Our hesitancy in sharing the Gospel could be the difference between someone experiencing eternal joy or being crushed by glory for eternity. Jonathan Pickens emphasizes the importance of telling others about Jesus, increasing our urgency to share the truth, and sending us out with practical tools to start conversations with those around us.
Key Takeaway
If our lives are evidence of God's goodness and faithfulness, we can't help but respond by telling everyone around us the Good News we have received.
Our hesitancy with sharing the Gospel may be because we're afraid of stumbling over our words—we're worried we will say the wrong thing or hurt relationships.
However, one of the most unloving things we can do is not tell people about the Gospel. Scripture is blatant.
"Sharing the Gospel is not an option to be considered, but a command to be obeyed." - David Platt
It isn't an option or a nicety. There is an eternal heaven or hell. You will either experience eternal joy or be crushed by eternal glory, and we have a response and responsibility because of the truth that we know.
Read Psalm 96:3, Psalm 105:1, Isaiah 52:7, Matthew 9:37-38, Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 5:42, 1 Peter 3:15, 2 Corinthians 5:11, 2 Corinthians 5:20.
“In truth, most missionary work was not carried out by the apostles, but rather by the countless and nameless Christians who for different reasons—persecution, business, or missionary calling—traveled from place to place taking the news of the gospel with them.” - Justo González
The expectation to share the Good News isn't just for church staff or pastors; it's for all of us. We're all active agents in sharing the Gospel.
Why must we share the Gospel? Jesus saved the world, and it needs to know about the God who died to save them.
How do we do this?
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Colossians 4:2-6
Here are three takeaways on how we can go about making disciples and sharing the Gospel:
1. Pray — the Holy Spirit is the greatest evangelist. (Colossians 4:2-3)
Paul encourages them to engage in a consistent rhythm of praying. Why? Because God's people need God's power to do God's work. You can't do what God has asked you to do without the God who equips you. God will give you the burden and the power.
What does he tell them to pray for? Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving leads to being alert. Gratitude stirs in us a sense of alertness.
What we deserved was eternal punishment, yet God, in his mercy, did not give us what we deserved. Mercy moves us to experience in our hearts what we know in our minds.
Read Philippians 3:18.
Often, a lack of burden for the lost and urgency in discipleship is the fruit of the lack of prayer life behind closed doors.
Paul encourages us to start with this sense of being alert.
Paul's highest priority was not his preference but the Gospel mission. And it should be our highest priority.
The primary prayer is, "God, while I'm in this season, will you use me and give me opportunities I won't have in the future?"
Paul wasn't praying to be moved from the chains but was asking for opportunities in the jail cell. He's so dependent on the Lord's power that he understands that without the prayers of others on his behalf, he won't be bold. He's dependent on God for his boldness. Pray for opportunity.
“Talking to men for God is a great thing, but talking to God for men is greater still. He will never talk well and with real success to men for God who has not learned well how to talk to God for men." - Leonard Ravenhill
2. Walk in Wisdom — no one wants a Gospel you speak with your mouth but forsake with your life. (Colossians 4:4-5)
Many times, we will undo with our actions what we've said with our words.
The Gospel is meant to inform your actions.
Logical arguments won't always win hearts, but a love that doesn't make sense will.
If we aren’t careful, we will drift into a lifestyle that makes more sense in light of retirement than in light of eternity. That’s not the call.
Paul invited us to walk in wisdom and to be careful with how we walk.
3. Speak — God can't use your words if you won't use your words. (Colossians 4:6)
Maybe you come up with excuses—it didn't come up, it wasn't the right time, or you will only share if they ask.
We must plan on telling others about Jesus because the Gospel of love demands it; Christ's love compels us (2 Corinthians 5:14), and Scripture commands us.
How? With graciousness, seasoned with salt. Do it in such a winsome way that when you share the Gospel with others, they come back with questions.
Tell others your story and initiate the conversation, strategically sharing the opportunities.
Here are some helpful guidelines for sharing the Gospel:
1. When?
Make a plan and be sensitive to the Holy Spirit.
When Andrew encountered Jesus, he went home to tell his brother, Simon Peter, about Jesus.
Be sensitive to the spirit's prompting like Philip, who was carried on by the Spirit of God.
God will give you opportunities.
2. What?
Start with your story.
Here is a practical way to share your testimony: "There was a time in my life when _______________ , but then I met Jesus, _______________ , and now my life is like this. Do you have a story like that?"
3. Where?
Start close to home—with your family or neighborhood.
4. How?
Look for built-in opportunities.
If you're getting your mail, invite your neighbor to church.
If you're at a restaurant, ask the waiter if they need prayer for when you pray for your food.
If you're in an Uber, talk to the driver.
God isn't asking you to be eloquent—He's inviting you to be honest.
What if we were less concerned with what people thought about us and more concerned with what people thought about God?
We need more people willing to stand up and stand out for their faith. What we will see on the other side of it is that Jesus Saves. It's not weird for you to tell others about Jesus. It is very weird if you have been dead, brought back to life, talk with him daily, and yet remain silent.
We have to go because His love commands us.
"If I don’t enjoy Christ, I won’t speak of him. Or, perhaps worse, I will, but without love and enjoyment— and if my mouth does give away my heart, people will hear of an unwanted Christ. And who would want that?” - Michael Reeves
Discussion Questions
- What holds you back from sharing the Gospel with others?
- Sharing the Gospel is one of the most unloving things we can do. How does this statement sit with you?
- David Platt says, “Sharing the Gospel is not an option to be considered, but a command to be obeyed.” What does it look like to live in obedience to that command in your daily life?
- How does prayer shape your heart for evangelism?
- In what ways can you begin praying more intentionally for the lost—and for your own boldness?
- Colossians 4 emphasizes both prayer and wisdom in evangelism. What does it mean to “walk in wisdom” in your current context (workplace, school, neighborhood)?
- How do your actions reflect or contradict the Gospel message you want to share?
- Have you ever missed an opportunity to speak about Jesus because you were waiting for the “perfect moment”?
- How can you create a plan to intentionally share your faith this week?
- What specific people or spaces come to mind when you're thinking about sharing your faith?
Scripture References
