The Gospel Truth

The Gospel Truth

So, we’re a couple of days away from Easter Sunday, or Resurrection Sunday depending on which part of the world you live in.  Usually Easter Sunday is when most churches put on the hog…massive plays with a huge band and smoke….ha ha brings back memories. :) Of course these semi-productions are to celebrate Christ’s resurrection.  Right?  Or has it become the time when churches attempt to entice the crowd that goes to church only on Easter and Christmas?  Surely, this cannot be a bad thing, what a great opportunity for the Easter Lilies to hear the Gospel.  Right?  However, this is what has been circulating in my dome.  How many people are going to even hear the gospel this coming week?

The Gospel means “Good News,” and in God’s mind I believe prior to hearing it there wasn’t any “Good News” for human beings.  The Gospel isn’t “Better News,” assuming that there was something good before.  On the contrary, it’s the greatest news ever heard, it is truly ‘Good News’.  But how many Church goers this Sunday are going to hear it?  Do we even remember what it is? 

Well…..

            The following is not the Gospel: 

1. If you accept Jesus you’ll be rich: Very popular ‘Gospel’ but not the Good News Jesus came to bring.
2. If you accept Jesus all your problems will be gone:  Not sure where this came from but this obviously is not in the bible:  Just ask Christians that don’t live in America.
3. If you accept Jesus you’ll be completely healed.  It is true that God does heal and many people are healed.  But this isn’t the Gospel.  Just ask The Apostle Paul.
4. Social Justice is a very popular ‘Gospel’ these days:  It’s great to help the poor and share the wealth, but that isn’t the Gospel either.
5. Saving the planet and staying green is another very popular philosophy being pedaled as a key part of the Gospel:  In essence if you would like to save our planet, Jesus is now the guy with the resources enabling you to be a part of saving planet earth.  Even though Christians should do more for the environment as stewards, it is not the Gospel.

 These views are all fringe ideologies.  They don’t remotely address the real issue on the human scene, which is separation from God through sin.  I assure you, in 20 years those views are going to be considered useless by God seekers.  Why?  Because its not the message of the Christ and like every other message it will fade.  They are, in my opinion simply floating ideas attempting to give Christianity relevance and purpose in the world.  It’s not the ‘Good News’ that people are longing to hear.

So what is the Gospel?

It starts by understanding that there isn’t anyone that is righteous/good, no not even one.  For everybody has sinned and falls short.  It’s also important to understand that the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life.  The Gift we speak of is Jesus.  The same Jesus that died on the cross, was buried and on the 3rd day rose again.  He was seen by over 500 people and he ascended into heaven.  You see, God so loved everyone on this planet that He gave His only son that anyone who believes in Him will not die but instead, live forever.  To assume that everyone that shows up at church knows this, is to assume a lot. 

Jesus is the central figure in the Gospel.  It’s not about Jesus fitting into our worldview, it’s about us fitting into His.  Here is how it works.  When the Gospel is clearly delivered the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin and we respond in repentance.  We confess our sin, believe in Jesus and we are saved.

That’s just straight bible, not shaken or stirred.  If people aren’t convicted of their sin, pitching them anything from the above list is a grave deception.  Jesus said, listen, if I am lifted up I would draw all men unto me.  Nothing else needs to be lifted up.  No one can respond to the Gospel unless they hear it.  For faith can only come by hearing and hearing by the Word of God = Jesus = The Good News……The Gospel.

God is a hard dude.

I know I haven’t written in a while…Very busy growing.  Just moved too.

Anyways, I was praying with my wife Sarah today, asking the Lord to really speak to us in light of my crazy weekend.  Just really need to be filled up.  So we asked the Lord to speak to us and was led to a passage of scripture I have never come across.

Two Shepherds

⁴ This is what the LORD my God says: “Pasture the flock marked for slaughter. ⁵ Their buyers slaughter them and go unpunished. Those who sell them say, ‘Praise the LORD, I am rich!’ Their own shepherds do not spare them. ⁶ For I will no longer have pity on the people of the land,” declares the LORD. “I will hand everyone over to his neighbor and his king. They will oppress the land, and I will not rescue them from their hands.”

⁷ So I pastured the flock marked for slaughter, particularly the oppressed of the flock. Then I took two staffs and called one Favor and the other Union, and I pastured the flock. ⁸ In one month I got rid of the three shepherds.
The flock detested me, and I grew weary of them ⁹ and said, “I will not be your shepherd. Let the dying die, and the perishing perish. Let those who are left eat one another’s flesh.”

¹⁰ Then I took my staff called Favor and broke it, revoking the covenant I had made with all the nations. ¹¹ It was revoked on that day, and so the afflicted of the flock who were watching me knew it was the word of the LORD.

¹² I told them, “If you think it best, give me my pay; but if not, keep it.” So they paid me thirty pieces of silver.

¹³ And the LORD said to me, “Throw it to the potter”-the handsome price at which they priced me! So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house of the LORD to the potter.

¹⁴ Then I broke my second staff called Union, breaking the brotherhood between Judah and Israel.

