Engaging All People with the Transformative Gospel
Summary
In today's gathering, we reflected on the profound impact of the gospel and our calling to engage all people with its transformative message. We began by celebrating the life of Billy's father and the grace of God in allowing us to extend our lease, which is a testament to His provision and faithfulness. As a church, our mission is to point people to Jesus through four key practices: encountering the life-transforming power of God's Word, experiencing authentic community, establishing a culture of joyful service, and engaging all people.
The story of Dwayne, a lifelong farmer, served as a poignant reminder of the enduring power of the gospel. Despite the passage of time, the beauty of the gospel remained clear in his eyes, illustrating that we should never "get over" the gospel. This led us to explore Colossians 1:3-8, focusing on the power, impact, and vehicle of the gospel. The gospel is not just good news; it is the power of God that brings salvation and transformation. It is not about earning God's love but receiving it freely through Christ's sacrifice.
The impact of the gospel is evident in the faith, love, and hope of the believers in Colossae. Their faith was not in their strength but in Christ, the object of their faith. Their love for one another was a powerful testimony to the world, and their hope in God's promises gave them freedom and joy. The vehicle of the gospel was Epaphras, a faithful servant who shared the good news with the Colossians. His story reminds us that God uses ordinary people to spread His extraordinary message.
As we consider engaging all people, we are reminded that God calls us to reach out to those around us, both within our church and beyond. Whether it's through local ministries like OneSeven or global missions, we are invited to be part of God's plan to spread the gospel. We are His ambassadors, and He desires to use us to make His appeal to the world.
Key Takeaways:
- The gospel is not just a message to be heard but a power to be experienced. It transforms lives by bringing salvation and hope, not through our efforts but through Christ's finished work. This power is available to all who believe, and it continues to bear fruit in the world. [33:26]
- Faith in Christ is not about the strength of our belief but the object of our faith. Even when our faith feels weak, it is the strength of Christ that sustains us. Our faith is a response to God's love and acceptance, not a means to earn it. [40:26]
- Love within the church is a compelling witness to the world. It is the church's great apologetic, demonstrating the reality of the gospel through grace, forgiveness, and unity. A community marked by love is a powerful testimony to the transformative work of Christ. [42:45]
- Hope in God's promises frees us to live differently. Knowing our future is secure in Christ allows us to face life's challenges with confidence and joy. This hope fuels our faith and love, enabling us to engage the world with the gospel. [44:39]
- God uses ordinary people to spread His extraordinary message. Like Epaphras, we are called to be faithful servants, sharing the gospel with those around us. Our role as ambassadors is vital in God's plan to reach the world with His love. [47:12]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[23:42] - Church Updates and Prayer
[26:01] - Gratitude for God's Provision
[28:33] - Story of Dwayne
[30:02] - The Power of the Gospel
[32:08] - Understanding the Good News
[33:26] - The Gospel's Transformative Power
[34:47] - The Good News Explained
[35:48] - The Gospel's Global Impact
[37:35] - Faith, Love, and Hope in Colossae
[39:02] - The Object of Our Faith
[40:26] - The Strength of Faith
[41:34] - Where We Place Our Faith
[42:45] - Love as the Church's Apologetic
[44:39] - Hope in God's Promises
[47:12] - Epaphras: A Faithful Servant
[52:36] - Engaging All People
[53:38] - Engaging Within the Church
[55:05] - Engaging in the Community
[58:26] - Beyond the Church Walls
[01:02:41] - Testimony from Jessica Carter
[01:14:19] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Colossians 1:3-8
- 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
- Romans 5:6-8
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Observation Questions:
1. What are the four key practices mentioned in the sermon that help the church point people to Jesus? [26:01]
2. How did the story of Dwayne illustrate the enduring power of the gospel? [30:02]
3. According to Colossians 1:3-8, what are the three key elements that Paul highlights about the believers in Colossae? [37:35]
4. Who was Epaphras, and what role did he play in spreading the gospel to the Colossians? [47:12]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the gospel's power differ from simply being a message to be heard, according to the sermon? [33:26]
2. In what ways does the love within the church serve as a compelling witness to the world? [42:45]
3. How does hope in God's promises enable believers to live differently, as discussed in the sermon? [44:39]
4. What does it mean to be an ambassador for Christ, and how does this relate to engaging all people? [52:36]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced the transformative power of the gospel in your life. How did it change your perspective or actions? [33:26]
