Monday, March 9, 2009
Constraining Love
(II Corinthians 5:14-21)
Paul instructs the Corinthians that they were given the “ministry of reconciliation,” the message of God’s love and forgiveness through Christ (18, 19). In addition, God has called us to be “ambassadors” who plead with the lost “in Christ’s stead” (20). For God to commit to us the “word of reconciliation,” the only message by which men can be saved, is an awe-inspiring honor and responsibility.
What motivates us—what drives us—to shoulder cheerfully such responsibility? Paul answers simply, “the love of Christ constraineth us.” The word “constrain” means to “impel or excite.” In other words, believers should be so excited about the Gospel that they eagerly embrace the responsibilities of an ambassador of Heaven.
We tend to talk about what excites us, don’t we? Sports, politics (in that case, usually what “angers” us), entertainment—all of these dominate our conversations. What about the Gospel? Are we ashamed? Or do we shy away from that topic because we don’t want to appear “fanatical?”
Paul seems to indicate that Christ’s love, where it is genuinely experienced in true conversion and belief, always presses the Christian to witness the Gospel. So, allow that inner excitement about Christ to flow from your lips in genuine, natural Christian witness. Tell someone about Christ today!
Showing posts with label witnessing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label witnessing. Show all posts
Friday, March 6, 2009
Sunday, March 1, 2009
The Glory of the Gospel - 1
Sunday, March 1, 2009
The Gospel in a Nut Shell
(I Corinthians 15:1-9)
Sincere Christians sometimes worry about sharing their faith with unbelievers. Some Christians feel inadequate in their Bible knowledge or self-conscious about their lack of theological training. They fear “making a mistake,” and thereby damning an unbeliever to Hell forever.
Such fears, though sincere, are unfounded. The Bible teaches that unbelievers are “condemned already” (John 3:18). A condemned man can not become more condemned by anything you do or say. Of course we should not add unnecessary reproach to our witnessing by engaging in foolish antics and questionable practices. But the truth still remains: Unbelievers are condemned already—they can not become condemned more because of our inadvertent mistakes.
In addition, the Gospel is, by divine design, simple. Many fundamentalist believers are familiar with the little tract God’s Simple Plan of Salvation. It was that little tract that first introduced this preacher to the saving Gospel of Christ. I read it as 12 year old boy—and I understood it because it was simple.
Simply stated, the Gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (I Cor. 15:3, 4). Christ died for our sin, was buried and rose again. That’s the good news—the Gospel. And ever since that time all who believe—trust, rely upon—that Gospel are saved. It’s as simple as that!
The Gospel in a Nut Shell
(I Corinthians 15:1-9)
Sincere Christians sometimes worry about sharing their faith with unbelievers. Some Christians feel inadequate in their Bible knowledge or self-conscious about their lack of theological training. They fear “making a mistake,” and thereby damning an unbeliever to Hell forever.
Such fears, though sincere, are unfounded. The Bible teaches that unbelievers are “condemned already” (John 3:18). A condemned man can not become more condemned by anything you do or say. Of course we should not add unnecessary reproach to our witnessing by engaging in foolish antics and questionable practices. But the truth still remains: Unbelievers are condemned already—they can not become condemned more because of our inadvertent mistakes.
In addition, the Gospel is, by divine design, simple. Many fundamentalist believers are familiar with the little tract God’s Simple Plan of Salvation. It was that little tract that first introduced this preacher to the saving Gospel of Christ. I read it as 12 year old boy—and I understood it because it was simple.
Simply stated, the Gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (I Cor. 15:3, 4). Christ died for our sin, was buried and rose again. That’s the good news—the Gospel. And ever since that time all who believe—trust, rely upon—that Gospel are saved. It’s as simple as that!
The Glory of the Gospel - 2
Monday, March 2, 2009
Not Ashamed
(Romans 1:1-17)
Paul recognized the significance of the Gospel for the salvation of men. He understood the awesome responsibility of preaching the only message that can save from sin, death, and Hell. He spoke, therefore, with boldness, declaring Christ as the world’s only hope.
Political correctness and the prevailing winds of tolerance make Paul’s attitude toward the Gospel seem anachronistic—something belonging to a bygone era. Fashionable ministers, in tune with relativism, glibly reassure adoring crowds that “all roads lead to God.” Pandering to the sentiments of the age has—in many places—muted the true message of the Gospel.
That’s where Paul’s example of unashamed boldness should inspire us. Rather than being mousey or reticent to speak up for Christ, we should be bold and firm in our verbal stand for the Lord. We should not allow cultural trends to intimidate our speech. We must present Jesus Christ to this lost world as the only hope—not a religion, not a church, not a philosophy—but Jesus Christ Himself, the only hope for salvation.
