Tag Archives: John 1:10-13

What Works Are You Working?? A Word from THE WORD!!! #214

28 Sunday Apr 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Form of godliness?, Advice for the journey, All Sufficient God!, Almost But Lost, Are you ready for Jesus' return?, Armor of God, Flesh-vs-Spirit, Follow Jesus, Following Jesus, Following Jesus or the World?, Wait upon the Lord, Walk in the Spirit, Walking by Faith or Sight?, Walking With Jesus, Walking Worthy, Wasting Time, Well Done Thou good and faithful servant!, What are you listening to?, What do you SEE?, Where your treasure is--Your heart is!, Who are YOU following?, Who are you listening too!, Who will you believe and follow?, will you?, Work

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What Works Are You Working?? A Word from THE WORD!!! #214

“And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man

which was blind from his birth.

2 And his disciples asked him, saying,

Master,

who did sin,

this man,

or his parents,

that he was born blind?

3 Jesus answered,

Neither hath this man sinned,

nor his parents:

but that the works of God

should be made manifest in him.

4 I must work the works of him that sent me,

while it is day:

the night cometh,

when no man can work.

5 As long as I am in the world,

I am the light of the world.”  John 9:1-5

As I watch the scenes that fill the news each day, my heart is grieved at the darkness around us, and it is getting darker with each passing day.  It reminds me that the “evil day” that Paul mentions in the Ephesians 6 passage regarding the armor of God, is upon us; sadly it’s going to get darker.  Jesus made it clear to His followers that sin wasn’t and isn’t the cause of all calamities; that God is totally in charge and that while some things are the result of original sin, they aren’t necessarily the direct result of personal sin.  God is at work in and around us and while we don’t always understand what is going on, we can absolutely know that God is sovereignly in charge—always!

With that said, Jesus gives us the standard, “I must work the works of him that sent me”!  And when we are following Jesus, we are accomplishing the works of our Father who sent Him to us.

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross,

and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

and whosoever will lose his life for my sake

shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

or what shall a man give in exchange

for his soul?”  Matthew 16:24-26

The way to do the Father’s work is to follow Jesus, and be born again, by the power of God, and then yield to His Word, His ways, and the truths that Jesus made clear to us.  Jesus is saying above that if we choose to attempt to “save” ourselves, we will lose! Yet when we give our life to Him, He will help us walk the narrow way, rather than hear “depart from me” in “that day”.

“He was in the world,

and the world was made by him,

and the world knew him not.

11 He came unto his own,

and his own received him not.

12 But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them

that believe on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.”  John 1:10-13

“Not every one that saith unto me,

Lord, Lord,

shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;

but he that doeth the will

of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day,

Lord, Lord,

have we not prophesied in thy name?

and in thy name have cast out devils?

and in thy name done many wonderful  works?

23 And then will I profess unto them,

I never knew you:

depart from me,

ye that work iniquity.”  Matthew 7:21-23

The question is, are we doing the work of Jesus or our own thing?  The distinctions are very visible if we will but open our eyes!

“I charge thee therefore before God,

and the Lord Jesus Christ,

who shall judge the quick and the dead

at his appearing

 and his kingdom;

2 Preach the word;

be instant in season,

out of season;

reprove, rebuke, exhort

with all longsuffering and doctrine.

3 For the time will come

when they will not endure sound doctrine;

but after their own lusts

shall they heap to themselves teachers,

having itching ears;

4 And they shall turn away their ears

from the truth,

and shall be turned unto fables.

5 But watch thou

in all things,

endure afflictions,

do the work of an evangelist,

make full proof of thy ministry.

6 For I am now ready to be offered,

and the time of my departure is at hand.

7 I have fought a good fight,

  I have finished my course,

  I have kept the faith:

8 Henceforth there is laid up for me

a crown of righteousness,

which the Lord,

the righteous judge,

shall give me at that day:

and not to me only,

but unto all them also

that love his appearing.”  2 Timothy 4:1-8

In case you haven’t noticed, we also are in a time when people are not wanting to hear the word, much less obey it.  So, my friends will we “work the works of him that” saved us, called us, and has commissioned us to do HIS works.  It’s your choice, but remember, there is a test.

“And, behold,

I come quickly;

and my reward is with me,

to give every man

according as his work shall be.”  Revelation 22:12

Amen and Amen!!!

