Archives: Episode

Carefully Present the Gospel Truth about God as Revealed through Christ

Gospel in a Minute

When God healed the crippled man in Lystra, the onlookers misinterpreted what it meant.

And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” 12  Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13  And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. Acts 14:11-13 (ESV)

Principle: Carefully Present the Gospel Truth about God as Revealed through Christ

The attesting healing miracle in Lystra was intended to convince people of the truth of the gospel, but the people of Lystra tried to fit it into their existing pagan paradigm.  Before knowing the truth about God, we tend to create for ourselves “gods” that fit into our presuppositions about life and reality and that allow us to do whatever we want. God’s name, as revealed to Moses, is “I am Who I am.” God is not who we might want him to be. He is who he is. He revealed himself fully through his Son, Jesus the Messiah King of Israel. If we want to know what God is really like, we can find out by believing in and knowing Christ. The gospel is a presentation of the truth about God as revealed through Christ.

Gospel preachers must carefully present the Good News so that people will not easily misinterpret it. Only faith in the true God as revealed in the actual gospel saves. Our job is to make sure that is what people hear.

As for us, we can’t help but thank God for you, dear brothers and sisters loved by the Lord. We are always thankful that God chose you to be among the first to experience salvation—a salvation that came through the Spirit who makes you holy and through your belief in the truth. 2 Thessalonians 2:13 (NLT)
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Take the Risk of Following the Holy Spirit

Gospel in a Minute

Paul and Barnabas arrived in Lystra, where they preached the gospel to the citizens.

Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked. 9  He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, 10  said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking. Acts 14:8-10 (ESV)

Principle: Take the Risk of Following the Holy Spirit

Building upon the principle that God’s Spirit is partnering with us when we share the gospel, we should be alert to signs of what he is doing while we are sharing the good news. At Lystra, Paul discerned that one of his listeners had faith to be healed. How did he know? Only those who have trained themselves (Hebrews 5:14) through practice to see, hear, or intuit what the Spirit is doing and saying (John 5:19) and who are willing to take the risk of being wrong and looking bad will be able to do this.

Being Christ’s representative is not about our looking good and never making a mistake. Christ expects his messengers to be faithful to him, regardless of the personal cost.

Being led by the Spirit involves an internal “knowing” that cannot be logically explained.

The Spirit is an able communicator, but he speaks most often in what the Bible calls a “still, small voice,” (1Kings 19:12) that only those who believe and are open and alert will detect. Once we “hear” that voice, then we face the choice of what to do.

Paul risked the entire gospel opportunity by publicly commanding the man to stand up, something impossible for him without a miracle. The risk was rewarded when the man obeyed and God healed him. This public attesting miracle validated the message and the messengers to the people of the area and opened their hearts to the gospel message.

If we want apostolic results, we must take apostolic risks.

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Viewing the Coronavirus Scare through Eyes of Faith

 

 

 

 

 

The words Thomas Paine wrote during our American Revolution are true today: “These are the times that try men’s souls.” The coronavirus is creating mass panic across the world, partly due to its seriousness, but largely because of our fear of the unknown and media hype. God warned the prophet Isaiah to be careful not to fall prey to fear and false information.

The LORD has given me a strong warning not to think like everyone else does. He said, 12  “Don’t call everything a conspiracy, like they do, and don’t live in dread of what frightens them. 13  Make the LORD of Heaven’s Armies holy in your life. He is the one you should fear. He is the one who should make you tremble. 14  He will keep you safe… Isaiah 8:11-14 (NLT)

The people of Israel faced something far worse than COVID19. The Assyrian army loomed on the horizon threatening a violent destruction of the land and the people. Facing the threat of death is nothing new. Facing it on a large scale as a nation has not happened to us in a while and is testing the moral fiber of our people. It is important for the church to stand firm in faith.

God told Isaiah in another place.

…If you do not stand firm in your faith, then you will not stand at all. Isaiah 7:9 (HCSB)

God wants us to confront our fear of this disease with trust in his keeping and healing power. It is important for us to believe that he is sovereign over all things. The mass onslaught of a virus is nothing to him. Behind the scenes, he is orchestrating events and people on the world stage in order to set things up for the Second Coming of his beloved Son. It may happen in our day!  We must not flinch at the things that he lets us encounter as the church during the end days. This is our time to shine.

We have been praying for a long time for a massive ingathering of people who will respond to the gospel. Is this current crisis setting things up for that very thing? Is that which people fear actually a surprising answer to prayer? I have discovered that many times God works in ways that confound our understanding. Please do not misunderstand me: God is not the author of evil. He overrules what the enemy does and makes it work toward his purposes. Evil can only operate with permission. What an amazing God!

