Obligation to Share the Gospel

1 sermons

The obligation to share the Gospel is a fundamental aspect of Christian faith, rooted in the Great Commission where Jesus commands his disciples to "go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19). This mandate is reinforced in Scripture, such as in Romans 10:14-15, which emphasizes the importance of sending and preaching the Gospel to all people, that they may hear and believe. As the apostle Paul writes, "we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us" (2 Corinthians 5:20), underscoring the responsibility of believers to share the message of salvation with others, motivated by love and obedience to God's will. Through sharing the Gospel, Christians fulfill their obligation to spread the good news of salvation, as expressed in Psalms 96:3, "Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples."

One Man's Testimony

Theodore Epp

Theodore Epp emphasizes Paul's testimony in Romans 1:13-17, where Paul expresses his sense of obligation, readiness, and lack of shame regarding the Gospel. Epp highlights that as believers reconciled through Christ, we have a duty to share the message of reconciliation with others. He stresses the

1 Corinthians 9:16

“Yet when I preach the gospel, I have no reason to boast, because I am obligated to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! If my preaching is voluntary, I have a reward. But if it is not voluntary, I am still entrusted with a responsibility. What then is my reward? That in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not use up my rights in preaching it. Though I am free of obligation to anyone, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), to win those under the law. To those without the law I became like one without the law (though I am not outside the law of God but am under the law of Christ), to win those without the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings.”

Acts 9:15

“"Go!" said the Lord. "This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings, and before the people of Israel.”

Colossians 3:11

“Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, or free, but Christ is all and is in all.”

Acts 22:21

“Then He said to me, 'Go! I will send you far away to the Gentiles.'"”

Acts 26:17

“I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Me.'”