Galatians 1:6-10 (ESV)
6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.
The true message of the Gospel of Jesus is of the utmost importance. I have found so many that talk of the gospel but when you hear their "gospel" you find that it is lacking. A troubling thing. At what point is a partial gospel message no longer the gospel at all?
As a ponder this I find myself humbled because I am certain that at times I have not given the most complete gospel message. Yet I find myself continually challenged to improve my understanding and presentation of the Gospel. Recently I was challenged by a man who said I talked too much about sin and that Jesus never declared anyone a sinner. Some people would have just disregarded this person, but I will be pondering this in my heart and increasing my study on the subject to ensure that my teaching and presentation are accurate.
What about you? How is your Gospel message and understanding? Does the Gospel you know and share include the following?
I know that this is not an exhaustive list but consider what happens when significant Biblical Truth is not being understood when a "gospel" is being shared. I have heard people talk of how you can be a Christian and an Atheist, that following the teaching and life example of Jesus makes you a Christian and has nothing to do with believing God. This of course is a total lie and is so very far from the Truth. I have heard people talk of God as love, and of course Love is one of God's key attributes as taught in the Bible. Yet often a message is given that God is love but no balance of our sin and God's justice, showing that Jesus is the answer. A God is love, accept Jesus as your friend and go to heaven message is not a full Gospel. Some have been told a message that included a lot of talk about God and His Holiness, our sinful state and how our behavior must become pleasing to God. Yet the Bible teaches that our behavior will never please God, only through the saving Grace of Jesus will we ever be in a place where God is pleased with us. We live an obedient life not to please God more, but because we are to live submitted to Him and to give Him honor, our lives are not our own.
Anyway I could go on and on but I ask you to consider embracing a True and Full Gospel. If you want to learn more about the Gospel try out this video.
http://youtu.be/-nhgIV16piw
Pastor Bruce
What about you? How is your Gospel message and understanding? Does the Gospel you know and share include the following?
- An understanding that God exists
- That God is the creator of all
- That God exists as 3 persons in perfect unity
- That God the Son came to earth as the man Jesus
- That Jesus was fully God and fully human
- That Jesus lived a sinless life
- that Jesus willingly gave himself up to suffer and die for our sin on a cross
- That Jesus sacrifice is the only way to have our sin and its penalty removed from us.
- The penalty for sin is death and eternal separation from God in a place of suffering called Hell or the Lake of Fire
- That Jesus rose from the grave after 3 days
- That Jesus has been given all authority to judge
- That Jesus the judge also has the ability to save
- Salvation is when we recognize our sinfulness and repent of our sin, accepting Jesus and His sacrifice as payment for our sin and making Jesus our lord.
- Jesus will declare salvation for all who truly follow Him
- Those who accept this gift of salvation by the Grace of God through Faith in Jesus are secured by Jesus and indwelt by the Holy Spirit.
- We who receive Salvation are to live in obedience to Jesus and His Word (The Bible)
- Our primary Goal in this life as a follower of Jesus is to Glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.
- As we go through this life we are to grow in our faith as a disciple, living and speaking so that others would also come to know our Savior and Lord, Jesus.
I know that this is not an exhaustive list but consider what happens when significant Biblical Truth is not being understood when a "gospel" is being shared. I have heard people talk of how you can be a Christian and an Atheist, that following the teaching and life example of Jesus makes you a Christian and has nothing to do with believing God. This of course is a total lie and is so very far from the Truth. I have heard people talk of God as love, and of course Love is one of God's key attributes as taught in the Bible. Yet often a message is given that God is love but no balance of our sin and God's justice, showing that Jesus is the answer. A God is love, accept Jesus as your friend and go to heaven message is not a full Gospel. Some have been told a message that included a lot of talk about God and His Holiness, our sinful state and how our behavior must become pleasing to God. Yet the Bible teaches that our behavior will never please God, only through the saving Grace of Jesus will we ever be in a place where God is pleased with us. We live an obedient life not to please God more, but because we are to live submitted to Him and to give Him honor, our lives are not our own.
Anyway I could go on and on but I ask you to consider embracing a True and Full Gospel. If you want to learn more about the Gospel try out this video.
http://youtu.be/-nhgIV16piw
Pastor Bruce
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