Empowered to Share: The Call of Evangelism

Devotional

Day 1: The Gospel's Transformative Power

The gospel is not just a message; it is the greatest news that offers hope and salvation to all who hear it. It has the power to transform lives, bringing about a new birth that is both miraculous and real. This transformation is not dependent on our abilities but on the power of God's word. As believers, we are called to share this message boldly and without shame, trusting that God will use our words to open the eyes of the spiritually blind. The gospel is a beacon of hope in a world that desperately needs it, and we are its messengers. [04:53]

"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the hope and salvation of the gospel today? How can you share this message with them in a way that is bold yet loving?

Day 2: God's Power in Our Weakness

God chooses to use ordinary people, like clay pots, to demonstrate His surpassing power. This truth should encourage us, as it is not our eloquence or strength that brings about change, but God's power working through our humble efforts. Despite our limitations, God works through us to open the eyes of the spiritually blind and bring about transformation. We are reminded that our role is to proclaim the gospel, trusting in God's power to do the rest. This should give us confidence to share the gospel, knowing that it is not our strength but God's power that brings about change. [16:55]

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us." (2 Corinthians 4:7, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel inadequate to share the gospel? How can you rely on God's power rather than your own strength in these areas?

Day 3: Practical Steps for Evangelism

Engaging in personal evangelism involves practical steps such as being prepared with resources, showing generosity, and taking a genuine interest in others. These actions demonstrate love and open doors for sharing the gospel. We are called to be lavish givers, not just of material things but of our time and attention, showing people that they are valued and loved. By participating in evangelism training and inviting others to church, we create opportunities for others to experience the community and hear the gospel. These practical steps are essential in our mission to spread the good news. [23:07]

"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:4, ESV)

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to show genuine interest in someone and open a door for sharing the gospel with them?

Day 4: Embracing Our Unique Gifts

Each of us has unique gifts and should find our niche in sharing the gospel. Whether through direct conversation, acts of service, or creative expressions, we all have a role to play in spreading the good news. It is important to recognize and embrace our individual gifts, using them to share the gospel in ways that are authentic to who we are. By doing so, we can reach people in ways that others may not be able to. We are all part of the body of Christ, and each of us has a unique contribution to make in the mission of evangelism. [46:06]

"Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching." (Romans 12:6-7, ESV)

Reflection: What unique gifts has God given you, and how can you use them to share the gospel in your own way?

Day 5: The Empowering Role of the Holy Spirit

Praying for the filling of the Holy Spirit is essential for bold and joyful evangelism. The Spirit empowers us to speak the word of God with courage and effectiveness, transforming our efforts into fruitful ministry. It is through the Holy Spirit that we find the strength and boldness to share the gospel, even in the face of challenges. By seeking the Spirit's guidance and empowerment, we can be confident that our efforts will be fruitful and that God will use us to bring others to Him. The Holy Spirit is our helper and guide in the mission of evangelism. [49:46]

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:8, ESV)

Reflection: How can you invite the Holy Spirit to empower you in your evangelism efforts today? What specific area do you need His guidance and strength in?

Sermon Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound truth of regeneration and the call to personal evangelism. We began by reflecting on the transformative power of God's word, which brings about the miracle of new birth. This new birth is not just a theological concept but a reality that occurs through the gospel spoken by ordinary people like us. We are reminded that the gospel is the greatest news, a message of hope and salvation that we should never be ashamed to share.

We delved into 2 Corinthians 4, emphasizing that God uses the gospel in our mouths to open the eyes of the spiritually blind. Despite our limitations, God chooses to work through us, the clay pots, to demonstrate His surpassing power. This should encourage us, as it is not our eloquence or strength that brings about change, but God's power working through our humble efforts.

We also discussed practical ways to engage in personal evangelism. This includes being prepared with resources, being generous, and finding genuine interest in others. We are called to be lavish givers, not just of material things but of our time and attention, showing people that they are valued and loved. Additionally, we are encouraged to participate in evangelism training and to invite others to church, where they can experience the community and hear the gospel.

Finally, we acknowledged that each of us has unique gifts and should find our niche in sharing the gospel. Whether through direct conversation, acts of service, or creative expressions, we all have a role to play in spreading the good news. We concluded with a call to pray for the filling of the Holy Spirit, which empowers us to speak the word of God with boldness and joy.

