Sharing God's Love: Our Unique Gospel Mission

Summary

In our gathering today, we focused on the essential practices of the Christian walk, emphasizing the importance of sharing the gospel. Reflecting on the simplicity and power of a message once delivered by a young man named Anthony Harris, we are reminded that the core of our faith is God's love for us and our reciprocal love for Him. This love compels us to share the good news of Jesus Christ, who came into the world to save sinners. Our task is to be fishers of men, as Jesus instructed, and to fulfill the Great Commission by making disciples of all nations.

We explored the idea that each of us is uniquely equipped to share the gospel in our own way. God has given us distinct personalities, skills, and opportunities to witness to others. We are all priests in our own right, tasked with sharing the love of Christ wherever we are placed. This means that while we may not all be evangelists like Billy Graham, we each have a duty to share the gospel in the way that suits us best.

Psalm 139 reminds us that God knows us intimately and has crafted us for specific purposes. We are encouraged to share Jesus in our own unique way, just as Julie did when she shared the gospel with someone in need. Our actions and words should reflect God's love, as people see God through our love and care for them. Practical examples, such as offering to pray for someone or sending a Christmas card with a message about the birth of our Savior, can be powerful ways to share the gospel.

We also discussed the importance of patience and perseverance in sharing our faith. Like Mr. Jenner, who faithfully distributed tracts for 40 years without seeing immediate results, we must trust that God will make the seeds we plant grow. Our spiritual growth is akin to physical exercise; it requires consistent practice of essential disciplines like worship, prayer, study, and giving. Ultimately, life is about what is happening in heaven, and our mission is to share that eternal perspective with others.

Key Takeaways:

- The essence of our faith is rooted in God's love for us and our love for Him, which should naturally lead us to share the gospel with others. This sharing is not just a duty but a reflection of our relationship with God. [02:21]

- Each believer is uniquely equipped to share the gospel in their own way, using their God-given skills and opportunities. We are all priests with a mission to witness to others, regardless of our specific roles or titles. [09:06]

- Sharing the gospel requires patience and perseverance, as we may not always see immediate results. Like Mr. Jenner, we must trust that God will make the seeds we plant grow in His time. [17:03]

- Our actions and words should consistently reflect God's love, as people see God through our love and care for them. Practical acts of kindness and intentional conversations can be powerful tools for sharing the gospel. [12:42]

- Spiritual growth requires consistent practice of essential disciplines like worship, prayer, study, and giving. These practices help us become more like Jesus and prepare us to share the eternal perspective of life with others. [27:02]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:21] - The Power of a Simple Message
[03:34] - Building on a Strong Foundation
[04:36] - Essential Practices for Growth
[05:44] - The Importance of Sharing
[06:43] - The Great Commission
[08:28] - Being Christ's Ambassadors
[09:06] - Unique Ways to Share
[10:02] - Full-Time Ministry in Everyday Life
[11:07] - God Knows Us Intimately
[12:42] - Showing God's Love
[14:05] - Practical Ways to Share
[15:21] - Patience in Sharing
[17:03] - Mr. Jenner's Story
[27:02] - Encouragement to Share
[27:57] - Priestly Blessing

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Luke 6:46-49
2. 1 Timothy 1:15
3. Psalm 139:1-4

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Observation Questions:

1. In Luke 6:46-49, what analogy does Jesus use to describe those who hear His words and put them into practice versus those who do not?
2. According to 1 Timothy 1:15, what is the primary reason Jesus came into the world?
3. How does Psalm 139:1-4 describe God's knowledge of us?
4. What example from the sermon illustrates the power of a simple message in sharing the gospel? [02:21]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the analogy of building a house on a rock in Luke 6:46-49 relate to the essential practices of the Christian walk discussed in the sermon? [03:34]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that each believer is uniquely equipped to share the gospel? [09:06]
3. How does the story of Mr. Jenner illustrate the importance of patience and perseverance in sharing the gospel? [17:03]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between our actions and words in reflecting God's love to others? [12:42]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own life: How can you incorporate the essential practices of worship, prayer, study, and giving into your daily routine to strengthen your spiritual foundation? [04:36]
2. Identify a unique skill or opportunity you have that can be used to share the gospel. How can you use this in the coming week to witness to someone? [09:06]
3. Think of a person in your life who may not know Jesus. What practical steps can you take to show them God's love through your actions and words? [12:42]
4. Consider a time when you shared your faith but did not see immediate results. How can the story of Mr. Jenner encourage you to continue sharing the gospel with patience? [17:03]
5. How can you be more intentional in your conversations at work or in your community to be a "fisher of men" as Jesus instructed? [06:43]
6. What is one practical way you can share the message of Jesus during the upcoming holiday season, such as through a Christmas card or another gesture? [14:05]
7. Reflect on Psalm 139: How does knowing that God understands you completely impact your confidence in sharing your faith with others?

