33) HOW DO WE SHARE THE GOSPEL?
Let’s learn from the example of the Apostle Paul by: 1) Sharing the Word, 2) Any Way we Can!
Text: Romans 10:13-17 / 1 Corinthians 9:19-23
RECAP
As we again open the Scriptures today to continue our study of...
“Those things most surely believed among us” (Luke 1:1),
Our focus remains firmly fixed right now - on the things we believe about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Now as you may recall, last week - we looked not only towards...
How we are called as disciples to share the Gospel and to become “Fishers of Men”,
But we looked also at how we are spiritually prepared in Christ for this task,
As we surrender our hearts and our lives over to Him.
In fact, we looked at the spiritual journey one disciple in particular took with Christ last week.
And We saw the extent Jesus was willing to go to with Peter
To ensure he was sufficiently prepared to share the Gospel truth with others.
And the thing I want you to all to know and understand...
Is that as we look towards Peter’s life and at how Jesus prepared him,
We can also see a wonderful spiritual picture – of how Christ wants to prepare us.
And here’s what we learnt – going out and sharing the Gospel with others...
Often evolves naturally from a process whereby we grow in our walk and relationship with Christ
And what I mean by that is, most of us don’t get saved one day...
And then charge out to the save the world the next.
No – there is a process whereby Jesus prepares us to answer that calling.
Remember in the books of Matthew and Mark...
We found Jesus approaching some of His early disciples and saying:
Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. (Matt 4:19 / Mark 1:17)
Notice that we need to first “Follow Jesus” before we can become a true “Fisher of Men” for Jesus.
What’s more is that Jesus declares that if we Follow me...I will make you a fisher of men.
In other words I will prepare you or make you ready.
Then later we find Jesus approaching Peter specifically
And in Luke 5:4 He says: Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.
Now notice the goal Jesus had here – because He wanted Peter out in the deep with Him.
And do you know what – Jesus wants us out in the deep with Him too.
He wants as all to go deeper in our walk and relationship with Him...
Because out in the deep – is where the true blessings are.
Out in the deep - is where we become Fishers of Men.
However, before we can ever go deeper we have to first “launch out”.
First things first – you have to learn to walk before you can run...
And we must first learn to launch out with Jesus before we can go out into the deep with Jesus.
Now take note – because that Phrase Launch out in the Greek
Really speaks of the whole process by which a boat is taken off the shore and put our to sea.
You cannot be on the beach one minute - and just expect to be out in the deep the next.
No – you have to first “launch out”...and that involves a process of several steps.
1) Get in the Boat with Jesus
Remember the first step for Peter in this process - required Him getting in the boat.
On this day Peter was washing his nets – because he was a fishermen.
That was his job and his livelihood – but order to truly follow Jesus, he had to leave that behind.
And the problem some of us have is that we are firmly anchored on shore.
Be it money and material things... friends and relationships...
Or even our own fears and anxieties – there will always be excuses.
But you know, none of us will never make it out into the deep with Jesus...
If we are not first willing to get in the boat with Jesus.
This is the first step Jesus wants us to take as He prepares us for what comes next.
2) Get into the shallows with Jesus
Now after Peter got in the boat – Jesus then took Him a little further out into the shallows.
In fact Luke 5:3 says that Jesus ...prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.
Here we find the next stage in the process...
And it found Peter in the shallows - where Jesus began to teach.
And the thing I find interesting about this is that there were many people on the shore,
They never made it into the boat – but Peter did,
And because he was in the boat and in the shallows with Jesus...
He had a very special vantage point to all that was being said and done.
He was in the best possible position to learn from the Master.
And I can tell you all this – we all need to spend some time with Jesus in the shallows.
We all need to come under His teachings and learn from Him so that we can grow.
You see there is no getting out into the deep – if you first don’t spend some time in the shallows.
The shallows is where Jesus prepares us for what comes next...
And what comes next is the deep!
3) God Deeper With Jesus
A lot of people are scared of the deep...
And for good reason, because the deep can be a very powerful and foreboding place,
Especially if you go unprepared.
But for those of us who are out in the deep with Jesus – there is nothing to fear.
You see Jesus doesn’t take us deeper to drown us – but to bless us.
And its only out in the deep with Jesus – that our true calling can be fully realised
As we share the Gospel and become Fishers of Men!
It was only after all of these things – that Peter found himself prepared for what he was called to do
Jesus said in Luke 5:10: ...from henceforth thou shalt catch men.
Now you are ready Jesus said - But please remember there was a process...
And series of steps Peter undertook with Christ in order to get to this point:
1) He Got In The Boat With Jesus...
2) We Went Out Into The Shallows With Jesus... and finally...
3) He Launched Out Into The Deep With Jesus.
