Sharing the Simple Power of the Gospel
Summary
Good morning, and welcome to Smithfield Methodist Church. Today, we embark on a journey to explore the essence of evangelism, inspired by the book "That's Good News" by Shane Bishop and our recent experience with the International Leadership Institute. We find ourselves at a pivotal moment, where the Spirit is moving within our community, and we are called to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Our focus today is on understanding the simplicity and power of the gospel message as outlined in 1 Corinthians 15. Paul reminds us of the gospel he preached, emphasizing its first importance: Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose on the third day, all according to the Scriptures. This foundational truth is the cornerstone of our faith and the message we are called to share.
Evangelism is not about complicating the message or setting unattainable standards. It's about sharing our personal stories of faith, whether they are dramatic "lightning bolt" moments or gradual "crockpot" transformations. Each of us has a unique story that God has written in our lives, and it is through these stories that we can connect with others and share the gospel. Evangelism is about building relationships and having spiritual conversations when the time is right. It's about living a "ping" lifestyle, being attuned to the Spirit, and noticing where God is at work in the world around us.
As we move forward, we will delve into the parables of the kingdom of God in Matthew 13, exploring how these stories illustrate the work of God in the world. We are equipped with the tools to share our faith, and we are called to be the light of Christ in a world that needs to know Him. Let us embrace this opportunity to share our stories and the good news of Jesus Christ with those around us.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Simplicity of the Gospel: The gospel message is simple yet profound: Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose on the third day. This truth is the foundation of our faith and the message we are called to share with the world. It is of first importance, and everything else in our faith hinges on this core belief. [34:24]
2. Personal Testimonies as Evangelism: Each of us has a unique story of how we came to know Christ. Whether it was a dramatic conversion or a gradual journey, our testimonies are powerful tools for evangelism. Sharing our personal experiences can help others see the transformative power of the gospel in our lives. [41:26]
3. Living a "Ping" Lifestyle: Evangelism is about being attuned to the Spirit and noticing where God is at work in the world. By living a "ping" lifestyle, we can be sensitive to the opportunities God presents to share our faith and connect with others in meaningful ways. [47:31]
4. Building Relationships for Evangelism: Evangelism is not just about talking to strangers; it's about building relationships and having spiritual conversations when the time is right. By investing in relationships, we can create opportunities to share the gospel naturally and authentically. [45:17]
5. Equipped for Evangelism: God has given each of us unique gifts and talents, and through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are equipped to share the gospel. By understanding our strengths and being open to the Spirit's leading, we can effectively share our faith with those around us. [50:51]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[02:43] - Centering Our Hearts
[05:26] - Prayer and Trust
[21:31] - Prayers for Healing and Peace
[23:46] - Offering and Connection
[29:16] - Introduction to Evangelism Series
[31:03] - The Gospel in 1 Corinthians 15
[32:50] - Understanding 1 Corinthians
[34:24] - The Core of the Gospel
[35:39] - The Resurrection's Importance
[37:46] - Evangelism Simplified
[41:26] - Sharing Our Stories
[45:17] - Unique Gifts for Evangelism
[47:31] - Living a "Ping" Lifestyle
[50:51] - Paul's Testimony and Our Call
[52:54] - Preparing for Matthew 13
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- 1 Corinthians 15:1-8
Observation Questions:
1. What are the key elements of the gospel message as outlined by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4?
2. How does Paul emphasize the importance of the resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15, and why is it crucial to the gospel message? [35:39]
3. What does Paul mean when he refers to himself as "one abnormally born" in 1 Corinthians 15:8? [50:51]
4. How does the sermon describe the difference between a "lightning bolt" and a "crockpot" story of faith? [42:51]
Interpretation Questions:
1. Why does Paul consider the gospel message to be of "first importance," and how does this influence the way we share our faith? [34:24]
2. How can personal testimonies serve as powerful tools for evangelism, and what role do they play in sharing the gospel? [41:26]
3. What does it mean to live a "ping" lifestyle, and how can being attuned to the Spirit help us notice where God is at work in the world? [47:31]
4. How does the sermon suggest we can use our unique gifts and talents to effectively share the gospel with others? [45:17]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own faith journey. Would you describe it as a "lightning bolt" or a "crockpot" story? How can you use your story to share the gospel with others? [42:51]
2. Consider a time when you felt prompted by the Spirit to reach out to someone. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? How can you be more attuned to these "pings" in the future? [47:31]
3. Identify a relationship in your life where you can naturally and authentically share the gospel. What steps can you take to build trust and have spiritual conversations with this person? [45:17]
4. What unique gifts and talents do you believe God has given you for evangelism? How can you use these gifts to share your faith in your community? [45:17]
5. How can you simplify the gospel message when sharing it with others, ensuring it remains clear and focused on the core truths of Christ's death and resurrection? [37:46]
6. Think of a person in your life who might benefit from hearing your testimony. How can you create an opportunity to share your story with them this week? [41:26]
7. How can you stay connected to God and maintain a "ping" lifestyle, ensuring you are always ready to notice and respond to His work around you? [48:39]
Devotional
Day 1: The Core of Our Faith
The gospel message is simple yet profound: Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose on the third day. This truth is the foundation of our faith and the message we are called to share with the world. It is of first importance, and everything else in our faith hinges on this core belief. The simplicity of the gospel is its power, and it is this message that transforms lives and brings hope to the world. As believers, we are entrusted with this message, and it is our responsibility to share it with others. [34:24]
"For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures." (1 Corinthians 15:3-4, ESV)
Reflection: How can you simplify the gospel message in your own words to share with someone today?