2. Consider the object of your faith. Are there areas in your life where you are relying more on your strength than on Christ? How can you shift your focus? [40:26]
3. Think about your interactions within the church community. How can you contribute to a culture of love and unity that serves as a testimony to others? [42:45]
4. Identify a promise of God that you hold onto during challenging times. How does this hope influence your daily life and decisions? [44:39]
5. Who in your life has been a "vehicle" of the gospel for you, like Epaphras was for the Colossians? How can you express gratitude to them this week? [47:12]
6. What steps can you take to engage someone in your community with the gospel this week? Consider practical ways to initiate a conversation or act of service. [55:05]
7. Reflect on the idea of being God's plan to spread the gospel. What specific actions can you take to fulfill this calling in your local context? [52:36]
Devotional
Day 1: The Gospel's Transformative Power
The gospel is not merely a message to be heard; it is a divine power that transforms lives by bringing salvation and hope. This transformation is not achieved through human effort but through the finished work of Christ. The power of the gospel is available to all who believe, and it continues to bear fruit in the world. As believers, we are called to experience this power personally and to share it with others, allowing it to shape our lives and communities. The story of Dwayne, a lifelong farmer, reminds us of the enduring beauty and clarity of the gospel, urging us never to "get over" its profound impact. [33:26]
"For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." (1 Corinthians 1:18, ESV)
Reflection: How have you experienced the transformative power of the gospel in your own life, and how can you share this experience with someone who needs to hear it today?
Day 2: The Object of Our Faith
Faith in Christ is not about the strength of our belief but the object of our faith. Even when our faith feels weak, it is the strength of Christ that sustains us. Our faith is a response to God's love and acceptance, not a means to earn it. The believers in Colossae exemplified this by placing their faith in Christ, not in their own abilities. This faith was evident in their love for one another and their hope in God's promises, which gave them freedom and joy. As we reflect on our own faith, we are encouraged to focus on Christ as the true object of our trust. [40:26]
"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving." (Colossians 2:6-7, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you relying on your own strength rather than trusting in Christ? How can you shift your focus to Him as the object of your faith today?
Day 3: Love as the Church's Apologetic
Love within the church is a compelling witness to the world. It is the church's great apologetic, demonstrating the reality of the gospel through grace, forgiveness, and unity. A community marked by love is a powerful testimony to the transformative work of Christ. The believers in Colossae showed love for one another, which served as a powerful testimony to the world around them. As members of the church, we are called to cultivate a culture of love that reflects the grace and forgiveness we have received in Christ. [42:45]
"By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively demonstrate love within your church community this week, and what specific actions can you take to foster unity and grace among fellow believers?
Day 4: Hope in God's Promises
Hope in God's promises frees us to live differently. Knowing our future is secure in Christ allows us to face life's challenges with confidence and joy. This hope fuels our faith and love, enabling us to engage the world with the gospel. The believers in Colossae found their hope in God's promises, which empowered them to live with freedom and joy. As we reflect on our own lives, we are encouraged to anchor our hope in the promises of God, allowing it to shape our perspective and actions. [44:39]
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful." (Hebrews 10:23, ESV)
Reflection: What specific promise of God can you hold onto today that will help you face a current challenge with confidence and joy?
Day 5: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Message
God uses ordinary people to spread His extraordinary message. Like Epaphras, we are called to be faithful servants, sharing the gospel with those around us. Our role as ambassadors is vital in God's plan to reach the world with His love. The story of Epaphras reminds us that God can use anyone, regardless of their background or abilities, to share His message of hope and salvation. As we consider our own role in God's mission, we are encouraged to be faithful in sharing the gospel with those in our sphere of influence. [47:12]
"And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.'" (Mark 16:15, ESV)
Reflection: Who is one person in your life that you can share the gospel with this week, and what steps can you take to initiate that conversation?
