#95: Woe is Unto Me If I Preach Not the Gospel

This sermon emphasizes the urgent call to preach the Gospel, echoing the Apostle Paul’s declaration in 1 Corinthians 9:16 that preaching is not a choice but a necessity. Paul’s life, transformed by divine grace from a persecutor of Christians into a devoted apostle, serves as a powerful testimony of God’s unmerited favor. Salvation, as shown in Ephesians 2:8-9, is a gift—not earned by works, but freely given. As recipients of this grace, believers carry a responsibility to share it with others.

The sermon warns against treating our spiritual inheritance lightly, drawing from the story of Esau in Hebrews 12. Believers are urged not to trade eternal blessings for temporary comforts but to cherish and share the Gospel, storing up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21). As 1 Peter 2:9 reminds us, we are chosen not just to be saved, but to proclaim God's goodness to others.

Paul’s missionary journeys exemplify active engagement in evangelism, regardless of personal cost. Despite hardships and persecution (2 Corinthians 6:4-5), he remained committed to spreading the Gospel, fulfilling the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). This call extends to all believers, who are ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20) and must seek out opportunities to share the message of hope.

The story of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16) highlights the urgency of witnessing—souls are in need, and we are called to speak boldly (Ephesians 6:19-20). At the heart of this mission is the love of God (John 3:16), embodied in Jesus, who sought the lost and crossed barriers to offer living water (John 4). Like Christ, we are called to reach out in love, compelled to share the Gospel with boldness, urgency, and compassion.