"praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak." Ephesians 6:18-20

I recently finished up a verse by verse study in the book of Ephesians and one of the next to last lessons was on a piece of the armor of God that many Christians neglect and some might not even know is actually a part of the armor of God; and that piece of armor is prayer. But that's not what this blog is about. I wanted to share with you my findings on a rather interesting word that the Apostle Paul uses to describe our attitude toward the gospel. It's the word ought. Here's a piece of the transcript from my sermon. If the notes seem sparse know that I use them as a guide and not verbatim. Sometimes it's a bit extemporaneous and there are things said that just aren't in here. I pray you are prodded and provoked to think about these things.

I want us in closing to notice two very important things in these last two verses - boldness and oughtness (which probably isn't a word, but that's OK).

It's interesting again to see Paul asking the saints on his behalf to pray for boldness. In Acts 14:12 Paul and Barnabas were equated to Greek gods by those in Lystra. They called Paul Hermes because he was the chief speaker. So obviously he had some kind of authority when he spoke. Paul had boldness.

Fear hinders our boldness to open our mouth to proclaim the mystery of the gospel. Prayer for one another to the Father aids us to be bold to speak. It really does. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, "God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God"

Any restraint, apprehension, fear, ashamedness you feel is unfounded for a life that is in the Spirit. God did not give you that spirit, the spirit of fear, but of power (dynamos - Remember our example back in Eph 6:10 "be strong 'endunamoo' in the Lord. We defined that word as something that had strength in and of itself by virtue of its nature.) Well, dear Christian, you have the Spirit of power (dynamis) in you, living, moving, empowering you to speak. So speak!

Even more so if this fact alone isn't convincing enough Paul uses a very interesting word here to describe our obligation to speak the gospel. He uses the word "ought." Does anyone know what the word "ought" implies? What does it mean when you say to someone, "You ought not do that" or "I ought to have helped that person, but I didn't." Let me give you a biblical example. Turn to Matthew 23:23.

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!"

How does Jesus describe "ought" here? It is a moral obligation. And that's the very definition of the word.

So what is Paul saying here when he says "as I ought to speak"? He is simply saying that to not speak would be a sin against God. Just as every person ever born knows, because God has written His law on their heart, that lying is wrong so also I believe every Christian in some sense at the core of their new nature knows that not speaking is a criminal action. Why do you think Paul entreated his fellow soldiers for prayer if he didn't realize the enormity of the consequences at hand. Don't speak and people go to hell for eternity. Speak and God is glorified and sinners are saved. Not convinced that it's a moral obligation to speak? Let me read you 1 Corinthians 9:16.

"For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!"

Why would Paul use the word woe, a word of judgment and condemnation, if there was no moral obligation behind it? Do you see that?

So I hope that you see the vital importance that prayer has in your daily fight but also in the spread of the gospel. I also hope you see that whether or not we speak the gospel to others isn't a matter of "giftedness" or "desire" but it is a moral obligation and an issue of judgment if we neglect it.

I didn't share this part in the sermon because sometimes you can get a point across without using lexicographical notes to reference a word, but here is the definiton of the word ought in Greek:

Greek: δεῖ
Translit: dei
Gloss: be necessary, should, ought
Parsing: VF3SPIAI— Verb, Finite, 3rd Person, Singular, Present, Indicative, Active

The many, many other references in scripture clearly show that this word carries with it the forceful idea of an immediate, necessary, urgent, pressing, individual responsibility to speak. This is indicated by the singular, present, active voice, indicative mood. It indicates a heart attitude that indicates action. We MUST, we OUGHT to speak. Mark 13:10 says, "The gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations." It must be done. It is just that important. So I want to ask you a few prodding questions if I may.

1. Do you see the spread of the gospel as an immediate, necessary, urgent, pressing individual responsibility? If not, would it be safe to say that you don't truly understand the gospel?
   • Would you consider someone who was seemingly convinced that everyone they met had vicious terminal cancer and had the cure stuck in their pocket yet was so wrapped up in everything else that they neglected, either out of fear or lack of concern, to offer the cure to those dying as someone who truly understood the power of that cure?
2. Do you see the gospel like the Holy Spirit sees it? When the scripture says, "Woe to me" as in may the judgment and curse of God fall upon me if I don't speak, does it make your heart flutter with adrenaline or do you yawn and put the book down?
   • If the greatest sin is to fully and finally reject Christ (blasphemy of the Holy Spirit) then what manner of sin is it to know Him and yet all the while keep His truth locked up behind your lips? Would failure to speak be just as criminal?
     

I pray that God stir you to reach out. You ought to and with boldness. I pray not only are you compelled to reach out due to a conviction of the lack of it, but also from meditating on the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. This motivation proves to be true motivation indeed. Is He that glorious that you can't contain Him inside any longer? I pray He is. May it be so for you!

Beloved, there is nothing in the gospel to be ashamed about. We wouldn't be ashamed of a cure for AIDS, why are we about Christ? Think over these things for the Lord will give you wisdom.

Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible. Amen.