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Friday, November 4, 2011

There's only one Gospel


     You can often hear a teacher refer to the first four books of our New Testament as "the gospels."  This phrase is just awful.  An acquaintance of mine, S. Sheridan, wrote an article that deals with this as well called "Sloppy Terminology Means Sloppy Theology."    The sloppy use of the word "gospels" alludes to the thought of several gospels.  I want you to know that there is only one Gospel.  The first four books of the New Testament is one Gospel told four different ways.  If we are going to call "Bible things by Bible names" and be a "Bible people" we better have the true understanding of one Gospel.

     So why are we so slacking in the way we use Bible terminology?  Is it watered down teaching in an attempt to not step on toes?  Is it an attempt to try to simplify an already easily read Bible?  I personally believe it is a lazy church that has no time for study and prayer.

     I am currently preaching a short series of messages I am calling "In It To Win It."  The church today is not in it to win it at all.  We don't even understand the concept of "worship."  We say "We're going to worship" in total ignorance.  We DO NOT have to go to a predetermined building to worship.  See a prior blog of mine, What is Worship PT 1, for further teaching on this.  I said in this series, "It is harder to be a Christian in this time of prosperity and pleasure than that of persecution."  When the early church was persecuted it still grew.  Today, Satan has a new plan, and it is prosperity and pleasure.  Satan wants us to have as many choices as possible.

     He is simply getting the church in a place where they have to choose, Reality TV or a Family Bible Study.  You know who is winning don't you?  We are being given rope from Satan.  We all know what happens when we are given too much rope.  WE HANG OURSELVES!

     Consider the following simple question.  What is the "inheritance" that awaits all those who are members of the Lord's Church?  If you answered heaven, I hope you enjoyed your Reality TV show last night.  Peter teaches different in 1Pe 1:3,4.  He teaches we will receive the resurrection as our inheritance and it is "reserved for us in heaven."  If we have a loved one that passes and we go to a lawyer's office to receive our $25,000 inheritance that is left for us; do we claim the lawyer's office or the money?  The money.  The office is the place we receive the inheritance.  We receive a resurrection to spend eternity with God in heaven!

     In Gal 1:7 Paul is addressing a similar ignorance of the early church.  It was the concept of the one Gospel.  A heretical group had wormed its way among the Galatians and began to promote and emphasize law over grace.  The Galatians had forgotten the basics of Christianity, and that is the one Gospel that teaches Christ died for you and I.  1Co 15:3,4

     Today we have similar struggles of those who teach faith only, many ways to heaven, praying through, etc.  We must stand on the basic truth of the Bible.  There is only one path to heaven and it is a narrow one.  Mt 7:13,14   Jesus is the only way to the Father.  Jn 14:6 

     May we all strive to fulfill "The Great Commission" that we are called to do.  May we accomplish this by preaching Christ crucified.  Share the one Gospel with others Rom 1:16  and make disciples.


WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?

Hear The Word-  Rom 10:17; Acts 4:4

We Must Believe or Have Faith-  Heb 11:6; Acts 16:31

We Must Repent-  Lk 13:3; Acts 17:30

We Must Confess Christ Before Others-  Mt 10:32; Acts 8:37

We Must Be Immersed Into Christ (Baptized)-  1Pe 3:21; Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38  

We Must Remain Faithful-  Rev 2:10; Acts 14:22       

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