Sermons — Page 70

Christ-centered evangelism joins a transformed life, sacrificial love, and a faithful law-and-gospel witness. The moral law exposes guilt before God so the good news of Christ is seen as truly good news.

Gospel Witness

Romans 10 shows evangelistic intercession as one of God’s ordained means in the salvation of sinners. Christ-centered evangelism pleads with God for mercy before pleading with sinners to come to Christ.

Christ-centered evangelism depends on God to illumine blinded minds with the light of the glory of Christ. Believers preach Jesus as Lord, but only God can shine saving light into spiritual darkness.

Christ-centered evangelism recognizes that sinners are spiritually dead, separated from God, and unable to save themselves apart from the Spirit’s power. Witnesses point to Christ while depending on God to give resurrection life,

New Birth

The same fragrance of Christ becomes an aroma of life to some and an aroma of death to others. Faithful evangelism plants and waters the gospel while trusting God for salvation, knowing He is glorified in both mercy and judgment.

Christ-centered evangelism rests in Christ’s triumph and His promise to build His church, even when gospel responses seem discouraging. God is pleased as His people faithfully spread the fragrance of Christ in every circumstance.

Christ-centered evangelism begins with eternal life as union with God through Christ and with the church’s mission to make disciples rather than merely collect decisions. Believers cooperate with God’s mission by living and speaking as the

Great Commission

John 15 moves from abiding in Christ to abiding in his love. Jesus teaches that obedience, joy, and sacrificial love flow from communion with him and from receiving his love for his disciples.

The willingness of ordinary families to leave settled lives and resettle an empty Jerusalem by casting lots is preached as a pattern for the sacrifices God's people must be ready to make for the sake of kingdom work, even when a

John 15 calls true disciples to abide in Christ and bear fruit, because apart from him they can do nothing. The passage distinguishes clean disciples from false branches and promises fruitfulness, answered prayer, and glory to the Father.