It takes faith to properly interpret what God is doing in the world.

Here is a sure way to gain the victory.

Since God is working everything out for the good of his people (Romans 8:28) and to bring glory to himself, we should praise God for what he is allowing to happen on the earth. We do not praise him for a virus or the suffering it causes. We praise him for his amazing goodness in taking something so destructive and working it for the good of his people and for his glory.

When we make the choice to praise him, the Holy Spirit will give us insight into God’s perspective on things, which will enable us to pray with even greater clarity.

Such an attitude of faith will make us overcomers in the midst of what terrifies many people.

So, instead of worrying, start praising.

It will make an amazing difference in our lives. We will become part of the solution instead of being part of the problem. We will be  overcomers. Should we have to deal with sickness or even death, God will give us the strength to do so in faith. Regardless of what may come our way, he is our Keeper and Healer, a Fortress in time of trouble. In the words of the psalmist:

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. Psalm 61:1-4 (NASB)

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The Gospel Causes Division

Gospel in a Minute

Paul and Barnabas traveled to Iconium where they preached the gospel with the following results.

In Iconium they entered the synagogue of the Jews together, and spoke in such a manner that a large number of people believed, both of Jews and of Greeks. 2  But the Jews who disbelieved stirred up the minds of the Gentiles and embittered them against the brethren. 3  Therefore they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord, who was testifying to the word of His grace, granting that signs and wonders be done by their hands. 4  But the people of the city were divided; and some sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles. Acts 14:1-4 (NASB)

Principle: The Gospel Causes Division

Jesus warned his followers that the message he gave us to preach exposes people’s hearts and causes division.

Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33  But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven. 34  “Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword. 35  I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36  Your enemies will be right in your own household! Matthew 10:32-36 (NLT)

Those who share the gospel should expect to encounter hostility from those who reject their message.

The announcement of Christ’s lordship invites people to surrender their lives to Jesus. Those who accept God’s provision of mercy and grace will be overjoyed, but those who reject God’s offer reveal that they have hardened hearts and a rebelliousness against his rule. Their deep seated hostility toward God should not intimidate us from boldly sharing the good news.

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God’s Chosen Ones Will Believe the Gospel

Gospel in a Minute

When the Gentiles heard this, they were very glad and thanked the Lord for his message; and all who were chosen for eternal life became believers. 49  So the Lord’s message spread throughout that region. Acts 13:48-49 (NLT)

Principle: God’s Chosen Ones Will Believe the Gospel

The Bible teaches that God chose his children from before the foundation of the world.

Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5  God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. Ephesians 1:4-5 (NLT)

This theological truth should have enormous impact on those us who share the gospel.

It means that when we share the good news with people, we can be confident that some will respond. Otherwise, how could we know that anyone would?

We do not know in advance who these chosen ones are. Neither to do they. Only God knows. That being the case, we share the gospel with everyone, knowing that God has been working behind the scenes in ways we cannot necessarily comprehend or perceive, preparing hearts to receive the gospel.

Our responsibility is to share the gospel with everyone we can. The Spirit’s work is to prepare people to receive it and be part of their actively accepting the message of truth.

We find out who the elect are when they respond to the gospel, but God knew all along.

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The Gospel Was Always Intended for the Entire World

Gospel in a Minute

After warning the Jews in Antioch of Pisidia of the danger of rejecting the gospel, Paul cited Isaiah 49:6 to explain his rationale for taking the good news to the Gentile nations.

For the Lord gave us this command when he said, ‘I have made you a light to the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the farthest corners of the earth.’” Acts 13:47 (NLT)

Principle: The Gospel Was Always Intended for the Entire World

When God first announced the gospel to Abraham, he told him that one of his descendants would be a blessing to the entire earth. (Genesis 22:18) In his letter to the church in Galatia, Paul explained that this promise was fulfilled in Christ Jesus.

What’s more, the Scriptures looked forward to this time when God would declare the Gentiles to be righteous because of their faith. God proclaimed this good news to Abraham long ago when he said, “All nations will be blessed through you.” Galatians 3:8 (NLT)

As God pointed out in the previously referenced verse from Isaiah, it was “too small a thing” for Jesus to be only sent to redeem the Jews. God loves the entire world, as evidenced in the famous verse John 3:16.