Follow Your ______??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #201

24 Sunday Mar 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Form of godliness?, Choices And Consequences, Choose Wisely, Choose You This Day!, Choose you this day?, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Follow Jesus, Following Jesus, Following Jesus or the World?, Forgetting or Remembering?, Freedom To Or From?, Giving Thanks to God!, The Heart is deceitful and dreadfully wicked..., When Is True NOT?, Who are YOU following?, Who are you listening to?, Who Dropped The Ball?, Who will you believe and follow?, Who's Listening Anyway?, Whose Side Are You On?, Worldliness, You can't get yesterday back!

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Follow Your_______???   A Word from THE WORD!!! #201

I don’t really know where this will go today, but I feel a burden to share some thoughts with you and pray that you will consider whom you will believe—the world or God and His Word.  It sounds so innocent, and yet we are being inundated with sweet-sounding messages that are contrary to The Word of God, but that’s how the enemy works.  Cute lies!  What’s your measuring stick?  Your plumb line?  Your standard?  God’s truth?

“Thus saith the LORD;

Cursed be the man that trusteth in man,

and maketh flesh his arm,

and whose heart departeth from the LORD.

6 For he shall be like the heath in the desert,

and shall not see when good cometh;

but shall inhabit the parched places

in the wilderness,

in a salt land

and not inhabited.

7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD,

and whose hope the LORD is.

8 For he shall be as a tree

planted by the waters,

and that spreadeth out her roots

by the river,

and shall not see when heat cometh,

but her leaf shall be green;

and shall not be careful

in the year of drought,

neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

9 The heart is deceitful above all things,

and desperately wicked:

who can know it?

10 I the LORD search the heart,

I try the reins,

even to give every man

according to his ways,

and according to the fruit of his doings.”                  Jeremiah 17:5-10

The world calls us to “follow our heart”—God says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”  Not to be trite, but whom will we choose to believe, God or man?  I find it amazing that we would rather follow the “empty Gospel” rather than the truth of God’s Word: “…for all have sinned…”!   Jesus makes it very clear in John 15:5b, “without me ye can do nothing”, yet we are often too lazy to study God’s Word, but we’ll (me included) sit and gel in front of a television filled with perverted half-truths and out-right lies of the enemy of our soul!  Is it any wonder that our world is going to “hell in a hand basket”, and in many ways we have contributed to it.  The church has contributed to it, by not holding to The Word of God, but rather have embraced a watered-down gospel without the power of the cross; a cross that calls for repentance of sin and a faith in the work of the cross to transform by Jesus only, “…I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6b

Paul describes the power of the Gospel in Romans 12 most concisely and builds on this truth in 2 Corinthians 5.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren,

by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice,

holy,

acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world:

but be ye transformed

by the renewing of your mind,

that ye may prove

what is that good,

and acceptable,

and perfect, will of God.”   Romans 12:1-2

Contrary to the message today that men, women, boys, and girls can simply claim the name of Jesus and go to heaven.  We must come to Jesus for the “new birth”, being born again of The Spirit of God, made children of God supernaturally—not by any fleshly means; not good works, not church membership, not baptism, not teaching, not “praying this prayer”, or even preaching, but by being born again, and made a child of God, a new creature in Christ, “born…of God”!

“He was in the world,

and the world was made by him,

and the world knew him not.

11 He came unto his own,

and his own received him not.

12 But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.”  John 1:10-13

“Therefore if any man be in Christ,

he is a new creature:

old things are passed away;

behold, all things are become new.

18 And all things are of God,

who hath reconciled us to himself

by Jesus Christ,

and hath given to us the ministry

of reconciliation;

19 To wit, that God was in Christ,

reconciling the world unto himself,

not imputing their trespasses unto them;

and hath committed unto us

the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ,

as though God did beseech you by us:

we pray you in Christ’s stead,

be ye reconciled to God.

21 For he hath made him

to be sin for us,

who knew no sin;

that we might be made

the righteousness of God

in him.”  2 Corinthians 5:17-21

God transforms us from sinners into saints by the blood of Jesus because Jesus took our sin to Calvary, that we might receive the “righteousness of God in him”, and it should be evident to a lost and dying world—even when they don’t like it.  So what are we to do?  We must prepare ourselves with the “mind of Christ Jesus”!  As Paul wrote in one of the most beautiful passages of all scripture.

“Let this mind be in you,

which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in the form of God,

thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7 But made himself of no reputation,

and took upon him the form of a servant,

and was made in the likeness of men:

8 And being found in fashion as a man,

he humbled himself,

and became obedient unto death,

even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,

and given him a name which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow,

of things in heaven,

and things in earth,

and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

12 Wherefore, my beloved,

as ye have always obeyed,

not as in my presence only,

but now much more in my absence,

work out your own salvation

with fear and trembling.

