As we travel around in ministry and hear on Christian TV (you know I really need to stop watching Christian TV, because there is nothing Christian about it and it is like a car or train wreck you cannot help but look) people say, “we have got the power and we are free in God.” Well, true freedom in God comes by way of our self-imposed restrictions and limitations to what God has said. Funny, how Jesus said just the opposite. Jesus said of Himself He has no power and He could not do anything, yet He changed the world with great power and authority. We see this truth expressed in John, “Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.” (John 5:19) you can also see John 8:27-28 and 14:10-11. Jesus’ power came not from being God’s Son, oh no never make that mistake, but from His obedience and dependency on His heavenly Father. This too must be our power source, our obedience and dependency on our heavenly Father. Jesus told the disciples, “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 8But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses (martus or martyr) unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:7-8) Do you know there are some things which pertains to God’s power He is not going to reveal to us now. God is God and He knows best, He knows if He does it will destroy us because we cannot handle knowing all that God knows. In verse eight Jesus told the disciples, “ye shall receive power.” Unless we are empowered by God we cannot do the things he wants us to do. Did you know it takes no power from God to do the things we want to do? Most often when we hear Act 1:8 mentioned in church it most often centers around raising money to go to the nations (what we call the Great Commission) to preach the Gospel message, but that is not the context Jesus has in mind when He shared these words with the disciples. Jesus was telling the disciples they will receive power not to go and do for Him, but to go and die a horrible death for Him. The word “witnesses” in Acts 1:8 is Strong’s #3144, those who after his example have proved the strength and genuineness of their faith in Christ by undergoing a violent death. The power of God always centers around death. First to our self spiritually then second to our body physically. Please know if God has not been able to give us His power to strengthen us in the inward man we will have no power to lay our life down for His sake. And without the power of God there is not of the Gospel. The power of the Gospel is only found in the death and resurrection of Christ. Without Christ’s death and resurrection there is no Gospel. Now that is real power, to lay your life down and then take it back up.
In Romans Paul shares with us the purpose of the Gospel, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. 18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;” (Romans 1:16-18) Now the power of Gospel is for “salvation” (Strong’s #4491, deliverance, preservation, safety, salvation) which is much more than having our sins forgiven. The power of the Gospel is not so that we can get rich or have a safe comfortable life, as some have. It seems only in America the Gospel message (if abused and twisted has the power to manipulate and lead people astray) is used to soften our lives, but I have traveled abroad and know many Christians around the world who have embraced the Gospel message as a means of sheer survival. And worse many today in the church use the power of the Gospel to soften the blows and troubles God brings our way to develop and mature us. God is after mature men and woman who can do the things in the earth He needs to be done so that men and women can hear the Gospel message and draw near to Him. Unless we can cooperate with God in this area He can not use us, we disqualify ourselves for service. Please know I am talking about myself at times. I too have not made it and am in danger of falling away if I do not take heed to myself and the word that was delivered to me. As a minister of the Gospel message I take these verses to heart and strongly encourage everyone else to do the same: “If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. 13Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things (added by the translators) of the temple? (this has nothing to do with any type of payment for our service) and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? 14Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. (this too has nothing to do with any type of payment for service) 15But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void. 16For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! 17For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. 18What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.” (1 Corinthians 9:12-18) What a sobering and timely word indeed, but what a dismissed and ignored word, too much money to be made.
For us to really understand the power of the Gospel message there is a divine spiritual principle (and not a concept) we must really get deep in our heart and clear in our mind. There is a first thing first we must understand; we must preach and understand sin and judgment (first) before we can preach and understand grace and mercy. Unless we preach about sin and God’s judgment for our sin we will never be able to really understand mercy and grace. They are joined at the hip you could say to represent the entire counsel of God. Preaching sin and judgment alone drives people away from a loving God and preaching mercy and grace alone does not provide a spiritual understanding and foundation for an awe and respect for God. God becomes a big sugar daddy who must jump through the hoop for us when we want Him to and must forgive us when we willfully and purposely step out of His words to us. Those built on mercy and grace alone presume on God’s and their friend’s forgiveness having to time and time again forgive them, but this is not God’s intention. Yes, God forgives us and He is there for to forgive us time and time again if need be, but this is not God’s intention. God intends to forgive us once (like he died for our sin once) then we are to grow to levels of maturity as we behold His glory. God does not intend for us to keep pooping our pants spiritually and having to change our pants. The Great Awaking of 1734-35 in New England, Jonathan Edwards, filled with a profound sense of the heinousness of sin preached a Gospel message, “Sinners in he Hands of an Angry God” with power to an congregation at Enfield, Connecticut. His aim was to bring his listeners to at least some realization of the horror of their state: they were objects of God’s displeasure, for they had offended and outraged Him by turning away from His incredible goodness in intervening for their salvation. The response of the message was nothing less than amazing; people were moaning and crying out, “what must we do to be saved?” The Spirit of God was at work through the message lighting the torch to the Great Awaking. However, shortly after that life-changing event in America’s history the message underwent heavy criticism and to this day some people still criticize Edwards for simply saying what the Scriptures say.
