Embracing Our Call: The Great Commission Today
Summary
In my recent sermon, I explored the profound responsibility and privilege we hold as Christians to actively participate in the Great Commission within our own nation. I began by reflecting on my personal journey to faith, which was significantly influenced by friends who shared the Bible and God's love with me during my university years. Their willingness to reach out and share their faith played a crucial role in my becoming a Christian.
I then posed a challenging question that God placed on my heart during a time of prayer, asking whether I believed I could lead a friend to Christ if given ten years to do so. This question, I realized, wasn't just for me but for every Christian. It's a question I've since asked many fellow believers, and invariably, the answer has been a confident yes. This response highlights a shared belief that, given time, we can significantly impact someone's life through our testimony and sharing of God's love.
However, I pointed out a concerning trend within our churches today. Often, the growth we observe comes from Christians moving from one congregation to another rather than from reaching new believers. This observation led me to question whether we, as a Christian community, are genuinely living out the Great Commission or merely pretending to do so. The real mission field is right around us—filled with people who have yet to hear the Good News.
Drawing from Scripture, I emphasized the sequential steps of hearing, believing, and calling on the Lord, which cannot happen without someone to preach the Gospel. This biblical insight underscores the necessity for each of us to be proactive in sharing our faith.
The metaphor of a single spark igniting a fire beautifully illustrates how the love of God, once experienced, is meant to be shared. Each of us has the potential to be that spark for someone else. By accepting the call to share God's love, we can become a catalyst for change and spiritual awakening in others' lives.
### Key Takeaways
1. Personal Testimony as a Foundation for Evangelism
Reflecting on my own journey to faith highlights the critical role personal relationships and direct sharing play in evangelism. When we share how God has worked in our lives, it can open hearts to receive the Gospel. This personal approach is often more impactful than we realize. [00:51]
2. The Responsibility of the Great Commission
The question of whether you could lead someone to Christ in ten years challenges us to consider our role in the Great Commission seriously. It's not merely a hypothetical; it's a call to action to make discipleship a priority in our lives and to measure our spiritual success by our obedience to this command. [01:37]
3. Assessing Church Growth
Observing that much of our church growth comes from transferring members rather than converting new believers calls us to reevaluate our outreach strategies. True growth in the church should involve reaching out to the unreached and sharing the Gospel where it has not yet been heard. [00:51]
4. The Power of One
The metaphor of a single spark igniting a fire serves as a powerful reminder of the potential each of us has to affect change in our community through sharing God's love. Just as one spark can start a great fire, one believer can lead many to Christ through faithful witness. [01:37]
5. Scriptural Basis for Evangelism
The scriptural questions about how one can believe and call on the Lord without first hearing the Gospel emphasize the necessity of preaching. They remind us that our mission is not just to live out our faith privately but to proclaim it boldly to those who have not heard. [00:51]
### Youtube Chapters
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [00:51] - Reflecting on Personal Faith Journey
- [01:37] - Challenging the Church's Mission Focus
- [00:51] - Observing Trends in Church Growth
- [01:37] - The Metaphor of the Spark
- [00:51] - Scriptural Call to Evangelism
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Romans 10:14-15 (NIV) - "How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!'"
#### Observation Questions
1. What role did Jason's friends play in his journey to faith? [00:51]
2. What question did God place on Jason's heart during his time of prayer? [01:37]
3. According to the sermon, what concerning trend is observed in church growth today? [00:51]
4. How does the metaphor of a single spark relate to sharing God's love? [01:37]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is personal testimony considered a powerful tool for evangelism according to the sermon? [00:51]
2. What does the question about leading someone to Christ in ten years reveal about our responsibility in the Great Commission? [01:37]
3. How does the observation about church growth challenge our current outreach strategies? [00:51]
4. In what ways can the metaphor of a single spark igniting a fire inspire us to share our faith more actively? [01:37]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own journey to faith. Who played a significant role in it, and how can you emulate their example in your own life? [00:51]
2. Consider the question posed in the sermon: Do you believe you could lead a friend to Christ if given ten years? What steps can you take to make this a reality? [01:37]
3. How can you contribute to genuine church growth by reaching out to new believers rather than just transferring members from other congregations? [00:51]
4. Think of someone in your life who has not yet heard the Good News. What practical steps can you take to share God's love with them this week? [01:37]
5. How can you be a "spark" in your community, igniting a passion for Christ in others? What specific actions can you take to share your faith more boldly? [01:37]
6. Reflect on the scriptural basis for evangelism. How can you incorporate the principles of hearing, believing, and calling on the Lord into your daily interactions with others? [00:51]
7. Identify one person in your life who is curious about faith. How can you engage them in a spiritual conversation this week? [01:37]
Devotional
Day 1: Personal Testimony as a Catalyst for Evangelism
Reflecting on one's personal faith journey is not just about recounting events; it's about recognizing the transformative power of God's work in one's life. When believers share their stories of how God has moved in their lives, it does more than just narrate; it opens the door for others to see God's active presence in the world. Personal testimonies are compelling because they are relatable and real. They bridge gaps between abstract faith and tangible change, making the gospel accessible to those who hear it. By sharing personal experiences with faith, believers can ignite curiosity and open hearts to the gospel, setting the stage for deeper conversations and spiritual exploration. [00:51]
Acts 26:16-18 (ESV): "But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me."
