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The Gift of God
The Gift of God
I have been wanting to do a post for a while on what seems to be a fixation on sin in much of the church.
I am aware that the religious community will not like this but I do pray that you read the entire post. I am not the type to judge and condemn others for their beliefs. I am, however the type that will passionately address what I believe is wrong.
Let me say unquestionably, that what the Bible says is sin, is sin. I didn’t write it, and I do not have the right to alter it. With that said, and this is probably for another post. I along with all of you have a responsibility to study, and pray, for understanding. As the Apostle Paul taught us our covenant has a spiritual concept, and must be understood with spiritual discernment.
2 Corinthians 3:4-6
4 Such confidence we have through Christ toward God.
5 Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God,
6 who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
With all this said, Here I go!!
It seems to me that there is only one sin that the church world is concerned with. I have read many posts regarding homosexuality. All kinds of amazing topics that grab attention.
5 Reasons why the church must publicly denounce it, or you will be labeled as approving it. Does that mean if I don’t call out liars that I approve of their lies. Revelation 21:8 says all liars will be in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone.
What about people steeped in selfish pride and arrogance.
What about the seven abominations found in Proverbs. By the way, none are sexually related.
Proverbs 6:16-19
16 There are six things which the Lord hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him:
17 Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood,
18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that run rapidly to evil,
19 A false witness who utters lies, And one who spreads strife among brothers.
If I don’t cry out against these, naming them, and publicly berating those involved. Does that mean I approve of it, or condone it.
The church uses homosexuality as the sole reason for the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Take a look at this.
Ezekiel 16:49-50
49 Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had arrogance, abundant food and careless ease, but she did not help the poor and needy.
50 Thus they were haughty and committed abominations before Me. Therefore I removed them when I saw it.
The word abominations comes from the Hebrew word, Tow’ebah, strongs #8441. It means, (a disgusting thing. In a ritual sense it means, unclean food idols, and mixed marriages. In a ethical sense it means, wickedness.)
However, if you read the book of Jasher you will find that every sort of sexual sin there is, was being committed in these cities. Along with many other despicable acts of rebellion and disobedience.
It seems to me, God speaking through the prophet, was concerned about the poor and the needy. INTERESTING ISN’T IT?
Jesus put an emphasis on unbelief when He commissioned the disciples to tell His story.
Matthew 10:13-15
13 If the house is worthy, give it your blessing of peace. But if it is not worthy, take back your blessing of peace.
14 Whoever does not receive you, nor heed your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet.
15 Truly I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city.
Verse 15 Amplified
I assure you and most solemnly say to you, it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that city [since it rejected the Messiah’s messenger].
Please understand, this is not an effort to condone or minimize anything. I am simply saying that there are many things that people are dealing with. Many of which affect the condition of the church and it’s message to the world.
I believe in being fair. If I started naming sins from the pulpit, I would have no time to share the story of Jesus, (The Gospel Message). Most people have something they are dealing with. Is one more dangerous than the other?
When did we as a church stop believing in the redemptive power of the Gospel. The message of Jesus. His birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension. When did the church stop trusting that message to change the lives of the hearers?
We as a church need to listen to the voices crying out in the world.
The people who are in desperate situations. Sexual addictions, drug addictions. Those in poverty and horrible living conditions. People being abused every day with no hope of having a normal life.
Do we in the church really believe that these folks don’t know their condition?
They need to hear a message of hope. Something that will build within them the faith to change their circumstance. Something that they can believe in. A friend that will walk with them every step as they transition from their past and become a follower of Christ.
They need to hear that someone loves them, not hates them.
Yes we hate sin, and the destruction that it causes in peoples lives and families. That is why the Apostle Peter wrote this.
1 Peter 4:8
Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
I could go on for hours but I won’t. I will close with some words from an old Hymn. Words I have shared many times.
“Tell me the story of Jesus, Write on my heart every word; Tell me the story most precious, Sweetest that ever was heard.”
Be blessed and let me know what you think.
#lovewins #hopelives
God is Always Searching
God is Always Searching
Once again I have to give God Glory for His consistent presence in Amazing Life Church. He is positioning people among us to understand His presence, and how to utilize it in our daily lives.
I know He is ever with me, and with you. It is still particularly pleasant, and humbling, when you can sense Him in your daily walk. Always in you, surrounding you, and leading you day by day. Makes no difference who you are, what level of faith you have. It makes no difference if you occasionally stumble. Even if you have left the reservation for a season. He loves you, and awaits your return. Ever ready to help you find your way again.
