Just What is The Gospel?
Good Morning Friends,
The longer I live the more I am convinced that if our personal faith in Jesus does not result in a positive outward expression that honors the Kingdom to Come then something is missing in our understanding of the Gospel.
Do you know what you have to offer?
What did Jesus preach? Just What is The Gospel?
Scripture: Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.’
Mark 1:14-15 (NRSV)
Paul an apostle—sent neither by human commission nor from human authorities, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— and all the members of God’s family who are with me, To the churches of Galatia: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ ,who gave himself for our sins to set us free from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory for ever and ever. Amen. I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are confusing you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should proclaim to you a gospel contrary to what we proclaimed to you, let that one be accursed! As we have said before, so now I repeat, if anyone proclaims to you a gospel contrary to what you received, let that one be accursed! Am I now seeking human approval, or God’s approval? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still pleasing people, I would not be a servant of Christ. For I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel that was proclaimed by me is not of human origin; for I did not receive it from a human source, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.
Galatians 1:1-12 (NRSV)
He put before them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.’
Matthew 13:31-32 (NRSV)
As for those who in the present age are rich, command them not to be haughty, or to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but rather on God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life.
1 Timothy 6:17-19 (NRSV)
Message: In the Christian life, we are called upon, on occasion, to skirmish with the agents of the opposition, to fight individual battles and gain important territory. But Paul is not writing about skirmishes here in the book of Galatians nor in 1 Timothy. He is writing about winning the war and claiming the life that is really life. If the Gospel is lost, it does not matter how many of our opponents are out of commission. The game is over. So remember this, please…the gospel is not negotiable. We need to make sure it stays the “good news” and not something else. But what exactly is the good news? The predominant focus of mainstream Christianity, which we think as the Gospel, is about the undeserved crucifixion of Jesus Christ and the subsequent forgiveness of sins that is available through accepting that selfless act. But the gospel Jesus preached brought a different message to us. The focus of the good news is not about sacrifice but about God establishing His Kingdom on earth. Christ’s blood in payment for our sins is of foundational importance but it is not the good news and it is not about the church either. Man’s efforts to control and secure the forces of life too often generate more greed and idolatry than worship…more hunger than contentment. Some things in this world do not seem to work. The love of money for example does not work. Even the love of the church when we try to control it falls short. The very action of man’s efforts at control of God’s tools that can help us to experience happiness, joy and peace, seems to dissipate its power. These tools are not evil in and of themselves. The issue is power and control. When the tool becomes the idol of the age in which we live, the love of it brings on all sorts of evil. Money does not make one rich…only serving God does that. The church does not make one holy…only God does that. Indeed we have to let go and let God. So fight the good fight of faith…trusting in God so you might let go of what entraps you and then be able to grab hold of the life that continues forever. If we are to be tools for the Kingdom, let’s submit to the one who knows how to use our gifts. There is a hole in the Gospel that needs to be filled one shovel load at a time… Do not be covered by the dirt. Climb out of the pit and live.
Pray our love is well placed as salt and light permeating the world in which we live. Pray that when it comes to power and control we distribute it so that it might not be dissipated. Pray we run away from those things that the love of money produces. Pray we let loose the prevailing power of God in our daily lives. Pray we are set free from our addictions. Pray we experience the prevailing power of Christ. Pray we build a true life. Pray our strength grows as we become more obedient. Pray we encourage on another. Pray we do what is good because we love God. Pray we understand what the Good News really is. Pray we receive the good news. Pray we delight in the good news. Pray we proclaim the good news. Pray we believe in the Kingdom to come growing like a mustard seed.
Blessings,
John Lawson
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