In Romans 1:17 Paul explains how the Gospel transforms us; the righteousness of God is activated in us by faith in us, “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:17) But notice it is not just faith alone, but faith to faith or ever increasing faith as God speaks to us (remember, faith cometh by hearing, Romans 10:17) and as we obey His words. God could speak to us all day long and we could even hear His words, but if we never act in obedience on His words there will never be the activation of His righteousness in our lives and we will never be transformed from the earthly to the heavenly. Now please notice the next verse, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;” (Romans 1:18) For all of the mercy and grace alone preachers, please read this verse again. My friend we “hold the truth in unrighteousness” when we pervert the power and the Gospel message for our advantage. But make no mistake God is not mocked. God has said no man will be able to stand before Him guiltless without the message of the Gospel being impacted through the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the cross. God has made a way where man will have no excuse whereby even nature speaks of God, “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” (Romans 1:20-21)
Abraham believed in faith (Romans 4:3) and it was accounted as righteousness to him. I wonder what our believing in faith is accounted for us? God said, “Be ye holy for I am holy,” well guess what He meant it. David asked and answered the question, “Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? 4He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. 5He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.” (Psalms 24:3-5) I do not know about you my friend, but when my life is all said and done I do not want to end in hell. Karen and I often talk how we want to see all of our children and their families make it to heaven, well this true, but more important (and not in a selfish matter) I am not lost for all eternity. Paul too had this concern when he said, “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” (1 Corinthians 11:29) Let us keep the power and truth of the Gospel message intact in our heart and mind. Let us never desire to misrepresent or manipulate them for in doing so, we ensure, “when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” Written by David Stahl
In Romans Paul shares with us the purpose of the Gospel, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. 18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;” (Romans 1:16-18) Now the power of Gospel is for “salvation” (Strong’s #4491, deliverance, preservation, safety, salvation) which is much more than having our sins forgiven. The power of the Gospel is not so that we can get rich or have a safe comfortable life, as some have. It seems only in America the Gospel message (if abused and twisted has the power to manipulate and lead people astray) is used to soften our lives, but I have traveled abroad and know many Christians around the world who have embraced the Gospel message as a means of sheer survival. And worse many today in the church use the power of the Gospel to soften the blows and troubles God brings our way to develop and mature us. God is after mature men and woman who can do the things in the earth He needs to be done so that men and women can hear the Gospel message and draw near to Him. Unless we can cooperate with God in this area He can not use us, we disqualify ourselves for service. Please know I am talking about myself at times. I too have not made it and am in danger of falling away if I do not take heed to myself and the word that was delivered to me. As a minister of the Gospel message I take these verses to heart and strongly encourage everyone else to do the same: “If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. 13Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things (added by the translators) of the temple? (this has nothing to do with any type of payment for our service) and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? 14Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. (this too has nothing to do with any type of payment for service) 15But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void. 16For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! 17For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. 18What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.” (1 Corinthians 9:12-18) What a sobering and timely word indeed, but what a dismissed and ignored word, too much money to be made.
For us to really understand the power of the Gospel message there is a divine spiritual principle (and not a concept) we must really get deep in our heart and clear in our mind. There is a first thing first we must understand; we must preach and understand sin and judgment (first) before we can preach and understand grace and mercy. Unless we preach about sin and God’s judgment for our sin we will never be able to really understand mercy and grace. They are joined at the hip you could say to represent the entire counsel of God. Preaching sin and judgment alone drives people away from a loving God and preaching mercy and grace alone does not provide a spiritual understanding and foundation for an awe and respect for God. God becomes a big sugar daddy who must jump through the hoop for us when we want Him to and must forgive us when we willfully and purposely step out of His words to us. Those built on mercy and grace alone presume on God’s and their friend’s forgiveness having to time and time again forgive them, but this is not God’s intention. Yes, God forgives us and He is there for to forgive us time and time again if need be, but this is not God’s intention. God intends to forgive us once (like he died for our sin once) then we are to grow to levels of maturity as we behold His glory. God does not intend for us to keep pooping our pants spiritually and having to change our pants. The Great Awaking of 1734-35 in New England, Jonathan Edwards, filled with a profound sense of the heinousness of sin preached a Gospel message, “Sinners in he Hands of an Angry God” with power to an congregation at Enfield, Connecticut. His aim was to bring his listeners to at least some realization of the horror of their state: they were objects of God’s displeasure, for they had offended and outraged Him by turning away from His incredible goodness in intervening for their salvation. The response of the message was nothing less than amazing; people were moaning and crying out, “what must we do to be saved?” The Spirit of God was at work through the message lighting the torch to the Great Awaking. However, shortly after that life-changing event in America’s history the message underwent heavy criticism and to this day some people still criticize Edwards for simply saying what the Scriptures say.
In Romans 1:17 Paul explains how the Gospel transforms us; the righteousness of God is activated in us by faith in us, “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:17) But notice it is not just faith alone, but faith to faith or ever increasing faith as God speaks to us (remember, faith cometh by hearing, Romans 10:17) and as we obey His words. God could speak to us all day long and we could even hear His words, but if we never act in obedience on His words there will never be the activation of His righteousness in our lives and we will never be transformed from the earthly to the heavenly. Now please notice the next verse, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;” (Romans 1:18) For all of the mercy and grace alone preachers, please read this verse again. My friend we “hold the truth in unrighteousness” when we pervert the power and the Gospel message for our advantage. But make no mistake God is not mocked. God has said no man will be able to stand before Him guiltless without the message of the Gospel being impacted through the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the cross. God has made a way where man will have no excuse whereby even nature speaks of God, “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” (Romans 1:20-21)
Abraham believed in faith (Romans 4:3) and it was accounted as righteousness to him. I wonder what our believing in faith is accounted for us? God said, “Be ye holy for I am holy,” well guess what He meant it. David asked and answered the question, “Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? 4He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. 5He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.” (Psalms 24:3-5) I do not know about you my friend, but when my life is all said and done I do not want to end in hell. Karen and I often talk how we want to see all of our children and their families make it to heaven, well this true, but more important (and not in a selfish matter) I am not lost for all eternity. Paul too had this concern when he said, “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” (1 Corinthians 11:29) Let us keep the power and truth of the Gospel message intact in our heart and mind. Let us never desire to misrepresent or manipulate them for in doing so, we ensure, “when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” Written by David Stahl
No comments:
Post a Comment