GOSPEL IMPACT

Read Romans 10.

God has given the church the Gospel to have a global impact. In Romans, the Apostle Paul has already put the potential front and center, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation, for everyone who believes...” (1:16). Sadly, that potential is not being realized.  It seems the world is impacting the church far more than the church is impacting the world.  Why?

Here’s one reason, “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!’” (10:14-15‬).  To paraphrase G.K. Chesterton, “[Evangelism] has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried.” Two things can turn this around.

SPIRITUAL PREPARATION: “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.” (10:1‬). Prayer for the lost prepares both the evangelist and those to be evangelized. It conditions our heart with a burden that overcomes fear and conditions the heart of those who hear the witness, for salvation is a supernatural work only God can do.

SCRIPTURAL PRESENTATION: “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (10:9-10‬). This is the fundamental truth of the Gospel.  We don’t have to know elaborate philosophical arguments, nor offer eloquent grammatical answers, just make a clear proclamation of Jesus.  That is how people come to faith.

Here is the promise: “For ‘whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.’” (10:13‬). I am not opposed to us sharpening our skills and learning apologetic methods.  But, bottom line, when it comes to evangelism, “Just do it!”