The Importance of a Global Gospel Impact

Before you skip or just simply skim this article I would challenge you not to do that. You may say to yourself “Yeah, I already know it is important to share the Gospel to the whole world” or “I’ve heard this a thousand times” but my challenge is to truly ponder it and to think practically about it. We may say we know its importance but are we living like it? Do our actions show it? Honestly?

Many times we teach Bible stories and Bible teachings as if they are fairy tales or simple words of wisdom. And while that may not always be a bad thing, that is not what they were intended for. How many times have we heard the story of Noah’s Ark as “Once upon a time God told Noah to build a big boat” or the story of David and Goliath as “Once upon a time there was a shepherd boy named David and a giant named Goliath”. In reality, these were not fairy tales at all but historical events. We are even guilty of teaching one of the most important factors in history as a fairy tale; the birth of Jesus Christ. That was never Luke’s intent. In fact, Luke gave historical “footnotes” for anyone to check the validity at any time.

Check out this video from Northpoint Pastor, Andy Stanley:

So what does that have to do with the gospel you ask? Well unfortunately it is of my opinion many times we take this same mindset with the gospel. We think it is a great idea or a wise thing but we have no practical game plan for completing it. I want to encourage you today to start mapping out a game plan to turn this “good idea” into a lifestyle of intent and execution.

Many churches give a portion of their offerings to global missions. The Southern Baptist Convention has the Cooperative Program, some churches sponsor villages in foreign countries, some sponsor Christian based schools, etc and that is all great but I think at times it leaves us thinking we did enough when we really are just becoming cheerleaders on the sideline.

I like to think of it in the terms of Barnabas and Paul. Yes, Barnabas was backing for Paul. He gave Paul credit to the Christians just by supporting him. Thank God, however, that was not all Barnabas did. Barnabas traveled with Paul. He shared alongside of Paul. He obeyed God with more than his money and his reputation, he served as well!

So if you are going to give money to support a foreign mission field, that’s fantastic! I would just also encourage you to seek other ways you can practically share the Gospel with “the ends of the earth”. Equip others around you to do the same and don’t listen to excuses. If someone says they aren’t a preacher, encourage them to use their God given talents to share the Gospel. In Haiti, organizations like Brent Gambrell Ministries may take a construction crew and have them serve as assistants (in order to not take away from the actual income of Haitian construction crews). They are able to share the gospel while serving alongside of workers.

Take time today to come up with a practical game plan in order to have a Global Gospel Impact!

Romans 10: 14-15: But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”