April 14

Proclaim the Gospel

Romans 10

            KEY VERSE: How can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent?

n     Romans 10:14,15

 

Some tell us that the “Baby Boomer” generation is largely indifferent to the proclamation of the gospel. That may be true, but my personal experience gives me a different perspective.

All of our children were “Boomers,” born between 1946 and 1964. None of them is presently identified with their generation’s so-called “wall of indifference” to the Great Commission. Indeed one of them is soon to graduate from seminary, having answered the call of God to proclaim the gospel. One of his brothers chairs the Council in his church, and another chairs the Missions Team in his church. Another supports his wife in her work on the staff of their church.

An exception to the rule? Perhaps. But when these young men were growing up, their mother and I never prayed that they would become preachers. We did pray earnestly that they would become genuine disciples of Jesus Christ. While I am proud that one son has answered the call to preach, I am equally proud that his brothers are serving Christ in other ways.

What seems clear to me is that somewhere along the way our sons began to hear and respond to the call of God. The influence of parents can make a difference, but ultimately it is God who guides and shapes our lives. I did not call my sons to preach, or to serve God within their churches. God did. He always has called people to go and tell others the good news of salvation.

His plan is simple. One person hears the good news from another. When he shares this news with others, the Spirit awakens in another’s heart the desire to go preach the gospel to those who have not heard. When that happens the Church Gathered nurtures the one called and “sends” this person out to preach. In this process the whole church shares God’s mission to proclaim the gospel to all people everywhere.

We are all needed. We can all be involved in God’s gracious plan. Let us thank God that he still calls some of us to go and preach the good news to those who have never heard.

If you have confessed with your mouth that “Jesus is Lord,” and believed in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, you are saved. Now in gratitude embrace the privilege of sharing the good news with others. Go and tell in whatever ways God directs you. And remember that you are a Christian today only because someone else was faithful in proclaiming the gospel to you! Never forget that the Gospel begins with go!