Text: Matthew 28:18-20

18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.  19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:  and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.   Amen.   

Sunday, 28^th July 2024

THE HOLY SPIRIT ENABLES US TO PREACH THE GOSPEL

Text: Matthew 28:18-20

Memory verse: Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

We often think that evangelism is trying to get people to convert to Christianity. This is probably not more than a half-truth. The Greek word for evangelism is evangelion and you can probably see the roots of the word evangelism. Euangelion means “good news” or “gospel.” Evangelism is simply proclaiming the good news of Jesus the Messiah and his incarnation, life, death, resurrection, and Lordship. What it means is to be a witness is being someone who is a witness to this gospel message. As people were moved over 2000 years ago in this direction, we can still be witnesses to the gospel as it has been written about in the Scriptures and witnesses to what Jesus has done in our life.

While the heart behind sharing the gospel may be purposed to seeing the lost saved, our responsibility is not to bring about the saving faith. Jesus calls us in the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations and baptize them Matthew 28:19, but he does not call us to make believers. Indeed, it is not even in our power to do so. This maybe ironically should be a great relief to many of us. Our role as witnesses is simply to tell a story. God is the one in the heart-changing business.

The Holy Spirit empowers us to be witnesses to the world, in word and in deed. Being a witness is not something to be added on a to-do list, but it is the very identity created by the Holy Spirit in someone who has put their trust and faith in Jesus. We are going to examine a particular part of this: the Holy Spirit’s role in evangelism.

CGDS HYMN 40: SS & S 530:

WITH MY SAVIOUR EVER NEAR TO GUIDE ME

1. With my Saviour ever near to guide me,

I am safe, whatever may betide me;

From the storm and tempest He will hide me

In the hollow of His hand !

Refrain:

In the hollow ... of His hand I . . .

In the hollow ... of His hand I . . .

I am safe whatever may betide me,

In the hollow of His hand !

2. In His arms of love He doth enfold me ;

Words of peace His voice divine hath told me ;

I am safe, for God Himself doth hold me

In the hollow of His hand !

3. He will guard my soul, and leave me never;

From His love no power on earth shall sever;

And I know He'll keep me now and ever

In the hollow of His hand !

 Prayers

1.  Lord Jesus, I receive boldness by Your Spirit to preach the gospel to the lost.

2.  LORD God Almighty, take away all hindrances trying to stop me from preaching the gospel to the lost, in Jesus’ name. Amen.    

3.  Pray for others in this regard.