What an awesome Father, Son, and Spirit. I come to you today, In His Name, with some thoughts titled, “God is Always Searching”
Psalms 143:1-12
1 Hear my prayer, O Lord, Give ear to my supplications! Answer me in Your faithfulness, in Your righteousness!
2 And do not enter into judgment with Your servant,
For in Your sight no man living is righteous.
3 For the enemy has persecuted my soul; He has crushed my life to the ground; He has made me dwell in dark places, like those who have long been dead.
4 Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me; My heart is appalled within me.
5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your doings; I muse on the work of Your hands.
6 I stretch out my hands to You; My soul longs for You, as a parched land. Selah.
7 Answer me quickly, O Lord, my spirit fails; Do not hide Your face from me, Or I will become like those who go down to the pit.
8 Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning; For I trust in You; Teach me the way in which I should walk;
For to You I lift up my soul.
9 Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies; I take refuge in You.
10 Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
11 For the sake of Your name, O Lord, revive me. In Your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble.
12 And in Your lovingkindness, cut off my enemies And destroy all those who afflict my soul, For I am Your servant.
What a Prayer
David is pouring out his heart. Crying out for deliverance from his enemies, and direction for moving forward.
Prayer is how we build our relationship with the Father. It is our path to victory, revelation, healing, deliverance.
It is the source of our faith, and understanding of His words.
Oswald Chambers said, “we have to pray with our eyes on God, not on our difficulties.”
Prayer consists of three elements. “Petition, praise, and worship.”
There is an interesting verse found in Ezekiel 22. The chapter is all about God, and His anger towards Israel for their rebellion and sins.
Ezekiel 22:28-29
28 Her prophets have smeared whitewash for them, seeing false visions and divining lies for them, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord God,’ when the Lord has not spoken.
29 The people of the land have practiced oppression and committed robbery, and they have wronged the poor and needy and have oppressed the sojourner without justice.
Ezekiel 22:30
I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found no one.
NLT
“I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn’t have to destroy the land, but I found no one.”
“No one there to defend, and no one there to intercede.”
What a sad epitaph for the nation of Israel.
“Jesus stood in the gap for us”
Paul understood the value of intercessory prayer. He shared an admonition to Timothy that would do us well to follow today.
1 Timothy 2:1-2
1 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men,
2 for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.
He is encouraging us to pray for people, and for those in authority. “Pause and calmly think of that.”
Ephesians 6:18-19
18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,
19 and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, “ Paul said pray for me”
Romans 15:30
Now I urge you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me,
AMPC
I appeal to you [I entreat you], brethren, for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love [given by] the Spirit, to unite with me in earnest wrestling in prayer to God in my behalf.
Matthew 26:39-41
39 And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.”
40 And He *came to the disciples and *found them sleeping, and *said to Peter, “So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour?
41 Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
God is searching for someone to pray.
When I read these last few scriptures an old chorus we used to sing, from years ago, came to my mind.
It’s me, Its me oh Lord. Standing in the need of prayer.
Link to the video. Hope you enjoy. http://bit.ly/2tWLXOx
#lovewins #hopelives
When You See or Hear Jesus
When You See or Hear Jesus
Still rejoicing over the 10th Annual Backpack event July 8th. It was very successful. Even more so considering the community involvement.
God has blessed us over the years. It is faithfulness to Him, and the mission of this church that has moved us forward each year.
What an awesome God that has continued in His faithfulness to us, and to this community.
Your prayers, your giving, your love has changed the atmosphere that surrounds us.
I love the grace and mercy of God, and it’s purpose for our lives and our church. Together we give Him all the glory and honor. It has always been about him, and His unconditional love.
I want to share some thoughts titled, “When You See or Hear Jesus”
Luke 5:12-16
12 While He was in one of the cities, behold, there was a man covered with leprosy; and when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”
13 And He stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” And immediately the leprosy left him.
14 And He ordered him to tell no one, “But go and show yourself to the priest and make an offering for your cleansing, just as Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
15 But the news about Him was spreading even farther, and large crowds were gathering to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses.
16 But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.
I love the story of this leper. His plea for healing must have been extraordinary to Jesus. Why? Because He broke Levitical law when He touched the leper.