Brethren this is how we share the Gospel – we place our faith, hope and trust in Christ,
And as we learn to take each step of spiritual growth with Him
He prepares us for the work of the ministry and for what He has called us to do.
INTRODUCTION:
Right – so all of that is about how God prepares us...
To work in us... and through us...according to His greater purpose.
And that purpose is all about sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
This is what every disciple of God is ultimately called to do.
In Mark 16:15 Jesus puts things another way because He said:
Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel...
That’s the calling – and that is what we are to be doing,
And yet still one question remains in my mind – HOW?
HOW DO WE SHARE?
This is to become the topic of conversation for today.
I think it is pretty clear based on what the Bible teaches and on what we have already learnt,
What God has called us to do - But how do we do it?
How do we effectively share the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
Well thankfully this is not as hard as it may seem.
In fact, through the Scriptures we see instances of how...
Other disciples who came before us – shared the Gospel.
And for me – one of the most obvious examples to look learn from...
Comes through the Apostle Paul’s life and ministry.
In fact, in Romans 1:1 we are introduced to this disciple in the following way:
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God
So Paul openly declares to us here – who he is and what he is about...
He was an Apostle of Jesus Christ – separated for the work of the Gospel.
Remember Gospel in the Greek means “Good News” or “Glad Tidings”
And lets not forget how Paul adds to our understanding of this in 1 Corinthians 15 saying:
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures;
4 And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures:
And so here Paul outlines the Gospel as being a message all about...
The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Chirst.
It is called the gospel of God in Rom.1.1.
It is called the gospel of Christ in Rom.1.16.
It is called the gospel of Salvation in Eph. 1.13.
Because the Gospel is the good news message all about Jesus Christ.
Now if there is one thing we know about Paul,
It’s that he committed his life to the sharing and proclamation of the Gospel.
In 1 Corinthians 15:1 he said: Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
And of course In Romans 1:16 Paul openly declared: For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth;
So then we know that at this point, Paul clearly understood his calling from God,
And based on what the Bible teaches...
He knew and understood the importance of preaching the Gospel.
But How did He do it?
And more to the point – is there something we can learn from way he did it?
Because let’s be honest – The Lord worked through the Apostle Paul in an extraordinary way.
Not only was he used by God to pen many of the NT Epistles,
But he was a powerful tool and instrument in the declaration and spreading of the Gospel.
The question I pose to you all today is - How did he do it? – and what can we learn from that?
Now this may surprise you – but when I look at Paul’s strategy in preaching the Gospel truth,
He really only did two things:
Firstly, he shared the Gospel through The Word, ...and...
Secondly, he shared the Gospel Any Way he could.
And its these two points I want to explore and touch on today.
1) DECLARING THE GOSPEL THROUGH THE WORD
Let’s look firstly at how Paul shared the Gospel through the Word.
Turn with me to Romans 10:13-15. Here the Scriptures declare:
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Amen – Salvation is not difficult…
It just requires people turning to Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.
The challenge we have though – is the Gospel must first be preached. Verse 14:
14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
I think things are summed up really simply for us here.
Because Paul says, In order for people to be saved – they need to first believe in Jesus.
Eph 2:8 says: For by grace are ye saved through faith; - that means by believing!
Acts 16:31 says: Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved
You see, faith and belief in Jesus Christ is necessary in order for one to be saved.
But Paul continues to ask: “how can anyone believe in Jesus - if they have not heard about Jesus?”
“And how is anyone going to hear about Jesus...
If someone is not first willing to share the Gospel of Christ first?”
Now like Paul - this is what you and I are called to do too right – to share the Gospel,
Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel... Jesus said (Mark 16:15)
And what’s more, is we are told that those who share the Gospel will be blessed verse 15 declares,
How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace,
and bring glad tidings of good things!
I bet you never thought you had “beautiful feet” – but God’s Word says you do...
If you’re prepared to go and do what God has called you to do. Amen!
Still the truth is – even if we are prepared to go and share the Gospel,
Not everyone is going to receive the message of Salvation that we share.
Read with me now verse 16: But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
Not everyone is going to believe what they hear,
Not everyone is going to accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Many did not believe the Prophets...many did not believe the promised Messiah Himself...
And still today, many will refuse to believe the same message you and I share.
Brethren this is the way it has always been,
Some people from the hardness of their hearts will refuse to accept believe the Gospel.
But that my friends still does not change what we are called to do.
And yet still in all of this the question remains doesn’t it – How?
How do we effectively share the Gospel?
Well for me – the key comes in verse 17:
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.
Now upto to this point – Paul has just been stating the facts:
People need to believe in Jesus...
People need to hear about Jesus...
And we are called to share the Gospel of Jesus...