While the message is exclusive (Jesus is the only hope) the appeal is universal. The Gospel is the “power of God to everyone that believeth.” All are welcome to come to Christ. Anyone believing will be saved. That’s good news! Let’s never be ashamed.
Not Ashamed
(Romans 1:1-17)
Paul recognized the significance of the Gospel for the salvation of men. He understood the awesome responsibility of preaching the only message that can save from sin, death, and Hell. He spoke, therefore, with boldness, declaring Christ as the world’s only hope.
Political correctness and the prevailing winds of tolerance make Paul’s attitude toward the Gospel seem anachronistic—something belonging to a bygone era. Fashionable ministers, in tune with relativism, glibly reassure adoring crowds that “all roads lead to God.” Pandering to the sentiments of the age has—in many places—muted the true message of the Gospel.
That’s where Paul’s example of unashamed boldness should inspire us. Rather than being mousey or reticent to speak up for Christ, we should be bold and firm in our verbal stand for the Lord. We should not allow cultural trends to intimidate our speech. We must present Jesus Christ to this lost world as the only hope—not a religion, not a church, not a philosophy—but Jesus Christ Himself, the only hope for salvation.
While the message is exclusive (Jesus is the only hope) the appeal is universal. The Gospel is the “power of God to everyone that believeth.” All are welcome to come to Christ. Anyone believing will be saved. That’s good news! Let’s never be ashamed.
The Glory of the Gospel - 3
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Marching Orders
(Matthew 28:16-20)
After Christ’s resurrection, the disciples expressed great interest in His establishing His promised earthly kingdom (Acts 1:6). Jesus, however, directed His disciples to the great task of preaching the Gospel to the entire world. The kingdom would have to wait; the church (a “mystery” revealed fully by Paul) received her marching orders—“Go ye therefore and teach all nations…” (Mt. 28:19).
In the ensuing years nothing has changed about Christ’s marching orders for the church. Generations have come and gone, and the primary responsibility is the same, “Preach the Gospel to every creature” (Mk 16:15). The 11 disciples having long ago passed into glory, the responsibility of Gospel work falls squarely upon the shoulders of the church of today.
It’s a shame to consider how little churches are really involved in Great Commission work. Some hide their pusillanimity toward soulwinning by boasting of big missions programs. While foreign missions are vital, sending missionaries does not alleviate the church of her Gospel duties back home.
Genuine church ministry, then, is characterized by an emphasis on boldly reaching the community for Christ. Churches may have other programs, but no emphasis should overshadow the priority placed on winning the. Our mission field is our backyard; and our marching orders are the same—“Preach the Gospel to every creature.”
Marching Orders
(Matthew 28:16-20)
After Christ’s resurrection, the disciples expressed great interest in His establishing His promised earthly kingdom (Acts 1:6). Jesus, however, directed His disciples to the great task of preaching the Gospel to the entire world. The kingdom would have to wait; the church (a “mystery” revealed fully by Paul) received her marching orders—“Go ye therefore and teach all nations…” (Mt. 28:19).
In the ensuing years nothing has changed about Christ’s marching orders for the church. Generations have come and gone, and the primary responsibility is the same, “Preach the Gospel to every creature” (Mk 16:15). The 11 disciples having long ago passed into glory, the responsibility of Gospel work falls squarely upon the shoulders of the church of today.
It’s a shame to consider how little churches are really involved in Great Commission work. Some hide their pusillanimity toward soulwinning by boasting of big missions programs. While foreign missions are vital, sending missionaries does not alleviate the church of her Gospel duties back home.
Genuine church ministry, then, is characterized by an emphasis on boldly reaching the community for Christ. Churches may have other programs, but no emphasis should overshadow the priority placed on winning the. Our mission field is our backyard; and our marching orders are the same—“Preach the Gospel to every creature.”
The Glory of the Gospel - 4
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Woe to Me
(I Corinthians 9:1-18)
Paul penned the Corinthian epistles in order to help a troubled church get things right. When we read these letters, we marvel at the number and level of problems faced by that ancient congregation: immorality, improper use of spiritual gifts, immaturity—just to name a few. In I Corinthians 9, we find Paul defending his Apostleship from some in the church who even dared to question his authority.
Was Paul falsely claiming authority and glorying in his position as lord over the Corinthian church, as some asserted? The answer, of course, is “no.” Though Paul, a legitimate Apostle, had founded this church, his motive in gospel work was not power, greed, or glory. His motive, though sounding strange to our ears, was necessity (16).
Amazingly, Paul viewed his gospel work as an absolute necessity. It was necessary because God Himself had commissioned Paul to the task (Acts 9:15). It was also necessary because Paul had the only effective message of salvation. In other words, Paul felt obligated to preach the Gospel—obligated to both God and man.
