The Gospel As The Power Of God

 "We do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord," (cf. 2 Cor. 4:5). 

"... when ye received the word of God, which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as in the truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe," (cf. 1 Thess. 2:13). 

"For my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in the demonstration of the Spirit and of power: that your faith should no stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God," (cf. 1 Cor. 2:4-5). 

A preacher should realize that the gospel is where the action is and should never grow weary of preaching it.  It may be milk of the Word but we never outgrow milk or any other staple of our diet such as bread.   The Holy Spirit doesn't desire to glorify Himself but to praise and glorify Jesus for what He's done to save us as a people of God and for who He is as the Son of God, earnest unto good works. 

We should strive to know nothing save Christ and Christ crucified (cf. 1 Cor. 2:3) and to spread the good word of Jesus or the gospel message and to apply it to our lives as a testimony to others; i.e, to live it out and make it relevant the only gospel others may see is in us!    If they see it in us it becomes real and a welcome mat to the infidel.  This gospel is indeed good news but there is also bad news that must accompany it: to repent of sins as a prerequisite of salvation.  We must get them lost first!  In the true gospel message, which is about what Christ has done and not we do, God reaches down to us in condescension. 

We must realize it's all about God and not about us!  We can experience salvation in real-time and have an actual encounter with God.  We are made alive (or our souls are quickened per Eph. 2:1) by the preaching of the cross because we are as good as dead in God's eyes in our sins.  God quickens and opens the door of faith within us (cf. Acts 14:27) and makes us alive in Christ tor born again. When we have the Holy Spirit, we see life with a new lens or with a Christian worldview or outlook. We have a whole new motive for living:  kingdom living for Christ's glory in God's economy as it were.  

To enter the kingdom of God, we must surrender or raise the white flag to Christ of the ownership of our lives. We become living sacrifices!  We are the salt of the earth to preserve it and give it a flavor but also the light of the world to show the way. We see ourselves for who we are and the picture isn't pretty; we need a renewed mind in the image of Christ.  Salvation brings a new identity in Christ so we can relate to Him as family; not as a second chance or new lease on life but a whole new life becoming regenerated and made new from the inside out.  We don't just turn over a new leaf, make a New Year's resolution, or an AA pledge but are given a clean slate and a new beginning, a fresh start. 

We must not ever be ashamed of the gospel as Paul wasn't and realize that it's the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes (cf. Rom. 1:16).  The gospel has convicting power and we never outgrow it as believers; it's the staple of our spiritual diet of the Word. We must remember that the Christian life is not just hard, it's impossible!  We need the grace of God to live it out and make it real to others by our witness and we should never jeopardize this.  The unconditional love of God is shown in Him reaching down to us when we don't deserve it, our worship is reaching up to Him and our fellowship is in reaching out to fellow believers.  When we reach down to those in need, it's compassion and mission.   

The Christian life is not for spectators and worship isn't passive but active because only genuine believers can share the true gospel with conviction: it's not just about do-goodery or doing good deeds but about being a witness for Christ and obeying Him in all things. God doesn't want our achievements but our obedience and the measure of our spirituality aren't our ecstasies but our obedience  Worship is not passive but active and we are participants in our own way.   Soli Deo Gloria!