Young People's Group

THE CHALLENGE TO PREACH THE LIGHT OF THE GOSPEL

by Pastor Mitch
February 03, 2013

It Is Harder To Win Souls For The Lord Than We Realize

Chinese New Year is just around the corner. This occasion gives us an opportunity to reach out to our non-believing relatives and friends and to talk to them about our Lord. However, winning souls for God is not as easy as it may seem. This is because soul-winning work involves spiritual warfare.

“But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe” 
2 Corinthians 4:3-4

The god of this age is a reference to the evil one. He is the ruler of the world and he has deceitfully blinded the minds of those who are perishing. As such, there is a veil that is covering their spiritual eyes, and they cannot see the light of the gospel of Christ. Satan and his devious hordes are greatly working against us even as we share the gospel with non-believers. Our challenge is to be undeterred but to follow the example of how Paul and company sought to preach the gospel.

Following The Example Of Paul In Preaching The Gospel

1. The Focus In Sharing The Gospel – Christ-Centeredness

“For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus the Lord” 
2 Corinthians 4:5

Paul chose not to handle the gospel in a deceitful way. The content of what he preached was not focused on himself or for his own gains. He did not place himself in the forefront even as he preached the Lord’s word to others. The focus of sharing the gospel should be on the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul sought to preach on how Jesus Christ is Lord and on the light of the gospel of His glory. This light shines in man’s heart through the knowledge of how wonderful the Lord Jesus is. When we lift up our Lord Jesus, prayerfully, light will shine in the hearts of people. Let’s learn how to speak effectively concerning the Lord Jesus and His glory.

2. The Motivation For Preaching The Gospel

a. Being A Recipient Of God’s Great Mercy

“Therefore since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart.” 
2 Corinthians 4:1

The Lord God has been most merciful to us. It is the Lord who commanded light to shine out of darkness in the creation process (Genesis 1:3-4). And it is this God who has shone in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of Christ. We have obtained mercy from the Lord God so that we can have salvation. With eternal gratitude, let’s seek to be involved in this ministry of reconciliation that has been entrusted to us. Let’s seek to share this wonderful gospel with others. If we have received mercy from God, let’s seek to do our part in reaching out. Let’s not lose heart in doing so.

b. Being A Servant For Jesus’ Sake

“And ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake” 
2 Corinthians 4:5

Paul’s commitment to preach the gospel was fuelled by whom he was doing this for. It was for the Lord’s sake that Paul was willing to go through all kinds of challenges so as to spread the gospel. He also saw himself as a full-time “doulos” of the Lord. The word “doulos” in Greek means “slave”. Paul recognised himself as a slave of the Lord Jesus for the rest of his life. Let’s also seek to see ourselves as bondservants of Jesus Christ. It is our duty to share the gospel to those who have not heard it. Let’s seek to share the gospel this Chinese New Year for the Lord’s sake.

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