Core Value: Gospel Spreading
Colossians 1:24-29, 4:2-6
Mid-year financial update. Members were recently informed. We significantly below our budget and, for the first time ever, we’ve been spending more than receiving. At present rates, it seems we’ll be around $100,000 short. Our budget is $705K and it looks like we’ll receive around $600K for the year. The session will be reviewing potential spending cuts. My purpose now is to ask for prayer.
We come to our good Father who delights to give us good gifts and is generous beyond measure, we bring our requests, we ask honestly and earnest, we claim his promises, and we entrust ourselves to His care.
We want to be a church that is gripped and moved and shaped by the Gospel. It fuels our worship, our transformation, our community life, our church identity and participation. When we see the greater picture of the Gospel, there is a natural outward momentum. We don’t just hold the Gospel to ourselves. It frees us from ourselves, it overflows and pushes outward.
We talked about praise as the overflow of enjoyment. If you watch a good movie or eat a good steak, you want to tell someone. If you’ve found something good, you want to tell others. Praise completes the enjoyment. “It is its appointed consummation” (C. S. Lewis).
If we’ve been freed from trying to be loved, accepted because we in Christ we already are loved and accepted, then we’re freed to love others. We don’t need to be self-focused, self-consumed. We are freed to love.
If we’ve been re-created in Christ to do good works, and we’ve been given spiritual gifts to be a needed part in the body of Christ, then we, the church won’t just stay confined. We will be a city on a hill. The Gospel moves us from being consumeristic and self-focused to being the Church, the people of God doing the mission of God.
Gospel Spreading
People who are being transformed by Jesus Christ understand that the gospel exists not solely for our personal progress and fulfillment, but it is the redemptive truth to which we are to give ourselves for its progress and fulfillment throughout our broken world. We desire to be on God’s worldwide gospel mission both locally and globally as He allows, praying for and working towards the advancement of God’s kingdom. Recognizing that the local church is central to this mission, we believe the best way to bring the gospel to bear on people in particular contexts is through the launching of multiple local congregations. In a vibrant gospel-spreading congregation, members work together to share the gospel with neighbors, classmates, co-workers, and friends, and embody the gospel in their love for one another and for their neighboring communities. We believe we can help spread the gospel most effectively throughout our region through site multiplication, church planting, and partnering with other local churches.
This core value is central to our vision: to be a Gospel-spreading movement.
We don’t want the Gospel just for ourselves. If it is so good to us, we share it.
As we prepare for an upcoming PM campus, this is one of the main reason: that we might more effectively spread the Gospel.
We’re going back to Colossians and in our passages we see that Paul is on a mission to spread the Gospel and He calls the Colossians to do the same. We’ll talk through the passage and pick up 8 lessons along the way.
Colossians 1:24-29
1. Paul has been given a commission, a stewardship from God to proclaim the Gospel (1:25).
Paul had a special calling to proclaim the Gospel to Gentiles.
But there’s a broader picture of stewardship. We are managers, stewards of our Lord’s resources. If God has given someone talents or wealth, that person has a responsibility to use that those for God’s kingdom.
I think God has given us a lot of gifts: talent, abilities, education, opportunities that many in this country and the world envy. But the greatest gift God has given us is the Gospel.
We have the message of salvation, the good news of God’s loving rescue, the way into God’s family. What are we to do with this message? Some bury it in the ground and do nothing. Others use it to bear fruit, to increase our Master’s kingdom and glory. There is a stewardship accountability we bear.
2. The goal of Gospel ministry isn’t just converts but mature believers (1:28).
We know this from the Great Commission, which is to make disciples, teaching them to obey all that Jesus has commanded (Mt 28:19-20).
Notice also the implication from this passage. What does the Gospel produce? The effect of the Gospel isn’t just to make converts. Paul is saying he has been given the charge to proclaim the gospel, warning and teaching with all wisdom, to present everyone mature in Christ. The Gospel produces mature disciples. The Gospel isn’t just how we’re saved, the Gospel is also how we mature. We’ve talked about how the Gospel produces transformation, community, healthy and fruitful churches.
3. Paul suffers and toils for the church (1:24, 29).
Paul in fact rejoices in his suffering “to make the word of God [Gospel] fully known.”
