11 Reasons to Share the Gospel
- Annie Yorty Crosswalk Contributing Writer
- Published Apr 25, 2022
Forlorn, a child hid in the crook of a solitary weeping willow, her tears streaming into the deep ridges of the rough bark cradling her crumpled body. This leafy loft, a brief respite from strife and abuse within her home, offered a safe place to release the flood of anguish she dared not allow anyone else to witness.
But there was one witness, and His presence somehow soothed the girl's tattered heart.
Wounded children like this girl and wounded adults need the hope and new life made possible by Jesus.
Primary Reason to Share the Gospel
1. The gospel creates new life.
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun (2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT)!
People God places in our lives—family, friends, coworkers, neighbors, and many more—are either spiritually alive or dead. All have a fatal wound—sin. If they have not heard and responded to the good news of Jesus, they will spend eternity in a real place called hell (Matthew 25:46).
The gospel of Jesus Christ offers new life to lost people, justifying them by His righteousness so they may experience eternal, abundant life in right relationship with God. This alone is the only reason we truly need to share the gospel.
But in God's Word, we are encouraged with at least ten other reasons to deliver the lifesaving and transformative message of Jesus.
10 More Reasons to Share the Gospel
2. Jesus made the gospel our mission.
And then he told them, "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone" (Mark 16:15 NLT).
This command from Jesus could not be more explicit. Go. Tell. Every single follower of Jesus has received this directive. Then why do we sometimes hesitate? "Evangelism isn't my spiritual gift," we claim. "What if I say something wrong?" we fret. I admit that sometimes it feels awkward to share the gospel. Obedience is not always easy. I suppose that's why Jesus called it "taking up our cross" (Matthew 16:24). But obedience is always right. And it pleases God.
3. Sharing the gospel reveals the heart of God.
Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18 NLT).
One way we learn more about God is by studying the Bible. But educators know that learning takes root when they require students to teach others what they know. In the same way, telling others what we have learned about Jesus strengthens our understanding of God's heart. Sometimes people indeed stump us with their questions about God. Isn't that the perfect opportunity to dig into God's Word and find something new for ourselves as well?
4. Sharing the gospel plants and waters seeds of faith.
It's not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What's important is that God makes the seed grow (1 Corinthians 3:7 NLT).
Every farmer can testify they never harvest unless they intentionally plant seeds and nurture growth. In His parable of the soils, Jesus likens the gospel message to seeds we are to scatter liberally. Sometimes, the gospel falls into a heart where it may sprout for the first time. Other times it nourishes a budding relationship with Christ. Either way, we must recognize, as in agriculture, that some elements of successful growth are beyond our control. A farmer cannot regulate the weather. Nor can we produce a spiritual harvest. That responsibility belongs to God.
5. God says a spiritual harvest is ripe.
He said to his disciples, "The harvest is great, but the workers are few" (Matthew 9:37 NLT).
What does God mean by this verse? It's not always apparent to me who is "ripe" for spiritual harvest. In fact, by my judgment, most people don't admit a need for the gospel. But if God says He's prepared many to hear the gospel, then it's true. And, if we're available to Him, He will lead us to those who are ready to come into His kingdom. Will you join the workers? There is nothing like the joy of seeing God seek and save a lost soul.
6. Sharing the gospel sparks a heavenly celebration.
In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God's angels when even one sinner repents (Luke 15:10 NLT).
The joy you feel in your heart when God gives new life to a dead soul is nothing compared to the excitement in heaven. Jesus taught about this reaction in his parables pertaining to lost things—a widow's missing coin, a wandering sheep, and a prodigal son. In each, the result of the lost being found was a celebration. These stories illustrate the reaction in heaven when someone repents and turns to God. What a privilege it is to join the party!
7. Sharing the gospel unites God's followers.
We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ (1 John 1:3 NLT).
There is a special bond between followers of God that begins with the same Spirit living within each of us. The bond deepens when we work together to share Christ's message. Striving toward the same purpose and goal creates fellowship among diverse individuals who might never otherwise connect. The gospel unites God's children from every geographical location, ethnicity, race, culture, and class (Ephesians 2:14).
8. We imitate Christ when we share the gospel.
You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had (Philippians 2:5 NLT).
Jesus' entire life centered on the gospel message. God loved broken and lost people so much that He sent His much-loved Son to earth to live in human form to pay their debt of sin by shedding His blood on a cross. By resurrecting Jesus, God proved His power over death and offered eternal life to anyone who would believe and surrender. Living and sharing the gospel also requires us to lay down our lives to be like Jesus, though our degree of sacrifice is far less.
9. The gospel encourages believers.
But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God's weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength (1 Corinthians 1:24-25 NLT).
Sure, we know the gospel is the message that offers salvation. But have you considered that the gospel is also power for everyday living, for daily growth in God's wisdom? Gospel power helps us reject sin and embrace Christ's righteousness. When we speak about the gospel with other believers, we encourage ourselves and them to live for Christ.
10. The gospel adds goodness to the world.
Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago (Ephesians 2:9-10 NLT).
We often wring our hands at this world's awful, evil state. We wonder if one individual can change anything. And, indeed, the world news is terrible. But the good news of Jesus will not be thwarted. As we spread the gospel, some will respond and become beacons of God's goodness and grace, brightening the darkness around them. That, my friends, is world-changing.
11. Sharing the gospel glorifies God.
Bring all who claim me as their God, for I have made them for my glory. It was I who created them (Isaiah 43:7 NLT).
As we lead people to the foot of Jesus' cross, God is magnified. When some place their trust in Him, God is glorified. Since we were created to honor God in all we say and do, sharing the gospel puts us in the sweet spot of success in our purpose for living. There's no better place to be!
What Happened to the Little Girl?
Maybe you're wondering what happened to the girl nestled in the tree. She endured years of fear and abandonment yet always believed God was good. Trusted that He never left her. She repented and surrendered her life to Him as a teenager.
I was that little girl.
Looking back, I see how God placed faithful, obedient people in my life who shared the gospel with me in both word and deed. I no longer remember who said what. But I know the vacation Bible school volunteers at the church in my neighborhood sent a bus to collect kids for a week-long encounter with the truth of Jesus every summer. My elderly neighbor sowed seeds of God's kindness as we sewed craft projects together. A church sponsored an outdoor showing of an evangelical movie at a local playground, teaching me how to be born again. A fourth-grade teacher exemplified the characteristics of the Holy Spirit.
All these gospel experiences, and more that I don't specifically recall, pointed me to Jesus. The Holy Spirit used many people to set me on a path to glorify God with my life. I remain eternally grateful to those who answered God's call to share the gospel, and I look forward to our reunion one day in heaven.
Bookends of God's Purpose and Glory
While some of the reasons to share the gospel benefit us personally, we must never forget that the gospel is all about God's purpose and glory. That's why the list of ten additional reasons to share the gospel begins and ends with these priorities. These ten, added to the obvious reason that the gospel restores life to the lost, hopeless, and dying, should exponentially increase our desire and urgency to tell others the good news of Jesus.
Who will you tell?
Related articles:
How to Share Jesus Christ with Your Friends
What Is the Gospel and Why Is it Good News?
4 Simple and Authentic Ways to Share Your Faith Today
3 Wonderful Lessons in the Parable of the Lost Sheep
How Is Spiritual Growth Like Gardening?
