People need to see the gospel when they look at our lives.
Living a life that is so “other” that it stops people in their tracks and makes them think, “wow, that person is different”.
How do we “Earn the Right”?
By Being Consistently Faithful
Matthew 25:23
You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.
By Being Dependable
Psalm 33:4
For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is dependable in all he does.
By Living with Integrity and Honesty
Proverbs 10:9
Whoever walks in integrity walks securely
By Being Forgiving and Compassionate
Ephesians 4:32
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
By Being Peaceful
Ephesians 6:15
with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
By Being a Servant
Mark 10:45
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Galatians 5:17
For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.
Galatians 5:24
And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
So our prayer every morning becomes, "Jesus, teach me to be patient, faithful, dependable, forgiving, peaceful and a servant!"
SPEAK THE GOSPEL.
Nervous about what to say?
- We all do things that are wrong. (the Bible calls that sin)
- When we screw up, we mess up our ability to be with God because HE is perfect and can’t be with imperfection.
- So God sent Jesus to live a perfect life and die on the cross for us—the he rose from the dead (just like Ben shared with us earlier) to give us a way back to God.
- We have a choice. Decide to trust God and believe what the Bible says is true and follow Him, or decide to go our own way.
- What do you think about that?
James 1:22
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
Matthew 28:19
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
Mark 16:15
Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
1 Peter 3:15
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect
James 1:22
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
Our temptation when it comes to the gospel is that we talk about it so much among each other that we think we’re living it. but are we?
There is One truth and it’s Jesus.
John 14:6
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Romans 10:11-14
As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
