Loe raamatut: «The Good News»

2
GOSPEL

The gospel of Jesus Christ is like an invitation that is sent out by God to invite people to a great wedding feast in His Kingdom. Jesus told this parable to his disciples as an illustration of what the Kingdom of Heaven is like (Matthew 22:2). When He talked about the gospel, He meant good news for you. So, he invites you to not only enjoy the world’s best news yourself, but to help spread it. For he called you into his Kingdom to share his glory.

The word gospel in English find its roots in the Greek word, “euangélion”. The word *euangélion literally mean “news that brings great joy.”

The King James Version translates it in the following manner:

KJV Translation Count the word

gospel (46x),

gospel of Christ (11x),

gospel of God (7x),

gospel of the Kingdom (3x),

miscellaneous (10x)

Total: 77x

Now, if you say the word gospel, many things come to mind. In a chronological stream, you might include gospel writers, gospel preachers, gospel workers, gospel truth, and gospel singers.

But, when we hear the word gospel in today’s Christian culture our minds and hearts immediately run to the spiritual implications however, in the first century most minds and hearts would race to the political and historical implications. For those lived in the time of Jesus, the word gospel was used to refer to life altering, history making, or world shaping news.

Tim Keller in his book, “The King and The Cross” writes: “The gospel is good news announcing that we have been rescued or saved.”

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And what are we rescued from, what peril are we saved from?

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A New Testament shows that we are rescued from the “coming wrath” at the end of history “...and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come” (1 (Thessalonians 1:10)

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Martin Luther in his book, “Basic Theology” writes: “The gospel is a story about Christ, God’s and David’s son, who died and was raised, and is established as Lord.”

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Basically, “Creation, fall, redemption, and restoration.” this is the gospel in a nutshell.

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The Old Testament records that Adam and Eve ate the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil, as a result of being corrupted by Satan so, they fell into sin. Since then, mankind has to face death. Then, God began the work of saving us humans. What God immediately did after Adam and Eve sinned was promise He would save fallen mankind. Although He doesn’t come right out and say it, the suggestion is that one day things will again be the way that they were supposed to be. It will all end up in good news.

The beginning of the gospel announcing that someone, (we now know it was Jesus Christ) born of a woman would ultimately triumph over Satan. And, from this reference:

“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; he shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise him on the heel.” (Genesis 3:15)

The bruising of the woman’s child by Satan is understood as referring to Christ’s death at His first coming. Thus, Satan’s bruising is a reference to the event at Christ’s second coming, when according to Scripture Satan will be restrained from access to humanity.

As Apostle Paul wrote to the congregation at Rome that this would be accomplished and that they would be party to it: “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet” (Romans 16:20)

God’s resurrected people will triumph over Satan at Christ’s return. This is surely another aspect of the gospel.

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The good news is that; something has happened in history, something has been done for you by Jesus Christ that changes your status forever.

It is not good advice but, it is good news.

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During Noah’s time the bible states: “Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight and was full of violence. God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways. So God said to Noah, “I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth. (Genesis 6:11-13)

It is astounding to consider that in the tenth generation from Adam the human race had become so wicked, evil, violent and corrupt that it was not fit to go on living. And, of all mankind only four men and four women were spared, because they did not go with the great sin drift. “On that very day Noah and his sons, Shem, Ham and Japheth, together with his wife and the wives of his three sons, entered the ark.” (Genesis 7:13)

And during the time of Moses, God used him to lead the nation of Israel out of Egypt. He decreed laws and commandments through Moses as he officially led them to live their lives on earth. The Israelites at that period could only take care of the basic necessities of life but, they did know what kind of God, Jehovah was, much less how they should worship Him.

God demanded them strictly to abide by laws and; worship and exalt Him. If God had not decreed the laws and commandments people at that time would not have known how to lead the daily life. Because of restrictions of the laws and commandments, people knew that those who abided by Gods laws would be blessed by Him, and those who violated the laws would be stoned to death or burned by the fire.

As a result, the Israelites under the law strictly abided by God’s laws, honoured His name as holy and received His blessings. Meanwhile they spread the Gospel of God to denominations and sects outside of Israel. Those who accepted the gospel would receive His blessings, while those who didn’t would not.

