The Gospel we preach
Scripture: Matt 28:16-20(MSG)
16-17 Meanwhile, the eleven disciples were on their way to Galilee, headed for the mountain Jesus had set for their reunion. The moment they saw him they worshiped him. Some, though, held back, not sure about worship, about risking themselves totally.
18-20 Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age. Matt 28:16-20(MSG)
The Church is like Noah’s ark.
“Evangelization requires the whole Church to take the whole gospel to the whole world.” Laussane slogan by John Stott in 1974.
We are here to evangelize the lost through every possible means that is in harmony with the gospel. Let us look at the gospel we preach.
THE MESSAGE OF THE GOSPEL IS SO SIMPLE
Luke 18:17; Mark 10:15 (MSG)
17 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Luke 18:17
Mark this: Unless you accept God’s kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you’ll never get in.” Mark 10:15 (MSG)
The gospel is God’s love story to save the mankind. Christ salvation work is sufficient for all, but efficient for those who believe. Even a child can understand the gospel story. Many times we don’t have a child like faith to share the gospel.
None of the disciples of Jesus had any qualifications in par with the worldly standards. But what they had was child like faith. And the world took notice of them. Acts 4:13, 14
13-14 They couldn’t take their eyes off them—Peter and John standing there so confident, so sure of themselves! Their fascination deepened when they realized these two were laymen with no training in Scripture or formal education. They recognized them as companions of Jesus, but with the man right before them, seeing him standing there so upright—so healed!—what could they say against that? Acts 4:13, 14
JESUS THE ONLY NAME FOR SALVATION
6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6
Salvation comes no other way; no other name has been or will be given to us by which we can be saved, only this one.”Acts 4:12 (MSG)
The Truth “one way Jesus” is not something that we invented. It is an exclusive claim taught and handed over by Jesus himself. People take offence when we say that Jesus is the only truth. Remember people go to hell due to their choice. If Jesus is the ultimate truth, He can’t be a liar or a lunatic. He remains the Lord of Lords and the compass that directs us to the way of heaven.
20 And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God.[a] And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life.
1 John 5:20 (NLT)
THE GOSPEL IS APPLICABLE TO ALL PEOPLE
All during this time, the good news—the Message of the kingdom—will be preached all over the world, a witness staked out in every country. And then the end will come. Matt 24:14(MSG)
Gospel is timeless and changeless. It is applicable to all people, at all places, at all times.
All the old fashions are now obsolete. Words like Jewish and non-Jewish, religious and irreligious, insider and outsider, uncivilized and uncouth, slave and free, mean nothing. From now on everyone is defined by Christ, everyone is included in Christ. Col 3:11 (MSG)
14 For I have a great sense of obligation to people in both the civilized world and the rest of the world,[a] to the educated and uneducated alike.15 So I am eager to come to you in Rome, too, to preach the Good News.
16 For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. Rom 1:14-16(NLT)
Remember, the Church is like Noah’s ark. The gospel we preach shapes the kind of churches we create. And the kind of Churches we have shapes the gospel we preach.
All human beings are sinners and in need of a savior. That’s why Jesus commanded us to take His gospel to all people groups in all places and to the uttermost parts of the world. The gospel message remains the same, while the method of delivery varies.
THE GOSPEL DEMANDS EVERYTHING FROM THOSE WHO ACCEPT IT
23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23
The gospel is not an easy message.
24-26 Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for? Matt 16:24-26 (MSG)
In other words we should be willing to give up everything to be a follower of Jesus Christ. The diluted gospel is a different gospel which calls for nothing, but promises everything. The high price paid at the cross demands a high commitment from those who receive it. Jesus made the commitment clear to the rich young man.
Those people will cheer at the spectacle, shouting ‘Good riddance!’ and calling for a celebration, for these two prophets pricked the conscience of all the people on earth, made it impossible for them to enjoy their sins. Rev 11:10 (MSG)
Cold preachers produce bold sinners.
The promises that the true gospel announces will be received, not necessarily in this life, but in the life to come.
THE PURPOSE OF SHARING THE GOSPEL IS TO MAKE DISCIPLES FOR JESUS
Matt 28:19; Go and make disciples.
We are called to make disciples who will cherish and relish Jesus Christ.
We are not to be like the Pharisees who make converts.
15 “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you cross land and sea to make one convert, and then you turn that person into twice the child of hell you yourselves are! Matt 23:15(NLT)
Only a changed person can change the world. The change should impact every area of their life. It should change the beliefs, the belongingness, the behavior, and the attitudes. We should teach them to obey all what Christ taught. Remember the prophesy of Paul in Acts 20:29-30,
29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.
We are here to build Christ’s kingdom. And not our kingdom.
THE GOSPEL THOROUGHLY TRANSFORMS THOSE WHO TRULY BELIEVE
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Cor 5:17
Missing the unmixable brings confusion. 2 Cor 6:14-7:1
14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial[a]? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said:
“I will live with them
and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
and they will be my people.”[b]
17 Therefore,
“Come out from them
and be separate,
says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing,
and I will receive you.”[c]
18 And,
“I will be a Father to you,
and you will be my sons and daughters,
says the Lord Almighty.”[d]
7 Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
Weeds and seeds grow together for a season until judgment. Weeds are for fire and seeds are for food. Either we are in the Ark of God or we are in the water.
WE ARE CHRIST’s AMBASSADORS TO PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL
19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 2 Cor 5:19-20
The gospel sharing is the commission that is entrusted with all Christ’ ambassadors. One day we will be held accountable. We are called to be stewards of the gospel. The primary goal of sharing gospel is to glorify Christ and then only to save the sinner.
