Sharing the Good news of Jesus Christ, remains our number one priority. We have been going out proclaiming the Gospel in open-air meetings, at the marketplaces, on street corners. From shop to shop, and one on one. There are no huge crowds, yet we cannot forget, or neglect the bible pattern of making disciples, of labouring for fruit that endures. We should never tire of encouraging people to walk in a way which brings glory to the Father, and which is pleasing to Him.
I think of Psalm 71:18 So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come.
Colossians 1:28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
First of all, warning all people, while the immediate meaning in English that comes to mind may be to warn of threatening danger, or the coming judgement, or warning of hell. Yet this is not actually the intended meaning the apostle Paul wants to communicate here. Rather the word warning here is more accurately rendered as ‘call near’ or admonishing every man. It includes to bring to attention things that the hearers don’t usually think about. It also includes to persuade and to convince them.
The Persuading Part.
Our persuading should always be in in kindness, showing what the Lord has done for them, and the depth of His love toward them. We must preach there is only one true and living God, and only one name by which we can be saved Jesus Christ.
We persuade by teaching the whole Gospel of Christ proclaiming every branch of it. Teaching them to believe in Christ Jesus for salvation, to take hold of His righteousness for Justification, to place exclusive faith in the blood of Christ and in the sacrifice of Christ which alone can pardon and remove our sin. We must include and encourage our hearers to observe all things commanded by Christ, and to live soberly righteously and Godly.
The Convincing part.
People need to be convinced of their sinfulness and the power and danger of sin. Convinced of the terrible state of being lost without the Lord, the terrible state of dying without Christ. To convince them, if at all possible, that all this world has to offer is temporal and fading away and will decay and perish. While the Kingdom of God is an Eternal Kingdom. We preach Gods Word clearly and entirely; God then by His spirit will convince.
The Role of the Holy Spirit.
We must remember we are co labourers together with Him. We proclaim the Gospel, while the Lord alone, by His Spirit is the one who truly convinces of the need for salvation. Without His convicting power, people simply aren’t really convinced. John 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
It is He who pricks the hearts when they hear. It is He who causes people to say what then must I do to be saved?Sharing the Good News
