10 Reasons To Share the Gospel That Benefit You

When we consider missions and evangelism, we mostly think about the benefits of others, rather than ourselves. At Christmas, we often say ‘Giving is Better than Receiving’, because we recognize our own benefits as well. While the welfare of the unbeliever is our focus, we also recognize the benefits we receive from helping them and giving them the good news.

This is the second part of the reasons to share the gospel. In this post, we’ll look at the benefits to you and your church.

1. Others will see your love: After he received a gift of a Bible, the atheist Penn Jillett, said, “If you believe that there’s a heaven and a hell, and people could be going to hell or not getting eternal life, how much do you have to hate somebody to believe that and not tell them?” Your family and friends may think you hate them, or that you don’t value God, if you don’t share such important news. (John 3:36, Matthew 9:36-38)
2. You will develop and nurture your gift: It is common to believe only certain people are gifted at evangelism, but we are all called to make disciples. Often, we treat the gift and call of evangelism differently than we do other gifts. Why not treat it the same, to encourage others to explore and develop it through trying it and practice. You can’t develop the gift if you don’t practice it. (Matthew 28:18-20, Ephesians 4:11-14)
3. You will learn the gospel more deeply: As you study and begin to share with others, you will grow in your ability to understand the important aspects of the gospel and your ability to articulate it more clearly. (Luke 24:13-27, Matthew 13:15-16, 2 Timothy 3:14-15)
4. You will be driven to scripture: In your Christ-centered conversations with others, you will encounter questions from others for which you don’t know answers. This will drive you to read, study, and seek to know scripture more deeply. You will find new ways that the Bible comes alive. It will deepen your love of God and His Word. (Acts 17:11-12, Psalm 119:140, and many more)
5. You will see how much theology you know: One excuse I hear often is that “I don’t know enough,” but don’t let that stop you. If you have been in the church for a while, listened to preaching regularly, reading your Bible, and praying, you may know more than you realize. The gospel is not about knowing all the depths of theology and apologetics and answering every question that comes your way. If you know the basics of the gospel, you know more than most people on the street. (Romans 1:16-17, 1 Corinthians 1:17-21)
6. You and your church will become more relevant: Many Christians and churches strive to be more relevant to reach our culture. Some seek to change themselves to be more like the unbeliever. However, when you engage the unbeliever in our culture, you hear more questions and challenges that they have. In these gospel conversations, you connect with them and are better able to address their issues. In turn you are helping yourself and your listeners conform more to Christ rather than the patterns of this world. (Romans 12:2, Hebrews 4:12, Philippians 2:10-11, Matthew 5:13-16)
7. Your church will grow: You may or may not see this growth immediately. As you engage more with unbelievers, as you share the gospel, the expected fruit is to see others come to Christ or re-engage in a local church. Not all situations will turn into a new member, but it should be the engine of organic growth in your church. (Acts 2:37-41, Acts 17:32-34)
8. You will be filled with joy: If you have been saved by the grace of God, you will love to tell others. You can share from personal experience in a contagious and genuine way. This is best captured by the well-known hymn, “I Love to Tell the Story.” (Psalm 66:16, John 15:27)
9. You will be filled with joy: In Luke 15 there are three parables; about the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son. In each parable there is great joy when the lost item is found. It is such a rewarding experience seeing the lightbulb come on as you explain the gospel, or other aspects of God and His salvation. Even more when you help another come to a saving faith. (Luke 15:7, 10, 24, 32)
10. You will be filled with joy: You are often humbled that you can’t convince anyone by your own persuasion, but you find joy in seeing the Holy Spirit work in the believer beyond your own ability. Paul reminds us that we have a purpose in this, but it is God who makes it grow. (I Corinthians 3:6-7, 11)

Additional Information

• Reasons to Share the Gospel: Others
• Reasons to Share the Gospel: God