Advance the Gospel by All Means

Ephesians 4.11-12: It was God who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service (for works of ministry), so that the body of Christ may be built up

Philippians 1.12: Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.

We are all to be ministers; we are all called to service and ministry to grow the body of Christ. This is why God has given us Paul’s: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. People to grow us up in the faith, to prepare us for self-growth and growing others, to teach us how to grow the body of Christ.

While writing Philippians Paul was actually imprisoned for his faith, the same faith that we have. Yet see what he wrote there? “What has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.”

God took this situation where Paul was in jail for his faith, and used it so that the gospel could be spread, so that Paul could continue in the ministry, serving by building up the body of Christ.

This job, service, and ministry has been passed on to you: To build the body of Christ.

I don’t know you’re situation, I don’t know you gifts, but I know that God has placed people in your life to help you grow and for you to help grow the body of Christ. God allowed Paul to be imprisoned so that the Gospel could be spread. And if Paul can share the Gospel with those who threw him in jail, you have no excuse for not spreading the message of Christ.

Absolutely, utterly, no reason at all.

You may be scared that the people around you will think you’re weird, that you don’t know how, that you’ll be made fun of, that no one will listen, that “That person could never be a Christian.” (If I ever hear anyone say that you will be hit. Do NOT insult my God like that.)

There is no excuse as to why you can’t share the gospel with someone, even in the smallest of ways.

Challenge for you. Tell a different person each day this week that you are praying for them, and ask if there is anything you could be praying for. Then actually do it.

Remember, God placed Paul in prison to spread the message. God has similarly placed you where you’re at to do the same. He has given you all you need.

Do it.