“How to Communicate the Gospel Effectively” (Part III)
For the past 3 weeks the lord has given me a word for us on Effectively Communicating the Gospel. This week I came across another story about effective communication.
A woman from Kentucky tells this story. After directory assistance gave
me my boyfriend’s new telephone number, I dialed him and got a woman.
"Is Mike there?" I asked.
"He’s in the shower," she responded.
"Please tell him his girlfriend phoned," I said and hung up.
When he didn’t call back, I dialed again.
This time a man answered. "This is Mike."
"You’re not my boyfriend!" I exclaimed.
"I know" he replied, "That’s what I’ve been trying to tell my wife for the past
half-hour."
Let’s go to our text this morning:
Eph 6:19-20
19 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,
20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. (NIV)
Paul was an effective communicator of the gospel because he:
· Power Passion
· Engaged People on Common Ground
· Kept it Simple
The Early Church was effective in communicating the gospel because:
· They Expected His Soon Return
· They Expected His Providence
In this final message in this series the Holy Spirit wants us to know that to be effective in Communicating the Good News we must be fearless! Look at the text again and note the repetition of that word.
Eph 6:19-20
19 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,
20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. (NIV)
It doesn’t take a great deal of reading in the New Testament to see that the reason
The church grew because they Fearless! Acts the 3rd & 4th chapters illustrates this.
Acts 3:1-7
1 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer-- at three in the afternoon.
2 Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts.
3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money.
4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, "Look at us!"
5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.
6 Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk."
7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. (NIV)
The Early Church grew because …
I. They had fearless faith
A. They simple took God at his Word
Mark 16:17-18
17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;
18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well." (NIV)
The point is faith is not needed for the possible and the seen it is needed for the unseen and the impossible!
Heb 11:1
1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (NIV)
B. A few years ago at St. Joes going down the hallway and past a waiting area where they did blood work as I past it I saw one of the Wesleyan Pastor’s and his wife sitting there. I thought to myself, “I need to turn around and go back.” I went back after some pleasantries asked “what are you two doing here?” Her eyes suddenly filled with tears and she said, “I have cancer and they are doing some blood work.” I said, I’ll pray for you and started to turn and walk away. I hesitated and thought should I pray for them here and now, what will the hospital staff think, what will the other patients think, do these Wesleyans even believe that Jesus still heals. All these questions in microseconds are flood my mind. I thought want does it matter! I simple asked her do you might if I pray for you NOW. I prayed a simple pray of faith boldly asking God to heal her. Several weeks later I received a phone call. Mary said, “I’m healed there is not a trace of cancer!”
The church grew because …
C. They understood the abundant life Jesus offers –how much better it is!
2 Cor 3:9-12
9 If the ministry that condemns men is glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness!
10 For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory.
11 And if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!
12 Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.
(NIV)
The way of the transgressor (sinner) is hard they (we) have something so much better to offer so be bold!
The point is that they were bold because they had a greater life to offer.
Multitudes came to know and follow Christ because:
II. They were fearless in their actions.
They were fearless regardless of man’s reactions
A. Go back to Acts now chapter 4 this is still related to the boldness of their faith in the healing of the lame man at the temple gate as a result of this they are hauled into the before the authorities.
Lets pick it up in Acts 4:18
Acts 4:18-20
18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.
19 But Peter and John replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God.
20 For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard." (NIV)
The point is that feared God more than man and wanted to obey him.
B. Paul is an example of being fearless in action in Acts 20:22-24.
Acts 20:22-24
22 "And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.
23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me.
24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-- the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace. (NIV)
Note how fearless he is:
Paul goes …
1. Not knowing what will happen
2. In spite of imprisonment & hardships
3. Willing to die for the sake of the communication of the gospel.
Look at me this morning, I tell you there is one think that the church ought to have in common with the terrorists of 9 – 11. You know what that is? - A willingness to die for the cause.
Don’t misunderstand – don’t mean kill people which is a violation of God’s law – but a willingness to lay down our life for the communication of the gospel.
The Point is that when people see such fearless action they are drawn to the Savior
Acts 4:3-4
3 They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day.
4 But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand. (NIV)
The gospel is communicated effectively when:
III. We like they Fearlessly speak the Message.
Look back again at Eph. 6:19
Eph 6:19-20
19 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,
20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. (NIV)
A. This ought to be a great encouragement to those of us who are timid.
B. Here is the great Apostle Paul asking for the church to pray for him had he will be fearless in speaking, communicating the good news!
C. If you are timid simply ask God.
D. Then step or speak out in faith.
The point is …
Matt 10:19-20
19 “ … do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. (NIV)
Many years ago in St. Louis a Christian man was completing some business with a lawyer. Before leaving the office, the Christian turned to the lawyer and said: "I have often wanted to ask you a question, but I have been a coward." The lawyer replied, "I didn’t think you were afraid of anything!" What is the question?" The client asked, "Why aren’t you a Christian?" The lawyer hung his head. "You know my weakness," he said. "Isn’t there something in the Bible about drunkards having no part in the kingdom of God?" Not to be detoured, the Christian said, "That’s not what I am asking you. I want to know why you aren’t a Christian." "Well," said the lawyer, "I can’t recall that anybody asked me, and I’m sure nobody ever told me how to become a Christian!" Before long, the 2 were praying together, and God moved into that lawyer’s life. He saved him and immediately broke the power of alcohol that had bound him. The lawyer was Cyrus L. Scofield - Scofield Reference Bible.
The point is that Scofield was saved and blessed millions with his study Bible because a Christian businessman press through his fear and fearlessly spoke to Him about is soul!
There are people you and I meet everyday that need the Lord God has called us to fearlessly communicate the good news!
Some are so ripe that they are just waiting for someone to tell them how.
Boldly the Holy Spirit has told me to come and ask you to walk in fearless faith – believing and set a goal of leading 1 to 2 people to Christ in the next twelve months.
If you will I’m going to ask you to stand and walk forward in fearless faith asking God to help you communicate the good news and lead 1 to 2 people to the Lord in the next 12 months
Sing “People need the Lord”
Altar Call
In a moment I’m going to pray for these making this commitment
But I must ask, Are you ready to meet the Lord!
His coming is at hand –
You don’t know when your life will end – this past week the churches 38 year old FedX man dropped dead.
Blackslidder he’s calling you this morning
