Embracing Salvation: Urgency in Faith and Evangelism
Summary
When reflecting on our faith, it's crucial to ask ourselves what we are most thankful for about our salvation. This gratitude often stems from the profound transformation and hope that Jesus brings into our lives. For those who are uncertain about their faith or are exploring Christianity, it's important to consider what you believe about God, sin, Jesus, and eternal life. These are not just theological questions but deeply personal ones that shape how we live and make decisions. We must approach these questions with urgency, as life is unpredictable, and our time to decide is limited.
As a church, our mission is to make wholehearted followers of Christ, rooted in the Great Commission. This involves not just professing faith but living it out daily, sharing the gospel with others, and continually growing in our understanding of God's Word. Evangelism is a vital spiritual discipline because it allows us to share God's heart and love with others, offering them the hope and joy that comes from a relationship with Jesus.
The Apostle Paul, in Romans 10, emphasizes the importance of hearing and heeding the gospel. Salvation comes through confessing with our mouths that Jesus is Lord and believing in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead. This belief is not something we can achieve through our efforts but is a gift from God. It's essential to understand that the Christian gospel is unique in that it requires nothing from us but faith and repentance.
Moreover, we are called to proclaim the gospel to others. This is not limited to formal preaching but involves sharing the good news in our everyday interactions. We must recognize the urgency of this task, as people need to hear and understand the gospel to believe and be saved. Our role is to be faithful messengers, trusting that God will use our efforts to draw others to Himself.
Finally, as we live out our faith, we must remember that Jesus came not just to help us but to save us. Our lives may still face challenges, but with Jesus, we find purpose and the assurance that He is working all things for our good and His glory. We are called to trust Him, share His love, and invite others into the abundant life He offers.
Key Takeaways:
1. Gratitude for Salvation: Reflect on what you are most thankful for about your salvation. This gratitude often highlights the transformative power of Jesus in our lives, bringing hope and joy. It's essential to approach these reflections with urgency, as life is unpredictable, and our time to decide is limited. [00:00]
2. Understanding the Gospel: The Christian gospel is unique in that it requires nothing from us but faith and repentance. Salvation comes through confessing with our mouths that Jesus is Lord and believing in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead. This belief is a gift from God, not something we can achieve through our efforts. [16:46]
3. Proclaiming the Gospel: We are called to share the gospel in our everyday interactions, not just through formal preaching. Recognize the urgency of this task, as people need to hear and understand the gospel to believe and be saved. Our role is to be faithful messengers, trusting that God will use our efforts to draw others to Himself. [32:08]
4. Living with Purpose: Jesus came not just to help us but to save us. Our lives may still face challenges, but with Jesus, we find purpose and the assurance that He is working all things for our good and His glory. Trust Him, share His love, and invite others into the abundant life He offers. [39:39]
5. Urgency in Evangelism: Understand the urgency of sharing the gospel, as we are not promised tomorrow. Pray for the courage to overcome fears and hesitations, and trust that God will equip you to share His message. Be a faithful messenger, knowing that God works through you to reach others. [46:23]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Questions of Faith and Gratitude
- [02:45] - Exploring Beliefs About God and Eternity
- [05:15] - Urgency in Addressing Life's Big Questions
- [07:30] - The Mission of Making Disciples
- [10:00] - The Great Commission and Our Role
- [12:52] - Cultivating Intimacy with Christ
- [16:46] - Hearing and Heeding the Gospel
- [20:58] - Confession and Belief in Salvation
- [25:00] - Overcoming Shame Through Christ
- [29:06] - Responding to the Gospel Call
- [32:08] - Proclaiming the Gospel to Others
- [36:02] - Understanding God's Love and Judgment
- [39:39] - Faith Requires Action
- [43:00] - Urgency in Sharing the Gospel
- [46:23] - Encouragement to Share God's Love
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Romans 10:9-17
2. Matthew 28:18-20
3. Deuteronomy 30:12-14
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Romans 10:9-10, what are the two key actions required for salvation? How do these actions relate to each other?
