Salesmanship Of The Gospel

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n Matthew 5:15,16, Jesus must have surprised His disciples when He announced, "You are the light of the world." He then said that He wanted them to be as an uncovered lampstand giving light to all who are in the house, and as a lighted city on a hill that cannot be hidden. Then He gave the purpose for their shining, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven" (vs. 16).

The Lord has always depended on His followers to sell the world on the importance of His light and gospel. This is the only method revealed to accomplish the task. Therefore, may we focus on what is involved in selling those who are lost in sin, and on the importance of the saving Gospel? Since Jesus has given Christians this responsibility, we need to learn all that we can about the salesmanship of the gospel. Please consider prayerfully four important questions:

(1) What is the product that Christians are to sell?

The only product that Jesus wants sold is the gospel! Even though the gospel is a gift, and is free (Ephesians 2:8; Titus 2:11), the lost must be sold on its importance. Paul gave the gospel its eternal importance when he declared it to be the "power of God to salvation for everyone," and the means whereby "the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith" (Romans 1:16,17). The gospel is what Paul preached in every place—the good news and glad tidings of salvation that comes only through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

Thus, it is essential for Christians to sell sinners on their need for the same gospel today! Should the time come when the gospel is removed from preaching, all the other teaching that surrounds the gospel would fall. Without His death, burial and resurrection, all the good moral teaching on living for Jesus would be limited to this life. Therefore, as teachers and preachers, may we never be ashamed to teach and preach the importance of obeying the gospel.

(2) Who are the customers to be taught?

Some would answer, "only one race" or "one nation" (their personal race and nation). In the first century, the Jews felt that they represented the ONLY race and nation in the world who deserved God's favor. Some today feel that only the U.S.A. should be considered for the saving gospel. However, the word of God gives no limitations or restrictions. When the great commission, recorded by Matthew, Mark, and Luke is considered, the summation of it is "all nations," "every creature," and "among all nations" (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:47). When God presents the saving gospel through Christians to the world, there are no limitations in regard to nations or races. "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28).

One time a lady was involved in teaching children in a mission field made up of several races. She had children whose skin was red, yellow, black, and white. One night she had a dream that Jesus was planning to visit her school. Therefore, she began (in her dream) to make plans as to which color would be the most important to be seated on the front seat. While she was trying to decide, Jesus appeared and said to her, "You do not need to be concerned—I see no colors." (Knight's Illustrations).

There are also those who believe that only the well-respected people of this nation can respond to the gospel. These same people see a man on Skid row who is poor—addicted to alcohol and drugs, and conclude that he is not worthy to be taught the gospel. However, when they see the man or woman living in luxury—living in the same city—bound by greed, lust, and disrespect for the rights of others, they say that the gospel is for them. The Lord would say, "The gospel is for all!"

The gospel has the power to change hearts, lives, and destinies when those hearing it respond and obey. Whether the person is bound on Skid row or in luxury on Park Avenue—all can be converted and saved.

One time a missionary accepted an assignment to preach in Africa to a tribe that was known only for salvage practices. To get to this tribe, he hired a captain and his boat. They arrived at night, and immediately began to hear the frightening sounds of war drums. The captain advised the missionary not to go ashore. In fact, he told the missionary that he was returning immediately. However, the missionary said that he had accepted the assignment and would make every effort to carry it out.

A few years later it was time for the missionary to return home, and the same captain with his boat was hired to get him. When the captain arrived, he was surprised to see a large number of the natives gathered on the shore to tell him good-by. Instead of hearing the sound of war drums, the captain heard them singing, "All hail the power of Jesus' name." —Knight's Illustrations. What had made the difference? The gospel!

(3) Who are the salespersons?

When the question is asked, "Who are the salespersons?" Many will answer, "Missionaries, preachers, teachers, and elders." This is partially true, but the complete answer is ALL CHRISTIANS! This is not to say that all Christians can go to the mission field, but there is something that all can do to help sell the lost on the importance of obeying the gospel.

The things that we can do begin by letting our lights shine before others as good examples. One's faithfulness to live Jesus daily and faithfulness to worship God weekly has a positive influence for the gospel.

In the second place, there is the need to send missionaries to the fields that are white unto harvest. So much of the excellent preaching of the gospel done by missionaries would not have been accomplished if someone had not sent them. They depend on the support of those who stay at home and faithfully serve.

A third thing that we can do for the gospel is to invite friends, neighbors, and relatives to attend services where the gospel is preached. This may be considered a small task, but it is an important one and can produce much fruit.

Finally, one may already be, or become, qualified to personally teach others. This may be done through a personal Bible study, or by encouraging them to view teaching videos of the gospel.

Therefore, all Christians (in some way) can be a salesperson for the Lord and His gospel. Just use the ability that God gave you, and many will be taught the importance of obeying the gospel.

(4) What requirements are needed to be a good salesperson of the gospel?

The same requirements needed to be a good salesperson in other fields, are needed in selling others on the importance of the gospel. One must begin by knowing the product he or she is selling, and this can be accomplished only by studying the word of God (2 Timothy 2:15). A salesperson for other products is required to be trained. He or she spends many hours in concentrated study, and in being trained. There is no way that one can be personally sold on an unfamiliar product?

Be assured that Paul was sold on the gospel, and the Holy Spirit guided him to fully know it. He believed in it to the point that he wrote to the brethren at Corinth, "for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!" (1 Corinthians 9:16).

Those who are sold on the gospel will look for souls to teach about its saving power. The hunter goes to Africa and finds big game to kill—the missionary goes to preach the gospel, and finds lost souls to teach. Thus, so much depends on our vision. Jesus said, "Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!" (John 4:35).

The true salesperson for the gospel will present it with love and kindness. He or she knows that they still sin after obeying the gospel. Therefore, the Christians who teach the gospel must depend on continual forgiveness through the blood of Christ (1 John 1:7), just like the lost sinner who needs the blood of Jesus to be saved. This fact should remove all haughtiness and arrogance.

Someone told of a man who knocked on the door of his neighbor, pushed his way in and announced, "You are in error and on your way to hell, and I have come to save you." Can you imagine selling the importance of the gospel with this kind of attitude? The power is in the gospel, not in our rudeness and untactful approaches.

Remember, as we persevere as a good salesperson of the gospel, the Lord will stand by our side and give us encouragement. After giving the great commission as recorded by Matthew, Jesus promised, "and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20).

How many people are you selling on the importance of the powerful gospel? If you are teaching various ages in Bible classes, are you selling them on Jesus and His gospel so that they will want to obey Him at the proper age?

May we all be challenged to be a good salesperson for the gospel, and in the words of an old song, "Send the light, [teach and preach it] the blessed gospel light—let it shine forevermore." BBBristow