Apostles Church

A Gospel Community on Mission. Paul breaks out in prayer that gets interrupted by reflection on his role in God’s great plan and the grace God has given to him. The structure of the passage is as follows: vv1-6 Paul receives revelation of the Gospel; vv7-13 Paul receives a commission to spread the Gospel. That’s not just for Paul. All who have come to believe this Gospel are also sent with this Gospel. When God draws us near, he also sends us out. In this passage we see two aspects of grace – the Gospel made known to us and  the call to us to make the Gospel known.

The Gospel made Known vv1-6. Mystery of Christ – God is healing the creation in Jesus (1:10) of which Jewish and Gentile reconciliation is a major key. This mystery is the Gospel (v6). God is reconciling people to himself and bringing them together in one humanity called the Church.

Making the Gospel Known vv7-13  Paul receives a commission to spread this Gospel. He was made a minister of this Gospel to preach and to bring to light the mystery. He is sent to proclaim and to dialogue. Paul saw himself saved by God for this purpose. He was captured by Christ for this. The reception of Grace does not terminate on us. God does not save us simply for ourselves but so that His salvation might spread to others. Do we have the Mission of Community or are we a Community on mission. Paul was sent out and willing to suffer. He saw his suffering for them. He is in prison. Anytime we make it our aim to not only believe the Gospel but to share it with others we run the risk of a form of suffering.

Challenge and Practical Action Steps.

Love Jesus. We genuinely talk about the people and things we love. I posted on Twitter the question as to why Christians are hesitant to share the Gospel. Steve Timmis on Twitter: “We are not truly, madly, deeply besotted with Christ.” Besot – to be intoxicated with something; to make stupid or foolish or be obsessed with something. It means that something is biggest in your heart. Affections: When he is the biggest thing in our hearts, we will naturally talk about him. If you are not truly growing in love for Jesus than all attempts at sharing him will feel forced and lack authenticity; out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks. Here is track: Get to know Jesus. Don’t wait for a measure of affection; ask God for it even while you are getting to know and are speaking about Jesus.

Love People v13. Paul suffers for them and it is for their honor that he does so. Illus: Is it unloving to proselytize others? ultimately it is unloving to not share the Gospel with others for fear of loss. Losing is a way we confirm our love for those we share with. I love you enough to risk being rejected by you and others so that you might come to know the grace of God in Christ. And my willingness to risk for you bestows an honor upon you. We cloak the vice of not sharing Christ in the virtue of tolerant love; but it is not tolerant love, it is selfish non-love that seeks our own comfort and reputation.

Reflect on the Gospel. The Gospel is the unsearchable riches of Christ. It is a breathtaking vision of the Gospel that fills one with wonder that he should be used to spread it. Is the Gospel changing you? Is it rescuing you from self-salvation? We all feel the fall and we are all seeking salvation in some gospel (relationships, success, possessions, family). The Gospel is that Jesus rescues us from the fall. If you are not experiencing the power of the Gospel yourself, you will not have the conviction that is able to save and transform others. If the Gospel of Jesus is changing you, you will be able to speak with humility (v8 least of all the saints), authenticity, and authority. Everyone is believing some Gospel. Can you apply Gospel to you and others.

Pray for abounding love and sensitivity, fullness of Spirit; opportunities. see John 16:8; Acts 1:8.
Practice Hospitality. We are called to be a welcoming community open to others, inviting, embracing, patiently sharing the gospel. Each of us is to be a hub of hospitality and a connecting point to the community. Are you a  Hub or part of a huddle? You must be the connecting point to the community and to Jesus and his Gospel.

Live a life that demands Gospel Explanation. 1 Peter 2:11-12. Don’t give answers that credit your personality or human decency, but that credit the work of Grace in your life. Jeff Vanderstelt, Lead Pastor of Soma Communities in Tacoma, WA says it this way: Demonstration without Declaration is condemning (we give an example without explanation we inspire law keeping which is condemning); Declaration without demonstration is confusing (when you say…but you won’t…it is confusing).