It’s All About the Gospel: Why We Can’t Stay Silent
The gospel is the heartbeat of the church and the reason we exist.
The statistics confirm this reality: 70% of Christians haven’t shared the gospel with a stranger in the last six months. While 93% say they’re open to talking about their faith, only half actually share the good news with people they know. Even more concerning, 57% have not invited friends or family to church, and 67% haven’t shared the way of salvation with family members.
These aren’t just numbers – they represent souls. People we love walking through this world without Christ.
Why Aren’t We Sharing the Gospel?
Jesus himself said in Matthew 9:37-38, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
Think about your weekly life outside your home. Is there any place you go where there are no people? Everywhere we walk, there are people. That is the mission field. So why are we staying silent?
When asked about getting involved in evangelism, many give excuses: “This is not my thing.” But the Great Commission was not a suggestion – it was a direct command. Every one of us will be responsible before God for what we did with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
How Do I Start Sharing My Faith?
You can begin by praying. Pray for the Lord of the harvest to send out missionaries and evangelists. Pray that He would lift up many to go into our communities. Make it a daily habit to pray for lost souls.
Set your eyes on people the way Christ did. In Matthew 9:36, Jesus saw the crowds and had compassion on them. Would you be the one to see people with His eyes?
What Is the Church’s True Purpose?
Years ago, Grace Community Church conducted a survey asking pastors why the church still exists. The top three answers were:
- For worship
- For discipleship
- For evangelism
But think about it – if it’s for worship, we should be in heaven already, because worship is perfect there. If it’s for discipleship, we should be in heaven already, because everything will be known there.
The only reason the church is still here on earth is because there are still souls to be saved. God, in His sovereignty, has gathered us to prioritize evangelism. But it begins with each of us.
How Has the Gospel Changed Your Life?
The Apostle Paul made it clear that the gospel changed him completely. In 1 Timothy 1:15-16, he writes: “This is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am the foremost. Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost sinner, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.”
The gospel transformed Paul and made him a messenger of mercy. We too are messengers of mercy, ambassadors of Christ. Wherever we go, the gospel goes with us.
Life Application
The gospel means new beginnings, grace, and eternal life. What are you doing with the gospel? We can’t be silent. We are living epistles of what the gospel can do.
Identify your “one” – that one person you know who needs Christ. It could be a family member, a co-worker, or a friend. Be intentional about praying for them and sharing the gospel with them.
Ask yourself:
- What does the gospel mean to me personally?
- How has the gospel transformed my life?
- Who is my “one” person that I will commit to praying for and sharing Christ with?
- What step can I take this week to be more intentional about evangelism?
Remember, if God could change you – He can use you to reach others with the same transforming message. The harvest is plentiful. Will you be a laborer?