13 For it is God which worketh in you

both to will

and to do of his good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:5-13

So will you examine your heart and see if you are bringing your heart into submission to Jesus Christ, or are you following a heart full of the world, and looking to “feel good and prosper” (and note here the “working out your own salvation” isn’t working “for” your salvation, but working “out” what God has put “IN”)?  Will you seek the “mind of Jesus Christ” or the mind of Hellywood?  Of Nastyville?  Is your standard set by God’s Word or Hellyvision?  It’s your choice but choose wisely there is a test; and the test is by God’s criterion not man’s! Is your mind set on Jesus or something else, anything else?  And may I add, you will never recognize the lies if you don’t know the truth of God’s Word! (See 2 Timothy 2:15 & 3:16-17) May we join Joshua today, even as he called people to choose long ago:

“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD,

choose you this day whom ye will serve;

whether the gods which your fathers served

that were on the other side of the flood,

or the gods of the Amorites,

in whose land ye dwell:

but as for me and my house,

we will serve the LORD.”  Joshua 24:15

Amen and Amen!!!

Popular Or Particular??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #184

11 Sunday Feb 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Form of godliness?, Hear ye HIM!, Hearing God, Heaven or Hell?, Hell's Real, Holy Living, Lead them to Jesus., Leading Or Mis-Leading?, Let You Light So Shine, Living by Faith or Entertainment?, Living Right, Living TODAY!

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Popular Or Particular??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #184

Or we could say, “Kids Matter”!  What do these three things have in common?  Well, simply put, we can lead, teach, and encourage our children to be particular in their life choices, or we can fail to regard the import of our call to instruct, direct and teach our children the ways of God, leading by our example or teach them that popularity is the ultimate goal.  It breaks my heart when I see parents more concerned with their child’s popularity than with teaching then the biblical foundations of truth.  It’s the curse of our culture—be the “idol”, the “star”, the “lone ranger” or whatever will put them in the “spotlight”!  How sad that it seems we have lost sight of the greater goal to help our children become godly, productive men and women of God making a difference in a world gone crazy.

We need to overcome the old adage of, “Do what I say, not what I do”, and lead our children to the cross not “Hellywood” and its culture!  Scripture is replete with warnings, instructions, and the call to be what God wants us to be, not what the enemy of our souls dangles in front of our children (and the adults too).  It seems that we have slept through God’s warnings in scripture.

“Love not the world,

neither the things that are in the world.

If any man love the world,

the love of the Father is not in him.

16 For all that is in the world,

the lust of the flesh,

and the lust of the eyes,

and the pride of life,

is not of the Father,

but is of the world.

17 And the world passeth away,

and the lust thereof:

but he that doeth the will of God

abideth for ever.”  1 John 2:15-17

When we determine to live for Jesus, by His power, His might and His wisdom, the world will not like it.  How is that so many who claim the name of Jesus have no desire to follow Him.

“Behold, what manner of love the Father

hath bestowed upon us,

that we should be called the sons of God:

therefore the world knoweth us not,

because it knew him not.

2 Beloved now are we the sons of God,

and it doth not yet appear what we shall be:

but we know that, when he shall appear,

we shall be like him;

for we shall see him

as he is.

3 And every man that hath this hope in him

purifieth himself,

even as he is pure.”  1 John 3:1-3

Are we God’s children?  How?  It’s a work of grace and truth– Jesus, who saves us by repentance and faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin—my sin and yours!

“He was in the world,

and the world was made by him,

and the world knew him not.

11 He came unto his own,

and his own received him not.

12 But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.”  John 1:10-13 

It’s the same “new birth” that Jesus referred to in John chapter 3, when he told Nicodemus, “ye must be born again”!  Yet so many claim to belong to Jesus, but their lives match the world not The King of Kings!  We need to consider the words of James and examine our life to see where our allegiance lies—with Jesus or with the world.  Whose child are you?  The behavior will tell the tale, let’s determine to make our “lights shine for Jesus not the Devil”!

“Ye lust,

and have not:

ye kill,

and desire to have,

and cannot obtain:

ye fight and war,

yet ye have not,

because ye ask not.

3 Ye ask,

and receive not,

because ye ask amiss,

that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses,

know ye not that the friendship of the world

is enmity with God?

whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world

is the enemy of God.