2. In Matthew 28:18-20, what command does Jesus give to His disciples, and what promise does He make to them?
3. How does the sermon describe the urgency of addressing life's big questions, and why is this urgency important? [05:15]
4. What does the sermon say about the role of evangelism in the life of a believer? [12:52]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of salvation as a gift from God, rather than something earned, challenge common perceptions of religious practice? [20:58]
2. What does it mean to be a "wholehearted follower of Christ," and how does this relate to the Great Commission? [07:30]
3. How does the sermon explain the relationship between hearing the gospel and responding to it? Why is this distinction significant? [16:46]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that believers can proclaim the gospel in their everyday interactions? [32:08]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on what you are most thankful for about your salvation. How does this gratitude influence your daily life and decisions? [00:30]
2. The sermon emphasizes the urgency of sharing the gospel. What are some specific fears or hesitations you have about evangelism, and how can you overcome them? [46:23]
3. Consider your current understanding of the gospel. How can you deepen your knowledge and ability to share it with others effectively? [36:02]
4. Identify one person in your life who may not know Christ. What steps can you take this week to engage them in a spiritual conversation? [43:00]
5. The sermon mentions living with purpose despite life's challenges. How can you find purpose in your current circumstances, and how might this perspective change your outlook? [39:39]
6. How can you cultivate a sense of urgency in your spiritual life, particularly in sharing the gospel with others? What practical steps can you take to prioritize this task? [29:06]
7. Reflect on the Great Commission. What is one specific way you can participate in making disciples in your community or workplace? [07:30]
Devotional
Day 1: Gratitude for Salvation's Transformative Power
Reflecting on salvation is an invitation to recognize the profound transformation and hope that Jesus brings into our lives. This gratitude is not just a fleeting emotion but a deep-seated acknowledgment of the change that occurs when one embraces faith. The unpredictability of life underscores the urgency of this reflection, as our time to decide and act is limited. Embracing this gratitude can lead to a more intentional and purpose-driven life, where the joy and hope of salvation become evident in our daily actions and decisions. [00:00]
"For you have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life." (Psalm 56:13, ESV)
Reflection: What specific transformation in your life are you most thankful for since embracing your faith, and how can you express this gratitude in your daily actions today?
Day 2: The Uniqueness of the Gospel's Call to Faith
The Christian gospel stands apart in its simplicity and depth, requiring nothing from us but faith and repentance. Salvation is not a result of human effort but a divine gift, accessible through confessing Jesus as Lord and believing in His resurrection. This belief is transformative, reshaping our understanding of grace and mercy. It invites us to rest in the assurance that our salvation is secure, not by our deeds, but by the profound love and grace of God. [16:46]
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you deepen your understanding of faith and repentance today, and how might this understanding change your approach to challenges you face?
Day 3: Everyday Evangelism: Sharing the Gospel in Daily Life
Proclaiming the gospel is a call to action that extends beyond formal preaching. It involves sharing the good news in everyday interactions, recognizing the urgency of this task. People need to hear and understand the gospel to believe and be saved, and our role is to be faithful messengers. Trusting that God will use our efforts to draw others to Himself, we are encouraged to share His love and truth with those around us, making evangelism a natural part of our daily lives. [32:08]
"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?" (Romans 10:14, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one person in your life who needs to hear the gospel. How can you share the love and truth of Jesus with them in a natural and meaningful way today?
Day 4: Living with Purpose Amidst Life's Challenges
Jesus came not just to help us but to save us, offering purpose and assurance amidst life's challenges. While difficulties may persist, faith in Jesus provides a foundation of hope and a promise that He is working all things for our good and His glory. This perspective invites us to trust Him more deeply, share His love with others, and invite them into the abundant life He offers. Embracing this purpose can transform how we view and respond to the trials we face. [39:39]
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28, ESV)
Reflection: What is one challenge you are currently facing, and how can you trust Jesus to work through it for your good and His glory today?