At the end of the age of Law, the human race became so increasingly corrupt that they were unable to keep the law and were in constant danger of being put to death for violating the law. They worshiped idols instead of worship God, and lived in promiscuity and corruption because of not knowing daily life of normal humanity. In the end, they would have been trumped by Satan and punished by God, and returned to nothingness. God loves mankind. He couldn’t bear to see us living under Satan’s domain and being put to death for breaking the law.

Therefore, He personally became flesh to do the work of saving mankind on earth. In order to redeem us, He was crucified and served as a sin offering for the entire mankind. In the end He redeemed us from Satan’s hand. From then corrupt mankind could be forgiven of their sins for accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour. This is the gospel of the Kingdom.

Just as Matthew 9:35 says “And Jesus went about the villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among people.” All those who accepted the gospel of the kingdom brought by the Lord Jesus could be forgiven of their sins. And as long as they called on the name of the Lord Jesus, they could receive abundant grace. For example, the blind could see and the paralysed could walk. “And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all.” (Acts 4:33)

While those people who stubbornly rejected His gospel couldn’t be forgiven of their sins forever, nor could they receive the abundant grace that the Lord Jesus bestowed on man. Now the gospel of the Lord Jesus has spread to the ends of the earth, and many people have accepted the gospel of the kingdom. “Because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction...” (1 Thessalonians 1:5)

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“So now, what are you waiting for?

Get up, be baptized, and have your sins washed away as you call on his name.”

(Acts 22:16)

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Perhaps, you read mostly about God but, you don’t know how to actually get it right with Him and become part of the Kingdom. Since the gospel is the news about what has been done by Jesus Christ to put right our relationship with God. The question is what must you do to be saved and what hope is there for the world? “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” (Matthew 4:17).

How do you come to be saved from God’s wrath and from the guilt and dominion of sin with the hope of eternal joy in God?

Well, there are many instances you find in the New Testament that people were saved all at once without any process, without any period of mourning or repentance.

For example, Paul and Silas were in jail in the city of Philippi, and at midnight they sang and prayed until God broke down all the doors and broke the stocks which held their feet, with a mighty earthquake.

The poor jailer, frightened and convicted of his sins, came to these two preachers and asked this question. Read it in Acts 16:29-31:

“Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”

The jailer did not go through a period of mourning. He was told to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ; he did just that and was saved, and his whole family was saved the same way, immediately, the same hour of the night.

Zacchaeus, up a tree, trusted Jesus and made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully (Luke 19:6-9). Jesus said, “This day is salvation come to this house.”

When Peter told Cornelius and his assembled household that they could be saved by believing, immediately “while Peter yet spake these words,” the Scripture says, the Holy Spirit came on them and they were happily saved (Acts 10:44-48).

The thief on the cross, wicked sinner that he was, but got saved immediately. (Luke 23:42, 43).

In the first chapter of John: 35- 49, we see where Andrew, Simon Peter, Philip and Nathanael were all converted, one by one, immediately by faith in Christ. There is no record of any person in Bible times who was ever told to wait, or mourn, or weep over his sins before trusting Jesus and being saved.

But, why Romans 10:13 says “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” The bible made this clear earlier in Romans 10:9 that: “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” So, the calling that saves, is a calling of faith on Jesus as your Lord. This is why Apostle Paul says, “How can you call on the one you haven’t believed...” Until you believe in Jesus as Lord, you can’t call on him as one.

Therefore, the one who believe in Christ should however, acknowledge and repent for their sins to be forgiven. All that can keep you today from being saved is the wickedness of your heart that holds on to sin and will not turn to Jesus and trust in Him for salvation. “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” (Acts 3:19)

In John 3:3, Christ said to Nicodemus, “Verily, verily [this means truly, truly], I say unto you, except a man be *born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” In verse 6, He continues, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”

Apostle Paul also wrote, “flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God” (I Corinthians. 15:50)

So, now I advise you to be sincere, turn in shame and sorrow from your sins this minute, and believe in Christ and be saved. Jesus said: “...It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Luke 5:31-32)

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Let’s pray:

Dear God: I come to You knowing that I have sinned against You and that my sins separates me from You. I am sorry for my sins. I believe Jesus died on the cross for me so that my sins can be forgiven. I believe Jesus rose from the dead and is alive. God, please forgive me. Jesus Christ, may you come into my life and be my Lord and Saviour. For I will obey, follow, and honour You.

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I thank you as my name will be written in the book of life. Amen.

