Saturday, May 23, 2009

Unashamed of the Gospel


Sorry I've been so swamped the last couple of weeks that I haven't been able to post. I've had just the simple Gospel on my heart lately. Paul wrote in Romans 1:16, "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel." The word, "gospel," comes from the Greek word euaggelion, which means "glad tidings." It has come to summarize the entire message and story of our Lord Jesus from His Virgin Birth to His Death, Burial, Resurrection and Imminent return.

I am more convinced today than I've ever been that it is still the simple unadulterated and uncompromised message of the Gospel that will change lives and ultimately change nations. Psalm 9:17 tells us that "The wicked shall be turned into Hell and every nation that forgets God." Yet in Psalm 2:8, he says, "Ask of me and I shall give you the nations for thine inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession." So, here we have a stark contrast. The nations are being turned into Hell, because the sinfulness of man causes them to forget God. Yet, on the other hand, if we will pray and turn from our wickedness and seek God's face, He's promised to send revival and give us whatever nations we claim! WHAT A POWERFUL THOUGHT THAT IS!!!

This begs two questions:

1. If the Gospel is the "Power of God unto Salvation," and we know it is, why on God's green earth are we preaching everything but the Gospel in our churches?

Some are preaching a social gospel that is wrapped up in political movements on both the left and right. We think that by electing the right people we can end poverty, abortion, hunger, gay marriage, environmental pollution, diseases, and whatever other social ill you can think of. I say, "Hogwash and Slop!" It's only the Bread of Life, the Great Physician and the Giver of Eternal Life that can end these problems, so to that THE GOSPEL IS THE ONLY ANSWER!

Some are preaching a humanistic gospel saying that man holds the key to overcoming his problems. We think that by preaching self-help pop-psychology that we can rid the world of evil. After all mankind is deprived we say and depressed. Could it be that he is depressed because he's been deprived of the Good Tidings of Jesus Christ! Could it be that he is depraved and instead of reparations he really needs regeneration!?! Again, to that THE GOSPEL IS THE ONLY ANSWER!

2. If the Gospel is the Power of God unto salvation, why aren't we sharing it everywhere we go? The early church saturated Jerusalem and the entire known world with the Gospel in about 50 years. Some churches haven't grown and won very few people to Christ in 50 years. Why? Because the true church is the people, and the people aren't sharing the Gospel.

If America is going to be turned around and saved from becoming and asterick on the annals of human history, the church better wake up! We better get back to preaching the simple Gospel from our pulpits, and those in the pews better start sharing it in public. What is this simple message?

A. We're depraved. We sinful and wicked. We're born sinners and we commit sin.
B. We're doomed. If we get what we deserve for our sin we're going to go to Hell, and we deserve every minute we spend there.
C. God's delight is to give people grace (His favor towards an undeserving people). While we were yet sinners, Romans 5:8 tells us, Christ died for us! As a Southern Gospel song that I heard recently says, "Jesus came to my rescue. When He fought the battle, we won the war." God is not willing that any should perish but all come to repentance. Romans 10:13 tells us that whosoever will call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Today, if you don't know Jesus and God is dealing with your heart, Repent. Turn from your self and your sin, and turn to the Savior! Trust Christ and Him alone to save you. And if you are saved, share the good news with someone today! Our time is running out because death is certain and Jesus is Coming. Let's get back to the simple unadulterated and uncompromised message that "Christ came into the world to save sinners of whom I am chief." Jesus loves you and wants to save sinners.

WHAT A MAN! WHAT A MESSAGE! OH WHAT A SAVIOR! GOD BLESS!

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