OUR CALL TO SPREAD THE GOSPEL
After Jesus Christ was crucified and resurrected, he called born-again believers to go into all the world to spread the gospel of salvation (Mark 16:15-16). He sent the Holy Spirit from heaven to empower all born-again believers to proclaim the good news (Acts 1:8; Acts 2:1-4,38). As the Lord has shown us his love in dying to save us from our sins; our being filled with the power of the Spirit, we should tell others the good news that they also may be saved by believing in Jesus Christ as their as their Savior and Lord (John 3:16).
WHAT MIGHT WE SAY AND DO IN PROCLAIMING THE GOSPEL OF SALVATION?
Telling and showing people what the Biblical Word of God says about salvation from sin through Jesus Christ:
- All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23)
- The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23).
- God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).
- Except you repent of your sins you will perish (John 3:18; Luke 13:3).
- The Bible says, whoever believes and is baptized will be save, but whoever does not believe will be condemned (Mark 16:15-16; Act 2:38).
- But It is not God’s will that anyone should perish; but he desires that all should come to the knowledge of the truth, repent and be saved (2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:4).
- Born-again believers are living epistles of Christ, recognized and read by others (2 Corinthians 3:2-3).
WHERE IN THE WORLD MIGHT THE LORD CALL US TO SPREAD THE GOSPEL?
The Lord may call each of us to proclaim and present the gospel of salvation in different places, as the Holy Spirit chooses (1 Corinthians 12:11; Acts 13:2). The apostle Paul was gifted and chosen to proclaim the gospel in various places–synagogues, churches and places abroad. We are not all called to do exactly what Paul did. However, as born-again Spirit-filled disciples of the Lord we are all called to spread the good news of salvation in some places. Some of these places may be seen below:
PULPIT. Preaching from the pulpit is a good calling, but should be for a person God has called and anointed for that position. Nevertheless, God does not place the burden of spreading the gospel of salvation and caring for others solely on the shoulders of preachers in pulpits. The Lord calls many of us to present the good news of Jesus Christ to people whom pulpit-preachers might not be able to reach (Luke 14:23).
HOME. At home, we are likely in position to present the gospel of Jesus Christ to those closest to us. In allowing the Holy Spirit to work through us, we can communicate the gospel to relatives by our actions and by the biblical Word of God.
COMMUNITY. God gives many of us opportunities to represent the Lord and share the gospel at school, on the job and in various places in our communities. In our frequent contacts with people in our communities, we may, with the enablement of the Spirit, show them the love of Jesus by our behavior and attitude. Hence, they may become receptive to our sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ and our personal testimony of salvation.
OUTREACH. The Lord may put it on some of our hearts to go into the highways and byways—the streets, prisons, rehab centers, and places for shut-ins—to minister the gospel in love.
ABROAD. Jesus may call some to go spread the gospel to people abroad. Or he might tell us to support those whom God has called to spread the good news of Jesus Christ at home and abroad. The internet offer an offers the opportunity for believers to spread the gospel. However, believers should “not neglect meeting together” (Hebrews10:25).
As a born-again Spirit-filled believer, do you know where our Savior and Lord has called you to spread the gospel? How able are you to tell others about the good news of Jesus Christ crucified and resurrected that they might be saved? If you don’t know exactly where or how, pray and the Lord will show you his specific calling for you, and enable you to do what he has called you to do ( 1 John 5:14-15; Acts 1:8). And he will bless and resurrect you and all who repent and believe in him as their crucified, resurrected and eternal Savior and Lord (Romans 8:11).