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The gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ has also reached us today. So, you may wonder how I *Job Mothiba came to believe in God. Well, God uses various ways to let people come before Him and be saved. Some people did really believed in God first time through near death experiences, after surviving car accident or when they were in their sick bed and a friend preached the gospel to them just like that. “In the same way I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10)

I remember at the young age of about 8 years, I used to go to (NG Kerk) Die Nederduitse Gerereformeerde Kerk in my village at Ga-Mothiba (Mmahlaka) where *Uncle Juks ushered us there every Sunday. Then, it happened that one day when coming back from school I got knocked by a car, fortunately I survived that accident. Sometimes, the very least of all that God could do, is that He gives to man first and foremost the care and protection that man enjoys without acknowledging Him. So, “If the LORD had not helped me, I would have laid down in the silence of death.” (Psalm 97:17)

The Bible says “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God”. Not only does it say over and over that the gospel is spread by preaching but, common sense tells us that loving deeds, as important as they are as an accompaniment of preaching, cannot by themselves bring people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Furthermore, He sets out various people, events, and things so that man may see His existence and His deeds within them. For example, there are some people who believed in God because someone in their family was sick, and they came together in trying to get a solution for the problem so, they start believing in God, and their belief in God has come about because of the situation. Apparently illness befalls but, it is in fact a condition bestowed on them so that they come before God, by means of that situation, they turn to God. So, this was no different with my family. “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassion never fails.” (Lamentations 3: 22)

Again, there are some families like this, where all are believers, young and old but, on the other hand there are some where belief is individual. So, at some point, the family life got tough whereby they are being exposed to unexplained suffering or loss, i.e. they experience car accidents every year which causes some of them to die prematurely as a result, they find no peace. Then, a chance or opportunity came along where someone passed on the gospel to them and they start believing in Jesus Christ for peace. “By this I know that you favour me, because my enemy does not triumph over me.” (Psalm 41:11)

In some cases it happen under very normal circumstances with family being at peace through the grace granted by God. As the Bible says, “The LORD will bless His people with peace” (Psalm 29:11, NKJV)

So, most people come to believe in God for many other reasons but, no matter what reason brings you to believe in Him, it is all actually arranged and guided by God, without a doubt. For “…He desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:3- 4)

It has been a process and long journey for me to come to accept Jesus as my Lord and Saviour because one need to understand the gravity of his or her decision. As some people come to Christ at some point then, easily go back to the world because of their inability to stand firm to their belief in the Lord. Hence, my first book publication was about encouraging people to stand firm to the end, and to hold on to the confession of their hope in Jesus Christ without wavering.

I took the decision with full understanding in 2003 at Mayfair. Yes, I have passed through many difficult situations in life before and after being a born-again Christian whereby most I created them myself due to peer pressure, immaturity and being conformed to the standards of this world. “So, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also…For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.” (Romans 1:16)

Thus, in my growing up I sniffed glue, benzene, drank alcohol excessively and sleep around. One of the things I remember very well is, missing the final examination at the tertiary level because I got drunk the day before writing. I slept that night and, I even forgot about the preparations. It slipped my mind completely. When I woke up the following day, realising that I could have missed the time for exam, it was too late, the time has already lapsed. Then, I had to devise a means to get a medical certificate to be accorded another time to sit for examination. This has caused a delay for me to get the final results.

My parents never knew the truth about what exactly happened, until they received the results through the post office with this remarks: failed-(absent from examination.) It’s when they realised something is wrong and that’s when they demanded explanation.

Of course, there are many other things I did which they don’t know even to this day such as *adult stuff, stealing and cheating but, God knows it all. He knows all things in you including your thoughts and He is very real. “And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” (Matthew 10:31)

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“You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it Lord.” (Psalm 139:2-4)

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I know we are not all Christians and some are new converts so, there are different levels into it. But, you will fully understand as you grow closer to Christ. So, you may not be used to the language, when I say God spoke to me, people may laugh not knowing and understanding that God is Spirit and He can speak by His spirit, not as you and I speak but, differently.

It takes faith and trust in God to allow Him to have us speak in a heavenly spirit language that our mind does not understand or know what is being spoken. Hence, some are given gifts to interpret the language. As most of us live our lives according to what we see, feel, taste, smell and hear but, God wants us to live beyond our five senses and, live by faith.

It is not enough to just look, feel or read the Bible and know the Word without practising it. For the devil doesn’t care if you go to church or read your Bible. He only cares if you actually apply it to your life. So, never allow what you are looking at right now to determine what you believe. Always allow your spiritual eyes to take you beneath the surface.