Day 2: The Power of Personal Testimonies
Each of us has a unique story of how we came to know Christ. Whether it was a dramatic conversion or a gradual journey, our testimonies are powerful tools for evangelism. Sharing our personal experiences can help others see the transformative power of the gospel in our lives. Our stories are not just about us; they are about God's work in us and through us. By sharing our testimonies, we invite others to see the reality of God's love and grace. [41:26]
"And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death." (Revelation 12:11, ESV)
Reflection: What specific part of your faith journey could you share with someone who is seeking hope or answers today?
Day 3: Attuned to the Spirit
Evangelism is about being attuned to the Spirit and noticing where God is at work in the world. By living a "ping" lifestyle, we can be sensitive to the opportunities God presents to share our faith and connect with others in meaningful ways. This requires us to be open and attentive, ready to respond to the Spirit's leading. It is about being present in the moment and recognizing the divine appointments God sets before us. [47:31]
"And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left." (Isaiah 30:21, ESV)
Reflection: How can you be more attentive to the Spirit's leading in your daily interactions this week?
Day 4: Building Authentic Relationships
Evangelism is not just about talking to strangers; it's about building relationships and having spiritual conversations when the time is right. By investing in relationships, we can create opportunities to share the gospel naturally and authentically. This involves listening, understanding, and being genuinely interested in the lives of others. Through these relationships, we can demonstrate the love of Christ and share the hope we have in Him. [45:17]
"So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us." (1 Thessalonians 2:8, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life can you invest more time in to build a deeper, more authentic relationship with?
Day 5: Equipped for the Mission
God has given each of us unique gifts and talents, and through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are equipped to share the gospel. By understanding our strengths and being open to the Spirit's leading, we can effectively share our faith with those around us. We are not alone in this mission; God empowers us and provides us with the tools we need to be His witnesses. It is our privilege and responsibility to use these gifts for His glory. [50:51]
"To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit." (1 Corinthians 12:7-8, ESV)
Reflection: What specific gift or talent has God given you that you can use to share the gospel with others?
Quotes
Holy and gracious God, we are so grateful for the opportunity that you present to us today to come and to worship, to be in community with one another, to open your scriptures, to proclaim our faith, and to sing with our voices the words that we hold dear. [00:03:39]
We ask, O God, that your presence is made known in this place and in our lives as we are here this morning, and that it transforms us so that we might go out from this place to be the light of Christ for the world who needs to know Christ. We pray this all in his name. Amen. [00:04:01]
We give because God gave first. And so we respond in faith and trust that the gifts that we give to the work of the local church go to share the good news of the gospel wherever we go. Let us pray. Most gracious and loving God, we thank you for the gifts that you have poured out upon us. [00:23:51]
May we be faithful stewards of them so that good news is shared, so that lives are transformed, and so that our community is transformed through the love and grace of Jesus. We pray this all in his name. Amen. [00:24:18]
And so one of the ways that we have to be ready to find ways to continue to tap into what the spirit is doing is to understand what it means to share our faith and what does it mean to tell our story and what does it mean to share the gospel. [00:30:14]
So he says, he goes on to say that, what I received, I passed on to you as of first importance. First importance. If you're, if you like mark in your Bible, like I do, underline first importance, because that's the thing. It's like, Paul didn't say there were other things that were important. He said, the gospel is of first importance. [00:34:55]
Because in this Greco -Roman world that Paul is writing into, there were people who claimed things. There were people who said, yeah, I did this, or I did that, or somebody else did this, or I saw this. And he's telling the Corinthians that the scriptures attest to who Jesus is and what happened to Jesus. [00:36:05]
And Paul says he stakes everything on the resurrection because he says if there is no resurrection, there is no defeat of death and there is no eternal life. And if that's not right, then everything else falls apart. [00:36:49]
So my guess is that as Paul is writing this, and the Corinthians are reading it or hearing it read, there are people amongst themselves who were witnesses to the resurrection who could point out, who could stand up and testify and say, yes, I was there and saw this happen. [00:37:46]
So evangelism is not necessarily about just going out and finding random people to talk to. It's about building relationships with people and speaking into their life and to have spiritual conversations when the moment is right. [00:47:11]
There's this sense that when we are attuned to the Spirit, then we will look at the world and see what God is doing in the world. You will have friends at work or co -workers or people at school or in the neighborhood or in the grocery store and the God is... And God is just going to be like, Hey, go talk to that person. [00:47:48]
The work that God is doing in you has put you in the very place that God needs for you to be. To share your story with someone who needs to know Jesus. [00:52:42]
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