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As followers of Christ, we have been entrusted with the greatest mission on earth, but do we know what that mission is, and do we understand our role in it? Being a Christian is more than just saying a prayer and then waiting for heaven when we die. It means being an active part of the Body of Christ and allowing the good news of the gospel to live out through our lives each day.
If someone offered you a glass of water from the purest spring on earth, but told you they had mixed it with poison, would you drink it? Of course not! And yet thousands of people in churches every week drink in sermons tainted with false doctrine. Today’s message exposes two extremely dangerous trends sweeping through pulpits across America, and reminds us of the vital importance of keeping the gospel message pure.
As we trace the spread of the gospel through the book of acts, we learn that as it was preached it would cause two results; salvation for some who heard the message and persecution to those who brought the message. How is it that the Gospel can be considered “good news” if the people who share it are always getting beat up? So when Paul says that he’s not ashamed of the gospel, does he have in mind just the extrinsic fact of it, or the intrinsic effects of it on his own life?
We could search the universe high and low for the ultimate display of God’s power, exploring from the wonders of earth all the way to the largest galaxies. But all those things would fall short of showing the fullness of God’s power. If we want to see the greatest demonstration of the power of God, we will find it in the message of the Gospel, when a sinful man is forgiven, transformed and made completely righteous before a holy God. There is no greater power to be seen!
Bad news — we’re bombarded with it every day. Even a quick glance at the headlines reminds us that we live in a world plagued with violence, war, crime and greed. Is there any truly good news that could right all this wrong, and if so, where do we find it? Lasting good news will never come from better government, peace treaties or any other efforts of man. There is only one source of good news, and it has already been made available to us. Have you discovered this good news?
When we read in the Bible that Jesus left heaven and came to earth to save us, do we have any idea just what that really means? The King of glory laid aside His royal robe and wrapped Himself in human flesh. He exchanged His home in heaven to have no place to lay His head on earth. He willingly endured mocking and slander, was abandoned by His closest friends, suffered an excruciating death on a cross, and He did it all for you!
God has a purpose in His mission of redemption for every one of us, and it is exciting to see people stepping out to follow their purpose in so many creative ways! Today we hear about some of the ministries of LifePoint Church that God is using to impact people both young and old, not only right here in Greenville, but around the world.
When the Titanic was sinking, many wealthy passengers left money, priceless jewels, and artwork behind as they fled to the lifeboats. What had been so valuable to them just minutes before was now worthless in comparison to saving their lives. There are things we sometimes place high values on that we think will make us right with God — good works, being a church member, etc. — but the Bible says all these are worthless compared to the surpassing value of knowing Christ. Discover the secret Paul knew and see why he could truly say that Christ was his greatest treasure.
There is an underlying principle at work in the lives of men and women who are known as giants of the faith. What is that principle? Is it something unique or is it simple? Is it their great faith that that establishes them as giants of the faith, or does living by faith mean something entirely different?
As Jesus drew closer to the cross, knowing all the suffering and anguish that awaited Him there, the Bible says that there was a joy for Him in enduring the cross. What kind of joy could Jesus possibly have found in such a horrific event, and what can we learn from this when facing struggles and suffering of our own?
Paul continues in Gal. 2:20 to explain that the life he now lives, he lives by faith. What does it mean to live life, and how is it that Paul now lives it by faith. What is faith? When we say that Christians belong to “the faith” what is being said? What is it about living a Christian life that separates that life from anyone else? How do we live by faith?
“It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” Salvation is the point where you die, in your life, and Christ begins to live, in your life. Are you attempting to live the Christian life by making your life match the principles he teaches, or are you letting go of your life and allowing Him to live His life through you? A Christian is a new creation, born again. The process is similar to that of a butterfly; unless the caterpillar dies, you will not find a butterfly.
