Many of us believe evangelism is cut out for only a certain kind of people. Others cave in, imagining it is only meant for specific personalities who thrive in evangelism. There is some truth to that, but that should never be an excuse not to share the gospel. The commission to go out to the world and share the gospel is given to every believer (Matthew 28:19); one of the ways Christians fulfill Christ’s charge to be His witnesses (Acts 1:8). In that case, every believer must share the gospel as the scriptures continue to ask, “How would they be saved if they have not heard?” (Romans 10:14-17). Do you share the gospel? And if so, are you struggling with what to say when sharing the gospel?
In today’s blog, you will learn an easy model I use to share the gospel. In summary, I start with the Genesis of Everything, then how sin came into the world and infested all creation. After that, I talk about the just wrath of God because of sin and finish by explaining salvation. I have tried to put together all the essential things anyone should mention while sharing the gospel. You do not need to do it exactly as I have outlined. Feel free to tweak mine or develop your own model while making sure to mention the components above. Read on as I expound on the essentials of gospel sharing.
In the Beginning
When sharing the gospel, the best place to begin is where scripture begins; God created the world. Everything exists and holds together because of him (Colossians 1:16-17). God is the only uncreated being, and as Matthew Barrett rightfully writes, “He is the creator and not the created. He is not placed into the hands of the creature but holds every person in the palms of his hand.” So what does this mean for us? When God made man, he made man and all creation perfect (Genesis 1:31). Man was made in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27) and was created to exist in a covenant relationship with God–to live within his boundaries. God permitted man to eat from every tree in the garden but was forbidden to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.(Genesis 2:16-17). Man was made to commune with God and walk in his ways. After disobeying God’s command, Adam and Eve fell from this estate (Genesis 3:6-8). The consequences and penalties of their sin were very devastating. Immediately came guilt, shame, and alienation from God (Genesis 3:7-11). But that is not all; pain, sorrow, enmity, and banishing from Eden ensued.
Sinning and Falling Short of God’s Glory
The consequences of sin that befell Adam and Eve didn’t just last through their lifetimes. They spread to all humanity through all generations. Why so? This is because Adam and Eve were created as representatives of all humanity. Being their descendants, we took up their in all aspects. “Just as sin came into the world through one man,” Adam, “and death through sin, so death spread to all men because all sinned” (Romans 5:12). So, we, indeed, have all sinned and fallen short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). Before God, no one is good, none is righteous, and no one does what is right (Romans 3:10-18). Therefore, sin, not righteousness, is natural to us all (Psalm 51:5).
God’s Holy Wrath Revealed
God has made known to us what can be known about him (Romans 1:19-20) through creation, his Word, and our conscience (Romans 2:14-15). Thus, every man stands under his holy wrath against our sinful nature. No one is with excuse (Romans 1:18). Often, when people talk about God’s character, there is much emphasis and reliance on God’s Mercy, Love, Justice, Omnipotence, Omniscience, and Omnipresence. Many shy away from talking about His righteous wrath. The thought of an angry God is uninvited and frowned upon, so many will rather deny or ignore it. God, on the other hand, does not hold back from revealing his rage, fury, and wrath against sin as he does his love, kindness, and mercy towards sinners.
The Wages of Sin
What is sin? The answer to this question in the Westminster Shorter Catechism, Question 14, is, “Sin is any want [lack] of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God.” I love this definition. The rightful punishment deserved for any of our sins is death (Romans 1:32, 6:23). It was the consequence of Adam and Eve’s act of disobedience (Genesis 2:17). This death is not just physical dying but eternal death (condemnation) as well. The desire is not to scare people into Christianity but to serve as a warning. It is a warning from God, and we must heed to it. So why are we not dead now?
God’s Gift of Salvation
In his richness of grace, mercy, and kindness, God didn’t leave us to the hopeless and deadness of sin. While we were still weak in our dead and hopeless state, God sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins (Romans 5:8, Ephesians 2:4-6, John 3:16-17). The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is Eternal life (Romans 6:23). We are without strength or wisdom to rescue ourselves or anyone from the shackles of sin. Thus, Christ had to die, for he was pure, blameless, and holy (Hebrews 7:26-28). His sacrifice was once for all. Hence, there is no need for any other sacrifice for sin, and it is perfected for all time (Hebrews 10: 10-14).
There stands no condemnation on those who are saved (Romans 8:1) because Christ stands as a righteous advocate (1 John 2:1) and a mediator (Hebrews 9:15) between them and the Righteous Judge, God. Thus, we know that instead of eternal death, those who are in him await a glorious, imperishable inheritance, which is everlasting life (1 Peter 1:4-5, Ephesians 1:13-14, Romans 6:23b).
The A to Zs of Salvation
So what must I do to be saved? During Paul and Silas’ arrest, the Philippian jailers asked them this question, and they responded by saying, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved…” (Acts 16:30-31). Paul lays more emphasis on this matter in his letter to the Romans (Romans 10:13). Jesus’ work on the cross on our behalf is done. All we have to do is Accept that we are sinners, Believe in our hearts, and Confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord and we will be saved. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse us from all our sins (1 John 1:7-9). God does not save us partially; he saves us to the utmost (Hebrews 7:25). How do we know we are saved? We receive this gift of salvation by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8).
This is one model you could use to share the gospel. It is not the only one, but it could serve those who, like me, struggle with where to begin and end. You could also use the Receive Christ video resource on our app or website, Kuzaapp.com.
Therefore, dear saint, do not shy away from sharing this glorious treasure you have received, for the gospel is God’s power for salvation (Romans 1:16-17), and the feet of those who convey it are beautiful (Isaiah 52:7, Romans 10:15)
References
None Greater: The Undomesticated Attributes of God Paperback – March 5, 2019
by Matthew Barrett
https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/what-is-the-romans-road-to-salvation-bible-verses-and-meaning.html
https://www.forthegospel.org/read/the-romans-road-to-salvation
https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/what-must-i-believe-to-be-saved#:~:text=Paul%20says%2C%20%E2%80%9CBelieve%20in%20the,(Romans%2010%3A9).
https://www.apuritansmind.com/westminster-standards/shorter-catechism/
