Our Part in the Christian Life: Not to Persuade, Not to Convict, but to Proclaim the Victory of Jesus

 

When it comes to sharing the Gospel with others-and living the Christian life in general-it's important for us to remember a few key truths, like:

 

• It's the Holy Spirit who persuades our hearers, not us. 

• It's the Holy Spirit who prompts a response from our hearers, not us. 

So what's our part in the work?

 

Proclaim the victory of Jesus.

 

C.H. Dodd wrote up a summary of the earliest Christian preaching as reported in Acts. As you read these, ask yourself: Who and what are the subject of the apostles' proclamation?

 

• "God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Christ would suffer" (Acts 3:18; 2:16; 3:24).

• This has occurred through the ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus, of Davidic descent (Acts 2:30-31), "a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs" (Acts 2:22).

• "God raised him from the dead" (Acts 2:24; see 3:15; 4:10), making him Lord and Christ (Acts 2:33-36), and "exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel" (Acts 5:31).

• God has given the Holy Spirit to those who obey him (Acts 5:32). "Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear" (Acts 2:33).

• Christ "must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything" (Acts 3:21; 10:42). Having suffered as Messiah and having been exalted as Messiah, he would return as Messiah to bring history to a fitting consummation. So:

• "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38) (Oden, 220-221).

Or how about C.H. Dodd's summary of Paul's gospel proclamation from his letters:

 

• The prophecies are fulfilled, and the new age is inaugurated by the coming of Christ.

• He was born of the seed of David.

• He died according to the Scriptures, to deliver us out of the present evil age.

• He was buried.

• He rose on the third day according to the Scriptures.

• He is exalted at the right hand of God, as Son of God and Lord of quick and dead.

• He will come again as Judge and Savior of men (Oden, 221).

When was the last time you heard these things in a gospel presentation?

 

The Scriptures, the church fathers, the Reformers, and the faithful church around the world all point to the same thing when they preach the gospel: 

 

The victory of Jesus. 

 

They preach about it. They do not attempt to convict their hearers that their lives are messed up and then introduce Jesus as the cure. This is not a cosmic deodorant commercial we're in. This is the gospel. We're not selling anything. We're not even convicting or persuading anyone. That's the Holy Spirit's work. 

 

When we fail to understand that and act accordingly, it shows we don't trust the Holy Spirit very much at all.

 

For guidance in proclaiming the gospel, make sure to check out our free podcasts, video clips, and blog posts this month at www.ericfoley.com.

 

 

August 16, 2011 - Field Ops Report

 

Pray that the LORD will use culture, art, and sports in North Korea to raise Himself high instead of the Kim dynasty.

 

Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. (Psalm 150:3-5)

 

From one North Korean Christian: "I had a couple of very unusual experiences in China. I actually saw some films about Jesus aired on TV during the Christmas season! And, three months after Christmas, I heard the carol 'Silent Night' played on a train. Well, just like our God does his work in China, He will do the same in North Korea. Let us pray that our God will forgive North Koreans for worshiping idols even though they were originally created to worship God. Let's ask God that He will purify the hearts of North Koreans through the blood of Jesus Christ. Lord, please use North Korean artists in raising You high."

 

This prayer request is from Day 10 (on Culture, Art, and Sports) of our 30 Day NK Prayer Guide, written with the NK church. To purchase a copy, email super-intern Brett.

 

 

 

The map above was created by WikiTravel.org user, Cacahuate, and is available here.  Click on map to view in higher resolution.