Boldly Preaching the Gospel

II Cor. 2:14-17

Theme: Boldly proclaiming God’s truth through missions

Welcome to Mountain View Baptist Church today. It is always a great honor to gather with God’s people on such a beautiful fall day. Meteorological fall begins September 1, while astronomical fall beings tomorrow September 22. We consider it an honor to have each of you here.

If this is your first time, let me encourage you to stop by the welcome center so that we may connect with you.

The passage we read this morning points us to the privilege we have given to us by Christ to boldly proclaim the gospel. How bold are you in sharing your faith? Our nation has been affected by the senseless murder last Wednesday of Charlie Kirk, a great man, who boldly proclaimed the gospel. The gospel, which we will study more closely in a few weeks, is the death, the burial, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Strangely enough, most will accept His death and His burial, but they will not accept His resurrection.

We are to boldly proclaim this truth even if they won’t hear it. Boldness is something greatly needed in this evil world. Satan tries to use fear tactics to stop us from giving out the gospel. The gospel is guaranteed by His resurrection.

In Israel tour guides will take you to the locations where Christ walked, where He taught parables when He was here on earth, they will show where He possibly died and even the tomb where He was buried. However, most all of them don’t believe He arose from the dead. They may take you to what is called the Garden Tomb, but they don’t believe Jesus rose from the dead. One of the guides told me he doesn’t know one Jewish guide that believes Jesus rose from the dead. There are missionaries who are there in Israel proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ boldly in spite of their unbelief.

We are just a few days from the kick off for our mission conference here at MVBC. For some you, this will be your first opportunity to attend a conference like this. It begins this Thursday September 25 at 7:00 PM, Friday September 26 at 7:00 PM, Saturday September 27 at 9:00 AM we will have an opportunity to go out in our community to proclaim the gospel. Of course Sunday will be our regular services. We will have two missionaries families represented here: the Allunis family is going to Madagascar and the Wanner family will be going to the Philippines. Brother Tim Clark will be our keynote speaker.

A conference points us to the importance of our mission to reach the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. This means we must personalize this calling, we should do our part in spreading the message to the world.

One way you can personalize it: will be an opportunity to go to the Philippines next year in October. Flights will be around $1100. Let me encourage to save back some money and go with us. We will work on lodging a little later in the year. This could be one way you can be a part. There is another way, you can give so that missionaries can go. We follow the Biblical pattern of Faith Promise Giving. This is above our tithe and regular giving by asking God what would He have me to give over the next twelve months. We seek God to provide and we give it towards missions. This is not a portion of our tithe but on top of our tithe. Another way to personalize is to tell others in your world about Jesus.

Our stay here on earth is one that has an intention, a purpose. We are to boldly proclaim God’s truth to the lost world. Wherever we are, at work during break times or lunch of course, or doctor’s offices, or children’s sports program. We are to boldly and without reservation give out this wonderful news.

All of us are missionaries here in our world. I love the banner that is found over the exit door of many churches that says you are now entering the mission field. How true that is!

Here in this passage God give us three elements of giving the gospel to the community.

Element 1. . .

The man

Here Paul draws our attention to a person who God uses to get out the the gospel. A man who knows Christ is to be a witness to the world of the gospel. Believers are models of what the gospel is in our world. The old saying,”you may be the only Bible that some people read.”

I just know that when I cam considering something important in my life, the messenger should reflect what they are trying to give to me.

If you go to car dealer looking for a vehicle, one of my questions in the process to the sales person is: “what car are you driving?” If you are to be healthy, you want healthy people to instruct you. If you want to be good at music, you want your teacher to play the instrument so you can be like them. In other words, we are to be a living example of what it means to be a Christian.

Paul was sure that God was leading him in triumph which is the picture of the Roman Triumph that was given to Roman conquering generals in warfare. This was an equivalent to a “ticker-tape parade.” Believers are victorious through Christ when you have accepted Him. To accept Jesus, it is not a defeat, it is a victory.

The sweet savor refers to the incense burned in the parade which was an aroma of victory by the general. Christ is our general who won the battle and we are the living testimony or aroma of a changed life.

