Biblical Theology for Transformation 5/16/08
“In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.” 1 Corinthians 9:14
The most important truth, the gospel of Jesus Christ. Gospel, in Greek is evangelion which is where we get our English word for evangelism. It literally means “good news”. Think about the best news you ever received. I once asked this to a student in my youth group. He told me the best news he ever received was when he found out his mom no longer had cancer. I was like; “WOW!!!” that is good news! However, the greatest news we could ever receive will never compare to the message of Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection for our souls because that is the greatest news! Now, to you, who are reading this, you already know this great news and have received it. So let me offer this to you. Paul tells the Church in Corinth that those who serve in the temple get their food from the temple and those who serve at the alter share in the sacrificial offerings (v.13). So in the same way, those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel. The idea is to make the main point the main point. The gospel of Jesus should not be forgotten after we are converted but embraced upon conversion because it is the power of God to save us. We so often forget about the main point—gospel of Jesus. I am encouraging you to embrace, reflect and savor the gospel of Jesus Christ as the power that saved you from your putrid and disgusting sin. We Christians need not to forget the gospel but carry it with us so that the aroma of Jesus protrudes the nostrils of the unsaved world. They need to see that we STILL enjoy and love the gospel of Jesus. Why do we need to do this?
“For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone 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
If we do not let the glory of God be seen in us through the savoring of the gospel we will fall into what Paul calls, “proclaiming ourselves”. The mark of a Christian is that we LOVE JESUS! So as Jesus lovers we want not ourselves to be seen or magnified, but Jesus to be magnified and glorified through our love of the gospel.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Jesus didn't mince his words and neither did Paul in later teachings. Preachers think they are doing their congregation a favor by meeting them at their place. The bar for biblical teaching is way too low. Praise God for the few preachers that raise the bar according to God's standards.
Post a Comment