You have got to demonstrate your faith and receive from God now. Break the laws of time and receive your blessings right now. For faith is no respecter of time, and time does not determine faith. If you believe now you can receive by faith your salvation, Holy Spirit, deliverance, healing, job, marriage, breakthrough etc. In the name of Jesus receive…!

“Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him”( Luke 11:11-13)

If you have exercised faith to receive the gift of eternal life, then you have experienced the greatest miracle. And, if you have believed and received the gift of the Holy Spirit by yielding your tongue to speak in unknown tongues, then you have experienced the second greatest miracle.

As Apostle Paul wrote, “…the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you” (Romans 8:11). He convicted you of your sin and your need for Christ (John 16:8-11). The Bible explains that without the Holy Spirit’s help, people think Christianity is foolish (1 Corinthians 1:18).

Those around you may think it’s crazy you’ve made such a commitment to Christ. But, you don’t see it that way at all because the Holy Spirit has revealed the wonder of a life in Christ to you. “Think how much the Father loves us. He loves us so much that he lets us be called his children, as we truly are. But since the people of this world did not know who Christ is, they don’t know who we are.” (1 John 3:1)

So, never let the devil tell you that you do not have faith, for if you have been born again and received your spirit language, then you have exercised your faith for the two greatest miracles in Christianity. Believing God to meet your need for personal divine healing or a miracle is secondary to this two greatest miracles.

Holy Spirit was sent by Christ to enable you to live the Christian life. For the Christian life is possible only with the power of the Holy Spirit. “Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.” (John 16:7)

And, you may be thinking, I need the Holy Spirit in my life. But, if you are a Christian, He is already there. The Holy Spirit resides in you but, the problem is that you may not be yielding your life to His direction. He may be a resident – without being president. “You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.” (Romans 8:9).

Perhaps life is just hard that it seems like you are never going to get this “Christian thing” right. Let me share this with you my dear, God is real. He is not a wooden cross. He is not a painted idol. He is Spirit. He is far above every ruler, authority, power, dominion, and every name that can be named, not only in the present age but, also in the one to come. His unconditional love for you and all mankind is revealed through His Son Jesus Christ. And, God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church. He communicates via the pages of the Bible, through prayers, through circumstances, visions, dreams, prophets and through contact with believers.

If you sincerely seek God, you will find Him and all His Glory. You do not have to start out being an expert, just patiently get to know Him one day at a time. Be confident in knowing that nothing escapes God’s attention. You are never out of His sight or His care. Before the thought occurred in your mind, God knew it. He has known all things before the foundation of the earth. There is nothing new. So, do not turn or continue turning your back on God, see beyond the deception. “Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.” (Proverbs 3:7-8)

So, the Gospel is an announcement not an argument. You share it, not shove it. The beauty of the Gospel is while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Nothing will ever separate us from His love. If love does not require some sort of sacrifice on your part, you probably are not loving the person at all. However, a love based on conduct would keep you wondering, “Have I done enough?” Instead, God cares for you simply because you are You. Never compare your love story with those in the movies, because they are written by scriptwriters, yours is written by God. The author and the finisher of our faith. Because of the cross you do not have to try to justify what you have done in the past.

To Christ all your sins have been thrown into a sea of forget. The moment you asked for forgiveness, you are forgiven. Nothing feels better than knowing that your sins are forgiven. And, that God loves you. He will never leave you nor forsake you, and he will always take care of you. He is faithful when you are not. He is constant when you are not. He is everything when you are nothing. Yet, He says that you are His. “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

Sometimes sharing and living in accordance with the gospel always comes with the risk of looking or sounding crazy. I guess that is just a risk you have to take anyway. Keep on testifying about what you witnessed happening in your walk with God. Let the people keep on talking, judging and laughing as you walk in purpose, preparing the way of the LORD, and making straight in the desert a highway for God. For someday you will just have to sit back and let God shut their mouths.

God always leaves a witness to testify about his goodness, so many people that sit in judgement as you toil towards your goals casting their insignificant judgement about your journey typically will become the ones that say, “I remember him or her when...” Perhaps there is some stuff you are going through and cannot talk about now but, when God brings you out of it, talk about it openly and will help so many people while others be silenced. Just as Jesus said to this man “Go to your house, to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how he had mercy on you. So the man departed, and related publicly everywhere in the Ten Towns all that Jesus had done for him; and all were astonished.” (Mark 5:19-20)