The law is found in Leviticus 5:3 and it was given to prevent the spread of the disease. Since Jesus was God in the flesh He could not be infected by leprosy.
“He touched the leper to spread the cure.”
“Verse 15, But the news about Him was spreading even farther.”
Matthew 20:29-34
29 As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed Him.
30 And two blind men sitting by the road, hearing that Jesus was passing by, cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!”
31 The crowd sternly told them to be quiet, but they cried out all the more, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”
32 And Jesus stopped and called them, and said, “What do you want Me to do for you?”
33 They *said to Him, “Lord, we want our eyes to be opened.”
34 Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes; and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him.
One saw, others heard. In both cases they took action.
When your need has overwhelmed you. Imprisoned your mind, and your thoughts. When your circumstances are beyond your ability to change.
You must see Him. “perceive who He is.” You must hear Him, “His faithful promises that will move you beyond any need or circumstance.”
You can’t just see or hear Him. You must take action!!!
Mark 5:25-29
25 A woman who had had a hemorrhage for twelve years,
26 and had endured much at the hands of many physicians, and had spent all that she had and was not helped at all, but rather had grown worse—
27 after hearing about Jesus, she came up in the crowd behind Him and touched His cloak.
28 For she thought, “If I just touch His garments, I will get well.”
29 Immediately the flow of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction.
Mark 10:46-52
46 Then they *came to Jericho. And as He was leaving Jericho with His disciples and a large crowd, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the road.
47 When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
48 Many were sternly telling him to be quiet, but he kept crying out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
49 And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him here.” So they *called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage, stand up! He is calling for you.”
50 Throwing aside his cloak, he jumped up and came to Jesus.
51 And answering him, Jesus said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” And the blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, I want to regain my sight!”
52 And Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him on the road.
Have you ever prayed for a situation and felt hopeless. It seems like your prayers never rise above the ceiling. Never reaching the Heavens.
The enemy will come and discourage. God’s not listening. This is your fault. Your problem to solve. Friends may even tell you that praying is not the answer. Just let the circumstances play out.
NO NO NO. Don’t listen to the crowd. The lies of the devil. Don’t listen to the voice in your head that says God is not listening.
Cry louder. Louder than the voices around you. The voices that say no.
Tell them this. “I have seen Jesus working in my life. I have heard Him speak words of love and truth.”
I will pray, I will weep, I will never stop calling on Jesus.
#lovewins #hopelives
The Choice is Yours
The Choice is Yours
I love the Lord, the global church, and I love Amazing Life Church.
All too often, in the church world, personal agenda’s cloud the opportunity to share Jesus. For the purpose of this thought, the word agenda is defined this way, “an underlying often ideological plan or program.”
In other words, at times, the Gospel is presented with an agenda. With that said, there should be a singular agenda in every church, and on the minds of every Christian. I am speaking of the story of Jesus and it’s power to change lives, circumstances, and even worlds.
After Moses had disrespected God and was about to die he had some things to do. He had to commission Joshua to lead the people into the promised land. As he was doing this Moses began to prophesy to the people. Here is a portion of what he said.
Deuteronomy 30:15-20
15 “See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, and death and adversity;
16 in that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments, that you may live and multiply, and that the Lord your God may bless you in the land where you are entering to possess it.
17 But if your heart turns away and you will not obey, but are drawn away and worship other gods and serve them,
18 I declare to you today that you shall surely perish. You will not prolong your days in the land where you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess it.
19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants,
20 by loving the Lord your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days, that you may live in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.”
Deuteronomy 30:19 NLT
“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!”
The word choose in verse 19 from the Hebrew means, “to decide for.”
Know this, whatever you choose, whatever you decide for, Heaven and earth is watching.
“Yes, it matters what you choose.”
Your pursuit of life, or your journey towards death, begins with a choice.
The children of Israel for generations had problems with choice.
Joshua had the same issues with these folks.
Joshua 24:15
If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
(Get Off The Fence! Was his point.)
One big issue with choice is accountability. It is much easier to choose if you can blame someone else when your choice falls apart.
There is a passage in Psalms that really strengthens and upholds the rest of my message. It is important to understand that when you choose Him, you choose all of His resources.
Psalms 119:129-130
129 Your testimonies are wonderful; Therefore my soul observes them.
130 The unfolding of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.
AMPC
129 Your testimonies are wonderful [far exceeding anything conceived by man]; therefore my [penitent] self keeps them [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying them].