I’m mulling this through but I sense that this scripture will play an important role on Saturday @ the Outside The Box worship conference.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=280238047038

As we look at some of the things that break the brotherhood between Praise and The Church.

Thanks Yo!!!

In today’s world it’s super easy to forget where you came from.  Heck, it’s hard enough figuring out where you’re going in life.    I’ve found that the destination isn’t as precious as the journey.  In today’s world most of us are to busy blowing by, past and over each other.  Attempting to use up as much of every relationship before it’s time to toss it.  As I sit here writing, I realize I lack the power to make any of my own efforts bear real fruit, I am thankful however, for those that took the time to stop on their journey and water me.

I’m thankful today for Lincoln Douglas.  I’m thankful that Lincoln was obedient to God in his life and in doing so blessed mine.  This guy came from a family of 8 brothers I think.  He was a strong dude.  Legend has it that on one of his out reach events, a drunk guy shows up and starts to disrupt the meeting.  Lincoln picks the guy up, puts him on his shoulders, carries and dumps the guy a block away, then returns to the meeting.  I remember really looking up to this guy.  The impact he had on my life was profound.  He turned me into an evangelistic machine in my late teens and early twenties.  It was under his leadership that my musical gifts first hinted any potential.  Because of his bold evangelistic style many many people came to know the Lord and I learned how to story tell with a hand drum.

Lincoln wherever you are I know you’re being an inspiration to many.  I wanted to take this opportunity to testify on your behalf,

and say “Thanks Yo!!!”

Lincoln Douglas

http://www.dadiconsulting.com/about_us/consultants/biography_lincoln.htm

Who are you thankful for today?

The Purpose of Worship in the Congregation – Why do it?

“Worship gets you ready for the Word.” We’ve all heard this saying, but how true is it?

The truth of this saying is really based in perception; it becomes false if ones’ perception favors preaching rather than God’s Word itself.  It is true however, if it’s in reference to hearing from God through the pastor, with prior intentions of responding to whatever God says.  It is also true if it implies that music helps us adjust our attitudes and minds to hear from God.  If so, it is reasonable to accept that people don’t always come ready to worship or even hear from God.  Regardless, we should at least come open if congregational worship is to be of any value.  If we don’t come to God’s house with the intention and expectation to both hear from God and adjust our lives…then what’s the point?……Go Vikings!

        Worship in the congregation is not favorite music time or time for my favorite song.  It’s not about what you like.  On the contrary, it is God’s time, it’s about what He likes.  With that said, it’s important to understand that the greatest offering we could give God at church is the offering that comes out of a pure heart…regardless of the song or hymn, style or form.  As a matter of fact, it’s the only offering He will receive. (Ps. 24:3)

        Worship is the time where we meet God as a body to receive from Him the things needed by our souls.  It’s the time where we could be intimate with the Father privately and as a body.  It’s a time when His Bride, yet blemished, can reach for Him.  The purpose of worship is intimacy…out of which flows healing, deliverance, fulfillment and the life necessities that money can’t buy.  Those fortunate to experience true worship become wealthy with the treasures that only His touch can provide.

Think about it, experience it.

Niggers, Rednecks and Chinks Pt. 1

Yes,  they are racist words.    You know, the ones you mention only when you’re with people of your own race, while hanging out at the bar or at Christmas and thanksgiving.

I know of a guy who wasn’t invited to thanksgiving because he wasn’t the right color. He was black dating a white female. I have always wondered about race relations.   Since I’m black I don’t have the luxury of not seeing it often.

I have often heard that cultural differences are the key issue why races seldom get along and should for the most part stay separate. This supports the idea that there should be white churches and black churches, hispanic churches and asian churches. The point is made that different races have different needs. I can see some logic in this, but since I never trusted logic,  it smellled like crap to me.

I was wrestling with the Lord one day on this issue and He shared a couple things with me.

1. For starters we looked at culture. The definition reads: The attitudes and behavior of a particular social group. The Lord started to point out the differences between His culture as God and our culture as men. We are unholy, He’s Holy, we’re unrighteous, He’s righteous, we are sinful and He is sinless and on and on. One scripture says, “ The heart of man is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked.” His heart is pure and just and true. His culture is completely different from ours. But get this. “While we were yet sinners (of a different culture) Christ died for us”

2. The Lord also pointed out that His dying for us wasn’t some pompous hand me down, let’s do them a favor act, from some elite Godlike specie. On the contrary, He became our culture “for He that knew no sin became sin for us.” He became one of us, wow!! What blew me away more is that He married himself to us. Can you believe it? Double wow!!! Married us?!! Consider that for a moment.

So what does all this mean? Well, it was very obvious to me that Jesus crossed the largest cultural barrier that has ever existed. So because of this there is no chasm, dredged by culture, fear or hate that love cannot span. If we were to trade our earthly culture for God’s heart we will see the beauty and value in all people.   I’m sure we’ll form some true lasting friendships and even celebrate some marriages. Everybody loves a party!!!

Starting Friday Oct. 2nd

No crud just real stuff.  Fri. 2nd.  Say your piece.