Key Takeaways

1. The Power of the Gospel: The gospel is the greatest news, offering hope and salvation. It is a message that transforms lives and should be shared boldly and without shame. Our role is to proclaim it, trusting that God will use our words to open the eyes of the spiritually blind. [04:53]
2. God Uses Ordinary People: We are like clay pots, ordinary and imperfect, yet God chooses to use us to demonstrate His power. This should encourage us to share the gospel, knowing that it is not our strength but God's power that brings about change. [16:55]
3. Practical Evangelism: Being prepared with resources, showing generosity, and taking a genuine interest in others are practical ways to engage in evangelism. These actions demonstrate love and open doors for sharing the gospel. [23:07]
4. Unique Gifts and Roles: Each of us has unique gifts and should find our niche in sharing the gospel. Whether through direct conversation, acts of service, or creative expressions, we all have a role to play in spreading the good news. [46:06]
5. The Role of the Holy Spirit: Praying for the filling of the Holy Spirit is essential for bold and joyful evangelism. The Spirit empowers us to speak the word of God with courage and effectiveness, transforming our efforts into fruitful ministry. [49:46]
** [49:46]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:11] - Opening Prayer and Introduction
[01:25] - Series Conclusion on Regeneration
[02:18] - The Power of the Gospel
[03:31] - 2 Corinthians 4: The Miracle of New Birth
[04:12] - The Gospel Message
[05:26] - The Condition of Unbelievers
[06:36] - God's Work in New Birth
[08:17] - The Means of Proclaiming Christ
[09:20] - The Role of Evangelism
[12:34] - Practical Applications for Evangelism
[16:55] - Encouragement for Ordinary Christians
[23:07] - Practical Evangelism Tips
[32:12] - Finding Interest in Others
[49:46] - The Role of the Holy Spirit in Evangelism

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

2 Corinthians 4:4-7
1 Peter 1:23-25
Acts 4:31

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Observation Questions:

According to 2 Corinthians 4:4, what is the condition of unbelievers, and what prevents them from seeing the light of the gospel? [05:47]
In 2 Corinthians 4:7, what metaphor does Paul use to describe believers, and what is the purpose of this metaphor? [14:25]
How does 1 Peter 1:23-25 describe the process of being born again, and what role does the word of God play in it? [02:18]
What was the effect of being filled with the Holy Spirit in Acts 4:31, and how did it impact the believers' actions? [49:29]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the metaphor of believers as "clay pots" in 2 Corinthians 4:7 encourage ordinary Christians in their role in evangelism? [16:55]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that personal evangelism can be integrated into everyday life, and how does this relate to the concept of being "lavish givers"? [27:35]
How does the sermon explain the role of the Holy Spirit in empowering believers for evangelism, and why is this empowerment essential? [49:46]
What does the sermon suggest about the importance of finding one's unique gifts and roles in sharing the gospel, and how can this understanding impact a believer's approach to evangelism? [46:06]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on a time when you felt inadequate to share the gospel. How can the metaphor of being a "clay pot" help you overcome these feelings and encourage you to share your faith more boldly? [16:55]
The sermon encourages believers to be "lavish givers" not just of material things but also of time and attention. Identify one person in your life who could benefit from your generosity this week. How will you show them they are valued and loved? [27:35]
Consider the practical tips for evangelism mentioned in the sermon. Which one resonates with you the most, and how can you implement it in your daily routine to create opportunities for sharing the gospel? [23:07]
The sermon emphasizes the importance of being filled with the Holy Spirit for effective evangelism. What steps can you take to seek a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit in your life, and how might this change your approach to sharing your faith? [49:46]
Think about your unique gifts and interests. How can you use them creatively to share the gospel with others? What is one specific action you can take this week to start using your gifts in evangelism? [46:06]
The sermon suggests inviting others to church as a form of evangelism. Who is someone you can invite to join you at church this week, and how will you extend that invitation? [40:26]
Reflect on the role of prayer in evangelism as discussed in the sermon. How can you incorporate prayer into your evangelistic efforts, and who will you commit to praying for this week? [49:46]

