In Sunday morning Bible class my dear friend Bud Coriell ask a question that has really had me thinking this week. He simply asked, "What is the gospel?" As the room fell silent for what seemed to me a long awkward period of time someone finally came up with "the good news." So, "What's the good news?" Another long silence.
If our goal as the church is to "go into all the world and preach the gospel" shouldn't we have a better handle on just what it is we're preaching. Inevitably the conversation went to the five steps of salvation, but I must disagree. I don't disagree with the steps, but I disagree that they are the gospel. If we teach steps of salvation as a basis for Christianity there can be severe consequences to those who are converted.
When Peter first preached the gospel, the people's hearts were convicted to the point that they stopped him and shouted "What shall we do?" Was their sin worse than ours? Did I betray Christ any less than they? Are they more guilty than we are?
I link this back to my previous post concerning a lax attitude toward worship. Even if we have all the steps right and an orderly worship service is conducted it means nothing without the heart felt conviction that the crowd had when they stopped Peter.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to condemn our practices. I believe our "back to the Bible" teachings, our methods of leadership, methods of worship and our steps of salvation are God ordained and God approved. What I'm looking to is the center focal point that all these practices should be directed to and that is Jesus Christ crucified and resurrected. He lives today and I am part of His body and He is living in me.
Wade Hodges has a excellent series of blogs posted on his site examining the Church of Christ that I would recommend reading. It is the best examination of what I know as the church I have ever read. There are seven parts and I know it's long, but it's worth it. I laughed, cried, shouted halleluiah! and said "You got to be kidding me!"
Thursday, December 29, 2005
The Gospel?
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3 comments:
Great thoughts Scott!
I believe that trying to describe Jesus with words is near impossible. We need to spread the word. We need to preach the bible, teach what Jesus is and what He has done. But anyone can repeat words they have read or heard. But if Jesus is not in your heart, if people around you can't see how your life is better, then how do spread the good news.
I think that is why trying to describe the gospel is difficult. Because how do describe a feeling, how do you describe love, how do you describe your heart. I know someone will object that you can and should be out there spreading the Word no matter what. But in my mind you have to feel it, if you don't then people will see right through you.
I imagine telling someone who doesn't know Jesus or the bible like trying to teach a beginner tennis. If I just explain the rules and the object of the game then they may not be interested. But if I show them how much I love the game and how much I care for the game, then they may have more interest and be willing to look farther into the game. If Jesus is not on our hearts, then he will not be on our tongues. No matter what we repeat.
I know I rambled and got off course, but bottom line is we have to live Jesus at all times.
Well said, Aaron!
We struggle to talk specifically about the gospel because we are so comfortable talking about the church. It is very difficult to separate the person of Jesus Christ from our church life. On one hand, the two cannot be completely separated; but on the other, a distinction needs to be realized. Our heritage has great value but not power. The power is in the person of Jesus. Our heritage can anchor us as we journey through these changing times. But Jesus is the source of salvation and the power to change and sustain us, it is only through knowing Him that we can truly be properly directed.
For me, my religious heritage provides a sufficient shelter to which I can retreat for rest and renewal. But each day, I must set out to do the work of advancing the Kingdom. Only Jesus is sufficient in enabling me to accomplish such work.
The gospel is the tool for the work of the day. Having accepted the gospel is the rest and renewal of night.
I realize this distinction when attempting to help someone who is suffering from being lost. The message of the church has little relevance in such a situation. The power of Jesus is needed. I also realize what a weak conduit of that raw power I am. That is something I am seeking to change.
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