Reflection: Think of a personal experience where you felt God's presence or intervention. How can you share this experience with someone this week to demonstrate God's love and power?
Day 2: Embracing the Great Commission with Intention
The challenge of whether one could lead a friend to Christ over ten years is a profound reminder of the seriousness with which we should approach the Great Commission. This isn't just a theoretical question; it's a practical, personal call to action. It encourages believers to view their relationships through the lens of discipleship, where every interaction is an opportunity to witness. The idea is not to convert someone through sheer will but to live out one's faith authentically and consistently, so that over time, it naturally invites others to explore faith for themselves. This long-term perspective shifts the focus from immediate results to faithful, ongoing engagement with others. [01:37]
1 Thessalonians 2:8 (ESV): "So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us."
Reflection: Who is one person in your life with whom you could intentionally cultivate a deeper relationship, with the hope of leading them towards Christ over time?
Day 3: True Growth Through Authentic Outreach
Observing that much church growth stems from transferring members rather than converting new believers prompts a critical reassessment of outreach strategies. True growth in the church should reflect a reaching out to the unreached, sharing the Gospel in places and with people who have not yet heard it. This requires a shift from a maintenance mindset to a missionary mindset, where the focus is on expansion through conversion. By prioritizing genuine outreach, churches can begin to fulfill their call to spread the Gospel, not just shuffle the faithful. [00:51]
Colossians 4:5-6 (ESV): "Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."
Reflection: What is one step you can take this week to engage with someone outside your immediate faith community in a meaningful conversation about faith?
Day 4: The Impact of a Single Believer
The metaphor of a single spark igniting a fire illustrates the potential impact of one believer's faithfulness. Just as a small spark can set a forest ablaze, so too can the faithful witness of a single person lead to widespread spiritual renewal. This image encourages believers to see themselves as catalysts for change, empowered by the Holy Spirit to make a significant difference in their communities. It's a call to not underestimate the power of one's witness and to actively seek opportunities to share God's love. [01:37]
James 5:19-20 (ESV): "My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins."
Reflection: Consider the relationships in your life. Is there someone who might be receptive to hearing about your faith? How can you prepare to share it effectively?
Day 5: Proclaiming the Gospel Boldly
The necessity of preaching the Gospel so that others may hear, believe, and call on the Lord is a foundational aspect of Christian mission. This scriptural mandate reminds us that faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. Believers are therefore called not only to live out their faith but to articulate it clearly and boldly to those who have not heard. This proactive declaration of the Gospel ensures that all have the opportunity to respond to the message of salvation. [00:51]
Romans 10:14-15 (ESV): "How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!'"
Reflection: What is one way you can more boldly proclaim your faith to others this week?
Quotes
Quotes for Outreach
1. "Kekembangan yang kita lihat di gereja hari ini sering menjadi hasil kekembangan yang dihantar di mana Kristian berpindah dari sebuah gereja ke sebuah lain. Namun, di seluruh sekitar kita, masih ada banyak yang belum mendengar kisah, berita baik." [00:51]
2. "Saya memandangkan diri saya bertuah sejak beberapa tahun lepas di universiti, kawan-kawan saya berkongsi Alkitab dan kasih sayang Tuhan dengan saya. Dan jika bukan untuk mereka, saya tidak akan menjadi seorang Kristian." [00:51]
3. "Anda tahu, itulah bagaimana dengan kasih Tuhan. Seorang, seorang, seorang, seorang. Selepas anda mengalaminya, anda menyebarkan kasih Tuhan kepada semua orang, anda ingin menerimanya. Ia hanya mengambil kembang untuk membuat api berlaku." [01:37]
Quotes for Members
1. "Dan bagaimana orang boleh menanggung bantuan jika mereka tidak tahu siapa yang dipercayai? Dan bagaimana mereka boleh mengetahui siapa yang dipercayai jika mereka tidak mendengar siapa yang boleh dipercayai? Dan bagaimana mereka boleh mendengar jika tiada siapa yang memberitahunya?" [00:51]
2. "Selepas saya berdoa, dan terus menanyakan kepada Tuhan untuk menunjukkan kepada saya apa yang ada di hati dia, dia menanyakan kepada saya soalan yang sederhana. Jason, adakah anda fikir anda boleh membawa seorang kawan ke Kristus jika anda diberi 10 tahun untuk melakukannya? Saya berkata, Tuhan, tentu saja." [01:37]
3. "Jadi, di mana-mana saja saya pergi, saya akan menanyakan soalan ini kepada kawan-kawan Kristian saya. Dan semua mereka akan mengatakan ya. Semua orang mengatakan bahawa ia boleh membawa seorang kawan ke Kristus dalam 10 tahun. Bagaimana dengan anda?" [01:37]
4. "Kami telah mengalami kasih Tuhan. Sekarang, kita perlu menerimanya. Adakah anda akan menjadi kembang untuk seseorang? Adakah anda akan menerimanya kepada orang untuk Yesus?" [01:37]
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