Proclaiming the Gospel: Every Believer's Mission

 

Summary

In this sermon, I discussed the importance of proclaiming God's word, not just for preachers, but for everyone. I emphasized that every believer is called to preach Christ, the God-man, and his work on the cross for our sins. I also highlighted the need to participate in Christ's mission to make disciples of all nations. I touched on the practical aspects of ministry, including the need to warn those who have drifted away from the church. I also spoke about the concept of a sovereign call, where God calls us to be stewards of the Gospel. I explained that we are not entitled to live however we want, but rather, we are called to serve God by making His word known to all people. I also discussed the concept of joyful suffering, where we find joy in our suffering for the sake of the Gospel.

Key takeaways:
- Every believer is called to preach Christ and his work on the cross for our sins ( [25:11])
- We are called to participate in Christ's mission to make disciples of all nations ( [25:56])
- We are stewards of the Gospel, called to serve God by making His word known to all people ( [19:21])
- We find joy in our suffering for the sake of the Gospel ( [07:44])
- We need to warn those who have drifted away from the church ( [27:05])

Study Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Philippians 1:12-18 [36:09]
2. Colossians 1:24-29 [25:11]
3. Colossians 2:1-5 [27:42]

Observation Questions:
1. In Philippians 1:12-18, what is the Apostle Paul's perspective on the preaching of the gospel, regardless of the circumstances?
2. In Colossians 1:24-29, what does Paul mean by "preaching Christ" and how does he describe this ministry?
3. In Colossians 2:1-5, what does Paul mean by "present everyone mature in Christ" and how does he suggest this can be achieved?

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Paul's perspective on the preaching of the gospel in Philippians 1:12-18 challenge our understanding of success in ministry?
2. What implications does Paul's description of "preaching Christ" in Colossians 1:24-29 have for our understanding of Christian ministry?
3. How does Paul's goal to "present everyone mature in Christ" in Colossians 2:1-5 shape our understanding of Christian discipleship?

Application Questions:
1. How does Paul's perspective on the preaching of the gospel in Philippians 1:12-18 challenge your current understanding of success in your personal ministry or service?
2. In what ways can you "preach Christ" in your daily life, as described by Paul in Colossians 1:24-29?
3. How can you contribute to the goal of presenting everyone mature in Christ in your local church or Christian community, as Paul suggests in Colossians 2:1-5?
4. Can you identify a situation in your life where you can apply the wisdom of God's word as Paul suggests in Colossians 2:1-5?
5. How can you strive to grow in Christ's likeness and further obedience in your life, as Paul encourages in Colossians 2:1-5?

Devotional

Day 1: Proclaiming Christ's Word

Every believer is called to preach Christ, the God-man, who is fully God and fully man. We are to preach His work on the cross, His sacrifice that rescued us from the bondage of sin. We are also called to participate in His mission to make disciples of all nations. This is not just a task for preachers, but for every believer. ([25:56])

Bible Passage: 2 Timothy 4:2 - "Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction."

Reflection: How can you actively participate in Christ's mission to make disciples in your daily life?

Day 2: Encouraging Others in Christ

Paul's ministry was marked by his efforts to encourage others, especially those who were dispirited or struggling. He sought to come alongside them, much like the Holy Spirit, to provide comfort and encouragement. This is a call for us to do the same, to be there for others in their times of difficulty. ([37:26])

Bible Passage: 1 Thessalonians 5:11 - "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."

Reflection: Who in your life is currently struggling and how can you come alongside them to provide encouragement?

Day 3: Striving for the Gospel

Paul describes his ministry as one of intense effort, like an athlete competing in a race. He calls us to give maximum effort for the sake of the Gospel, not just on Sundays, but every day. However, this effort is not in our own strength, but through the power of Christ working in us. ([31:51])

Bible Passage: Colossians 1:29 - "For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me."

Reflection: How can you strive for the Gospel in your daily life, relying on Christ's power working in you?

Day 4: Knit Together in Love

Paul's hope for the church was that they would be knit together in love, united in Christ and His mission. This unity is not just about spending time together, but about caring for the things of God and His people. ([38:11])

Bible Passage: Colossians 2:2 - "My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ."

Reflection: How can you contribute to the unity of your church community, being knit together in love?

Day 5: Riches in Christ

Paul wanted the church to understand the riches available to them in Christ, the wisdom and knowledge that He offers. These treasures are freely available to us when we come to Christ in faith. ([41:31])

Bible Passage: Colossians 2:3 - "In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."

Reflection: How can you seek to understand and experience the riches available to you in Christ this week?

Quotes

1. "Paul didn't want the Colossian to be deceived by the rhetoric of the false teachers. He wanted them to be secure in Christ. He wanted them to know who they are in Christ. He wanted them to know the sufficiency and the supremacy of Christ that they would bow down to the gods of their age and we would not bow down to the gods of our age." - 41:43

2. "We are about a gospel of infinite worth. So if you indeed are born again Christian children of God, we are going to take up the cross daily and suffer. We're going to labor to the point of exhaustion and agonize like a marathon runner. We're going to fight the good fight against worldliness, entitlement, selfishness, and faithlessness." - 44:50

3. "Paul is constantly praying that the gospel would so be real that would help them to endure difficult situations. He also says that not that they would just be encouraged but that they would be knit together in love. He wants people to be united together in Christ and in Mission with Christ." - 35:53

4. "The call for every believer is to preach Christ. You're to preach the person of Christ, the fact that he is the god man that he is God incarnated into human flesh. He's 100% God, he's 100% man. We're also to preach his mission or more like participate in the mission of Christ and we are to follow and join Christ in his mission to make disciples of all Nations." - 24:33

5. "In the ministry of preaching, there's times that we need to warn people. People who have are find themselves in sin are people that have drifted away from the church. Most people who drift away from the church usually aren't doing so well." - 24:33

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Transcript
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