Gospel in a Minute
Paul concluded his gospel presentation at Antioch of Pisidia with these words.
Be careful! Don’t let the prophets’ words apply to you. For they said, 41 ‘Look, you mockers, be amazed and die! For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn’t believe even if someone told you about it.’” Acts 13:40-41 (NLT)
Principle: The Gospel Includes a Warning
If our hearers choose to accept God’s generous offer of reconciliation, life awaits them. However, those who reject the message doom themselves to a continuation of their present condition as spiritual orphans in the universe – an eternity away from God’s loving presence.
And God will provide rest for you who are being persecuted and also for us when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven. He will come with his mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire, bringing judgment on those who don’t know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will be punished with eternal destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from his glorious power. 10 When he comes on that day, he will receive glory from his holy people—praise from all who believe. And this includes you, for you believed what we told you about him. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 (NLT)
The presentation of the gospel puts people in a place of decision with their eternity hanging in the balance. With so much on the line, the loving thing to do is warn our hearers of the enormous consequences of their decision.
