LifePoint Church has recently completed a five-week study on what we call “Ethos” — how Christian identity and stewardship create a defining characteristic among the body of Christ. The final week, this past Sunday, I preached on the gospel as the source, or seed, that grows this distinctive Christ-like DNA. Groups are currently enjoying fellowship over the next couple of weeks and connecting new people.
Beginning Sunday, October 21, we will launch an intentional strategy to blanket our city to pray, introduce people to LifePoint Church, and engage them with the gospel. At LifePoint we call these “Impacts.” In celebration of our eighth anniversary, we have set a goal for “Impact: theCity” to place 8,000 cards into people’s hands. I will talk more about our strategy in a separate post, but the purpose of this article is to encourage our people in five common areas where the gospel holds great potency to impact life.
1. Culture
The first common area is culture. We often talk about the story of our lives, and culture is the context of our story. Every person has the ability to shape it, and it influences every person in many ways. One well-known example of using this common area of life to share the gospel is Paul’s sermon in Acts 17 to the people of Athens. Paul was broken over the idolatry he witnessed, and as he moved among them, he became aware of an altar “To the unknown God” and used this as an entry to share the gospel.
Culture is the larger narrative or context of life. Christians must live intentionally to think and apply the gospel to the culture in which they live. Separation often makes it easier to see another culture’s idolatry while being blinded to one’s own. Think of the “log and speck” from Matthew 7. A lack of intentionality to apply the gospel coupled with familiarity to one’s own culture inevitably leads one into idolatry.
Culture is one of the best opportunities to talk about God because people try to write their ultimate life story in it. Christians labor to share the one who is author of the great meta-narrative of life. As we live in culture, consider those things that people celebrate and highly value and you will find a great entry into gospel conversation.
2. Casual Conversation
The second common area is casual conversation. The majority of life occurs in the little conversations that happen without effort. When the gospel is the most natural point of conversation, it holds the greatest potential for impact. Christians who recognize and share how Jesus transforms everyday life become a powerful testimony to those who are often the most difficult to witness to, close friends and family. And when the gospel is what you most naturally speak of at the unrehearsed times in life, it reveals a depth of permeation that is unmatched.
3. Crisis
The third common area is crisis. Crisis can include anything from stress that arises from the busyness of life to unforeseen calamity that strikes. I have found in times of crisis, whether great or small, one theme is typically at the forefront: life priorities. When that which matters most is being considered, the one who is most powerful to satisfy life should be considered. Christians should be most aware and ready for this opportunity to share Jesus through the gospel.
Crisis is most commonly associated with major, unforeseen times of life. It may come from an illness, a natural disaster, an accident or any situation that is beyond the direct control of the individual. Nothing brings greater clarity to life than the gospel. When the greatest crises of life strike, it demands the most powerful answer to respond to brokenness. The gospel stands ready to graciously minister redemption to people and the situation. Nothing responds to the larger issues of life better than the gospel.
Crisis is not limited only to major, unforeseen events of life. Life is affected more by smaller, ongoing crises from regular rhythms that deny rest and encourage unsustainable life patterns and practices. Think about life’s resources and the patterns with which we expend them: how we schedule time, spend money, and exhaust energy. It is no secret that many people live far beyond normal rhythms of sustainability and health in all of these areas. We live under constant stress and create mental and physical health crises. Our healthcare industry is overwhelmed because of this. Credit resources normal life demands and builds large debt from unhealthy patterns of financial management. This is commonly referred to as “living beyond our means.” Do I need to identify a cultural example? *cough* government *cough* When we live under constant stress and crisis, our best energy cannot be given to our first priority because the crisis has already demanded it. The normal pattern of life under which many people live every day is the greatest crisis. The only way to recapture these resources is to recalibrate life’s patterns and practices to rhythms that are healthy and sustainable. This demands a greater hope that motivates different living. The gospel reveals our greater hope for life in Jesus.
4. Conflict
The fourth common area is conflict. The greatest conflict of all humanity is reconciled and redeemed in the gospel. There is no conflict too great or small that the gospel is not perfectly prepared to resolve. Conflict sets one side against the other, and resolution is only possible by one side winning over the other, or compromise by both to reach some amiable position. This is not always wrong, but it is always incomplete. The beauty of the gospel in resolving conflict is that it not only reconciles, but also redeems any harm and hurt that occurred. When the gospel resolves conflict, it is never because one party is victorious or compromises. The gospel resolves by exalting Jesus as victor and all who are humble to him are victorious.
5. Celebration
The last common area is celebration. The greatest place to see what a person or people value is to watch what they celebrate. The celebrations of life are most powerful when they are redeemed by gospel presence. In celebration we remember the work of God, both what he has done for us and what he is doing among us. Celebration is really about praise and glory. When the gospel is absent, someone other than Jesus is being glorified. For the Christian, our glory is only in Christ. He multiplies our joy with overflowing gratitude when he receives glory.
May Jesus be so glorious to his people through the gospel that it permeates every area of life in thought, attitude, speech, and actions. I conclude this post as I did my sermon Sunday. In understanding what God has redeemed us tobe (our identity in Christ), I am no longer interested in entertaining the question “What if?” so as to ask what might happen if we obeyed. Rather, I’m praying and asking the question “Who will?”
May we be the Unashamed.