The Point (part 2)

(I'm almost sorry that this post is so long but my heart must sing and it is singing a long song this time) What I believe is necessary is for the gospel to be redefined in this generation. The gospel is powerful. Yet we have a tendency to water it down. I believe this is because we have a hard time rejecting the world. That's right, I just said rejecting the world. From what I've observed, we would prefer to embrace the filthy world. We go out and watch the latest movie that glorifies evil things like overwhelming lust and raw hate. Sometimes we know pop culture better than we know our Bibles! This aught not be . . . but we have a powerful God Who can redeem us. But we need a greater perspective. That's where the redefined gospel comes in. The gospel is more than just a ticket to Heaven, it's a ticket to a fearless life. Just read along . . . The gospel is Christ crucified. We accept that, and believe it with all our heart. But it's more than that. The cross is the picture of Yahweh overcoming sin--the old man who rules/ruled us. Then Christ rose, conquering death (starting to get exciting, isn't it?). But it doesn't end there. The Bible goes on to tell us that now God wants to adopt us. Yes, us. Those filthy beggars who can never become pure. God comes to us and says "I want to adopt you." Of coures we oblige! He brings us into his very near presence. Then, oh then, He asks us to do something for Him. He, the God of the universe, asks us to go into the world for Him. But that's not all. (Are you seeing a pattern yet?) He tells us that it is impossible to change the world, on our own. So you know what He does? He will work through us, and not only that: He will come and live inside us. God is not just giving us strength He is our strength. God tells us that we will bare the name of the Alpha and Omega. How will we do that? Well, the Alpha and Omega is pretty good at representing Himself isn't He? That's just what He does. So the gospel is; Christ crucified, death and sin conquered, becoming God's heirs and children, being God's image barers, and having the One and Only God living inside of us working His good pleasure! Why would we ever want to still be in the world?!?!? We have all we could ever imagine . . . and more. I hope you think about what I just said. Because it is the crux of your whole existence. Maybe I've sparked something in you . . . maybe it's new life.

~TDH

Check out this video by Ellerslie: http://www.ellerslie.com/The_Gospel.html