Reclaiming the Table: Sharing the Gospel Together
Summary
### Summary
Welcome, everyone. Today, we continue our series, "Change Your World," focusing on how we, as followers of Jesus, can have a groundbreaking impact on our surroundings. I began by contrasting the exclusivity of the Augusta National Golf Club with the inclusivity of the Kingdom of God. While Augusta is secretive and only accessible to a select few, the Kingdom of God is open to everyone who calls on the name of the Lord.
Jesus' ministry was often ordinary, centered around sharing meals and conversations with people. This simple act of hospitality can be a powerful way to spread the Gospel. God has placed us where we live, work, and play for a reason, and we are called to impact those areas by inviting others to our tables, just as Jesus did.
Romans 10:13-15 emphasizes that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. This salvation is not just for the elite but for everyone. The passage also outlines the necessity of preaching the Gospel so that others can hear, believe, and call on the Lord. This is a call to action for us to see ourselves as sent people who must verbalize our faith.
Our culture often pushes us to privatize our faith, making it difficult to share the Gospel. However, the Gospel is not an intuitive message; it must be shared. The default mode of the human heart is religion, which is about earning God's favor. In contrast, the Gospel is about God's grace through Jesus Christ, who has done all the work for our salvation.
We must reclaim the table and use it as a place to share the Gospel. This week, I challenge you to invite someone to share a meal and initiate a spiritual conversation. Ask how you can pray for them or share how Jesus has worked in your life. Our testimony is powerful and cannot be taken away by the world.
### Key Takeaways
1. Inclusivity of the Kingdom of God: Unlike the exclusive Augusta National Golf Club, the Kingdom of God is open to everyone who calls on the name of the Lord. This inclusivity stands in stark contrast to the world's elite clubs and organizations. The Gospel is for everyone, not just the morally upright or the wealthy. [10:20]
2. Ordinary Acts of Hospitality: Jesus' ministry often involved sharing meals and conversations with people. This simple act of hospitality can be a powerful way to spread the Gospel. In our fast-paced culture, reclaiming the table as a place of fellowship and Gospel-sharing can have a profound impact. [06:58]
3. Necessity of Verbalizing Faith: Romans 10:13-15 outlines the importance of preaching the Gospel so that others can hear, believe, and call on the Lord. We must see ourselves as sent people who are called to verbalize our faith. This is essential for the advancement of the Kingdom of God. [16:52]
4. Cultural Resistance to Sharing Faith: Our culture often pushes us to privatize our faith, making it difficult to share the Gospel. However, the Gospel is not an intuitive message; it must be shared. The default mode of the human heart is religion, which is about earning God's favor. In contrast, the Gospel is about God's grace through Jesus Christ. [24:08]
5. Power of Personal Testimony: Sharing how Jesus has worked in our lives is a powerful way to witness to others. Our personal testimonies cannot be taken away by the world and serve as a compelling evidence of God's transformative power. This week, initiate a spiritual conversation and share your testimony. [33:02]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[03:10] - Augusta National Golf Club
[04:18] - Contrast with the Kingdom of God
[05:52] - Jesus' Ordinary Ministry
[06:58] - Reclaiming the Table
[07:43] - God's Providence in Our Lives
[08:31] - Welcoming Others as Christ Welcomed Us
[09:21] - Theological Depth of Romans
[10:20] - Inclusivity of the Gospel
[11:01] - Calling on the Name of the Lord
[12:24] - Confession and Belief
[13:27] - Future Passive Tense of Salvation
[14:39] - Jesus as Our Advocate
[15:41] - How the Gospel Moves Forward
[16:52] - Necessity of Verbalizing Faith
[17:59] - Cultural Resistance to Sharing Faith
[19:05] - Barna Research on Sharing Faith
[21:21] - Privatization of Faith
[24:08] - Gospel is Not Intuitive
[26:44] - Necessity of Sharing the Message
[28:49] - Opposition from Culture
[29:52] - Sent to Change the World
[30:24] - Call to Non-Christians
[31:27] - Challenge to Share the Table
[33:02] - Power of Personal Testimony
[33:34] - Clear Invitation to Salvation
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Romans 10:13-15 (ESV) - "For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. 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!'"