Paul viewed his ministry, then, as a moral imperative. Indeed, Paul understood he would do both God and man a great disservice by failing in his calling. Failure to preach Christ would be a “woe” to him—a shame, a heart break, a personal distress. Do we, the Lord’s church today, feel the same sense of obligation?
Woe to Me
(I Corinthians 9:1-18)
Paul penned the Corinthian epistles in order to help a troubled church get things right. When we read these letters, we marvel at the number and level of problems faced by that ancient congregation: immorality, improper use of spiritual gifts, immaturity—just to name a few. In I Corinthians 9, we find Paul defending his Apostleship from some in the church who even dared to question his authority.
Was Paul falsely claiming authority and glorying in his position as lord over the Corinthian church, as some asserted? The answer, of course, is “no.” Though Paul, a legitimate Apostle, had founded this church, his motive in gospel work was not power, greed, or glory. His motive, though sounding strange to our ears, was necessity (16).
Amazingly, Paul viewed his gospel work as an absolute necessity. It was necessary because God Himself had commissioned Paul to the task (Acts 9:15). It was also necessary because Paul had the only effective message of salvation. In other words, Paul felt obligated to preach the Gospel—obligated to both God and man.
Paul viewed his ministry, then, as a moral imperative. Indeed, Paul understood he would do both God and man a great disservice by failing in his calling. Failure to preach Christ would be a “woe” to him—a shame, a heart break, a personal distress. Do we, the Lord’s church today, feel the same sense of obligation?
The Glory of the Gospel - 5
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Deep in Debt
(Romans 1:13-23)
The word “debt” typically carries negative connotations. In our current economic climate, debt is closely associated with disaster. We should think very hard before we commit ourselves to any additional financial indebtedness.
That being the case, it may surprise you to learn that Paul was in debt, deep debt. No, Paul was not overleveraged to his creditors. Paul was in a different kind of debt, a kind of debt held by every believer—regardless of his financial condition. Paul was in spiritual debt to the entire world, “I am debtor, both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise” (14). You see, Paul believed that he owed the world the Gospel message.
Note, too, that Paul felt indebted to people regardless of their social class. Paul did not discriminate with the Gospel on the basis of race, culture, color, education, etc. He viewed himself as owing everyone, regardless of the meanness of their station in life. Hence, he declared himself “ready” to preach the Gospel.
Paul’s debt was not insurmountable, one that could never be paid. Indeed, Paul had all the resources necessary to pay his “debt to society.” Paul had the saving Gospel of Christ. All he had to do was to make his payments by faithfully preaching Christ.
Here’s the issue: How well are we paying our debt to this lost world? Are we faithful in making Gospel payments by telling others about Christ? We owe it to them. Let’s pay our debts!
Deep in Debt
(Romans 1:13-23)
The word “debt” typically carries negative connotations. In our current economic climate, debt is closely associated with disaster. We should think very hard before we commit ourselves to any additional financial indebtedness.
That being the case, it may surprise you to learn that Paul was in debt, deep debt. No, Paul was not overleveraged to his creditors. Paul was in a different kind of debt, a kind of debt held by every believer—regardless of his financial condition. Paul was in spiritual debt to the entire world, “I am debtor, both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise” (14). You see, Paul believed that he owed the world the Gospel message.
Note, too, that Paul felt indebted to people regardless of their social class. Paul did not discriminate with the Gospel on the basis of race, culture, color, education, etc. He viewed himself as owing everyone, regardless of the meanness of their station in life. Hence, he declared himself “ready” to preach the Gospel.
Paul’s debt was not insurmountable, one that could never be paid. Indeed, Paul had all the resources necessary to pay his “debt to society.” Paul had the saving Gospel of Christ. All he had to do was to make his payments by faithfully preaching Christ.
Here’s the issue: How well are we paying our debt to this lost world? Are we faithful in making Gospel payments by telling others about Christ? We owe it to them. Let’s pay our debts!
The Glory of the Gospel - 6
Friday, March 6, 2009
In Defense of the Gospel
(Philippians 1:12-20)
Since the first century A.D., the Gospel has come under continual attack. Early on, Jewish believers taught that keeping the Old Testament law, in addition to faith, was necessary for salvation. (Paul addressed this very issue in his Epistle to the Galatians.) Later, a spiritualist teaching known as Gnosticism threatened the very core of the Gospel by denying the physicality of Jesus. (The Apostle John combated this increasing heretical influence in his epistles.)