And then in verse 17 he puts it altogether – because this is how it works:
Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God
In other words, People can only begin to believe in what they hear,
And when it comes to the true Gospel - what they hear needs to be from the Word of God.
Only Jesus saves – and it’s the Word of God that shows people the way.
The word Faith used in verse 17 is the Greek term Pistis
Which speaks of “an inner conviction” or “firm belief in the truth”.
It literally it means “to win over” or “to persuade”.
So Paul, says the only way we’re going to win over and persuade people of the truth,
Is if they hear the Word of God.
Don’t you agree? Because this is absolutely essential to understand.
The Gospel message – is not our message,
It is the good news message of Jesus Christ.
And our words will never persuade or save people...
Because only God’s word can do that.
Brethren – I used to get really worked up about sharing the Gospel.
I used to be overwhelmed with fear and anxiety...
Because I knew the importance of the message,
And I believed it was God’s purpose and calling for my life...
To go out and save the world – but I was wrong.
God doesn’t want me to go out and save the world - Jesus has already done that !
I just need to share His reality with them.
And in this, God doesn’t need me to find the right words to share...
Because He has already given me the perfect words to share right here [the Bible].
Brethren our challenge is not to save others...
It’s simply to introduce people to Jesus who alone saves.
And this is how we do it – we share with them the promises of God.
Why? Because - Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.
People are only going to believe in Jesus - If they hear the Gospel message about Jesus,
And the best way for them to hear that – is through the Word of God.
Paul said this in 1 Corinthians 1:17
17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
Now in essence what Paul says here is:
“When I preach the Gospel - it is not about my words.
It’s not my wisdom, my knowledge, my understanding that saves people.”
And Paul even went so far as to say...
“The minute I make salvation about the wisdom of my words,
Then the sacrifice of Christ upon the cross becomes of no effect.”
Now if the declaration of the true Gospel...
Has nothing to do with the wisdom of our words – and Paul says that it doesn’t,
Then it must have everything to do with the wisdom of God’s Word. Amen!
I think it’s really important that we understand our role in all of this,
Because the Lord is the one who has the master plan...
And His master plan is Jesus!
He is the one who does all the saving – we just need to do the sharing.
And we don’t need to be worried about exactly what we’re going to say,
Because God has already given us the words we need to share – His WORD.
God has declared everything that needs to be said right here [the Bible],
We’re just bringing His message before others – because...
Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.
This is HOW the Apostle Paul shared the Gospel...
He simply shared the message of Jesus Christ using the Word - God had given Him.
Now If you are serious about doing what God has called you to do - then start by doing this,
Take the time to memorise key Scriptures about the Gospel...
So that you always have them with you and ready to share.
1 Peter 3:15 says: But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
To share the message of God – we must first know the Word of God.
___________________________________________________________________
Here are some suggested verses to commit to memory from the Word of God about Salvation:
Romans 3:23
Romans 6:23
Romans 5:8
John 3:16
1 John 2:25
Ephesians 2:8+9
Acts 4:12
Acts 16:31
Romans 10:13
1 John 5:13
Psalms 21:4
John 10:28+29
John 14:6
___________________________________________________________________
2) DECLARING THE GOSPEL ANY WAY
So this is the first thing we see the Apostle Paul doing as he shared the Gospel,
He used God’s Word – to declare God’s Message.
He understood that his words were of no real consequence...While the Word of God was.
However, this is not the only thing we see Paul doing,
In fact, we see Paul sharing the Gospel not just with the Word...
But also in many Ways
Turn with me to 1 Corinthians Chapter 9:19-23.
Here we find Paul talking directly about His personal ministry,
And interestingly enough - he explains his whole strategy and approach
When it comes to talking to others about Christ.
He effectively says: “look – this is HOW I share the Gospel.”
Let’s pick up our reading now in verse number 19 – Paul says:
19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all,
that I might win more of them.
Paul says I am not subject to anyone…
But I have made myself a servant to everyone,
So that I can “win” more souls to Christ.
In essence, Paul says I just want to get close to people so that I can share.
Verse 20: To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law.
Now please understand what Paul was saying here,
Because remember many of the Jews at this time
Were still caught up in living under the OT Law.
In fact, many Believed that “Law Living” - was going to be the means of their Salvation.
For them it was all about following the law – through good works.
Of course, you and I know that following the Law is not what saves people.
What the Law pictures on the other hand - is what saves people,
Because it pictures mankind’s sin and the need for a sacrifice to atone for that sin.
Following the Law itself was not the way to salvation…
But what the Law pictured - revealed the one and only means to salvation,
That being the death and sacrifice of Jesus Christ upon the cross.
That was what the law was all about – it was about pointing people to Jesus.
Now the Scriptures teach that Paul at one point in his life was a Pharisee.
And the Pharisees were the “religious leaders” of this time…
And those who were zealous in upholding the Law.