Quotes
"At Christ Point, we exist to point people to Jesus. That is our heartbeat. It's our purpose, our mission, our longing, and our desire. We do that in four practices. We do that in four practical ways. We encounter the life-transforming power of the word of God. We believe that God's word is living and active. God still uses his word to form and shape us into the people that he's called us to be." [00:27:06] (23 seconds)
"Dwayne was a lifelong farmer who lived in Hudsonville, Michigan. Over the years, he had watched the neighborhoods around him grow up alongside the corn. When I met him, I was merely 26 years old and fresh out of seminary. Dwayne had lived multiple lifetimes compared to yours truly. Nearly 60 years my senior, he had seen a thing or two and knew a thing or two that I had not known. I had not yet experienced." [00:28:40] (37 seconds)
"As Dwayne shared the story of how God had saved him as a young man, his eyes filled with tears. I remember thinking that even though Dwayne was no spring chicken and even though some of his memories were a bit foggy, the beauty of the gospel remained crystal clear in his eyes. The gospel that he had heard and believed five or six decades before we met. He had never gotten over it." [00:30:02] (33 seconds)
"The good news of the gospel is this, that while we were sinners, when we were helpless and unable to save God, we gave ourselves, Christ died for you. The righteous Jesus gave his life for the unrighteous. That's you and me. Paul says in Romans 5, verses 6 through 8, for while we were still weak, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly." [00:34:29] (28 seconds)
"Notice the profound effect that the gospel had in the hearts and lives of the believers at Colossae. Paul highlights three things in these verses. Did you notice them? He says, We've heard of your faith in Christ Jesus. We know of the love that you have for the saints, for one another, because of the hope that is laid up for you in heaven. Essentially, Paul is writing to the church and saying, You have a reputation." [00:38:26] (29 seconds)
"All of us have had that experience before. And so when Paul writes to the church at Colossae, he tells them, I've heard of your faith in Christ Jesus. I've heard of the object of your faith. Tim Keller writes and says, if you're falling off a cliff, strong faith in a weak branch is fatally inferior to weak faith in a strong branch. Salvation is not finally based on the strength of your faith, but on the object of your faith." [00:40:34] (35 seconds)
"What an awesome reputation to have. I mean, for people to go, hey, they're not... They're not a perfect bunch. I know them. I've run with them. They've got some issues. But boy, do they love one another. I mean, I've seen how they've operated. I see how they pray for one another. I see how they sacrifice for one another. And God, thank you for their love for one another. I mean, that's significant. I mean, love is the church's great apologetic." [00:42:45] (31 seconds)
"They have hope in the midst of hardship because of the sure promises of God. They know their future is secure. They know something awaits them that is rooted and grounded, and the promises of God. And so they just function differently as a people. They experience freedom. I mean, if you believe that God's promises are true and right, isn't that freeing? I mean, to know that your future is secure no matter what, it changes the way that you live, and it changed the way that these folks live." [00:44:39] (33 seconds)
"Now, what do we know about Epaphras other than his cool name? Well, if you know the New Testament, you know he's mentioned three times. Why? He's mentioned twice in the book of Colossians. He's mentioned once in Philemon. We're told that he was a devoted follower of Jesus, and apparently he was a close companion of the apostle Paul. He had a relationship with him. He's referred to as a fellow servant, a faithful minister, and a servant of Christ Jesus." [00:46:38] (34 seconds)
"God still uses people like Epaphras today. He uses people like Paul and he uses people like you and me. Isn't it crazy to think that God's vehicle to spread the gospel to the nation isn't the world no worldwide known evangelist or pastor it's not the best-selling author it's not the gifted theologian it's like regular people people like you and people like me god saw fit to call us you and me to be ambassadors representatives of christ here in our community into the world he saw fit to make his worldwide appeal through you that's his plan." [00:47:57] (57 seconds)
"At Christ's point, we want to point people to Jesus by engaging all people. And there's three specific areas when we talk about engaging all people that come to mind. And certainly there are more, but I just think of three. Three this morning. Number one, I think about the call that God has placed on us within these walls. Like right here on Sunday morning, I believe that the God of the universe is strategic in bringing you to this place." [00:53:15] (33 seconds)
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