“And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.’”

 Mark 16:15

Spreading the gospel can seem like a daunting task. Many of us are perfectly content to sit back and let the “professionals” take the lead – pastors, evangelists, well-trained Bible scholars. But the reality is that we are all called to be messengers of the gospel in some capacity. That doesn’t mean we have to preach from a pulpit or stand on a street corner. But it does mean that we should always be seeking to speak the gospel into someone’s life, using our unique gifts and circumstances. After all, we ourselves once walked in darkness and ignorance. Now that we have encountered such a great and priceless gift, how could we keep it to ourselves? If we truly believe that Jesus is the only way to eternal salvation, how could we withhold that knowledge from those who need to hear it? Spreading the gospel is essential to glorifying God, and it also brings us unmeasurable joy. So, what are some practical ways that we can spread the gospel?

Share Your Testimony

Many Christians worry about having the right answer for every argument, or being able to defend the Word of God against fierce cross-examination. But the truth is that souls are not persuaded by logic – they are persuaded by the Holy Spirit. For every fact you state, there will always be somebody to refute it. But the one thing that cannot be refuted is what God has personally done in your life. In Psalm 66:16, David says: “Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul.” Let that be our example; let us be eager to tell others of all that God has done for us. All of us can think of a time when God brought us through hardship, or blessed us in an unexpected way, or showed up for us in a difficult circumstance. That kind of testimony is powerful, and God can use it to draw others to Himself.

Sometimes these conversations can be hard to initiate. That’s why it is critical to build deep relationships with the people in your life. Strong relationships open doors for you to be able to ask big questions about life and worldview. Strong relationships make it possible for people to trust you and know that your motivation is one of love, not judgment. So, pray for opportunities to have those important conversations. Pray for wisdom, and the Holy Spirit will give you the words you need to say. Pray that God would equip you to gladly share the gospel with anyone He places in your path – whether friend, stranger, or enemy.

Serve the Local Church

Although our testimony consists primarily of words, that isn’t the only part of it. The Bible tells us that every believer has been given spiritual gifts that enable him or her to serve the Church in a unique way. Sometimes advancing God’s mission doesn’t have to involve public speaking at all. In fact, speaking is only one of many gifts that God gives. If your gift is hospitality, delight in showing the love of Christ to newcomers and outsiders. If your gift is administration, delight in completing the day-to-day tasks that allow your church to operate. If your gift is discipleship, delight in helping other believers to grow in Christ. Each part of the Body of Christ is essential, and each promotes the spread of the gospel in some way. If nothing else, use an invitation to church as an avenue for your friends, family, and co-workers to come hear the Word of God. We advance God’s mission not only in formal encounters of sharing the gospel, but also by serving His Church – the embassy of God here on earth.

Live It Out

Matthew 5:16 says, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Pay close attention to the final part of that verse. Why do we perform good works? So that others may see and give glory to the Father – not us. Every time we help someone in need or display compassion, we are giving others a glimpse into God’s own heart. They witness a kind of pure goodness that cannot come from human righteousness, but only a divine source. When spreading the gospel, our approach should not simply be to assault others with empty words and judgments. Our actions are how we show that we believe what we preach. They show that our faith motivates us to act in ways that we otherwise would not. They show that the gospel leads to life, justice, and mercy.

Finally, recognize that spreading the gospel should start in our immediate environment – but it shouldn’t end there. In Acts 1:8, Jesus tells the Apostles, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Jerusalem – where the disciples were staying at the time. Judea – the surrounding region. Samaria – a more distant region where very few Jews dared to travel. And the end of the earth – an expanse of land that knows no bounds. Today in the 21^st century, the name of Jesus is known in more places than ever before. But in some parts of the world, there are still tribes and cultures in which people have little or no access to the gospel. We should be praying, giving, and – if possible – actively working to bring the gospel to these peoples. Because the gospel is not for us only; it is for all who will receive and believe it. For God desires that none shall perish, but that all would reach repentance and have eternal life in Him 2 Peter 3:9.

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