DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT - FRIDAY: Gospel Powered Christians!

"Alas! What stirs ordinary men's blood and turns them into heroes, makes most Christians run like a flock of frightened sheep." -- C. T. Studd
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For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. -- Rom 1:16 (ESV)

I never want to be ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, why should I? It was the Gospel that got me saved and turned my life around from a hopeless alcoholic with no purpose in life. The Gospel of Jesus Christ changed me, saved and restored my family, gave me a purpose in life, a life that is lived to the full in service to His people!

I have preached and taught this Gospel and its life changing power all over the world, seen many souls saved and many lives changed by its power! No! I could never be ashamed of this Gospel for it is the power of God to everyone who believes! Hallelujah! Praise His wonderful name!

I believe that there are many people all over the world just like me! But there are some who struggle to communicate this Gospel and it is to these people I want to address this post today, that they may know the full power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

THE GOSPEL IS AN EMBARASSMENT TO SOME

Some are ashamed of the Gospel’s main character, Jesus Christ, they don’t mean to be, but they are unaware that Jesus said… "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. -- John 14:6. They don’t realise the significance of what Paul said about salvation… And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." -- Acts 4:12.

Some are ashamed to admit that they really need Him, once again not realising that...

• We've all sinned (Romans 3:23)
• There is none righteous (Romans 3:10)
• We are all like sheep have gone astray (Isa.53:6)
• We all need a Saviour and Jesus is the only Saviour (Acts 4:12)

Some are ashamed to communicate the consequences; they are ashamed to talk about Hell, they claim that Hell is offensive; once again not fully realising that there is a real hell for those who reject the Gospel...

But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death." -- Rev 21:8.

According to Matt 8:12, it is a place of "outer darkness" where there shall "be weeping and gnashing of teeth." If Jesus and Paul was not ashamed to talk about it, neither will I be ashamed of communicating the consequences, God willing!

The vague and tenuous hope that God is too kind to punish the ungodly has become a deadly opiate for the consciences of millions. -- A.W. Tozer.

The Gospel is a powerhouse for believers
Where is the power? It's in the same place it has always been, God's Word! When God speaks, things happen! Thousands of years ago, God said, "Let there be light..." Light is still "in force" today! Light went out from God when he spoke and it is still available, it has never stopped! It's easy to believe that the light has never stopped, why not believe that God's Word never stopped?

The power is in the Word of God...

He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction. -- Ps 107:20;

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. -- Isa 40:8;

So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. -- Isa 55:11.

This Gospel power is for all who believe in Jesus
The power is to those who believe; "...to everyone that believes..." - - Rom 1:16. "Believe" and "Faith" come from the same root word in the Greek, it simply means to Trust God to do what He said He will do! He said the blood of Jesus will cleanse you from your sin, do you believe it? He said He will forgive if you will confess your sin! Do you believe it?

This gospel power is to all races; "...to the Jew first and also to the Greek..." -- Rom 1:16. The Gospel is for all colours and all races!

“A sermon in shoes is often more eloquent than a sermon on paper.” - - Theodore L. Cuyler

We are Gospel Powered Christians, we should never be ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, let’s show this by putting it into action today, for His Glory!

Loving Father, I never want to be ashamed of your gospel! I thank you that your word says that I am gospel powered, help me by the power of the Holy Spirit to put this into action by communicating the gospel to everyone I meet! In Jesus mighty name! Amen!