5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain,

The spirit that dwelleth in us

lusteth to envy?

6 But he giveth more grace.

Wherefore he saith,

God resisteth the proud,

but giveth grace unto the humble.

 7 Submit yourselves therefore

to God.

Resist the devil,

and he will flee from you.

8 Draw nigh to God,

and he will draw nigh to you.

Cleanse your hands,

ye sinners;

and purify your hearts,

ye double minded.”  James 4:2-8

May we truly “Draw nigh to God” that He will “draw nigh to you”; seeking to know God’s will and His ways and leading our children and grandchildren to the cross and not the pit of hell.  I don’t mean to be blunt, but time is short, and our children are going to hell in a handbasket, often because we have failed to show them the “crucified life” and the Redeemer who died for their sin!  Let’s lead them to the cross and not the world—only the cross provides real life.  Do we really believe that?  I do! It’s your choice but choose wisely, there is a test.

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live in the flesh

I live by the faith of the Son of God,

who loved me,

and gave himself for me.”  Galatians 2:20

Will we stand up for the gospel in this day of compromise that others may see Jesus in us?

“For it is written,

As I live, saith the Lord,

every knee shall bow to me,

and every tongue shall confess to God.

12 So then every one of us

shall give account of himself to God.”   Romans 14:11-12

Amen and Amen!!!

He may come today!  Are you ready?

From An Enemy To A Son??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #172

03 Wednesday Jan 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A heart of faith, Choices And Consequences, Choose you this day?, Christ IN YOU, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Jesus' Sacrifice, Now is the time...., Obedience, One Day Too Late?, Only One Way, SIN, Sin IS the issue, SMILE!!! Jesus loves YOU!!

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From An Enemy To A Son???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #172

 

With wars raging all around the world, and the political crises all around us here at home, I just want to start this new year off with a reminder for us all, that when we belong to Jesus, when we have been born again by the “blood of the Lamb” who died that we might have life—eternal life—abundant life.  Yet not just life, for we are made sons and daughters of God through faith in Jesus’ sacrifice for our sin!

“He was in the world,

and the world was made by him,

and the world knew him not.

11 He came unto his own,

and his own received him not.

12 But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.”  John 1:10-13

Sin IS the issue, and while it’s not a very popular topic today, it is still the truth, and Paul states it so concisely (which I seldom can 😊) that I want us to see how amazing God’s love, mercy, and grace are toward us, to extend this gift to us, pursuing us while most of us were clearly running from HIM!  I’m so glad that I finally “ran” right into HIS arms when HE spoke so clearly to my heart that day so long ago, but as fresh as yesterday!

“Therefore being justified by faith,

we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access

by faith

into this grace

wherein we stand,

and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3

And not only so,

but we glory in tribulations also:

knowing that tribulation

worketh patience;

4 And patience,

experience;

and experience,

hope:

5 And hope maketh not ashamed;

because the love of God

is shed abroad in our hearts

by the Holy Ghost

which is given unto us.

6 For when we were yet without strength,

in due time

Christ died for the ungodly.

7 For scarcely for a righteous man

will one die:

yet peradventure for a good man

some would even dare to die.

8 But God commendeth his love toward us,

in that, while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us.

9 Much more then,

being now justified by his blood,

we shall be saved from wrath through him.

10 For if,

when we were enemies,

we were reconciled to God

by the death of his Son,

much more, being reconciled,

we shall be saved by his life.

11 And not only so,

but we also joy in God

through our Lord Jesus Christ,

by whom

we have now received

the atonement.” Romans 5:1-11

How grateful I am for Paul’s calling and gifts, for he left us so much truth, and it is such a powerful truth here, to remind us that “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us”!!! Praise God—Praise God—Praise God–“Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.”! (2 Corinthians 9:15).  Have you thanked God for saving you?  If you know HIM, how could you not continually thank HIM?  If you don’t know JESUS you can; it’s why HE came—to save, to redeem, to transform sinners into saints!  He will transform your life if you’ll but let HIM!  And we who are already HIS need to remember this too!

“I beseech you therefore, brethren,

by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice,

holy,

acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world:

but be ye transformed

by the renewing of your mind,

that ye may prove

what is that good,

and acceptable,

and perfect,

will of God.

3 For I say,

through the grace given unto me,

to every man that is among you,

not to think of himself more highly

than he ought to think;” Romans 12:1-3

How, might you ask?  It’s pretty simple—not easy—but simple, I’ll let the Apostle Peter’s words speak.

