EPHESIANS:
God wants us to proactively advance against the enemy.
(Ephesians 6:19-20) Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly as I should.
1. Embrace God’s MYSTERY
(19b) “That I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel…”
A. “Why do I need to be saved?”
i. Everyone has sinned.
(Romans 3:23) “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
ii. The punishment for sin is eternal death.
(Romans 6:23) “The wages of sin is death.”
B. “How did Jesus help?”
He took our death-punishment so we wouldn’t have to.
(1 John 3:5) “He appeared so that He might take away our sins. And in Him is no sin.”
(Hebrews 9:28) “So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people.”
C. “What must I do to be saved?”
i.
About Face – “Unless you repent,
you too will all perish” (Luke 13:3).
ii.
Apologize – “God, have mercy on
me, a sinner” (Luke 18:13).
iii.
Abandon – “If anyone would come after Me,
he must deny himself” (Luke 9:23).
iv.
Advance – “If anyone would come after Me,
he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose
it, but whoever loses his life for Me WILL SAVE IT” (Luke 9:23-24).
2. Access God’s WISDOM
(19a) “Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me…”
A. We need God to give us wise words to speak.
B. We access God’s wisdom through prayer.
3. Display God’s COURAGE
A. Fear paralyzes us.
B. Fear prevents us from doing the things we should do.
(Isaiah 41:10) “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
(19) “That I will fearlessly make known the
mystery of the gospel.”
(20) “Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.”
C. Fear prevents us from telling others about Jesus.