Beech Tree News Network

The gospel of Christ is something that deserves our respect. Paul said, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Rom. 1:16). Jesus Himself spent three years preaching the gospel to a lost and dying world (Matt. 4:23). Why preach the gospel of Christ today?

    When the gospel was preached in Acts 2, it centered on Christ. In Acts 2:22-36, we read the preaching of Peter. Here, we learn about Jesus’ life, death, burial and resurrection. As a result of this sermon, about 3000 were baptized into Christ, and added to the church (Acts 2:38-41). From that time on, when people were taught the gospel, those who had honest and good hearts obeyed God’s word and were saved (Acts 8:12, 35-39, 10-11, 16:30-34, etc.)! The gospel will save people today just as it did in the first century.

    The gospel of Christ is not for the faint of heart; nor for those afraid of confrontation! Paul told the Ephesians, “And take the...sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Eph. 6:17). The Hebrew writer said, “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword…” (Heb. 4:12). The word of God is an offensive weapon (Eph. 6:17)! This weapon is to be used in the “pulling down of strong holds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (II Cor. 10:4-5). We shame the name of Jesus when we refuse to use the gospel as the sword it is. The reason there were 3000 saved on the day of Pentecost was because they were “pricked (cut, stuck, or pierced) in their heart” by the Gospel (Acts 2:37)! It will do the same today!

    There is only one gospel by which we are saved (Gal. 1:6-7). While there are many who try to pervert the gospel of Christ (Gal. 1:7), we must “try the spirits,” and see whether they are of God (I Jn. 4:1). If they are of God, we need to listen. If they are not, we need to reject the doctrine and rebuke the teacher (Rom. 16:17)! Who will “fight the good fight of faith” and “lay hold on eternal life” (I Tim. 6:12) by using the gospel not only to protect, but to actively fight against Satan who “is transformed into an angel of light” (II Cor. 11:14)? Thus, I must use the gospel skillfully as the sword it is. I want to be in fellowship with God and His Son. This means that I cannot give consent, or appear as giving consent to the enemies of righteousness, regardless of what form they take (II Jn. 9-11; Rom. 1:32; Acts 13:10)!!

    The gospel is an important tool. Without it, people wander through this life in ignorance and in sin. Without it, man has no hope, no goal, and no purpose for living. Jesus brought this gospel to us, and it is our responsibility to listen, believe it, and obey it. Who will do it? Will you?

-- You are invited to visit with the Caneyville church of Christ. Times of services: Sun.: 10:00 am, 10:45 am, 5:00 pm; Wed.: 7:00 pm. Website: http://caneyvillechurchofchrist.com Tune in to our radio program on 1570 AM at 8:30 am, Mon-Fri. Questions? Call: (270) 589-4167