My notes from John Dickson’s talk in the fourth session at EMA (Evangelical Ministry Assembly)…
Three Dimensions of Promoting the Gospel
There is a self-consciousness about evangelism. A lot of this comes from the need to explain the whole gospel every time. The best kept secret of gospel mission is that it is a spectrum of activities although this doesn’t mean we downplay speaking the gospel.
Three other ways of promoting the gospel:
A) Praying for the Gospel
The most regularly urged gospel promoting activity is prayer. Prayer for mission was already there in the Old Testament.
1. King Solomon’s plea for Gentiles (1 Kings 8:41-43)
Solomon prays that Gentiles will know God the same way Israel does.
2. The compassion of Jesus and his call to prayer (Matthew 9:35-10:5)
Jesus was moved deeply. He was compassionate towards those who were harassed and helpless, compassionate towards those who don’t know the shepherd. Response is to call the disciples to pray for gospel workers.
Are your churches compassionate? Are they moved with the compassion of Jesus to ask, pray for gospel workers?
3. Paul’s plea on behalf of unbelievers (Romans 10:1; Acts 26:28-29)
4. Exhortations to churches (Ephesians 6:19-20; 2 Thessalonians 3:1; Colossians 4:2-4)
We frequently see Paul praying for congregations to get involved in mission.
Dick Lucas: “It is of great interest that the first duty of the Christians in Colossae was to open their mouths in prayer for the preachers of the gospel whom God had evidently called to this work. It was not, by inference, their first duty themselves to preach. The fresh and necessary awakening of the churches today to the concept of ‘every-member ministry’, and the mobilization of all Christians to take the gospel to all the world, should not be allowed to tone down this truth.”
In prayer we lift the work of the gospel into the hands of the Almighty. “Does your church see prayer as a basic mission duty?”
B) Giving to the Gospel
The New Testament gives a lot of air time to financial giving to the gospel.
1. Jesus’ command concerning the Twelve and the Seventy-Two (Matthew 10:10; Luke 10:7; 1 Corinthians 9:14)
2. The exhortations to ‘send out with provisions’ (Romans 15:24; 1 Corinthians 16:6; Titus 3:13)
Charles Cranfield: “Propempo was used to denote the fulfilment of various services which might be required by a departing traveller, such as the provision of rations, money, means of transport, letters of introduction, and escort for some part of the way.” (Charles Cranfield, Romans)
3. The ‘partnership’ of the Philippians (Philippians 1:3-5; 4:14-18)
Partnership – financial contributions by Philippians to Paul’s gospel work.
Ponder the language of partnership that Paul uses for giving money to gospel work. When talking about money in churches it is not unspiritual, it is partnership in gospel work. Not spectators on the sidelines but players on the pitch. They are furthering the gospel. “Do your congregations believe that about reaching in their pockets?”
C) Living for the Gospel
1. Being the ‘light of the world’ (Matthew 5:14-16; Isaiah 49:6)
Light shines before men by good deeds. The good deeds refer to the things talked about in the Sermon on the Mount.
2. Conversion ‘without a word’ (1 Peter 3:1-2)
Does not mean someone can be brought to Christ without words. Godly life can be the thing that brings them to believe the Word.
3. Beautifying the gospel (Titus 2:9-10)
Gospel is beautiful enough on its own. Paul says godly lives can beautify this message. This has never been more important. Criticism from New Atheist that Christianity has raped and pillaged people. Things we can say in reply to this. The thing that will win the argument is embodying the gospel.
“Are we known in our areas for the kind of deeds one would expect when they hear our gospel?”
Conclusion: Broadening our view of the work of the gospel
When people pray, give, live, they are players on the pitch. One way to dispel congregation self-consciousness is by explaining the breadth of mission. They are furthering the gospel in praying, giving and living.
More on this topic can be found in John Dickson’s book ‘Promoting the Gospel’ (chapters 4-7). Available to buy HERE.
