Avoid complacency and proclaim truth, Gossett encourages in his chapel message

The primary responsibility of believers is to proclaim the truth of Christ, Michael Gossett, senior pastor of Green Acres Baptist Church, reminded the assembly in his March 8 chapel message at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Texas Baptist College.

In his introduction of Gossett, Benjamin M. Skaug, provost and vice president for academic administration at Southwestern Seminary, noted that before his current role as senior pastor of Green Acres Baptist Church, Gossett was a firefighter and emergency medical technician (EMT). He has also served as a student minister, young adult minister, associate pastor, and campus pastor.

Directing the attention of the assembly to Ephesians 3:1-15, in which the apostle Paul wrote from prison, Gossett explained that those in ministry can be lulled into complacency rather than compelled into action. He warned that “our education sometimes surpasses our level of obedience” and that the “educated” risk becoming complacent in their faith.  

Gossett noted that at the time Paul wrote his letter to the Ephesians, Paul was imprisoned and chained to a Roman guard. 

“He would have every opportunity to complain about his circumstance, but instead we see something completely opposite,” Gossett noted, illustrating that Paul understood that his calling, despite his circumstances, was to proclaim Christ.  

Paul’s letter also shows believers that, “We are to proclaim the will of Christ,” Gossett observed. He noted that Paul did not recognize himself as a prisoner of Rome, but rather he saw himself as “chained” to Christ. 

Referencing John 16:33, Gossett said followers of Jesus will find themselves in “uncomfortable situations” like Paul did, but that Scripture exhorts believers to “be courageous.” He encouraged the assembly that even when the world is in turmoil and “upside down at every corner,” believers can have hope and be courageous “because Jesus Himself, the King of kings, the Lord of lords has already conquered the world through His death and resurrection.” 

Paul understood his circumstance was about the will of Christ and he was confident that the Word of God would advance, not because he was chained to the Roman guard, but because the Roman guard was chained to him, Gossett explained. “Therefore, the entire imperial guard is going to know the name of Jesus. You see, this is what he did to proclaim the truth of Christ,” he said. 

Gossett encouraged students and faculty to consider Paul’s example during difficult circumstances and seasons of life. 

“Paul knew that wherever God had him was for the will of God to continue forward for the advancement of God’s kingdom,” Gossett said.

Paul also proclaimed the mystery of Christ, Gossett noted, referencing verse 4 of Ephesians 3. He added that the mystery Paul mentions is truth that can only be revealed to believers by God Himself. Gossett observed Paul describes this mystery in two ways.

First, Gossett noted, Paul describes mystery as “the riches of Christ” which, he said, are “immeasurable and incalculable.” He explained that, according to the passage, the life and blessings believers can have in Christ Jesus are “unmatched, they’re unparalleled, they are absolutely unsearchable.”  

Second, Gossett said, the mystery is described as “the light of Christ.” Rather than waiting for darkness to come to believers, believers should take the light into the darkness, he said. “This is the call of Christ on every single follower of Jesus. This is not your vocation; this is your calling in Christ as a follower of Jesus. It is our job to illuminate the things of Christ,” he added. 

Referencing Matthew 5, Gossett said believers should proclaim the truth of Jesus for the sake of bringing others to the “knowledge and saving faith of Jesus Christ. 

Finally, Paul said believers should proclaim the purpose of Jesus Christ, Gosset noted, stating, “this is God’s plan for the truth to move forward.” 

 “With every crisis that exists around us is a cry for people that need a Savior” adding that followers of Jesus Christ should see a world that is in desperate need for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, he said.

Gossett explained, “This is why I love Southwestern so much because it continues to move people toward this end, that their goal is not just to create followers of Jesus, but to create followers of Jesus who are impacting the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Concluding his message, Gossett reminded the assembly that God is calling the church to be prepared and not be complacent, and that believers respond with the truth of Jesus. This is what it truly looks like to proclaim in the power of Jesus Christ, he said. 

Gossett began serving in 2019 as senior pastor of Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas. 

The entire sermon can be viewed here.

Chapel is held every Tuesday and Thursday morning at 10 a.m. (CT) in MacGorman Chapel on the campus of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Chapel may be viewed live at swbts.edu/live.