As in the first century, the same is true today: the Gospel is under attack. Today, the attack is somewhat more subtle, clothing itself in the garb of “tolerance.” For example, common wisdom has it that all religions are good; they’re all pointing in the same direction. In reality, nothing could be further from the truth. By way of illustration, Christianity teaches that Jesus is the Son of God and God the Son and that He was crucified for our sins. Islam, contrary to Christianity, denies all of these propositions. Obviously, both can not be correct.
The Gospel of the grace of God, then, must not only be preached; it must be defended. Paul stated, “I am set for the defense of the gospel” (17). In other words, Paul would both preach the gospel to the lost and defend the gospel from detractors.
May we never be taken in by the siren song of tolerance! May we, like Paul, be “set for the defense of the Gospel.
In Defense of the Gospel
(Philippians 1:12-20)
Since the first century A.D., the Gospel has come under continual attack. Early on, Jewish believers taught that keeping the Old Testament law, in addition to faith, was necessary for salvation. (Paul addressed this very issue in his Epistle to the Galatians.) Later, a spiritualist teaching known as Gnosticism threatened the very core of the Gospel by denying the physicality of Jesus. (The Apostle John combated this increasing heretical influence in his epistles.)
As in the first century, the same is true today: the Gospel is under attack. Today, the attack is somewhat more subtle, clothing itself in the garb of “tolerance.” For example, common wisdom has it that all religions are good; they’re all pointing in the same direction. In reality, nothing could be further from the truth. By way of illustration, Christianity teaches that Jesus is the Son of God and God the Son and that He was crucified for our sins. Islam, contrary to Christianity, denies all of these propositions. Obviously, both can not be correct.
The Gospel of the grace of God, then, must not only be preached; it must be defended. Paul stated, “I am set for the defense of the gospel” (17). In other words, Paul would both preach the gospel to the lost and defend the gospel from detractors.
May we never be taken in by the siren song of tolerance! May we, like Paul, be “set for the defense of the Gospel.
The Glory of the Gospel - 7
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Judged by the Gospel
(Romans 2:1-16)
The simplicity of the Gospel is a stumbling block to many. Religious people especially find that grace as a “free gift” runs counterintuitive to their pride and notions of self worth. “Surely,” they surmise, “God must see my good works. Surely He will see that I’ve been sincere. Surely my good outweighs my bad, granting me a place in Heaven?”
Biblically speaking, such hopes are a sad delusion. Paul states the standard by which all men will be judged in relationship to eternity: “God shall judge the secrets of man by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.” You see, we will all be judged by the ultimate standard, Jesus Christ.
Think about it for a moment: Your life will be compared with that of the sinless Jesus. The sobering reality is that your life, and mine, will fall far short. That’s where the Gospel comes in. Only the Gospel can intervene for us when the comparison is made. In fact, if you’ve received Christ as Savior, you’ve already made that comparison. You saw yourself as a sinner, hopelessly lost. You believed that Jesus Christ bore the punishment you justly deserved. You are trusting Christ, and Christ alone, for salvation.
How will we be judged? Ultimately, every man will be judged on his response to the Gospel. Those who reject God’s gift of eternal life will go to Hell—not because they’re worse than someone else—but because they did not believe the Gospel, allowing it to intervene on Judgment Day. The issue, then, is not your lifestyle, good works, or faithful financial contribution to the church. The issue is, and always has been, the Gospel—the one true standard when you stand before God.
Judged by the Gospel
(Romans 2:1-16)
The simplicity of the Gospel is a stumbling block to many. Religious people especially find that grace as a “free gift” runs counterintuitive to their pride and notions of self worth. “Surely,” they surmise, “God must see my good works. Surely He will see that I’ve been sincere. Surely my good outweighs my bad, granting me a place in Heaven?”
Biblically speaking, such hopes are a sad delusion. Paul states the standard by which all men will be judged in relationship to eternity: “God shall judge the secrets of man by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.” You see, we will all be judged by the ultimate standard, Jesus Christ.
Think about it for a moment: Your life will be compared with that of the sinless Jesus. The sobering reality is that your life, and mine, will fall far short. That’s where the Gospel comes in. Only the Gospel can intervene for us when the comparison is made. In fact, if you’ve received Christ as Savior, you’ve already made that comparison. You saw yourself as a sinner, hopelessly lost. You believed that Jesus Christ bore the punishment you justly deserved. You are trusting Christ, and Christ alone, for salvation.
How will we be judged? Ultimately, every man will be judged on his response to the Gospel. Those who reject God’s gift of eternal life will go to Hell—not because they’re worse than someone else—but because they did not believe the Gospel, allowing it to intervene on Judgment Day. The issue, then, is not your lifestyle, good works, or faithful financial contribution to the church. The issue is, and always has been, the Gospel—the one true standard when you stand before God.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)