Living in the Light with Anne Graham Lotz

Episode: Focus on the Gospel
Original Date: December 21, 2025
Text: Romans 1:1-17

Episode Overview

In this episode, Anne Graham Lotz focuses on the theme of cultivating a heart enlarged for the gospel, taking listeners through Romans 1:1-17. Drawing on personal experiences, world events, and scriptural exposition, Anne unpacks three core characteristics of a heart for the gospel: being conscious of God’s call, convinced of God’s compassion, and confident in God’s cross. The tone of the episode is earnest, passionate, and direct, with Anne’s trademark blend of storytelling and deep biblical insight.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Need for an Enlarged Heart for the Gospel

(00:03)

• Anne poses a challenge to listeners: “I wonder if, like me, do you need an enlarged heart for the gospel?”

• She shares how historic events like 9/11 and the Afghanistan evacuation rekindled her urgency to share the gospel, stirring in her a recommitment to evangelism.

• Anne reflects:

  "Are they stepping into eternity but they're not ready to meet God? And are they not ready to meet God because people like me haven't shared the gospel with them?" (01:08)

• She confesses her realization that her own heart for the gospel was “too small” and describes praying for God to enlarge it (03:27).

2. The Three Characteristics of a Heart for the Gospel

(04:42)
Anne structures her message around three aspects seen in Romans 1:1-17:

a. Conscious of God’s Call

(05:15 – 15:13)

• Paul is used as a model: “Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle.” (Rom. 1:1)
• Anne emphasizes the primary calling to Jesus Himself before any task:

  "Our first calling is to the person of the Lord Jesus Christ—to put our faith in him, to serve him, to obey him, to love him, to get to know him, to bring him glory." (07:02)

• She describes a deeply personal 'Isaiah 6' experience of conviction and recall to ministry, anchoring her vocation not on performance but on relationship and obedience (08:13).
• Sharing her own imperfect early attempts at evangelism, Anne recounts inviting her neighbors over for coffee and awkwardly sharing the gospel, leading (eventually) to their conversion:

  "I just made such a mess of it. But can I tell you, within two years every single one of my neighbors came to faith in Jesus Christ." (12:55)

• She challenges the audience: “When have you heard God’s call with your name on it?” (13:23)

b. Convinced of God’s Compassion

(15:14 – 22:08)

• Anne uses a baseball metaphor to illustrate humanity’s repeated rebellion and strikes against God, but underlines God’s unrelenting love that “puts the world back in the game” through Christ (16:40).
• She presses listeners not just to accept but to be overwhelmed by the universality of God’s love:

  "Are you convinced that God loves the whole world? Jews and Gentiles, Jews and Arabs, Israelis and Palestinians, Iranians, Iraqis, the Taliban, the Afghans, Africans, the Russians, Americans, Europeans, Asians. God loves the whole world." (18:55)

• Anne calls for an informed and praying worldview:

  “When we’re informed, it leads us to intercede.” (20:19)

• She advocates involvement flowing from gratitude and obligation, especially to the Jewish people for their role in God’s redemptive history:

  "Without the Jews, I would not have my Bible. Without the Jews, I would not have my Savior. That's a huge debt of love to repay." (21:23)

c. Confident in God’s Cross

(22:09–24:34)

• Anne highlights the undiminished power of the cross, connecting it with the mighty acts of God in history, and insists this power is available today:

  “The same power that raised Jesus from the dead ... that same power is available today. It has not been depleted, diluted. There is power in the cross of Jesus Christ.” (22:41)

• She emphasizes Paul’s unwavering confidence in the gospel’s saving power for everyone:

  "I'm not ashamed of the Gospel because it's the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes. First for the Jew, then for the Gentile." (23:14)

• The call is clear: Do not be intimidated or silenced—boldly proclaim the gospel, sensitively but uncompromisingly.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On personal conviction after 9/11:

  "I remember putting my hand over my face and wanting to cry out like, 'No, God, no.' ... Because I knew I was watching on my television screen, people stepping into eternity." (00:41)

• On making a mess of sharing the gospel:

  "I just blurted out why I asked them to my house for coffee and shared the gospel. And one of them got up and hit the door. She just ran out of the house... But can I tell you, within two years every single one of my neighbors came to faith in Jesus Christ." (12:39)

• On the core message:

  "Our message is not politics, it's not programs, it's not philosophy, it's not prosperity ... Our message is the Gospel of Jesus Christ." (14:44)

• On the danger of compromise in the current culture:

  "In our cancel culture, in this woke society ... you and I have to be guarded against compromising, watering down the gospel of Jesus Christ, not wanting to offend people." (15:07)

• A reminder of gratitude/obligation to the Jewish people:

  "Oh, my goodness, that's a huge debt of love to repay. Whether they know I owe them or not. We're the branch that's been grafted in, aren't we?" (21:37)

• On the undiminished power of the gospel:

  “There is power in the cross of Jesus Christ. Oh yes there is.” (23:00)

Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:03 — Anne’s opening challenge: “Do you need an enlarged heart for the gospel?”
• 00:38–04:42 — Reflections on 9/11, Afghanistan, and the origins of Anne’s personal burden for evangelism
• 05:15–14:44 — “Conscious of God’s call” (Paul’s example, personal stories of sharing)
• 15:14–22:08 — “Convinced of God’s compassion” (Genesis-metaphor, universality of God’s love, praying and getting involved)
• 22:09–24:34 — “Confident in God’s cross” (power of the gospel, staying bold in faith)

Flow and Tone

Anne speaks with intensity, warmth, and urgency, always circling back to the centrality of Christ and the gospel. Her illustrations—from world events to her own missteps—make her message relatable and inspire confidence that God works through imperfect believers. The episode is both convicting and encouraging, equipping listeners to approach gospel-sharing with renewed resolve and grace.

Summary Table

| Segment | Timestamp | Key Point/Quote | |------------------------------|------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Introduction/Challenge | 00:03 | "Do you need an enlarged heart for the gospel?" | | 9/11 & Afghanistan Reflection| 00:38—04:42 | Deepened commitment to evangelism after witnessing tragedy | | God’s Call | 05:15—14:44 | "Our first calling is to the person of the Lord Jesus Christ..." | | God’s Compassion | 15:14—22:08 | "Are you convinced that God loves the whole world?" | | Power of the Cross | 22:09—24:34 | "I'm not ashamed of the Gospel because it's the power of God for the salvation..." |

In conclusion, Anne’s message is a passionate plea to cultivate a bigger, bolder heart for the gospel—rooted in God’s calling, convinced of His compassion, and confident in the power of Jesus' cross. She urges listeners to be informed, to pray, and to be unashamed in sharing the transforming message of Christ.