Sermon Clips

The gospel God sends his son into the world the God man really man really God really human really Divine lives a perfect life fulfills the whole law dies in the place of Sinners intentionally absorbs all the wrath of God against those who believe in him takes away all their guilt forgives all their sins rises from the dead triumphant over death and hell and Satan sends rules with power from on high will come again give eternal life raise from the dead all those who've trusted in him there is no better news. [00:04:14]

In their case the God of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers to keep them from seeing the light of the Gospel there's that word glorious truth the gospel of the glory of Christ who is the image in other words Christ Glory Christ beautiful worth and power and wisdom and Justice the totality of his Excellence is seen in and through the gospel the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ and people people are blind to it therefore they're not saved and they need a work of God. [00:05:39]

For God who said let light shine out of Darkness has done a similar kind of thing in our heart has shown in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ now that's a description of the new birth didn't use the words that's the reality your hearts are blind dark dead you can't see you you hear the gospel boring and mythological and irrelevant and don't want anything to do with it and then something happens happened to most of you couldn't explain it. [00:06:40]

What we Proclaim is not ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your servant between the problem and the solution comes this word about what Paul does about it what he does about he can't make light go into any heart he can't make it happen but he knows what he can do he can open his mouth and Proclaim Jesus and offer himself in a life of service from a heart of love and God does the rest. [00:08:29]

We have this treasure in Jars of Clay so that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us we have this treasure what's the treasure the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ or the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ you have the gospel in you you have the knowledge of Christ in you you have the experienced gospel in you not just some academic story that you memorized it has become true for you it's become your life it's your daily bread. [00:14:19]

This means that if you feel average or below average in your Fitness to share the gospel which most of you do I would assume you feel just me tell this story get up the courage to tell this story at work or school make it what you do in share time and in the fifth grade if you feel that way this text says that you are closer to the truth than those who feel strong and wise and self-sufficient and Paul wants it to be that way. [00:16:04]

Simply share the gospel tell the news not with glitzy intellect or glitzy eloquence or glitzy beauty or glitzy strength or glitzy cultural relevance sounding so hip and cool that you get in the way the gospel is not cool it's just Dynamite blows people to Smither for Jesus changes their life forever but it it's not clever it's not hip does change with the tides sad to see spokesman of the Eternal message trying to sound so cool that they're next week out of it. [00:19:24]

Be a lavish Giver be known as generous tip big give at the door get a reputation as a giver the Bible says Jesus says Luke 6:35 now you're in the neighborhood and you got lots of tools in your garage lend expecting nothing in return that's what Jesus said Can burrow you rake oh but will they bring it back wrong attitude wrong attitude of course you can you can use my rake no questions asked Christians are not tight they're loose they let things go quick easy this world is not our home. [00:26:41]

Find people interesting they are we're just busy and so we don't take the time to they yours you are never never standing in a front of a human being who's not interesting ever ever they are created in the image of God and whether 18 or 8 or 80 a thousand interesting things have happened to them nobody's interested in them nobody asks them their interesting stories they have to tell from when they were a kid or how they got that scar on their face or how anything happened to them. [00:32:34]

Every Christian should be a servant but some have a gift of service every Christian should have a heart of Mercy but there is a gift of Mercy every Christian should speak to others about Christ but some have a gift of Prophecy and exhortation teaching and the point is that we're all in this together and we're all different and we all should be growing in all these ways but some of us are good at one and not another you just got to find your Niche you got to find okay um I don't think I'm ever going to be that so what am I. [00:45:20]

When they had prayed they were all filled with the Holy Spirit now what was the effect lots of things happen when you're filled with the Holy Spirit but this is the one that happened in Acts 4:31 when they had prayed uh the place in which they had gathered was shaken and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and they spoke the word of God with boldness so if you wonder why aren't we more bold the answer is we're not filled with the holy spirit it's real simple to pray for the fullness of the spirit. [00:49:10]

People are born again through the living abide living and abiding word of God this word is the gospel which was spoken to you and so we need to tell the gospel story from hearts of love and lives of service would you grant us to be filled with the holy spirit so that we might with boldness open our mouths and tell people about the Lord people need the Lord and we are your instruments I ask this in Jesus name. [00:50:39]

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