b
Discipleship:
Being with Jesus
Becoming like Jesus
Doing as He did
Three Rhythms
of Christ:
Making space for the gospel
Preaching the gospel
Living out the gospel
ACCORDING TO BARNA
94% of Millennial Christians believe that knowing Jesus is the best thing that can happen to a person
47% of those same Christians believe it is wrong to share one’s personal beliefs with someone of a different faith in hopes that they will one day share the same faith.
They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. 5 They do all their deeds to be seen by others.
- Matthew 23:4-5a
The gospel doesn’t
need a higher volume.
It needs a
deeper sincerity
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
- 1 Corinthians 13:1
Has our message fallen flat because people hear the noise over our love for them?
Rhythm #2
Preaching
the Gospel
Preaching the Gospel is about readiness and compassion, Jesus’ story overflowing in moments of opportunity
…but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, 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, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.
- 1 Peter 3:15-16
Leverage your Apprenticeship.
What you are offering is not just a truth claim,
but a new way of life
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
- Romans 1:16
Preaching the Gospel is about bringing peace to those who are living in chaos
MINISTRY OF
RECONCILIATION
2 Corinthians 5:16-21
All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself AND gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
- 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.
- 2 Corinthians 5:20-21
ambassadors
“presbeúō”
a trusted, respected representative who is authorized to speak as God's emissary
Preaching the Gospel is about being His witnesses to a world desperately in need of a better way of life
. . .and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
- Acts 1:8
witnesses
“martus”
a noun: one who sees or experiences something important for others to know about, bear record
John, a Witness
John 1:1,14; 1 John 1:1-4
Rhythm #3
Living out
the Gospel
Living out the Gospel is about sharing our lives with others, so that the Good News is evident in our Way
Because we loved you, we were happy to share not only God’s Good News with you, but even our own lives. You had become so dear to us!
- 1 Thessalonians 2:8
Living out the Gospel is about loving others as Jesus loved every person, whether friend or stranger
Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us
- Ephesians 5:1-2
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
- John 13:34-35
Living out the Gospel is about meeting people where they are to lead them to the Way of Jesus
1 Corinthians 9:19-23
To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. 23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.
- 1 Corinthians 9:22-23
Living out the Gospel is about praying for open doors and walking through them with wisdom and grace
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ . . . that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.
- Colossians 4:2-4
Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
- Colossians 4:5-6
LIVE OUT THE GOSPEL THROUGH THE BEATITUDES
Matthew 5:1-11
Action Step:
Living out the Gospel
is the effective bullhorn
of Preaching the Gospel