Ep.1080: Preach the Gospel! What Does That Mean?
Finding the simple truths of a complex Gospel message
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Theme Scripture: Luke 13:23
We live in a time and place where we are blessed with freedom of speech. This means we have freedom to preach! Preach what? The Gospel of Christ of course! Now, depending on your perspective, the “good news” of the gospel can mean a wide variety of things. When we present Jesus to someone, are we showing them the true gospel? Is physical abundance and blessing or escaping from a burning place of torment the point? Is having your sicknesses healed or experiencing powerful emotions of peace and safety the point? Jesus and his apostles showed us what the gospel was and is - and to be honest - it looks a lot different than many claim it to be. Let’s take a critical look at the essence of the gospel as we have this time of unparalleled freedom to share it with others.
Looking from the outside in, it is easy to see how the gospel can look like it is born out of contradiction. Forget the countless denominations of Christianity. The New Testament itself makes numerous statements to support this challenge. Many Scriptures talk about “few are chosen,” “the narrow door” and “few there be that find it.” Many other Scriptures are plain in their proclamation that the gospel is “good news for all,” Jesus is the satisfaction “for the sins of the whole world” and “the knowledge of the Lord will cover the earth.” So, which message is the true gospel? Is it about a select few or every human who ever lived?
To provide a sufficient answer, we need to step back and see the big picture. All Christians agree that Jesus is the absolute centerpiece of the gospel. The real question is - was the gospel hope introduced when Jesus came 2,000 years ago? While Jesus made the message plain in his words and actions, he did not originate it. Think how often he said he was saying and doing what his Father told him to. Think how often he quoted the Old Testament and how that helped us see what the work and experiences of Jesus would be like. All these things tell us that the gospel had its foundations and beginnings long before Jesus came. As a matter of fact, the good news is clearly evident way back at the beginning of Genesis.
Check out our July 1, 2019 podcast, “Preach the Gospel! What does that Mean?” for more. Follow along with us as we break down the development of the gospel message. We also capture details of how it was spoken and where it was focused. In all of this, the most fascinating and revealing biblical understanding is in regard to the breadth of its reach. We find amazing scriptural support for the fact that the gospel really is and will be for every human being who has ever lived. While this thought may be controversial to some, we truly see it as the epitome of the Good News of Jesus Christ!
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