“Likewise,

ye younger,

submit yourselves unto the elder.

Yea, all of you

be subject one to another,

and be clothed with humility:

for God resisteth the proud,

and giveth grace to the humble.

6 Humble yourselves therefore

under the mighty hand of God,

that he may exalt you in due time:

7 Casting all your care upon him;

for he careth for you.”  1 Peter 5:5-7.

And the Apostle John has some great wisdom for us today, even as he wrote to the church so long ago.

“Behold,

what manner of love the Father hath bestowed

upon us,

that we should be called the sons of God:

therefore the world knoweth us not,

because it knew him not.

2 Beloved,

now are we the sons of God,

and it doth not yet appear

what we shall be:

but we know that,

when he shall appear,

we shall be like him;

for we shall see him as he is.

3 And every man that hath this hope in him

purifieth himself,

even as he is pure.”  1 John 3:1-3

My friends, in this beginning of a new year, won’t you invite Jesus to search your heart, and receive Him either as your Lord and Savior, or hear His voice of conviction and restore HIM to the throne of your heart and life.  May God’s insight, truth, and blessings rest upon your choices!  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test!

And a final word from James, to remind us of the difficulty of the battle—but IN JESUS, we win!  But we are in enemy territory and the battle is real.

“Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain,

The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?

6 But he giveth more grace.

Wherefore he saith,

God resisteth the proud,

but giveth grace unto the humble.

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God.

Resist the devil,

and he will flee from you.

8 Draw nigh to God,

and he will draw nigh to you.

Cleanse your hands, ye sinners;

and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”   James 4:5-8

Amen and Amen!!!

Without A Preacher??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #149

30 Monday Oct 2023

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A heart of faith, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, All About Jesus!, Gospel, Heaven or Hell?, Jesus Is Coming Again., Power of The Cross, Preach Christ and HIM crucified!, Preaching Jesus, Preaching truth about SIN, The foolishness of preaching

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Without A Preacher???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #149

There is a lot going on these days that purports to be spreading the Gospel, but I find a lot of it not only deficient, but near if not total heresy!  So let’s see what God’s Word has to say to us today, and heed it, live it and share it!  Let’s begin with Paul’s ‘Gospel in a nutshell’.

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel

which I preached unto you,

which also ye have received,

and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved,

if ye keep in memory

what I preached unto you,

unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all

that which I also received,

how that Christ died for our sins

according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried,

and that he rose again the third day

according to the scriptures:

5 And that he was seen of Cephas,

then of the twelve:” 1 Corinthians 15:1-5

Take note that Paul not only shared the truth of Jesus being our only way of salvation succinctly, but he also made it very clear that the cause of the need for salvation is SIN; an issue that so many today don’t want to talk about.  They want to talk about prosperity, a good life, peace, joy, and love (and Jesus will bring you peace, joy, and love, but not without repentance and faith in HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for SIN!) yet more often than not leave out the subject of sin—and if I have no sin, I have no need of a Savior!  Jesus Himself said that He came to call ‘sinners’ to repentance (See Matthew 9:13, Mark 2:17, Luke 5:32) for those who ‘think’ they are righteous have no need of a Savior.  I wish we had time to go through the first three chapters of Romans, where Paul leads us to see the three types of sinners, and just to simplify it for today, he starts by his bold declaration of his confidence of the Gospel, then on in chapter 1 to describe the openly, willful sinners; then in chapter 2 he confronts the “SELF-righteous” sinners; before going on to boldly proclaim the state of us all as the “NONE-righteous”!  But to keep it comfortable for people, we have compromised this message of and need for us to see our sin before we will ever come to the JESUS! We have conveniently neglected the message of “all have sinned” and call people to just ‘say this prayer’, ‘walk this aisle’, demand that God save you because you ‘called the name of Jesus’.

“So, as much as in me is,

I am ready to preach the gospel

to you that are at Rome also.

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:

for it is the power of God unto salvation

to every one that believeth;

to the Jew first,

and also to the Greek.

17 For therein is the righteousness of God

revealed from faith to faith:

as it is written,

The just shall live by faith.”  Romans 1:15-17

Paul was confident of his preaching, for preaching was God’s chosen method to get the word out—not programs, props, or entertainment (not that there is anything wrong with those things in and of themselves, but they cannot take the place of ‘Preaching’ the Gospel)!

“Where is the wise?

where is the scribe?

where is the disputer of this world?

hath not God made foolish

the wisdom of this world?

