the importance of sharing the gospel. We are called to be active participants in spreading the message of Jesus, ensuring that others have the opportunity to hear and believe. Evangelism is not just for pastors but for every believer. This call to action challenges us to step out of our comfort zones and engage with those around us, using our unique gifts and talents to make a difference. By embracing this call, we can help others find faith and community in Christ. [35:06]
"And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.'" (Mark 16:15, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one person in your life who hasn't heard the gospel. What steps can you take this week to share your faith with them?
Day 3: Living as Gospelers
The concept of being a "gospeler" challenges us to live out our faith actively and visibly. By using our unique gifts and talents, we can share the gospel in ways that resonate with those around us, making a tangible difference in their lives. This involves being intentional about our actions and words, ensuring that they reflect the love and message of Jesus. As we strive to be gospelers, we must be willing to step out in faith and trust that God will use us to impact others. [39:23]
"In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16, ESV)
Reflection: What unique gifts or talents do you have that can be used to share the gospel? How can you use them this week to make a difference in someone's life?
Day 4: Reflecting and Improving
As we transition into a new year, it's crucial to reflect on our past actions and seek ways to improve. Billy Graham's devotion encourages us to consider how God views our past year and what lessons we can carry forward. This reflection urges us to strive for spiritual growth and greater impact, asking ourselves if we are living distinctly different lives that reflect Jesus to those around us. By evaluating our past year, we can identify areas for growth and set goals for the coming year, ensuring that we continue to grow in our faith and impact. [49:03]
"Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" (2 Corinthians 13:5, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on the past year and identify one area where you can grow spiritually. What specific steps can you take to improve in this area in the coming year?
Day 5: Answering the Call with Enthusiasm
Like Isaiah, we must be ready to respond to God's call with willingness and enthusiasm. The hymn "Go Tell It on the Mountain" serves as a rallying cry for us to share the gospel boldly and joyfully, ensuring that the message of Jesus reaches all corners of the earth. By answering this call, we commit to being faithful in our mission to share the love and salvation of Christ with the world. This involves being open to God's guidance and seeking opportunities to share our faith with others. [53:14]
"And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?' Then I said, 'Here I am! Send me.'" (Isaiah 6:8, ESV)
Reflection: Are you ready to answer God's call to share the gospel? What steps can you take today to be more enthusiastic and willing in your evangelism efforts?
Quotes
"During the holidays, they participated in Operation Christmas Child and one of the biggest ministries is Living Christmas Tree. I want to thank, and that's the end of the quote, I'm going to thank Mary Frances Tracy for sending this information to the Baptist Convention, Maryland Delaware. And they did publish it, like I said, this past week." [00:35:06] (18 seconds)
"As each day passes by, we are one day closer to seeing Jesus face to face. But we are running out of time to tell other people. People are dying without Jesus. Earlier I said I'd like to look back at accomplishments. Well, I looked ahead at a devotion from Billy Graham for December 31st." [00:47:36] (25 seconds)
"Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken charge, hold of it. But one thing I do, forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." [00:48:19] (20 seconds)
"First one is, how do you think God looks on the past year in your life? Think about that. How would God look at your past life, your life in this past year? And I added, does he think well done or no, you can do better? Second question Billy asked, what lessons we take from this year into the next and what did God teach you?" [00:49:07] (33 seconds)
"The following questions are quoted from Willie Robertson in his book. One, what if millions and millions of believers decided to get serious about telling the good news to all the folks around them? Two, what if we lived our lives in such a way that they were distinctly different from what others see in the world?" [00:50:14] (24 seconds)
"And three, what if we actually used our gifts and skills to do the work so many of us think we just pay pastors and church leaders to do? What do you think would happen again if millions and millions of believers decided to get serious? And that people see Jesus in us all the time, not just some of the time, not just on Sunday mornings, but every day of the week." [00:50:34] (28 seconds)
"I don't know if you remember, but in Acts 8 it talks about Philip when he heard an Ethiopian reading the Bible. He was reading Isaiah. Philip asked him if he understood what he was reading. Do you remember what his answer was? He said, how can I understand unless someone explains it to me?" [00:51:05] (22 seconds)
"Go tell it on the mountain was not just known even, was not well known even though it had been sung since 1979, I'm sorry, 1879 by the Jubilee Singers. The chorus had a clear message. Go tell it on the mountain. Jesus is born. Well, John wrote two more stanzas to that song." [00:51:47] (22 seconds)
"Isaiah 6 -8 is Isaiah's commission from the Lord, said, And I heard a voice of the Lord saying, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then I said, Here I am, send me. So my last question for you this morning is, are you ready and willing to go and tell and say, send me when God speaks to you?" [00:52:42] (31 seconds)
"Please pray with me. Dear Heavenly Father, we come to you thanking you, Jesus, thanking you for your love for each and every one of us, dear Lord. And someone told us about you at some point in our lives, if we know you as Lord and Savior. And dear Lord, you have commanded us to go tell other people." [00:54:55] (19 seconds)
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