The Jews were God’s vehicle to bring the Messiah King into the world to redeem mankind, not just the Jews. Their rejection of the gospel opened wide the door for the rest of the world to hear the good news. One day, God will open the eyes and hearts of the Jews to believe in their Messiah, too.

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Rejecting the Gospel Is an Act of Self-Condemnation

Gospel in a Minute

As Paul Barnabas continued to preach the gospel in Antioch of Pisidia, the Jewish leaders rejected and slandered them, prompting these words from the apostles.

Then Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and declared, “It was necessary that we first preach the word of God to you Jews. But since you have rejected it and judged yourselves unworthy of eternal life, we will offer it to the Gentiles. Acts 13:46 (NLT)

Principle: Rejecting the Gospel Is an Act of Self-Condemnation

A frequent objection to the gospel being God’s only means of salvation is the question: “What about those who never have the opportunity to hear it?” It is not my purpose in this brief meditation to try to answer that question. A more important one for anyone reading this is: “What about those who do hear the gospel and reject it?” Paul clearly said that, if we do that, we condemn ourselves.

An interesting thought is that no one goes to hell against his or her will. By opting to know good and evil for themselves in direct defiance of God’s command, Adam and Eve chose to experience the rest of their human existence cut off from God’s presence, sustaining power, and guidance.

The essence of sin is to try to do life independently from God. The gospel is an invitation to reverse course and come back to a proper relationship with the Creator – Sustainer of the universe.

Jesus made this possible by taking upon himself the consequences of our rebellion. If we put our trust and allegiance in him, we are released from the guilt and condemnation of our past. If not, we seal our own doom – an eternity without God. The choice is ours.

God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. 18  “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. John 3:17-18 (NLT)
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The Gospel Includes a Warning

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.

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The Gospel Offers Forgiveness and Reconciliation to God

Gospel in a Minute

Paul delivered the extraordinary good news that through Jesus, the Messiah King who was rejected and crucified, God offers forgiveness and reconciliation.

“Brothers, listen! We are here to proclaim that through this man Jesus there is forgiveness for your sins. 39  Everyone who believes in him is declared right with God—something the law of Moses could never do. Acts 13:38-39 (NLT)

Principle: The Gospel Offers Forgiveness and Reconciliation to God

Even though the main focus of the gospel is the lordship of Christ, the extraordinary good news is that God does not hold our rebellion against his rule and our rejection of his person against us, if we put our faith and allegiance in the risen Christ.

Instead he freely forgives us and put us back into a right relationship with him, which includes becoming part of his eternal family through the new birth! This means we are able to reconnect with the Source of Life! We are restored to the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe!

Only a fool would pass this up; yet, without the Spirit’s help, that is exactly what we will do. Pray that the Spirit of God will open blinded eyes, deaf ears, and hardened hearts and give his people the compassion and courage to make the gospel known.

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The Gospel Shows How the Old Testament Points to Jesus

Gospel in a Minute

Paul went on to show how the Bible predicted Christ’s resurrection.

And now we are here to bring you this Good News. The promise was made to our ancestors, 33  and God has now fulfilled it for us, their descendants, by raising Jesus. This is what the second psalm says about Jesus: ‘You are my Son. Today I have become your Father.’ 34  For God had promised to raise him from the dead, not leaving him to rot in the grave. He said, ‘I will give you the sacred blessings I promised to David.’ 35  Another psalm explains it more fully: ‘You will not allow your Holy One to rot in the grave.’ 36  This is not a reference to David, for after David had done the will of God in his own generation, he died and was buried with his ancestors, and his body decayed. 37  No, it was a reference to someone else—someone whom God raised and whose body did not decay. Acts 13:32-37 (NLT)

Principle: The Gospel Shows How the Old Testament Points to Jesus

The Old Testament not only points to Jesus, it can only be properly understood in reference to him. Jesus the Messiah is the point of it all, the culmination of God’s interactions and promises made to the Adam and Eve in the garden and to Abraham and his descendants, even to the Gentiles.

Jesus’ resurrection caused verses that seemed mysterious or unclear to come into sudden bold relief, such as the ones quoted by Paul above. Once Paul’s eyes were open to Jesus’ true identity, the entire Bible came to life for him. When we share the gospel, we should point out how Jesus is the focus of the entire Bible.

So a time was set, and on that day a large number of people came to Paul’s lodging. He explained and testified about the Kingdom of God and tried to persuade them about Jesus from the Scriptures. Using the law of Moses and the books of the prophets, he spoke to them from morning until evening. Acts 28:23 (NLT)
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