Devotional

Day 1: Love as the Foundation of Faith
The essence of the Christian faith is deeply rooted in the love that God has for humanity and the love that believers reciprocate towards Him. This love is not merely an emotion but a compelling force that drives individuals to share the gospel with others. The act of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ is a natural outflow of this love, reflecting the relationship between God and His followers. It is not just a duty but a reflection of the transformative power of God's love in one's life. This love compels believers to become "fishers of men," fulfilling the Great Commission by making disciples of all nations. [02:21]

1 John 4:19-21 (ESV): "We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother."

Reflection: Who in your life needs to experience God's love through you today, and how can you practically show them this love?

Day 2: Unique Callings in Sharing the Gospel
Every believer is uniquely equipped to share the gospel in their own way, utilizing their God-given skills, personalities, and opportunities. This diversity in approach is a testament to the creativity of God, who has crafted each person for specific purposes. While not everyone is called to be an evangelist like Billy Graham, each person has a role to play in witnessing to others. This means embracing one's unique calling and finding ways to share the love of Christ in everyday situations, whether through words, actions, or simply being present for someone in need. [09:06]

1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."

Reflection: What unique skills or opportunities has God given you to share the gospel, and how can you use them this week?

Day 3: Patience and Perseverance in Evangelism
Sharing the gospel often requires patience and perseverance, as the results of one's efforts may not be immediately visible. The story of Mr. Jenner, who distributed tracts for 40 years without seeing immediate results, serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of trusting God with the seeds we plant. Just as physical growth requires consistent practice of essential disciplines, spiritual growth and evangelism require dedication and trust in God's timing. Believers are encouraged to remain faithful in their efforts, knowing that God will bring growth in His time. [17:03]

Galatians 6:9 (ESV): "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."

Reflection: Is there someone you have been sharing your faith with who has not yet responded? How can you continue to show patience and perseverance in your interactions with them?

Day 4: Reflecting God's Love Through Actions
The way believers live their lives should consistently reflect God's love, as people often see God through the love and care they receive from others. Practical acts of kindness and intentional conversations can be powerful tools for sharing the gospel. Whether it's offering to pray for someone, sending a thoughtful message, or simply being present in times of need, these actions demonstrate the love of Christ in tangible ways. Believers are encouraged to be mindful of how their actions and words can impact others and to seek opportunities to share God's love in everyday situations. [12:42]

Matthew 5:16 (ESV): "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Reflection: What is one practical way you can show God's love to someone in your community today?

Day 5: Spiritual Growth Through Consistent Practice
Spiritual growth is akin to physical exercise; it requires consistent practice of essential disciplines such as worship, prayer, study, and giving. These practices help believers become more like Jesus and prepare them to share the eternal perspective of life with others. By engaging in these disciplines regularly, believers strengthen their relationship with God and become more effective in their witness to others. The ultimate goal is to align one's life with the eternal perspective of heaven, sharing this hope and truth with those around them. [27:02]

Colossians 3:16-17 (ESV): "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

Reflection: Which spiritual discipline do you feel most drawn to deepen this week, and how can you incorporate it into your daily routine?

Quotes

"So, this morning we've come to get around the Word, and we do that, don't we, to be fed to hear what God's got to say. And I was talking with Peter last week, actually, because Peter last week spoke about giving." [00:01:14] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"They've done my soul the power of good, and I've been built up by them, I've been blessed by them. But the problem is, I can't remember many of them at all. But I remember this sermon clearly. Because Anthony stood up, and he said, he said, God loves us, and we should love him too. And he sat down, and that was it. So, with that, I close." [00:02:39] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"So, over the last few weeks, we've been doing a study on the essential practices of the Christian walk. And we've looked at worship and prayer, study, serving. As I mentioned last week, it was giving. These are practices that we can do that help us as Christians. They help us become stronger, more assured, more certain, and they make us more like Jesus." [00:03:55] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"The Bible talks about the way in which we should grow. The Bible tells us we should keep growing. And we do that through these practices. And the Bible says each of us should work out how we do them." [00:05:03] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"And we can all say there's somebody we knew who was in the church who drifted away. And people drift away when they don't practice the essentials of being a Christian. So today... Today the topic is sharing." [00:05:44] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Jesus told us that we should share the gospel. The good news that there's a way back to God. You remember Jesus told the fish... The fish... Fishermen that they were going to be fishers of men. That was going to be their job. And that's our job too, to be fishers of men." [00:06:48] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"You and I have to share the gospel to draw people in. Jesus has ascended now physically into heaven. Physically, he's not here. The Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit, though, is here to work with us, to share the gospel with others." [00:08:47] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"God knows each of us intimately. He knows what we're thinking. He knows the things that we're going to say. And he's made us the way we are because he uses that. He uses where we are, the places we're in, to witness to people in the right way." [00:11:07] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"It's no good saying to people, oh, God loves you and then you're nasty to them or unkind to them, is it? We need to love people. And the Bible tells us, doesn't it, that if we love people, they see God." [00:12:48] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"So the essential practices are means for growth. And we should be people who grow. Luke chapter 6 verse 46 that I read at the start talks about digging down deep. Mr. Gennel dug down deep, didn't he? Because he did it for 40 years, but didn't think that anybody had come to Jesus." [00:26:08] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Chatbot

Transcript

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Were there any personal stories shared?