He is happy to suffer for the Gospel. He embraces the cost. We’ll see in a moment, Paul is actually in prison as he writes these words. His suffering is real.
He toils and struggles to see the full fruit of the Gospel, to see them mature in Christ. Paul was indeed a great missionary and suffered greatly to spread the Gospel. But notice, his suffering and toil was also to see Christians mature in Christ.
As we talk about spreading the Gospel, we need to accept that there is a cost. Jesus repeatedly emphasized the cost of following Him. We need to carry our cross.
Paul also warns of suffering for Christ:
For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake (Philip 1:29)
8Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God (1 Tim 1:8)
[Paul’s charge to Timothy] As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (2 Tim 4:5)
We need to expect it—change your expectation. As we become a Gospel-driven and Gospel spreading church, we recognize there will be costs. This will not be a side hobby, a matter of convenience, staying in our comfort zone. There will be real costs in time, money, energy, lifestyle, career, relationships, etc.
Do not expect to live as an American civilian. We want to move to a self-centered, individualistic, consumeristic mentality to the mentality that we are the church, gifted and called to do ministry, entrusted with the Gospel that we might proclaim it, and given the privilege of suffering for it.
4. The Gospel: Christ in you (Gentiles), the hope of glory (1:27)
It’s hard for Paul to mention the Gospel without talking about it. And so, embedded in this description of his personal ministry, he gives a brief glimpse of this Gospel, Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Paul’s point here is that Christ is in you, Colossians, Gentiles, pagans. Gentiles also are united with Christ. Gentiles are included in the Church. And so, Gentiles are in heaven, sharing in the glory of Christ. If Christ is in (you) Gentiles, then
The Gospel is not about keeping the law. If it where, being a Jew vs. a Gentile would matter. If it were about performance and morality, Jews would have a distinct advantage, for they had the law.
But now, those who observed the Sabbath, were circumcised, offered animal sacrifices, studied the Bible, are now together with those who never observed the Sabbath, were circumcised, offered animal sacrifices, or studied the Bible. It’s not about performance, morality.
The Gospel is about grace through faith. God opens the door to all people, regardless of race or ethnicity, wealthy or poor, moral or immoral, pastor or prostitute, etc. The Gospel says we’re actually all in the same boat: sinners.
The Gospel is not the story of good people reaching God. It is the story of God reaching undeserving sinners. And those who trust Him, those who believe that because of Jesus their sins are forgiven, their shame is removed, their citizenship is in heaven, their destiny is glorious, their family is the family of God—they receive this great salvation. Jesus died, so now we can live.
This is the good news we’ve received and are now called to steward, to share, to spread.
This is the good news that as we grow to believe it, transforms and matures us.
This is the good news that we are called to toil and sacrifice for.
Colossians 4:2-6
A section on giving instructions (wives, husbands, children, fathers, masters, slaves)
5. Paul calls for vigilant prayer, with thanksgiving (4:2)
You may recall that at the beginning of this letter, Paul shared how he prayed for Colossians with thanksgiving (having heard about their faith and love). He now calls the Colossians to the same.
He calls for steadfast, watchful, vigilant, persistent prayer. Pray and don’t lose focus, don’t lose steam.
Renewal, we have a lot to pray for.
·
With the upcoming launch of the PM campus: including a facility and the many ministry teams/leaders.·
With the relaunch of the WP campus: care of the building, new deaconal/mercy ministry.·
Both campuses, to spread the Gospel so Christians and nonChristians can find hope in Christ.·
But in particular, please pray for our financial situation.I want to point out this call to thankfulness. We’ve noticed before how repeatedly Paul instructs the Colossians to be thankful. In 1 Thess (5:16-18), Paul says, “Rejoice always, 17pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” The call for prayer is again joined with the call to give thanks (and rejoice).
I’ve found the practice of thanksgiving to help me “taste” the Gospel. I’ve mentioned, the Gospel is the story of what God has done for us. Thanksgiving takes a moment to specifically recognize and appreciate what God has done for me today.
We should give thanks:
·
the Gospel taking root in our lives/church,·
the upcoming PM campus and multi-site direction·
our own building·
many years of financial provision·
pastors/elders/CG leaders/CT heads—the many who serve.[
God has been good to us.6. Paul asks for prayer: open doors and clarity (4:3-4)
Paul asks for opportunities to share the Gospel and that he can share it clearly.
