MAKING CHRIST KNOWN TO OTHERS:
Too many times people have felt that the duty of preaching or teaching
the gospel to the lost was the duty of a "minister" only. As we will
see, it is the duty of every Christian. In Acts chapter two we read
that the Christians were "praising God, and having favor with all the
people" (Acts 2:47). They were able to have favor not by keeping
to themselves that they were Christians. When the people saw that
these Christians were a different kind of people and that miracles were
being done by the apostles, "the people magnified them" (Acts 5:13).
But let us look a bit further. Even when the Lord's church in Jerusalem
fell out of favor with the people due to persecution from Saul of Tarsus,
we see who continued to spread the good news of Christ: "And Saul
was consenting unto his death. And there arose on that day a great persecution
against the church which was in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered
abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
And devout men buried Stephen, and made great lamentation over him.
But Saul laid waste the church, entering into every house, and dragging
men and women committed them to prison. They therefore that were
scattered abroad, went about preaching the word" (Acts 8:1-4).
Friend, even you can do your part in preaching the word of God's message to your friends and family who have not yet become Christians. We will help you by mailing them study materials like those you have been using. We will need their mailing address. Perhaps, the Lord willing, some of us may even be able to come to your place to help you teach others. But the point just here is: you can do much in this work...and you ought to do so!
Jesus gave command to his apostles (who in turn were to command all disciples to do the same things) which included teaching people how to become Christians. Here is what he said, "Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world" (Matthew 28:19-20). They were to go make disciples. They were to teach these disciples to do the same. Thus, now that you are a disciple, you, too, are to go and make disciples.
Sometimes we may feel inadequate. Prayer will help in this. Also, know that Christ is with us and that judgment day is coming. This should compel us to tell others what to do to prepare and avoid being lost. As Paul said, "Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we persuade men" (2 Corinthians 5:11). Again, our love for the Master and the knowledge of His love for us should cause us to desire to teach others. "For the love of Christ constraineth us" (2 Corinthians 5:14).
OVERCOMING OBSTACLES:
In all of life's situations, there are obstacles which we must overcome.
None are as great as those the devil may throw before us when we attempt
to teach others the truth of God's word. Probably the greatest of
these is fear. Fear of the unknown such as "What will they think
of me?" or "What if I say something wrong?" or "What if they become angry?"
When we have these kinds of fears, let us do as Jesus did—pray (Luke 22:41-42)!
When the early church had fears and persecution, they did the same:
"And now, Lord, look upon their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants
to speak thy word with all boldness, while thy stretchest forth thy hand
to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of thy
holy Servant Jesus. And when they had prayed, the place was shaken
wherein they were gathered together; and they were all filled with the
Holy Spirit, and they spake the word of God with boldness" (Acts 4:29-31).
Another obstacle that the devil may use against us is embarrassment.
There is never a need to be embarrassed or ashamed of the Christ or His
gospel! Use what Paul said to encourage you: "For I am not ashamed
of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that
believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek" (Romans 1:16).
Actually, we see here that it is not by our own talent or abilities that
will convert people. We are just the delivery people. The real
power is God's gospel message. As Paul elsewhere wrote, this message
of God's word is what works within believers, "And for this cause we
also thank God without ceasing, that, when ye received from us the word
of the message, even the word of God, ye accepted it not as the word of
men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which also worketh in you
that believe" (1 Thessalonians 2:13). In this way, as John says,
"And now, my little children, abide in him; that, if he shall be manifested,
we may have boldness, and not be ashamed before him at his coming"
(1 John 2:28).
Here are a few things we can do to help prepare us to teach the gospel
to others:
Finally, remember what Peter told his readers, "But ye are a elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light" (1 Peter 2:9).
Now, study the lesson sheet and answer the questions regarding this lesson. We hope that you will continue to learn to teach the gospel to others. God bless you in this most holy work!