130 The entrance and unfolding of Your words give light; their unfolding gives understanding (discernment and comprehension) to the simple.
Psalms 25:12-15
12 Who is the man who fears the Lord? He will instruct him in the way he should choose.
13 His soul will abide in prosperity, And his descendants will inherit the land.
14 The secret of the Lord is for those who fear Him, And He will make them know His covenant.
15 My eyes are continually toward the Lord, For He will pluck my feet out of the net.
Psalms 34:18
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit.
The prophet Isaiah confirmed this as did Christ when teaching before the Jews.
Isaiah 61:1
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, Because the Lord has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners;
When you choose Him, you choose His benefits and His promises.
In what is known as the great commission found in Matthew 28, we read these words from Jesus.
Matthew 28:18-20 AMP
18 Jesus came up and said to them, “All authority (all power of absolute rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations [help the people to learn of Me, believe in Me, and obey My words], baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age.”
With you always!!!
Today the word choose is defined basically the same. (pick out or select (someone or something) as being the best or most appropriate of two or more alternatives.)
You have to decide. Life or death, Kingdom benefits with Christ as your source for everything you will ever need. Or maybe you think you can make it on your own.
Christians are still struggling with this level of choice.
Today, the choice is yours. What will it be?
#lovewins #hopelives
I Prayed-He Heard
I Prayed, and He Heard
Together, we are experiencing a change in the atmosphere. I really love this stuff. “Something going on!!!”
Not long ago I shared a quote on twitter by Frank Bartelman.
The depth of your repentance will determine the height of your revival.
We live in a world where people want something for nothing. The church world is no different. I say this broadly.
Nothing real, nothing lasting, ever comes without repentance and prayer. “Lots of it”
I want to share some thoughts titled, “I Prayed, and He Heard”
When I began to think of Sunday’s message I had nothing. I looked at notes, scriptures, thoughts that I had jotted down. Nothing seemed right. So I prayed.
Usually in these situations I simply ask for a word. A place to start. The word came very quickly and it branched out with two more words that I will get to today.
In prayer, I heard the word, overwhelmed. It led to the word encompassed, and the word mourning. We will get to them all.
David wrote a Psalm after he had been delivered from all his enemies, including Saul.
Psalms 18:1-6
1 “I love You, O Lord, my strength.”
2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
3 I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised,
And I am saved from my enemies.
4 The cords of death encompassed me, And the torrents of ungodliness terrified me.
5 The cords of Sheol surrounded me; The snares of death confronted me.
6 In my distress I called upon the Lord, And cried to my God for help; He heard my voice out of His temple,
And my cry for help before Him came into His ears.
David had been overwhelmed, encompassed. He prayed and God heard.
He wrote again about confidence in God’s protection.
Psalms 61:1-4
1 Hear my cry, O God; Give heed to my prayer.
2 From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
3 For You have been a refuge for me, A tower of strength against the enemy.
4 Let me dwell in Your tent forever; Let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings. Selah.
Another Psalm David wrote when he was hiding in a cave.
Psalms 142:2-4
2 I pour out my complaint before Him; I declare my trouble before Him.
3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, You knew my path. In the way where I walk They have hidden a trap for me.
4 Look to the right and see; For there is no one who regards me; There is no escape for me; No one cares for my soul.
“overwhelmed, encompassed, in mourning”
Emotions all over the place. Defeat, fear, doubt, sorrow, enemies abound.
David went on.
Psalms 142:5-7
5 I cried out to You, O Lord; I said, “You are my refuge, My portion in the land of the living.
6 “Give heed to my cry, For I am brought very low;
Deliver me from my persecutors, For they are too strong for me.
7 “Bring my soul out of prison, So that I may give thanks to Your name; The righteous will surround me, For You will deal bountifully with me.”
Much of David’s life sounds like some of our days, and weeks, and years.
Overwhelmed, with life events, family and relationship problems. Financial situations, and on and on.
Encompassed, surrounded by negative influence. Situations that look hopeless, no way out.
Mourning, with a broken heart for family, friends, failures.
“Still have to face the issues”
What did David do? He prayed, and God heard.
James approached these issues with something of a different take. Now for those of us who have lived a while we understand that life events just happen. Without reason, without sin, or without failure. They just happen.
“It still feels the same.”
