Gospel Fluent

Ephesians 4:13–15 NLT

13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. 15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.

Ephesians 4:13-15

Ephesians 4:13–15 NLT

13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. 15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.

Language fluency goes beyond the words you speak. We think in our language, dream in our language, everything we do is conceptualized for us within our language.

Being gospel fluent isn't just about learning gospel words. It's about learning to look at life, think about life, feel about life, and express about life in gospel fluency.

Language is a reflection of and expression of culture. A gospel culture should be reflected by and expressed in a gospel language.

The gospel isn't just for people who don’t know Jesus. We need to speak the gospel to each other, to ourselves, and to those outside the church.

Gospel-ish vs. Gospel Fluency

Gospel-ish is what happens when we know how to use some words that sound Christian, but in reality we don’t know the gospel in a way that allows it to saturate our thoughts and words clearly and consistently.

We are all unbelievers, and the root of every spiritual problem in our lives can be traced back to a lack of belief in the gospel.

Spiritual maturity is characterized by our ability to avoid believing lies, and instead speaking the truth of the gospel.

“Gospel-fluent people think, feel, and perceive everything in light of what has been accomplished in the person and work of Jesus Christ”

~ Jeff Vanderstelt

Applying the gospel to all of life

We need to learn to see through a gospel lens and apply the gospel to every area of life.

A Framework for the Gospel

Creation

Fall

Redemption

Restoration

Revelation

Revelation 21:1–5 NLT

1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” 5 And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.”

True Gospel vs False gospels

All people are interpreting life through a “gospel”—some idea of how the world is, what’s wrong with it, how to make it right, and what it should be.

Creation – my identity

Fall – my problem

Redemption – my solution

Restoration – my hope

Look not only for evidences of brokenness, but also evidences of God’s activity and grace.

How can I become gospel fluent?

Pray for Gospel Fluency

Gospel Prayer - by JD Greear

1. There is nothing I have done that could make you love me less, and nothing I could do that would make you love me more.

2. You are all I need for everlasting joy.

3. As you have been to me, so I will be to others.

4. As I pray, I’ll do so according to the compassion you’ve shown at the cross and the power you demonstrated through the resurrection.

How can I become gospel fluent?

Pray for Gospel Fluency

Speak the Gospel to one another

It’s impossible to become fluent in a language you never speak.

Ask each other questions...

Share stories of God’s goodness.

We talk about what we love.