Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Shalom,

Do you ever wonder why some of the people you share the Gospel with just don't see it? One of the reasons is found in Paul's first Epistle (letter) to the Corinthians:

1 Cor 1:18 (KJV)
18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.


The preaching of the cross, the Gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ sounds like "foolishness" to the world! That is the Greek word, moria, which means: silliness, absurdity. But to those of us who have received Jesus as our Lord and personal Saviour, the "saved", which is the Greek word, sozo, which means: to save, deliver, protect, heal, make whole, make well, it (the Gospel) is the "power", the Greek word, dunamis, which means: miraculous power, ability, might , strength, of God! The Amplified Bible says it very well:

1 Cor 1:18 (AMP)
18 For the story and message of the cross is sheer absurdity and folly to those who are perishing and on their way to perdition, but to us who are being saved it is the [manifestation of] the power of God.


Those in the world without Jesus cannot understand the Word of God:

1 Cor 2:14 (KJV)
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.


The Amplified Bible is also very good here:

1 Cor 2:14 (AMP)
14 But the natural, nonspiritual man does not accept or welcome or admit into his heart the gifts and teachings and revelations of the Spirit of God, for they are folly (meaningless nonsense) to him; and he is incapable of knowing them [of progressively recognizing, understanding, and becoming better acquainted with them] because they are spiritually discerned and estimated and appreciated.


Don't try to teach an unbeliever the things you are learning from the Word of God. In order for them to understand what you are talking about, they first have to be born again. They must receive Jesus of Nazareth as their Lord and personal Saviour. When they do, the Holy Spirit of God will recreate their dead human spirit into a live human spirit in the image of God himself! THEN they can understand the Word of God because they will have the Teacher Himself living in them! What should you do then? Share the simple Gospel of Jesus Christ. That every person has missed it at least once in their lives.

Rom 3:10 (KJV)
10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:


Tell them that the price to be paid for that sin (even if it is only ONE sin!) is death. Not physical death, but eternal separation from God:

Rom 6:23 (KJV)
23 For the wages of sin is death...


But also tell them that the price for their sin has already been paid:

Rom 6:23 (KJV) ...but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Let them know that they must believe that Jesus Christ came to this earth, died on the cross for their sin, was raised from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of God the Father in Heaven. When they believe that in their heart, they can pray this prayer (as an example):

Almighty God, I am a sinner. I believe that Jesus Christ came to this earth, died on the cross for me, was raised from the dead, and is now seated at Your right hand. I accept and receive Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour and I invite Him to come into my heart and become Lord over my life. I thank You now Father, for welcoming me into Your family. You are my Father. I am Your child. Jesus is my Lord! Amen.

Then they will be a new creation:

2 Cor 5:17 (KJV)
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.


NOW they will be able to understand the deeper teachings of the Word of God! Have them check out the beginning lessons on this blog and also go to the The Spoken Word Church website (link at left) to find out more about the Word of God! What a powerful Minister of Life you have become!

Shalom in Him!