Timeless Gospel in the Time of Harvest
Notes
Transcript
13 Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now), that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles. 14 I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. 15 So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also. 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Many say that Saudi Arabia is one of the hardest nations to reach because it is the birthplace of the prophet Mohammed and is still the seat of Islam. Also modern..
Romans 1:
Beautiful People picture of family having a picnic.
llustration (pictures of myself and companions in thobes and ghutra).
Beautiful People picture of family having a picnic.
These people are unashamed and proud of their culture and they believe they have so much to offer to people in the west.
These people are proud and unashamed of their culture and they believe they have so much to offer to people in the west.
The truth is we came there and we have a lot more to offer to them which is greater than anything they can offer to us. We came with something that they truly need, the message of the eternal gospel which alone has the power to save them.
I thought that just as these men were quite bold in approaching us when we walk around not properly wearing their traditional clothes..
We followers of Jesus should even be bolder to approach people who we see walking in darkness and aimlessly heading to an eternal future --- and point them to the way of salvation.
WE SHOULD NOT BE ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST!
Here in our text today, the Apostle Paul declares in no uncertain terms that the
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is
Not an option to be offered
nor is it..
A concept to be explained
The Gospel not only an option that we should be reluctant or ashamed to proclaim it. It is not just a choice among many paths to heaven, it is the only way.
Image of “All roads lead to heaven”. LIE FROM THE DEPTHS OF HELL!
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
The Gospel is the only message that has power unto salvation for those who put their trust in Jesus Christ.
It is great to be well-versed in scripture.. we encourage you to study your Bible.
As a church we encourage everyone to be equipped for the work of ministry, this is why we have ITIM.
As a church we encourage everyone to be equipped for the work of ministry, this is why we have ITIM.
It is great and even essential to be skilled at certain tools to share your faith:
IMage of 4SL and G bracelet here.
Romans Road
Four Spiritual Laws
Gospel Bracelet
Knowledge and depth in your theological background are tools that help us in the preaching of the gospel but we do not rely on these tools to deliver the results we rely on the Gospel message in itself which the Holy Spirit has packed and loaded with power to reach and move the hearts of men.
Picture of the Gospel Bracelet
Young men by the Red sea
Guy I used the gospel bracelet who listened as I presented the gospel using the gospel bracelet and repeated the sinners prayer.
Campus Crusade Slogan:
Our very calling is to take the word of love and salvation into the World and leave the result to God.
Neither is the Gospel a Concept to be Explained.
Christians in the west appeal to reason, we want to be able to explain our faith.
There is a discipline in Christianity called
Apologetics - discipline of defending Christian doctrine through systematic argumentation and discourse.
There is a place for apologetics and I believe Christians should be equipped to defend the faith in a rational way, to prove that Christianity is not just a leap of blind faith.
I like reading the books and listening to apologists:
Josh Macdowell
Ravi Zacharias
More recently Lee Strobel is one of my favorites
Note an apologist is not someone who apologizes for the faith but rather someone who is skilled in defending the Christian faith through systematic argumentation and discourse.
Apologetics is essential to you as a follower of Jesus Christ.
16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.
15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
Apologetics is essential to followers of Jesus, but when it comes to preaching the gospel, we rely on the power of God and not our skill in explaining our faith.
Preaching the Gospel is a Power Ministry!
Pic and story of guy at the airport.. he was indoctrinated with talking points.. main catch is how surprised he was when he saw the words of Jesus from ..
The gospel is powerful.
Don’t fear rejection. Even though people seem so closed-minded in the times that we live in keep preaching the gospel.
2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.
Out of season - when people seems resistant == in the west, the God of materialism, in the middle east the false religion of Islam.
Preach the gospel In season — in the midst of a revival..
I believe that we are already in a season of harvest. The Lord of the harvest has declared open season for winning souls for Jesus Christ!
13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles.
Romans 1:
Paul talks about the harvest of souls, the same harvest that Jesus said in :
2 And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.
:
Let us participate in the great harvest field..
City ministry and the guy who invited us to his father’s farm.
The miracle of reaping a soul for Jesus..
I think of that man and again I leave the result to God, I pray someone will reap the souls of that young man and his family
Image of Mohammed the taxi driver here.
There is this taxi driver who could speak English, opened up to us about his problems… allowed us to spend precious time in the parking lot so he can pray the sinners prayer and we in turn can pray for him..
God has allowed a time of both sowing and reaping in Saudi Arabia.. these are miraculous times..
I just imagine how the Lord had allowed a breakthrough ,,, God has already prepared a nation like Saudi Arabia..
For the first time
Saudi is moving to become an open nation through Vision 2030
Nation has become more open (women’s rights, etc)
e-visa
e-visa
Religious restrictions lifted (Mutawa)
God has already prepared a nation like Saudi Arabia..
One last thing that amazed me are the underground churches
One last thing that amazed me are the underground churches
Pictures of the underground churches..
If they can preach the gospel in Saudi Arabia, we can preach it anywhere!
Let us join the mighty harvest!
Sower and reaper will rejoice together!
The Gospel is the only message that has power unto salvation for those who put their trust in Jesus Christ.
Call worship team.
Pray for the nation of Saudi Arabia and the underground churches.
Pray for Our church that we be mobilized to send more workers in the harvest field. Pray also for revival in this country.
Pray for the families of the church.