### Observation Questions
1. What is the significance of the phrase "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" in Romans 10:13? How does this contrast with the exclusivity of the Augusta National Golf Club? [10:20]
2. According to Romans 10:14-15, what are the steps necessary for someone to call on the name of the Lord? How does this passage emphasize the importance of preaching the Gospel? [16:52]
3. How did Jesus' ministry often involve ordinary acts of hospitality, such as sharing meals? What accusations did He face because of this? [06:58]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the cultural resistance to sharing faith? How does this resistance manifest in our daily lives? [17:59]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important to understand that the Gospel is for everyone, not just the elite or morally upright? How does this inclusivity shape our approach to evangelism? [10:20]
2. How can ordinary acts of hospitality, like sharing a meal, be a powerful way to spread the Gospel? What does this suggest about the simplicity of Jesus' ministry? [06:58]
3. In what ways does our culture push us to privatize our faith? How can we overcome this challenge to share the Gospel more openly? [17:59]
4. How does the necessity of verbalizing our faith, as outlined in Romans 10:14-15, challenge our current practices of evangelism? What steps can we take to see ourselves as "sent people"? [16:52]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the inclusivity of the Kingdom of God. How can you make your faith community more welcoming to everyone, regardless of their background or status? [10:20]
2. Think about your daily routine. How can you incorporate ordinary acts of hospitality, like inviting someone to share a meal, to spread the Gospel? Who is one person you can invite this week? [06:58]
3. Identify a specific instance where you felt pressured to privatize your faith. How can you approach similar situations differently in the future to share the Gospel more openly? [17:59]
4. Romans 10:14-15 emphasizes the importance of preaching the Gospel. What are some practical ways you can verbalize your faith in your current environment (work, school, neighborhood)? [16:52]
5. The sermon challenges us to initiate spiritual conversations. What is one specific question you can ask someone this week to start a spiritual conversation? How can you prepare for this interaction? [31:58]
6. Reflect on your personal testimony. How has Jesus worked in your life, and how can you share this testimony with others to witness to God's transformative power? [33:02]
7. Consider the cultural resistance to discussing faith. What strategies can you use to respectfully and effectively share your faith in a culture that often discourages such conversations? [21:21]
Devotional
Day 1: The Open Invitation of God's Kingdom
The Kingdom of God is radically inclusive, welcoming everyone who calls on the name of the Lord. Unlike exclusive clubs or organizations that cater to a select few, God's Kingdom is accessible to all, regardless of their background, social status, or moral standing. This inclusivity is a powerful testament to God's grace and love, which extends to every person willing to accept it. The Gospel is not reserved for the elite but is a gift for all humanity, emphasizing that salvation is available to everyone who believes.
Romans 10:13-15 underscores this truth by stating that "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." This passage highlights the universal nature of God's invitation and the necessity of sharing the Gospel so that others can hear, believe, and call on the Lord. As followers of Jesus, we are called to embrace this inclusivity and extend God's invitation to those around us, ensuring that no one is left out of the opportunity to experience His love and salvation. [10:20]
Romans 10:13-15 (ESV): "For 'everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.' 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?"
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who might feel excluded or unworthy of God's love. How can you extend an invitation to them to experience the inclusivity of God's Kingdom this week?
Day 2: The Power of Ordinary Acts of Hospitality
Jesus' ministry often involved simple, everyday acts of hospitality, such as sharing meals and engaging in conversations with people. These ordinary moments became powerful opportunities to spread the Gospel and build meaningful relationships. In our fast-paced culture, reclaiming the table as a place of fellowship and Gospel-sharing can have a profound impact on those around us. By inviting others to share a meal and engage in spiritual conversations, we can create a welcoming environment where the love of Christ is evident.
God has placed us in our specific contexts—where we live, work, and play—for a reason. We are called to impact these areas by extending hospitality and inviting others to our tables, just as Jesus did. This week, consider how you can use the simple act of sharing a meal to foster deeper connections and share the message of the Gospel with those around you. [06:58]
Hebrews 13:2 (ESV): "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."
Reflection: Who in your life could benefit from an invitation to share a meal and a meaningful conversation? How can you create an environment of hospitality that reflects the love of Christ?