21 For after that in the wisdom of God

the world by wisdom knew not God,

it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching

to save them that believe.”  1 Corinthians 1:20-21

And one of my favorite passages:

“For whosoever shall call

upon the name of the Lord

shall be saved.

14 How then shall they call

on him in whom they have not believed?

and how shall they believe

in him of whom they have not heard?

and how shall they hear

without a preacher?

15 And how shall they preach,

except they be sent?

as it is written,

How beautiful are the feet of them

that preach the gospel of peace,

and bring glad tidings

of good things!”  Romans 10:13-15

It’s God’s WORD, and not only was Paul unashamed of the Gospel of Jesus, but he was confident in its power, and the clear truth that it is ALL about JESUS—HIS sacrifice for sin—and the need for salvation.  But if we never see our sin, if we never preach about sin, who will see the value of Jesus’ sacrifice?  NO ONE!  The other thing that we seem to have forgotten is that the convicting power of The Holy Spirit is essential to the genuine conversion of lost souls—Jesus words make it clear.

“No man can come to me,

except the Father

which hath sent me

draw him:

and I will raise him up at the last day.”  John 6:44

“He was in the world,

and the world was made by him,

and the world knew him not.

11 He came unto his own,

and his own received him not.

12 But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.”  John 1:10-13

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am

the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.”  John 14:6

Jesus is THE WAY—THE only way, and without HIS sacrifice for my/your sin there is no hope.  Who wants to go to heaven anyway, when you have no desire for God in this world, no desire for HIS ways, no pleasure in HIS Word, no time for HIS work or to hear the preaching of truth?

“Be it known unto you all,

and to all the people of Israel,

that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,

whom ye crucified,

whom God raised from the dead,

even by him doth this man stand here

before you whole.

11 This is the stone

 which was set at nought of you builders,

which is become the head of the corner.

12 Neither is there salvation in any other:

for there is none other name under heaven

given among men,

whereby we must be saved.

13 Now when they saw the boldness

of Peter and John,

and perceived that they were

unlearned and ignorant men,

they marvelled;

and they took knowledge of them,

that they had been with Jesus.”  Acts 4:10-13

Did you get what the opposition said about the disciples, “they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus”?  What do people notice about you and me?  Do they see that we have “been with Jesus” or do they see a reflection of the world instead of the ONE whom we claim as our LORD and Savior?  I believe that will be one of the greatest indictments of this generation when we stand before our God—and yes real believers will give an account of our actions (not for heaven or hell, but for rewards or lack thereof), our stewardship and our service to The King, and our integrity toward HIS WORD!  Those who have not believed and received Jesus’ salvation will also give an account but not for destiny, they will have already chosen hell—sad, but true!  What Gospel are you preaching with your life as well as your words.  Paul gives us some amazing tidbits of truth to measure our testimony by!

“For I determined not to know any thing among you,

save Jesus Christ,

and him crucified.”  1 Corinthians 2:2

“But God forbid that I should glory,

save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,

by whom the world is crucified unto me,

and I unto the world.”  Galatians 6:14

“For the preaching of the cross

is to them that perish foolishness;

but unto us which are saved

it is the power of God.”  1 Corinthians 1:18

“For we preach not ourselves,

but Christ Jesus the Lord;

and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.

6 For God,

who commanded the light to shine out of darkness,

hath shined in our hearts,

to give the light of the knowledge

of the glory of God

in the face of Jesus Christ.”   2 Corinthians 4:5-6

So what Gospel are you/I preaching?  Living?  Sharing by our life, conversation, choices, activities?  Jesus is coming my dear friends, and HE knows all things and will reward every man accordingly—heaven or hell!  It’s your choice but choose wisely, there is a test!  (See Revelation 20:11-15). Have you been born again?  Is your name written in The Lamb’s Book of Life?   Jesus is the only way, it’s why He came– that we might have life—but HE will never force Himself on anyone, including YOU!

“For God so loved the world,

that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world

to condemn the world;

but that the world through him

might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him

is not condemned:

but he that believeth not

is condemned already,

because he hath not believed

in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation,

that light is come into the world,

and men loved darkness rather than light,

because their deeds were evil.”  John 3:16-19

“Therefore if any man be in Christ,

he is a new creature:

old things are passed away;

behold, all things are become new.”   2 Corinthians 5:17

May the truth of Jesus prevail in our lives!  Preach it, brother, preach it!!!

Amen and Amen!!!