In any pulpit, "preach the Gospel" is simple and terrific advice.  But, where does one start? Or end? Here are some thoughts. - bw

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Spirituality Column #849

February 21, 2023

Common Christianity / Uncommon Commentary

Preach the Gospel, Part 1

By Bob Walters

“It is very hard for a man to defend anything of which he is entirely convinced.” – G.K. Chesterton, Orthodoxy, 1908

My wife Pam and I provide a once-monthly Sunday church service at a Fishers senior center. She leads song, prayer, and communion; I do a 15-20-minute sermon.

Our long-time friend and pastor Russ Blowers (b.1924, d.2007), laid to rest in a nearby Fishers cemetery, has etched on his headstone below his name, simply, “Preacher of the Gospel.” This past week I thought, “Let’s do that: preach the Gospel.”

I was immediately stuck.  Where does one start?  Or end? I believe, know, live, and am entirely convinced of the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I may doubt my understanding or the depth of my knowledge, but I don’t doubt the truth.  Chesterton’s point (above) is that we are surprised when we are questioned on things most obvious.

Like, why is civilization better than savagery? Why do you love your family? Your neighbors?  Your church? Your nation?  Why do you love Jesus?

Words fail us.  I can behold the forest … but I may not be able to explain a tree.

So, “preach the Gospel.” Ok.  Where does one start?  How about at the cross?

“Jesus died on the cross for our sins.” Yes, that’s certainly lesson number one.

But wait; Jesus was the son of God who died on the cross for our sins. 

But wait; Jesus was the son of God who, fully God and fully human, died on the cross for our sins and was resurrected.

But wait; Jesus, born of a virgin, was the son of God, fully God and fully man, who preached the truth of God’s love for mankind and God’s desire to restore us to fellowship in His Kingdom.  Jesus, hated by many, died on the cross for all humanity’s sin and sins – even the sins of those who hated Him – and was resurrected on the third day.  Jesus then sent the Holy Spirit – also God of the Trinity – to be our everlasting comfort until Jesus returns again to conquer Satan and restore God’s Creation to perfection. Jesus, son of God, was the perfect sacrifice of God’s sacrificial love.

That’s the Gospel truth.  With faith in Christ and trust in His identity, we are part of that plan; part of that Gospel.  That we are forgiven is icing on the divine cake and a necessary pre-condition to be alive in God’s righteousness.  But it is Jesus who saves.

Our faith isn’t the Gospel and the Bible isn’t our salvation; the person of Jesus Christ is the Gospel and the person of Jesus Christ is our salvation. The person of Jesus Christ is life and the Gospel of Jesus Christ is our treasure map back into God’s eternal Kingdom.

Beware the preacher trying to scare a wandering soul into the loving arms of Jesus by threatening the terrifying and deathly fire of hell.  Better to pursue God’s Kingdom by thinking about heaven with love, not hell with fear. That’s Gospel wisdom.

Better to know and live – now – in the love, forgiveness, and identity of Jesus.  Better to believe His truth, share His truth, live His truth.  Better to stake a claim in God’s Kingdom.  Better to embrace the fruits of the Holy Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience kindness, goodness, faithfulness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23) – against which there is no law, remembering Jesus fulfilled the law and God’s glory is the point.

Yes, shun sin and evil … but cling to Jesus.  I once asked a very wise friend if he feared hell.  He responded, “I don’t think about hell; I think about Jesus.”

Preaching the Gospel is revealing a relationship with God.  Convincingly.

Walters (rlwcom@aol.com) preached his Gospel message using Bible verses … more on that next week.  Btw … Bob’s “very wise friend” was George Bebawi.