Day 5: The Urgency of Evangelism in an Uncertain World
Understanding the urgency of sharing the gospel is crucial, as we are not promised tomorrow. This urgency calls for courage to overcome fears and hesitations, trusting that God will equip us to share His message. As faithful messengers, we are reminded that God works through us to reach others, offering them the hope and joy found in a relationship with Jesus. Embracing this urgency can lead to a more intentional and impactful witness in our daily lives. [46:23]
"Conduct yourselves wisely 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." (Colossians 4:5-6, ESV)
Reflection: What fears or hesitations do you need to overcome to share the gospel more boldly, and how can you take a step today to be a more faithful messenger of God's love?
Quotes
When we sin against God, we're filled with shame and it expresses itself in any number of ways. What do you believe about Jesus, who He was, who He claimed to be, whether or not that was true? And what do you believe about eternal life? You know, what happens after we die in these bodies? [00:08:28] (25 seconds)
As a church family, we often say that we exist to reach, teach, and live out what it means to be wholehearted followers of Christ. Our shorthand way of saying this is that we're making full wholehearted followers of Christ. I mean, that's what we're after. We're after making wholehearted followers of Jesus Christ. [00:09:51] (15 seconds)
It's not just about seeing people make a profession of faith and then the train stops there and they get off at the next stop and then just coast through life. No, we're supposed to continue on leaning deeply into the Word of God, always studying God's Word, always knowing it a little bit more each and every day. [00:12:00] (16 seconds)
In Romans 10, 18 to 7, or 8 to 17, the Apostle Paul, who is charged by God to bring the gospel to the Gentiles, okay? He quotes Deuteronomy 30, 12 to 14, and I wish I could dive into it. It's one of our small group questions for you this afternoon, but he's actually drawing quite a bit out of the Old Testament in this passage. [00:15:08] (25 seconds)
God's gospel pattern shows two pillars of saving faith in verses 9 and 10. The first is that if you, and I want you to notice the conditional nature of these statements, okay? If, he's introducing a condition, if you confess with your mouth, well, confess what? That Jesus is Lord. Lord. This is different. [00:17:47] (30 seconds)
The Christian gospel is the only gospel that says, first of all, it's the only true gospel. The Christian message is the only message that says you do nothing to earn your salvation. But if you believe in your heart that Jesus is Lord, and you confess with your mouth that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. [00:19:44] (18 seconds)
So with the mouth one confesses and it saves, our mouths confess as an overflow of the belief in our heart. Matthew 12, 34, Jesus says, for out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. This is more than just lip service, as I mentioned. And then we see God's eternal promise. Everyone who believes will not be put to shame. [00:22:47] (28 seconds)
But have you heeded? Have you responded in repentance and faith to the gospel of Jesus? If you have not, you're still under God's judgment. The Bible says you are an enemy of God. You're not just a distant friend who needs to hang out more. You are God's enemy. You are actively God's enemy. [00:27:40] (20 seconds)
You don't need to be bound by the chains that you're in, that your sin entangles you in. You say, I don't know how to get free. You get free by calling out on the grace of Jesus. You say, God, free me from my shackles. I do believe that you are Lord. And I do believe that God has raised your son, Jesus, from the dead. [00:29:09] (20 seconds)
But you've got to hear the gospel, friend. You've got to believe the gospel. You've got to repent and you've got to repent of your sin and trust Him for your eternal salvation, your eternal joy, which He promises to give everyone who calls out to Him. So heed the call personally. [00:32:13] (18 seconds)
And so we seek the Lord and we acknowledge to our friends that we need help to overcome our fears, our hesitations, and to walk in faith, to share the gospel, understanding that it is God who works through Jesus, who has been given to us, and the Holy Spirit who works in our life to give us words to say, to share the gospel of Jesus with someone. [00:40:31] (23 seconds)
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