We Are Not Ashamed of the Gospel

By Samuel E. Ward   July 15, 2012   Let us review quickly what this study has revealed so far about our responsibilities as communicators of the gospel: A. We Are to Communicate the Gospel with Our Mouths (Gk. laleo = "to utter words") B. We Are to Communicate the Gospel with Passion and Conviction C. We Are to Communicate the Gospel as Teachers with Life-Changing Truth. D. Some Were Called to Be Communicators of the Gospel as Eye-Witnesses to the Ministry of Jesus Christ. E. We Are to Communicate the Gospel by Reading and Explaining It to Others, Acts 8:30-34. F. We Are to Communicate the Gospel with Persuasive Arguments for Its Truthfulness, Acts 9:28-29; 18:27-28; 19:8-9. In introducing a seventh means by which we are to communicate the gospel, there is the matter of Christian readiness that needs to be addressed.  It is an important concept in the New Testament, especially as it relates to our ministry in service to God and others. As Christians, we are advised by the Scripure by command and/or example to be . . . Ready for every good work (Titus 3:1). Ready to share (1 Tim. 6:18). Ready to give an answer (1 Pet. 3:15). Ready to feed the flock (1 Pet. 5:2). Ready to die for the Lord Jesus (Acts 21:13). Ready to be offered (2 Tim. 4:6). Ready for His coming (Matt, 24: 44; 25:10). Ready in receiving the Word and searching the Scriptures daily to test what is being taught by others (Acts 17: 11). Ready to share the gospel (Rom. 1:15). G. We Are to Be Ready to Communicate the Gospel Whenever the Opportunity Presents Itself, Acts 13:15; 1 Pet 3:15-16; 2 Tim 4:2. 1. Be ready to share when asked. (Acts 13:15-16 NIV)  After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue rulers sent word to them, saying, "Brothers, if you have a message of encouragement for the people, please speak." {16} Standing up, Paul motioned with his hand and said: "Men of Israel and you Gentiles who worship God, listen to me! (1 Pet 3:15-16 NIV)  But in your hearts set apart 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, {16} keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 2. Be ready to share when needed. (2 Tim 4:2 NIV)  Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction. H. We Are to Defend the Gospel, Phil 1:7b, 16. (Phil 1:7b, 15-16 NIV)  {7b} Whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. . . {15} It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. {16} The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 1. The truth of the gospel is being attacked—we need to defend it (Gk. – apologia).  (Phil 1:7) 2. The teaching of the gospel is being twisted—we need to teach it correctly (Gk. – orthos). (Luke 20:21 ) 3. The reasonableness of the gospel is being challenged—we need to prove it is sound thinking (Gk. – sophrosune). (Acts 26:22-25) 4. The ignorance of the gospel is running rampant—we need to teach it. (Eph 4:17-24) I. We Are to Confirm the Gospel, Phil 1:7b. (Phil 1:7b NIV) Whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. It is completely logical that Paul pairs "defending" and "confirming" as the two means he employs in preaching the gospel.  That is because that defending the gospel will lead to its being confirmed as truth.  Knowing the truth is necessary because of what Christ said in John 8. (John 8:30-32 NIV)  Even as he spoke, many put their faith in him. {31} To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. {32} Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." J. We Are to Contend for the Gospel, Phil 1:27. (Phil 1:27-28 NIV)  Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel {28} without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved--and that by God. Paul understood that the church was always going to be fighting against opposition to the preaching of the gospel on some level and with varying degrees of intensity and suffering.  Yet the church needed to stand firm and together without fear of opposition.  The fact that others oppose such a glorious concept as the gospel is proof that they deserve judgment. Paul, writing in 2 Timothy 4, characterized his whole life as a proclaimer of the gospel as a fight that needed to be fought well and hard to the end. (2 Tim 4:6-7 NIV)  For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. {7} I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. And, having fought the good fight, he was anticipating his reward. (2 Tim 4:8 NIV) Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. K. Ministering as Temple-Workers (Gk. – hierourgeo). (Rom 15:15-16 NIV)  I have written you quite boldly on some points, as if to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me {16} to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles with the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. The preaching of the gospel is noted here as being a priestly function.  There is a connection in both the Old and New Testaments between being a representative of God before men (such as a priests and prophets) and the teaching of God's truth.  Ezra is a prime example in the Old Testament.  In the gospels we have the chief priests and their associate teachers of the law are mentioned together over twenty times.  Speaking of the church, Peter clearly lays out the priestly function of Christians. (1 Pet 2:9 NIV)  But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. What a privilege!  Lord, as a pastor sometimes I feel like I'm in sales and promotion. Help me remember that the idea, at the heart of it all, is not to "get" the word out, but to "let" the Word out. —Dick Rasanen, Leadership, Vol. 8, no. 3. Peter Buehler, who helped lead John and Charles Wesley to experience conversions, once said, "If I had a thousand tongues, I'd praise Christ with them all." Charles Wesley expanded this stray comment into lines that became the well-known hymn "O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing." —"The Golden Age of Hymns," Christian History, no. 31. How fitting to let the final verse of this great Christian hymn speak in poetic terms what 2 Peter 2:9 says is the fundamental reason for God's calling us to Himself. My Gracious Master and my God Assist me to proclaim To spread thro' all the earth The honors of Thy name. --Charles Wesley