To appreciate this request, notice where he is—in prison.
He is asking for opportunities to share the Gospel because right now, he is bound in prison. His “doors are closed.” He doesn’t have the freedom to go about preaching the Gospel, and so he’s asking for more opportunities.
And with the opportunity, he wants to be clear, effective, to not just say it, but say it in a way that it is understood.
Notice in this Paul’s passion and priority. Here he is in prison. My request would have been to be released from prison! But Paul’s request is that he has opportunities to share the Gospel.
Can you imagine being in jail, and your request is, please have God open doors for me to share the Gospel and share it clearly!
Imagine being sick in the hospital, and your request is, please have God open doors for me to share the Gospel and share it clearly!
You learn something about a person by their prayer requests. We learn a lot about Paul and his passion.
After asking for prayer, Paul gives a few more instructions.
7. Make the most of your opportunities (4:5)
The context here is spreading the Gospel. And Paul is saying, don’t waste your time, don’t dilly daddle. Use wisdom with outsiders. The opportunities are there. With wisdom and urgency, share the Gospel.
Unlike Paul, these Colossians are not in prison. The opportunities are there. Paul doesn’t ask for open doors for them. He urges them not to waste the opportunities/open doors they have.
It is my hope that all of us will intentionally put ourselves in situations where we can meet nonChristians and build genuine relationships. That is, we can pray for and seek more open doors. I was going to suggest that we borrow Paul’s request and pray for open doors. But then I thought, “Open doors? Paul would probably say, we only take advantage of a fraction of the open doors we already have!” We already have plenty of classmates, co-workers, neighbors and friends who don’t know Christ. We already have relationships and opportunities.
Perhaps this word is more appropriate for us, that we make the most of the opportunities we already have. Maybe we need to pray that we recognize the open doors we have and have the grace and wisdom to make the most of our opportunities.
I don’t have as many opportunities as most of you. All my co-workers are Christian, from what I can tell. And I spend most of my time with church people. But I have opportunities too.
Over the summer we hired a carpenter to finish our basement. He’s a retired guy who still has a lot of strength and great work ethic. In the weeks he spend in our basement, my boys asked him tons of questions on how things work, Janette got to know him and would bring him food and drinks, and I got to chat also. He asked what I did, and so I told him I was a pastor, and then I told him that we were going to launch a new campus in the PM area and that he was invited to come by.
When we were selling and buying our house about a 1.5 years ago, we got to know our realtor, invited him to Renewal. We’ve gotten to know our neighbors, who also have young kids.
We already have opportunities, let’s not waste them.
8. Be prepared to answer with grace and wisdom (4:6)
We want to be prepared to answer questions about our faith and lives.
always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15)
We want to be ready to share the Gospel and share our testimony. If someone were to ask,
Why do you go to church?
What does it mean to be a Christian?
Do you think all religions are the same?
How do people go to heaven?
What hope do you have in this messed up world?
Are you afraid of death?
For questions nonChristians may ask, let me recommend Keller, A Reason for God. [picture]
We’re not only to be prepared in the content of our answers but in the manner of our answers: gracious, seasoned with salt; gentleness and respect.
The tone, posture we have. We want to share about grace with graciousness.
The medium is the message. It’s not just the words we say, it’s us. We are to be the embodiment of the Gospel. The Gospel must first be real in our own lives.
The greatest thing you have for yourself is the Gospel.
It is not your education, good looks, physical fitness, charm & charisma. The greatest thing about you is not about you. The greatest thing about you is your Savior: Jesus as our Savior, Shepherd, Protector, Provider, Refuge, Glory—this changes everything. He gives us hope, comfort, identity, freedom, significance, and joy.
The greatest thing you have for others is the Gospel.
It is not your time or money; not your professional skills (computers, education, medicine, research).
We have the message of salvation, the hope of glory. We can show people the cure to sin, guilt, shame and condemnation. That’s why we want to launch a PM campus, to spread the Gospel. That’s why the WP campus is here, to spread the Gospel. The greatest thing we can give is Jesus and His gospel.
As we believe the first will we honestly believe the second. As the Gospel becomes more precious and powerful in our own lives, so our desire to spread it will be an honest, organic overflow.