Still James wrote that we must look at ourselves. Probably because mankind has never changed. We still continue to make mistakes, bad decisions, and chase our fleshly desires.
James 4:8-10
8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
9 Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom.
10 Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.
If I could give a short commentary for these 3 verses it would be this.
“There are times, when we ain’t all that.”
Yes, there are times when we must accept some accountability for the things that come our way. It doesn’t make us bad people. It does however mean, that our heart must break for our part in the mess we are in.
James 4:8-10 AMPC
8 Come close to God and He will come close to you. [Recognize that you are] sinners, get your soiled hands clean; [realize that you have been disloyal] wavering individuals with divided interests, and purify your hearts [of your spiritual adultery].
9 [As you draw near to God] be deeply penitent and grieve, even weep [over your disloyalty]. Let your laughter be turned to grief and your mirth to dejection and heartfelt shame [for your sins].
This is all about verse 10.
10 Humble yourselves [feeling very insignificant] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up and make your lives significant].” Here is the link for the video of this message. http://bit.ly/2tbBXnH
We pray-He Hears.
Blessings to you all.
#lovewins #hopelives
Everyone has an Opinion
Everyone has an Opinion
The word opinion is defined this way, (a view or judgment formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge.)
As anyone knows that has studied the Bible there are some conclusions that can only be defined as an opinion.
Depending on how each theologian, student, teacher, or commentary, understands the principle.
These opinions are formed from many different things. Author, time line, translation. The use of words from the time, and the culture of the people.
In many cases you can actually form a clear understanding, void of opinion, if you look hard enough, and pray for revelation.
Remember this from the Apostle Paul.
2 Corinthians 3:4-6
4 Such confidence we have through Christ toward God.
5 Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God,
6 who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
Still, there are folks who hold fast to their opinions. We all have them, and for the most part they are held by good, sincere people. People who are praying, believing, and loving God, and His word.
I have never been someone to sit back and read, or listen to Biblical principles that have been corrupted by individual opinions, and not address the issue. I speak of Biblical principles that are clearly defined in the Bible.
I am quite sure that there will be someone to read this post and say, that is just his opinion.
I have no problem being accountable for the things I say and teach. There are Biblical principles that I defend with an unrelenting passion.
Unrelenting, (not yielding or swerving in determination or resolution, as of or from opinions, convictions, ambitions, ideals, etc.)
Just thought I would let you know that these issues are not changed by opinions.
There are Biblical principles that are clearly defined. They are not up for yours, or my opinion. These principles are clearly represented and taught by the writers of the Bible.
One such Biblical principle is the Gospel. The Gospel is clearly defined and taught in the Bible. It is not up for opinion, nor can you make it better by adding your personal agendas to it.
Even the world knows what the Gospel means. If you put define Gospel, in the Google search this will come up.
The teaching or revelation of Christ.
Webster defines Gospel this way. The message concerning Christ, the Kingdom of God, and Salvation.
The word Gospel comes from the Greek word, (Evangelion) and it is defined this way by Vines dictionary.
“It denotes the good tidings of the Kingdom of God and salvation through Christ. To be received by faith on the basis of His expiatory death, His burial, resurrection, and ascension.”
The Gospel is the story of Jesus. The good news that the Savior has come.
It has not, nor has it ever been the story of Jesus, plus. Plus your favorite sin, or your personal agenda.
I recently read a post from the Patheos blog. He was talking about missions and the areas where they are needed most.
He shared a sobering truth. One that I have preached for several years. Here it is.
(The kind of missionary the world most desperately needs are missionaries who are sent to introduce the message of Jesus to one of the last unreached people groups: Americanized Christians.)
For years I have wept for the American church and the opinions that have corrupted the message of Jesus. Opinions derived from prejudice, hate, arrogance and pride.
People criticize me all the time for my bluntness when it comes to these issues. Failure to address the corruption of the Gospel is the reason it has continued to grow.
The truth of the Gospel is not open for opinion. It is an irrefutable fact. One that was preached throughout the book of Acts, and throughout generation after generation of Christians.
The Gospel has one purpose. To declare and reveal Jesus Christ as the Son of God. The promised sacrifice for the sins of mankind.
The Gospel is the story of Jesus. His birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension.
This is not up for opinion. It is a fact.
(Tell me the story of Jesus, write on my heart every word. Tell me the story most precious, sweetest that ever was heard.)
Blessings to you always, in His name.
#lovewins #hopelives