Day 3: The Necessity of Verbalizing Faith
Romans 10:13-15 emphasizes the importance of preaching the Gospel so that others can hear, believe, and call on the Lord. As followers of Jesus, we must see ourselves as sent people who are called to verbalize our faith. This is essential for the advancement of the Kingdom of God. While our actions and lifestyle are important, they must be accompanied by the verbal proclamation of the Gospel. People need to hear the message of salvation to understand and respond to it.
Our culture often encourages us to keep our faith private, but the Gospel is not an intuitive message; it must be shared. The default mode of the human heart is religion, which is about earning God's favor. In contrast, the Gospel is about God's grace through Jesus Christ, who has done all the work for our salvation. This week, challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone and share your faith with someone who needs to hear the good news. [16:52]
1 Peter 3:15 (ESV): "But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect."
Reflection: Think of a specific person who needs to hear the Gospel. How can you initiate a conversation with them about your faith this week?
Day 4: Overcoming Cultural Resistance to Sharing Faith
Our culture often pushes us to privatize our faith, making it difficult to share the Gospel openly. However, the Gospel is not an intuitive message; it must be shared. The default mode of the human heart is religion, which is about earning God's favor. In contrast, the Gospel is about God's grace through Jesus Christ, who has done all the work for our salvation. This cultural resistance can be a significant barrier, but it is one that we must overcome to fulfill our calling as followers of Jesus.
The Gospel message is counter-cultural, emphasizing grace over works and inclusion over exclusion. As believers, we must be intentional about sharing this message, even when it goes against the grain of societal norms. This week, reflect on the ways in which cultural resistance has impacted your willingness to share your faith and consider how you can overcome these barriers to be a more effective witness for Christ. [24:08]
2 Timothy 1:7-8 (ESV): "For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God."
Reflection: What cultural barriers have you faced when sharing your faith? How can you rely on God's power and love to overcome these barriers and boldly share the Gospel?
Day 5: The Power of Personal Testimony
Sharing how Jesus has worked in our lives is a powerful way to witness to others. Our personal testimonies cannot be taken away by the world and serve as compelling evidence of God's transformative power. When we share our stories of faith, we provide a tangible example of how God's grace and love have impacted our lives. This personal connection can resonate deeply with others and open their hearts to the message of the Gospel.
This week, challenge yourself to initiate a spiritual conversation and share your testimony with someone. Reflect on the specific ways in which Jesus has worked in your life and consider how you can articulate this to others. Your testimony is a unique and powerful tool that God can use to draw others to Himself. [33:02]
Psalm 66:16 (ESV): "Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul."
Reflection: Think about your personal testimony. How has Jesus transformed your life, and how can you share this story with someone who needs to hear it this week?
Quotes
1. "If you bear the name of Jesus, you've been called to have groundbreaking impact on the world in which you live." [03:10] (8 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "To change the world, maybe all we need is a table in which we are inviting others to sit at the table, just like Jesus." [05:52] (8 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "God has providentially placed you where you live, work, and play. What school you're at. It's by God's providence you and I live in the neighborhoods in which we live in." [07:43] (11 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The hospitality of our Savior and King, the invitation of our King to sit at the table of God is also the motivation and the reason why we share the table." [08:31] (11 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The church is not a country club of a bunch of good people getting better. No, we should operate and understand the church as a hospital that is constantly welcoming in those who are hurting and those that are going through stuff." [10:20] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "If we truly believe that Christ is Lord and Savior, if that is a deep-rooted belief, what happens? It comes out of us rather naturally. So it could be simultaneous. I believe, and it just flows out of me, Jesus is my Savior. Jesus is my hope. Jesus is my salvation." [12:24] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "We must see ourselves. If you're a Christian, you bear the name of Jesus, we must see ourselves as sent and we must verbalize our faith. This is a necessity for us." [16:52] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Culture wants us to privatize our faith in such a way that you and I never say a word about the most important thing about us and our life." [17:59] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "The gospel is not an intuitive message. This is really important that all of us see this. If you call yourself a Christian, you need to understand the gospel is not an intuitive message." [24:08] (10 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "The normative way in which the gospel spreads, the primary way in which the gospel spreads is God's people take it serious that we are a message people and we share the message with others." [27:46] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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