I made an acronym for GOSPEL, then, I got to thinking that others had surely done the same so I looked it up and sure enough they have. This was mine God, Opens, Salvation, Providing, Everlasting, Life. Others have said God, Our, Sins, Payment, Everyone, Life; God, Offers, Sinful, People, Eternal, Life; God’s, Only, Son, Provides, Eternal, Life; that is to name a few. What is the central theme in all of these? God is in the forefront of every last one of these acronyms, without Him there is no Gospel to talk about.
There is much unrest in our world today, you know what God and the Gospel say about that? Jesus gives us the answer in John 10:10, when he says,
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Let’s then, take a look at Jesus? What did He do on this earth to bring life and have it to the full? We need to pick up our Bibles open it and read it, we will see Him healing the lepers, giving sight to the blind, teaching His disciples how to trust Him by revealing Himself to them, letting the little children come to Him, calming the fears of mothers and fathers by healing their children. Matthew 21 and Mark 11 record Jesus teaching them while driving out the ones taking advantage of the Temple of God. (Please note, not because they were taking advantage of the people, although I am sure He did not appreciate that, but because they were defiling the place built for God). Yet, when He was arrested, it is recorded that He went willingly, rebuking the one that tried to protect him by cutting off the ear of one of the officers. What did Jesus do? He put the ear back on and healed him (Luke 22). Jesus showed compassion even when compassion was not being shown to Him. He did not lead a rebellion where they needed to come with clubs and swords but instead taught in the temple daily (Matthew 26:55). Jesus could have called on God to come and destroy them but no, that would not have fulfilled His purpose (Mathew 26: 53-54). That leads us to the Gospel message.
The Gospel message:
Acknowledge Sin, not others sin but your own sin:
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 3:23 New International Version (NIV)
Discover God’s Love:
8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8 New International Version (NIV)
The cost of sin:
Romans 6:23
Confess and Believe:
9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Romans 10:9 New International Version (NIV)
Watch Out for the thief:
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
John 10:10 New International Version (NIV)
Eternally His:
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”[a]
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”[a]
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[b] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:35-39 New International Version (NIV)
New Life/Changed Life:
20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:20 New International Version (NIV)
Just like a garden we will grow when we are fed and watered, check these off each day to grow in Christ:
o Go to God in prayer (I Peter 4:7)
o Read His Word daily (Psalm 119:6)
o Obey Him (Psalm 119:17 -18)
o Worship with other Believers (Hebrews 10:25)
o Witness to others (Matthew 28:19-20)
If we truly want to help others out in this world, the center of the Gospel is found through God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. We should be putting our actions into works that will draw others to Christ. We should be the hands and feet of Christ, carrying on His good works to those around us. Jesus didn’t protest, He taught. Are we teaching or protesting? Are we becoming a part of the world or are we showing others the love of Christ? Are we getting right with God or are we looking at what others need to do to get right with God?
I know of a church that was active in helping refugees learn the English language and while doing so they were able to reach the unreached. Their program had to close because there were not enough workers. Are you willing to work or do you want to blame? I have also heard it said that it is easier to give money than it is to give of our time. That one stings a bit, but, what would you rather do, work to help or give money to help? Are you willing to go into the mission field or would you rather just pray for the missionaries? Are you willing to teach our children the ways of the Lord or would you rather gather with friends and enjoy adult time?
The Word tells us in Romans 12 how to live a Christ-like life. Are we doing it? Is our life a sacrifice, are we humble, do we put love into action? Something to think about as this world gets crazier and crazier may the Light of the Lord shine through you, may you be salt in a tasteless world.
If you have not heard the Gospel message before I pray the Lord will lead you to know Him.
If you do know Him, I pray the Lord will guide you in making decisions that please Him above all else in this world. For you see, we are not of this world just as Christ was not of this world,
36 Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”
John 18:36 New International Version (NIV)
nor should we be defined by this world.
2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2 New International Version (NIV)
Wake up, oh Church, and know that God has this, don’t let satan divide and destroy, put your trust in Christ and let His light shine.
Seeking Him with all my heart,
Sheila
No comments:
Post a Comment