Boldly proclaiming the gospel
…praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth to boldly proclaim the mystery of the gospel for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly as I ought to speak.
Ephesians 6:18-20
Lord, open my mouth to boldly proclaim the mystery of the Gospel
Dear Friends,
When I lead tour groups through my date plantation in Charleville, Western Queensland, I tell them of how it all began. Of how 20 of my friends gathered to help me get the farm established, working for two weeks in 40-degree heat to get the job done. ‘It was like we were on a mission,’ I say.
We in the LM-A are on a mission too. The word is even part of our name What a wonderful thing to be a part of God’s great work of rescue to the world, to see people gathered to God, out of the darkness into the light, to see them changed by the working of the Spirit through the Word, to be caught up in the joy of heaven over every sinner that becomes one of God’s own.
One of the things I have realised about myself, and perhaps you have noticed this about yourself too, is that sometimes I am reluctant to ‘boldly proclaim the mystery of the Gospel’. It seems that St Paul, Timothy (2 Timothy 1:7) and Jesus’ disciples generally at times (Luke 9:26) lacked boldness to speak Christ and His Word.
So, what is the answer? Well, here the Holy Spirit, through St Paul, urges other Christians to pray for him so that he may declare the Gospel boldly. So let us also pray for one another that we may boldly speak of Jesus, and that the very words may be given to us, and let us believe that God will truly answer that prayer. As a wonderful hymn reminds us:
Come my soul with every care, Jesus loves to answer prayer;
He Himself has bid thee pray, therefore will not turn away.
Thou art coming to a king, large petitions with thee bring;
For His grace and power are such, none can ever ask too much.(LSB 779;1,2)
Another thing that helps greatly in making us bold to speak of Jesus is being convinced of the truthfulness of what we speak. This is the work of the Holy Spirit, who honours those who are faithful to Scripture. That is why it is so important to belong to a church that faithfully teaches and preaches the truth of God’s Word, and doesn’t ignore it or explain it away. I have been amazed at the clarity and certainty that been born in me as I gather with people who treasure the Word of God and humbly submit to it, as is the spirit of the LMA, thanks be to God. This is why it is wonderful to see Bible study is a vital part of the life of our LM-A congregations. If you want to become bolder in declaring the mystery of the Gospel, get to know God better by joining a church bible study group, listening carefully to your pastor’s sermons with an open heart, and read your Bible often. (I can personally recommend the daily 15-minute Bible study with Pastor Will Weedon of ‘The Word of the Lord Endures Forever’, found on the Lutheran Public Radio app.)
The only way someone can become a Christian is by hearing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Someone brought it to us, and for that we are truly thankful. Befriend the people God places into your life. Genuinely get to know them. Patiently listen to them, care for them, love them and bring them the Gospel, announcing it to them in ways that are adapted to their circumstances, and then re-announcing it to them in different ways. Bring them Jesus, His love and salvation and forgiveness. Pray for God to give you the words and the boldness. He will not fail you.
Preach you the Word, and plant it home, to men who like or like it not,
The Word that shall endure and stand, when flowers and men shall be forgot.LSB 586:1
Dear Heavenly Father. I can never thank you enough for the gift of your Son Jesus who sacrificed Himself for me that I might live forever. The forgiveness I have through Him brings life to the core of my being. Give me a bold and trusting faith that is not afraid to speak this Gospel to others and give me and all the members of your church the very Words to say. Amen.
By Pastor Mark Hampel
Charleville Lutheran Mission