Rethink Church - The Power of the Gospel (2)

The Gospel

What is it?

Gospel - means Good News

“Gospel Runners” - If a battle had been won they would be sent ahead of the conquering general

What is it?

The Christian Gospel is that I am so flawed that Jesus had to die for me, yet I am so loved and valued that Jesus was glad to die for me. This leads to deep humility and deep confidence at the same time. It undermines both swaggering and sniveling. I cannot feel superior to anyone, and yet I have nothing to prove to anyone. I do not think more of myself or less of myself. Instead, I think of myself less. - Tim Keller

Ephesians 2:8 CSB

For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—

God created us - we left - Christ came- Christ died - Christ rose - Only through Him

Nothing more - Nothing less

Exclusive - Jesus is the only Way

Inclusive - invitation to all

The Gospel will bring a reaction

The Power of the Gospel -

Acts 14

The Gospel will bring:

Salvation

Acts 14:1 CSB

In Iconium they entered the Jewish synagogue, as usual, and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed.

The Gospel will bring:

Salvation

The Gospel works all on it’s own - First Priority

The Gospel will bring:

Persecution

Acts 14:2 CSB

But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers.

Acts 14:5–7 CSB

When an attempt was made by both the Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat and stone them, they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian towns of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding countryside. There they continued preaching the gospel.

The Gospel will bring:

Persecution

No one wants to hear they can’t fix their problems

Last Year

Over 260 million Christians living in places where they experience high levels of persecution

2,983 Christians killed for their faith

9,488 churches and other Christian buildings attacked

3,711 believers detained without trial, arrested, sentenced or imprisoned

We do not face this as bad yet

Gospel sheds light in the darkness - many do not like the light

Gospel is not for our gain

The Gospel will bring:

False Praise

Acts 14:11 CSB

When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they shouted, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!”

The Gospel will bring:

False Praise

There are those who use a “Gospel” message to their own advancement

They will sell and promise

They will manipulate and control

Any Gospel message that does not point to Christ alone is not His Gospel.

The Gospel

Those who have been wounded deeply, God can use powerfully

Acts 14:19 CSB

Some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and when they won over the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, thinking he was dead.

That would end it?

Acts 14:21 CSB

After they had preached the gospel in that town and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, to Iconium, and to Antioch,

The Gospel

Save yourself - it is the Gospel only

It is not on you - be obedient to tell your story and give an answer for the faith

Don’t give up

“Radical obedience to Christ is not easy... It's not comfort, not health, not wealth, and not prosperity in this world. Radical obedience to Christ risks losing all these things. But in the end, such risk finds its reward in Christ. And he is more than enough for us.” ― David Platt

The Gospel

How do you respond?

Yes I want it - I will share it

No -

There is no in between