Local Church Gospel Preaching
One of the three purposes of a local church is and should be to evangelize sinners. The other two purposes are to exalt the Savior and to edify the saints.
We want to discuss our purpose of evangelizing sinners tonight. Our text is 1 Cor 4:24-25. In this text we see some things that we can do in our church to bring sinners to Christ.
The truth must be preached – “if all prophesy”. Concerning those who preach, they must proclaim the word of God. Often this preaching of the gospel is negative. Prophets in the Old Testament were, many times, told to “prophesy against” a city or a nation. Paul told Timothy to preach the word 2 Tim 4:2, which included reproving and rebuking. Paul told the Ephesians to speak the truth in love, Eph 4:15. When you truly love someone, you’ll tell them the truth.
Unbelievers must be present – “there come in one that believeth not”. You can make certain unbelievers will be here if you will invite the lost to come to church with you. As Pastor King preached recently, “Find a way”. Ask the Lord to show you how he wants you to be used by him to bring the lost to hear the gospel so that they can be saved.
Sinners must be persuaded – “he is convinced of all, he is judged of all”. “All” here is a reference to all that prophesy. Look how Paul did this. In Acts 17:2-4 he reasoned with the Thessalonians, opening and alleging that Jesus is Christ. In Acts 26:28 Agrippa was almost persuaded to be a Christian.
Secrets must be made plain – “thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest”. According to Lk 8:17, there is nothing secret that shall not be made manifest. Miraculously, the Holy Spirit speaks through the words of God and the preachers voice to reveal that God knows the secrets of his heart. This is one sure way that the unbeliever knows that God is real and that he sees everything.
God’s presence must be perceptible – “he… will report that God is in you of a truth”. In 1 Thes 1:3-8 God’s presence was evidenced by what he had done with the people and how they had responded to the gospel. When unbelievers are here and they see w unity and love amongst us that is unlike anything out there in the world, they realize that there is something unique and very desirable about God’s presence in our lives and in our services.
Conclusion: look at the result: “so falling down on his face he will worship God”. Unbelievers humble themselves before God and receive Jesus Christ to be saved. This is one of the great benefits of local church gospel preaching.