Ephesians 1:7 “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”

This man is walking a life that reflects the work of God in his life. Jesus said Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

He is also a called man. God called Paul a missionary in the first century 1 Corinthians 1:1 “Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,” Missionaries are called by God to do the work of the ministry.

They are not to be preacher called, or momma called or daddy called or grand daddy called or peer called but God called. When I vet a missionary, the one thing I look for at the start is their calling. Did God call them? A conference is our opportunity to get to know them and ask God to burden our heart for the place they have been called to.

Biblically speaking we are all called to go and give out the gospel Mark 16:15 “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”

God uses saved those who are saved and those who are surrendered to God to accomplish His will on earth. Are you surrendered? Charlie Kirk was surrendered and gave his life giving out the gospel. Man is the element God uses.

Element 2. . .

The manner

Preaching is the manner 1 Corinthians 1:21 “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.”

I remember an incident where I was very burdened about getting the gospel out to the community. My heart was breaking and I stood preaching God’s Word. It was sweat and tears. Giving everything I had out and afterwards, a lady came up to me and said, “thank you for your little talk.” I am sure she meant it for good, but I wanted to say lady, that was preaching.

Preaching is not talking, not potificating, no theorizing, it is authoritative preaching. It is giving out the message with all the energy and effort he can.

745The preaching of Christ is the whip that flogs the devil. The preaching of Christ is the thunderbolt, the sound of which makes all hell shake.—12.130

Charles Spurgeon

Rash preaching disgusts; timid preaching leaves poor souls fast asleep; bold preaching is the only preaching that is owned by God.

Rowland Hill (English Evangelical Leader)

We need Holy Spirit, heaven-given preaching. Not like the pastor who was gone for a Sunday and the youth pastor filled in. When he returned, the pastor asked his wife how was the message. She said, “not good. It wast he poorest sermon I ever heard, nothing to it at all.” The preacher certainly did not want to hurt or discourage the youth pastor when he went to visit him. The preacher asked the youth pastor, “how did it go?” The youth pastor said, “pretty good, I guess. Since I did not have time to prepare a message myself, I just used one of your sermons.”

“Preaching is proclaiming and convincing people to make decision to receive Christ.” Everyone can preach but God calls men to pastor or occupy the pulpit.

To boldly preach the gospel requires God’s power. This power leads, convicts, and breaks the hardest of hearts. Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”

As we give out God’s Word, whether it is a Saturday morning outreach time or giving it out in your world of contacts and community, we are offering a hope that will change their life.

This is why our workers need to be under preaching as well as the pastor.

With its preaching Christianity stands or falls.

Peter Taylor Forsyth (Congregational Minister)

Element 3. . .

The message

The cross is the focal point of the gospel. A pastoral critic told an evangelist of the gospel, “Your preaching puts Christianity back 100 years.” The evangelist said, “that’s not far enough to go back. Get me back to the cross.”

Gennard wrote: “So I'll cherish the old rugged cross Till my trophies at last I lay down; I will cling to the old rugged cross And exchange it some day for a crown. O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world, Has a wond'rous attraction for me; For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above To bear it to dark Calvary.”

In the cross is health, in the cross is life, in the cross is protection from enemies, in the cross is heavenly sweetness, in the cross strength of mind, in the cross joy of the Spirit, in the cross the height of virtue, in the cross perfection of holiness. There is no health of the soul, no hope of eternal life, save in the cross.

Thomas à Kempis (Ascetical Writer)

You cannot bypass the cross. Bold preaching of the gospel comes from a message where Christ boldly went to the cross to die in our place. He didn’t just die, but He was buried and rose again. Christ died for all of us.

Do you know Jesus Christ today as your personal Savior? If you don’t know Him today, you can turn to Him today. Will you accept Christ as your Savior? Will turn from your sin and unto Him today?

Are you Christian, letting your light shine before others? What will you do about missions yourself? What will you do either here at home or will help send missionaries to a foreign field? Will you help those who come get to the field and those who are serving, keep them supported?