Share The Gospel

John The Witness

John the baptist was sent by God to testify about the light. John was prophesied by Isaiah as the one who would make straight the path of the Lord. John came to announce that Jesus is the Son of God. He came to proclaim that the long awaited Messiah is here and that salvation has come to earth.

It had been 400 years since God had spoken through a prophet and now John is coming to proclaim the greatest message of all time. “The kingdom of heaven is at hand!” He was proclaiming that it is time to repent of sins and get right with the Lord.

John was sent to testify of the light so that all might believe through him. The reason John was sent was to proclaim that Jesus is the true light.

The nation of Israel had fallen so far away from God that they were living in sin and did not think it affected their relationship with God. The Pharisees had convinced the people that they were the chosen people of God and if they lived according to the Mosaic law that they would be okay. They also believed that they were owed heaven because they were the chosen people of God.

The problem of their belief is it was wrong! They could not earn salvation by observing the Mosaic law and they were not owed heaven. So God sent John to tell the people to repent of their sins and be baptised. He was basically telling them that no one can keep the law and all are guilty of breaking it. They needed to change and restore their relationship with God.

John came to tell them that the long awaited Messiah was here and the people could be forgiven of their sins through Him.

Our witness

Our message is the same as John’s. I believe that this world has gotten so far from God that they are blind to the fact that they are. Most people believe that they are good people and that they do not need saving. They believe that they are not as evil as other people and that the deserve to go to heaven because they are not as bad as other people. The problem with that belief is that it is wrong.

Every one is a sinner and needs a Saviour. The hard part about the message is confronting people about sin. It is uncomfortable and people don’t want to do it. We would rather them like us than share the truth that they need saving from their sins. John preached a simple message

Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, 2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Repent simply means change your heart from loving sin and turn your heart to God. The kingdom is at hand means the Messiah has come from the kingdom of heaven. Put your trust in Him

This is the message the church needs to be intentional in spreading. This is good news! Jesus has died to forgive our sins. We just need to acknowledge that we are sinners and turn from our sin and turn to faith in Jesus death, burial, and resurrection is for our sins.

The sad thing is that the church is not doing this. The church has become more of a social club and entertainment center to the world. It promotes big stages, big lights, charismatic speakers, endless programs, strategies to grow the organization. The church needs to get back to the basics. We need to share the gospel of Jesus Christ! It is this that Jesus said He was going to build His church.

15 He *said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. Matt. 16:15-18

Church I am fully convinced that Eclectic Alabama needs the gospel more right now than it ever has. I believe the tri-county area needs the gospel more right now than it ever has. I believe Alabama needs the gospel more right now than it ever has. I believe the United States needs the gospel more right now than it ever has. I believe the world needs the gospel more right now than it ever has. The question is “what is the church going to do about it?”

At Prospect Baptist Church we are going to share the gospel! We are going to prepare you how to engage in gospel conversations and teach you how to share the gospel. All we need from you is the desire and commitment to do it.

Jesus Is The True Light

John was not the light. He was the one that testifies about the Light. He was not the one who was going to die for the sins of the people. He was just telling them that Jesus was.

Jesus is the only one that can forgive us of all our sins. He came and lived a perfect life without sin. He was tempted in every way just as we are, yet He did not sin. He fulfilled God’s expectation of perfection of the law. He is the only one who has ever done it and will ever do it. Because he fulfilled the law He is highly exalted and receives eternal life. He is the one who decides who gets eternal life because He is the One who gives it

37 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39 This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. 40 For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.” John 6:37-40

There you have it! everyone who beholds the son and believes in Him will have eternal life. We must trust in the sufficiency of Jesus sacrifice for our sins and believe that He is the Son of God. We must surrender our lives to Him!

Jesus enlightens every man. Every one knows that Jesus is God. He has put it in every one to believe. It is what we do with that belief that is in us.

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth [l]in unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known about God is evident [m]within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. 21 For even though they knew God, they did not [n]honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and [o]crawling creatures. Rom. 1:18-22

Men suppress the truth in righteousness because that which is known about God is evident within them. Man chooses to believe God and live in the truth or suppress the truth.

Some Will Believe and Some Will Not

Those who do not believe

John says that Jesus came to His own and His own did not receive Him. This could mean the nation of Israel or it could mean the world in general. The fact of the matter is they did not receive Him. People that do not receive Jesus, receive hell.

22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many [a]miracles?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’ Matt. 7:22-23

Jesus is saying here that there are a lot of people that believe they are saved but they are not saved. They believe because they were religious that they are saved. He corrects them and reveals that they were not truly Christ followers because they practiced lawlessness.

A true follower of Christ does not practice unrighteousness.

4 Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness. 5 You know that He appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin. 6 No one who abides in Him sins; no one who sins has seen Him or knows Him. 7 Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous; 8 the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. 9 No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 10 By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother. 1 John 3:4-10

Christ followers practice righteousness. People that practice sin follow Satan. No one born of God practices sin. This does not mean that Christ followers do not sin. It means that they do not practice sin. Jesus came to take away sin.

Those who believe

John says that those who believe in Christ have the right to become children of God. To be a child of God means that you are part of his Family

15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

There are blessings and cursings for being a part of the family of God. The cursing is the suffering we must endure as a Christian. We are different than the world and the world will not like us. The world will persecute us for standing up and living by the Word of God. The blessing is the inheritance. We will live with the Lord forever in His kingdom for all eternity.

The life we live on earth is very short compared to eternity. However the decision you make for Christ determines your eternity. If you have never recieved Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, then you are assured eternal death in the Lake of fire. That can change this morning. If you are willing to repent of your sins, trust in Jesus for salvation, and give your life to Him, you can be saved. This means that you will have eternal life in the Kingdom of God. Do you want to become a child of God this morning?