Gospel

You can’t say “Gospel” without “Go”

Posted on by Bob Mathews

The Bible clearly affirms that Christians in general have the corporate and personal obligation to carry the Gospel to those around us.  This mutual obligation is ours for a handful of reasons. First, because we must shod our feet with the preparation of the Gospel of peace (Eph. 6:15). Second, because saints must be equipped for the work of ministry (Eph. 4:12). Third, because we must shine as lights in the world (Phil. 2:15). Fourth, because we must always be abounding in the work of the Lord (1 Cor. 15:58), knowing the Christ came to save the lost (Luke 19:10).

The condition of the world demands timely attention to this task, knowing that the god of this world, Satan (2 Cor. 4:4), has deceived the world (Rev. 12:19).  Thus, the world is in spiritual darkness (Eph. 6:12), in wickedness (1 John 5:19), evil (Gal. 1:4), condemned (1 Cor. 11:32), and without God (Eph. 2:12).  This dire portrait of the world cannot be properly addressed by the wisdom of the world (1 Cor. 1:21) but must be addressed through the Gospel of Christ. Christ is the one who came into this world to save sinners (1 Tim. 1:15), is the propitiation for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2), and is the Savior of the world (1 Jn. 4:14).

Yes, the world needs to be convicted of sin (Rom. 3:19) and to be reconciled unto the Father (2 Cor. 5:19).

This needed reconciliation cannot be achieved separate from the receipt of the Gospel.  The character of the Gospel message supports this premise, as the Gospel is marked by the wisdom of God (1 Cor. 2:7), of the grace of God (Acts 20:24), of the kingdom of God (Matt. 4:23), the power of God unto salvation (Rom. 1:16), the means of the spiritual begettal (1 Cor. 4:15), the means by which one partakes of the spiritual promise (Eph. 3:6), and the means by which one is called unto the fellowship of God (2 Thess. 2:14).  One cannot be pleasing to God, having not obeyed the Gospel message (2 Thess. 1:8).

The reality is this:  The Gospel is hid to those who are lost (2 Cor. 4:3) and it must be published to those not having heard the pure, unadulterated message of God (Mark 13:10; Rom. 15:20).  May we possess the attitude of the Apostle Paul and recognize that the Gospel must not be hindered (1 Cor. 9:12), especially by our failure to support our own congregation with evangelistic efforts every way we possibly can. May I encourage each member of this congregation to do his or her part in supporting the evangelic effort by simply inviting the community or friends to visit our services. Spreading the “good news” does not have to be difficult. While getting a bible study with someone is a great thing, inviting them to church is always a step in the direction of helping them find God. Don’t leave the “go” out of the gospel message. If we desire all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth just like God does, then we have to do our part to help spread the glory of God.

FACT of the Gospel

Posted on by Bob Mathews

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John present the one true gospel (see Gal. 1-6-9) from four different perspectives. Each writer has a particular audience in mind as he portrays the life of Jesus. Major themes within each account compose the acrostic “FACT.”

Fulfillment. It is believed that the Gospel of Matthew was sent primarily to Jewish Christians. Matthew uses the genealogy of Jesus to prove he is the fulfillment of prophesy the Messiah. Matthew includes the greatest number of quotations from the Old Testament in any New Testament book. Matthew also discusses divine intervention in the world of men and establishes Jesus’ sinless nature and position as master teacher. He does this to prove that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah), the fulfillment of the Old Testament because that is the goal of the book.

Action. It is believed that the Gospel of Mark was sent primarily to Gentile Christians, possibly in Rome. Mark’s account is the most concise as he portrays Jesus as a “man of action,” a powerful miracle worker. The episodes of Jesus’ life are woven together by the Greek word eutheos which is translated “straightway,” “immediately,” “at once,” and “without delay.” It is used 42 times throughout the short 16-chapter book.

Compassion. The Gospel of Luke was addressed to “most excellent Theophilus” (Luke 1:3), but it was certainly intended for a wider audience among the Gentiles. This book was the first of two volumes, the second being Acts. Luke demonstrates the compassion of Jesus for the disenfranchised of Jewish society: women, the poor, Samaritans, tax collectors, and sinners. Luke also helps comfort all those who read his writing of the gospel by providing a sense of assurance in the accuracy of the message. He lays out facts in an orderly fashion, but not merely just trying to present history. He presents historical facts that point to something greater/significant – the fact that God has entered into human history offering His Son as the payment for the sin of mankind. No greater compassion can be shown.

Truth. It is believed that the Gospel of John was written for Christians and non-Christians alike, possibly in Ephesus. John emphasizes the evidence or testimony for faith in Jesus. “Truth” is a key word, occurring over 50 times in the account. Jesus’ miracles are signs that testify to the truth: Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. (John 20:30-31 – “Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.”)

The FACT of the matter is that Jesus is the Fulfillment of everything that was told and promised, the perfect man of Action to carry out God’s will, Compassionate in a way that proved God’s love was shown for all mankind, and the Truth that we need to believe in and bear witness of in our own lives.