In fact, the Pharisee’s not only held to God’s Law…
But they had all these other rules and regulations that they subjected the people too,
Advocating that these were the things they needed to do…
In order to earn God’s approval and be saved.
It was effectively a religion advocating works based Salvation.
And what I mean by that, is that It was all about the good deeds of the flesh…
Rather than the Saving Grace of God.
And do you know what Jesus said about that?
Luke 11:46: And He said, Woe unto you, ye experts in the law! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens
with one of your fingers.
“You guys are a bunch of hypocrites” - Jesus said
“You harp on about following all of God’s Laws as a means to salvation
And you yourselves can’t even live upto them.”
Now this is who Paul used to be and what he used to believe,
And it’s in this regard that Paul said:
“Look, this is how I now endeavor to tell others about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
“I use my past mistakes and the false religion I once believed in…
To tell others about the truth.
When it comes to the Jews…
I come to them as a fellow Jew.” (Verse 20)
“And when it comes to those who are bound up in Law living,
I likewise come to them as one who used to serve under the Law…
But then he qualifies what he is saying in brackets – doesn’t he
(though not being myself under the law)
In others words, “I’m no longer seeking to follow the Law as a means to Salvation”.
“I meet people right where they were at” - Paul said,
“And I bring all of my previous misnomers…
And all of my past failures in seeking to follow God’s Law with me,
In hopes that I can win some of them over to the truth.”
Now I think that is kind of neat.
Because it tells me that God is bigger than all of our past mistakes.
It doesn’t matter who you once were…or what you once did,
because Jesus is still able to work through you to share the Gospel.
I know some of you were once devout Muslim’s and devout Hindu’s,
But now accepted the truth and been saved by the blood of Jesus Christ.
I think that’s great – because just like Paul…
God can use you in a very special way to reach out to others with the truth.
20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law… that I might win those under the law.
Read with me now Verse 21:
21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law.
So now Paul is now talking about the Gentiles…
Those who were non-Jews…
Those who as it turned out - didn’t carry all the same religious baggage,
Because they didn’t know and care about the Law.
And Paul said – “when it comes to the gentiles,”
To those who were untaught, and don’t know anything about God’s Laws,
“I likewise meet them as one who was also outside the law…”
“Not because I no longer…
Honour and respect God’s Laws” - Paul clarifies again in brackets,
“But because I want to meet them on their level - to share with them the truth.”
In Paul’s mind there was no point harping on about the law
With people that didn’t really know and understand it,
Because the law was not what was going to save them anyway.
No point complicating matters - Verse 22:
22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.
23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.
So this is Paul’s whole approach to sharing the love of God with others.
This is exactly what he did when it came to sharing the Gospel.
And when you actually break it all down…
There’s one underlying theme, common element through it all,
And that was how he dealt with the people in front of him.
You see, sharing the Gospel is actually all about People.
It’s People that God wants to save…
It’s People who we are endeavouring to share the truth with
And it’s other People that have grave need to receive the message we bring.
But if you can’t somehow relate to where people are at,
How are you ever going to effectively share with them...
The message they so desperately need to hear?
Paul of course understood all of this...
And so he endeavoured to build a rapport with the people he was trying to reach.
He took into consideration how he could best meet people on their level
To more effectively share the Gospel of Christ.
Paul said: I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.
“I take any and every opportunity available to me
To share the love of Christ with others,
But it all starts with me meeting people right where they are at” – Paul says.
So Paul’s whole philosophy when it came to sharing Jesus was rather simple.
He basically said if you want to effectively share the Gospel with others,
You need to meet them right where they are at...
And you need to share the truth with them any way you can.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion then – By looking at the Apostle Paul's life,
We can not only see his commitment and devotion to preaching the Gospel,
But also the way in which he did it.
And there is much to learn from His example...
In How we ought to go about sharing the Gospel as well.
Paul essentially did two things:
Firstly, he looked to share the Word of God with others,
Because he knew that ultimately his words didn’t really matter.
The Gospel is God’s message...
And God’s Word has always been the most effective way to share that message with others.
As Romans 10:17 declares: Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God
Secondly, Paul tried to reach people on their level,
He tried to meet them right where they were at in life – to more effectively share the Gospel.
Paul even used his own religious background and personal mistakes...
To try and reveal to others in a similar position the truth.
In 1 Corinthians 9:22 Paul said:
…I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.
And he continues in saying: ... I do it all for the sake of the gospel, (vs23)
And brethren in this simple Scriptural example,
I think we are able to discover a profound truth in HOW we can share the Gospel successfully.
So this is the final word of truth I want to leave you all with today,
“How do we share the Gospel?” – well we do what the Apostle Paul did as the Bible teaches...
We Share the Gospel through the Word - any Way we can!
