Theme: The primary way to demonstrate the glory of God to our culture is by living and sharing the Gospel.
“Grace Church of Mentor exists to glorify God by evangelizing the lost and equipping the saints with the goal of Christ-likeness.”
The Good News of the Gospel is simply the story of Jesus Christ and why He came to earth. It cannot remain simply intellectual data. We must believe it in our hearts and live it for everyone around us to see.
Last week, we saw that the verb forms of the word “Gospel” are used in the context of three various categories:
- Proclamation
- Personal Humility
- Prioritized Activity
Here are three more uses that fit in the Proclamation category:
- Preach – to give publicly for the purpose of demonstrating its uniqueness.
Used in Galatians 1:11-17 and 1 Corinthians 15.
Everyone has a gospel that they believe will make them right with God. But any gospel that doesn’t hold Jesus’ work as sufficient to save, even one that offers “Jesus plus” anything, is a false gospel. Jesus is enough, or His life was all in vain. Rejection of the true Gospel will incur eternal wrath.
- Proclaim – nonverbal, to put on display through a lifestyle.
Used in 1 Corinthians 9:14, 11:26.
The two ordinances of the church, the Lord’s Supper and baptism, are two ways that we publicly proclaim the Gospel. Another is by your work ethic at your job. Live the Gospel through your hard work, and you will earn the right to speak the Gospel. You may need to live it for some time, but God will give you the opportunity to speak.
- Saturate – literally translated “to fully proclaim.”
Used in Romans 15:17-19.
Even if you are not an evangelist, the Gospel so saturates our person that it influences those immediately around us. All who are closely related to you will know the Gospel. This saturation extends throughout the globe as the worldwide church lives out its mission. It starts with you!
Application Points
- You must own Jesus Christ to be able to share the Gospel. Until you do, you have no gospel to give. Have you made the message of the Gospel your personal belief and not just intellectual knowledge?
- How does your testimony show at your job? Are you a hard worker? Pray for God to give you opportunities to speak the Gospel as you live it through your conduct, even without words.
Tools for Further Study
Cross References to Explore:
Galatians 2:2 – Jesus is enough.
1 Peter 2, Ephesians 5, Titus 3 – a Christian work ethic.
A Hymn to Encourage: “I Will Sing of My Redeemer”
I will sing of my Redeemer
And His wondrous love to me;
On the cruel cross He suffered,
From the curse to set me free.
I will tell the wondrous story,
How my lost estate to save,
In His boundless love and mercy,
He the ransom freely gave.
I will praise my dear Redeemer,
His triumphant power I’ll tell,
How the victory He giveth
Over sin and death and hell.
I will sing of my Redeemer
And His heav’nly love to me;
He from death to life hath brought me,
Son of God with Him to be.
Chorus:
Sing, O sing of my Redeemer,
With His blood He purchased me;
On the cross He sealed my pardon,
Paid the debt and made me free.