Back to the Basics: Gospel Stewardship
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction
Introduction
Tonight we are going to look at a real basic tenant of our faith and what we to do with it.
The gospel. Specifically we will focus on Gospel Stewardship.
,
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
While such a simple thing to understand it is a full of deep theological truth and meaning.
It speaks to different traits of God. His love, mercy, goodness, and power.
It ultimately holds within it the key to our salvation and means of a relationship with Jesus Christ.
The first thing we need to recognize about proper gospel stewardship is that we are commanded to spread the gospel
We are Commanded to spread the Gospel
We are Commanded to spread the Gospel
Jesus’ mission when He came to earth was to seek and to save the lost.
When he saw the lost, He was moved with compassion for them.
And it was for this mission that Christ gave his life.
Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
It is the responsibility of the church to spread the gospel.
What is the church?
So it’s the responsibility of all of us to spread the gospel to those around us.
It is our primary responsibility. Nothing else. No other role you fulfilled in life in subservient to the one of gospel spreader.
The church as an organization accomplishes this goal by local and worldwide missions.
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
When we share the gospel personally that can be called a couple of different things. Either “witnessing” or “soulwinning.”
Soulwinning is a biblical term out of
A true witness delivereth souls: But a deceitful witness speaketh lies.
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; And he that winneth souls is wise.
Winning people to the Lord is something we need to be doing locally and also something we as a church support happening worldwide.
The first missionaries were Paul and Barnabas. They were sent out from the church in Antioch in .
Throughout the rest of the book of Acts you read of Paul preaching the gospel, establishing churches, and being supported by the prayer and finances of local churches.
As we support the worldwide efforts of our missionaries we cannot lose sight of our own obligation to pray for, financial support, and participate in the evangelism of the lost in our local community.
According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
Paul wrote in to Timothy about how the gospel was entrusted to him
According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
So how do we do this?
First we have to know the gospel and purpose to share it.
Here are five main points to remember when sharing the gospel with someone.
God love you
God love you
Everyone is a sinner
Everyone is a sinner
Sin has a price that must be paid
Sin has a price that must be paid
Jesus Christ died to pay for your sin
Jesus Christ died to pay for your sin
You can ask Jesus Christ to be your savior
You can ask Jesus Christ to be your savior
That’s a very simple outline that is also on the back of each outreach card that we have.
The best way to learn how to be a purposeful soulwinner is to have someone teach you and to speak to people about Jesus often.
The more you talk about Christ and what he has done for you the more opportunities you will have to ask the questions “Do you know for sure if you died today that you would go to Heaven?” “Have you ever trusted Jesus as your savior?” “Isn’t it awesome to know God loves you? You mean you don’t know? Let me tell you about him.”
So many different ways to get into the conversation, it doesn’t matter which one you use as long as you are speaking of Jesus.
It’s important that we are prepared to share our faith.
God made us ambassadors of the gospel message.
Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
Can you imagine if an American Ambassador wasn’t prepared or preparing himself to share the vision and mission of the United States in the context he was in?
let’s look at what Peter said about sharing our faith...
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:
Here are some practical tips to help:
1. Carry outreach cards wherever you go
1. Carry outreach cards wherever you go
Put them in your pocket, in your car, in your purse, or your fanny pack…which I’ve seen is making a come back and I don’t know how to feel about it.
We had a lady here Sunday because she saw an invite to our church at her workplace. Because someone had left it there.
The drive through, the cashier, everyone…let’s saturate the community with the gospel.
2. See every relationship in your life as an opportunity to be God’s ambassador.
2. See every relationship in your life as an opportunity to be God’s ambassador.
We spoke
During our community impact meeting we discussed natural bridges we have in the community for the church to connect to. Those bridges were determined by you. What natural bridges and relationship do you have or could you have that you could tell someone about your savior.
In all actuality I think it’s important that every relationship we have to be gospel centered. What does that mean?
IF the person is lost, it’s to get them the gospel. If they are saved it’s to encourage each other as we seek to share the gospel. If they are a mentor or leader, it’s so that I may become more effective at sharing the gospel.
3. Participate in church outreach
3. Participate in church outreach
After the new year, and as it warms up, I will be asking for people to meet here at the church and go out into the community to put outreach cards on flyers on doors. We will be sending mailers out near Easter and that requires people to stuff and lick envelopes. We will be getting out into the community for a number of different things: Egg hunt, Mum festival, parades, appreciation for first responders, etc. Don’t be a by stander, be an active participator.
Now some of that may be scary to you. You may feel that your not equipped to be able to share the gospel.
The truth is, none of us are sufficient of ourselves. We are empowered by the Holy Spirit.
We are empowered by the Holy Spirit
We are empowered by the Holy Spirit
When Christ commissioned the disciples He ensured them of the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
While God may use us as vessels to spread the gospel, it is the Holy Spirit that does a work in the hearts of those that we are witnessing to.
It is a privilege to know the gospel and even more of a privilege to be used by God to spread the gospel to others.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Pray for opportunities to share the gospel
Ask someone to help you get more comfortable with witnessing to someone
Practice. Practice in the car. Practice in the mirror.