For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth;Romans 1:16
I was in prayer the other day.Actually, that’s not true.I wasn’t praying, I was complaining, dumping all of my frustrations at the feet of my Lord.We do that a lot, you know, complain.We call it prayer, but it is really nothing more than a gripe session with Jesus.
I am so frustrated by what I see passing as Christianity today.Now before you get all self-righteous on me and accuse me of being self-righteous, let me make it clear that I am not nearly the Christian I wish I were.I come up short in so many ways.But like a quarterback who just played a lousy game, no one has to tell me my shortcomings.Believe me, I know what they are.
“Where is the power, Lord?” I complained in my prayer.“I am so sick of status quo, mundane, form-of-godliness-Christianity.Where is the power?Why does your Church seem to be so ineffective...so afraid to stand and display your power?”
“Where is the power?” I half-screamed.“This is the most Gospeled-nation the world has ever seen.Everywhere I go people are “saved,” yet there has never been a time when evil was more rampant than today. WHERE IS THE POWER?”
Stop and think about your community for a moment.Go ahead--in your mind, go up and down your street.Count the number of homes in which you would probably find a Bible, with the “Gospel” of Jesus inside.What would be your count…90% of the homes….95%...have a Bible?It may be dusty, but it is there.
So where is the power?If America is so full of the “Gospel,” where is the power?
I believe it is possible to have the Lord speak to you. After all, the Spirit lives within us, and Jesus told us that “My sheep hear my voice…” John 10:27.It is a small, still voice, a thought actually.But I know we can hear the voice of God.
After I was done yelling my prayer at Him that small thought came to me.“Read the verse again,” came the prompt. “Meditate on it.”So I did.It was then that the meaning hit me.
“Hmmm…ashamed of the Gospel…power.”There is no power in the Church today because we are ashamed of the Gospel.
Now don’t get me wrong, we’re not ashamed of the Gospel when we are in church.No, some dance, lift their hands, weep and fall all over themselves demonstrating their love of the Lord.But when the service is over, they leave the church and become Secret ServiceChristians, making sure they only reveal their identity to other Christians. Ashamed of the Gospel---that is the truth about most of us.
You see, the Gospel isn’t for the saved.We are beneficiaries of it, but the Gospel is for the lost.“An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign.” Mathew 12:39 - The lost world is looking for a sign of the power of the cross.The “church” is looking for the power to manifest in the security of the building.
There is very little Gospel power in the world today because those of us who know the Gospel are ashamed to share it outside our church.
How do we square the powerless Church with this Scripture:Mark 16:17-18, “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”
Or, this one:John 14:12 - “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.”Greater works than Jesus…..wow.
Because we have become ashamed of the Gospel, the salt has lost his savor, and good-for-nothing Christianity has become the norm in America.
I’m not talking about some hyper-charismatic thing.I’m talking about the old-fashioned, everyday Gospel, “that old-time religion” that Jesus left us.
Where is the power?
Step outside your church and look around.If Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John were to suddenly appear on the scene would they recognize in America the same faith they died to give us?What would they think of the life-enhancement Gospel currently passing as Christianity today?What would they think of the powerless churches dotting the landscape of America or the mega-churches that more resemble a shopping mall than a house of worship?Would they take their places in one of these churches content to allow their butts to merely warm the pews?Is this the Gospel they gave their lives for?
My take on it is that they would be ashamed all right…ashamed of us and what we have allowed the Gospel to become.
I visit a lot of churches.Rare is the church I am in that is not praying for revival in the world, for a return to Jesus and Biblical principles.But there is a dichotomy at work.The Church is praying for revival in the world while the world is waiting for revival in the Church.
I Peter 4:17 - “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?”
Where is the power?Oh, it is available, but the Spirit is waiting for a committed, sold out body in which to pour it.Mathew 5:15 -Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.”
We are ashamed of the Gospel.We hide it under a bushel.
2 Timothy 3:1-5 “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”
By the multi-millions we sit in our churches and pray for the blessings and the power of God to fall upon our dear little hearts while outside the walls of our stained glassed fortresses evil runs unopposed.
A lost world is looking for the power of God.The modern AmericanChurch denies the power exists.
Mathew 28:18-20 -“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen”
Why is evil running rampant?We have denied the power of Spirit, we have hidden from evil, and we are ashamed of the Gospel.
“Go ye” Jesus told us.“Come ye,” read the signs outside our churches now.
“Oppose evil," says the true Gospel.“Hide from evil,” chides our modern-day Christianity.
“Take up your cross,” declared Jesus.“Downplay the cross,” is the new mantra.
“For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for it is the power of God….”
Jesus did his work outside the temple.His power was not on display “during the service.”
Want to see the power?Go. Where ever He leads, to whomever He leads.You don’t need a degree, you don’t need a following.“Behold I am with you always…”
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quoting St. Francis of Assisi:
"Preach the Gospel and if necessary, use words" says it quite well. Click here to reply to this post
Re: Ashamed of the Gospel
Posted On: 01/19/07 11:48:43 AM
Age 60, IL
Maybe it's just because we know about His love rather than Experiencing it. Maybe that's the cause of shame. Until we are experiencing His love we really don't have much to talk about other than laws and regulations. People are tired of not seeing love from us who profess to being a christian. Mostly what they see is is our own self need. Click here to reply to this post
Re: Ashamed of the Gospel
Posted On: 01/19/07 09:48:03 AM
Age 63, OH
Very good coach you made some very good points. I want to preach nothing but Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I find Jesus crucified in Genesis,Exodus,Joshua, Judges,and especially Ruth and Esther. The whole old testament is a picture of Jesus Christ crucified. But it seems like almost no one wants to hear it. But I preach to whoever will listen. To the One who spilled His blood for us. Lou Click here to reply to this post
Re: Ashamed of the Gospel
Posted On: 01/18/07 10:17:57 PM
Age 53, IN
HALLELUJAH, BROTHER! Thank-you! I know this to be true from the urgency God has placed in my heart and the doors he has opened as a result of being obedient in witnessing.
Many people hesitate to witness, I think, is because they feel they must be "perfect". However, Jesus commanded us to "Go and make deciples" immmediately upon salvation. No one is a mature Christian from the beginning of their walk, therefore no one should worry enough about the condition of their walk enough to keep them from telling others about the two-fold way. Also, I think people are afraid the others will see them as judging them is they witness. This can be avoided by a clear explanation of the gospel...an explanation of the basic foundation of the faith, that is. That involves the key to unlocking a sinner's heart. Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron's ministry "The Way of the Master" explains how the Law (Ten Commandments) is a schoolmaster-converting the sinner by way of giving the sinner knowledge of what sin it. It was Jesus's way. Spurgeon, Wesley, etc. used it and saw thousands upon thousands converted. Get the book NOW! Tell everyone. I'm telling you, it works. The Law is written on our hearts in connection with our conscience.
OUr job is to tell others this two-fold message (sin ((The Law)) AND redemption) and leave their reaction and response to God. Ever since I began regularly witnessing to working people in public and others, God opened doors left and right to plant more seeds and or be there to lead them to sincerely pray the sinner's prayer. Remember, souls are won one at a time. Come to personally find the huge power each and everyone one of us has been given to use one-on-one.
Go to www.thewayofthemaster.com or www.livingwaters.com to learn about the sure-fire way to start an unsaved friend's salvation in motion.
God Bless. Click here to reply to this post
Obey Christ's commandments
Posted On: 01/18/07 11:21:52 AM
Age 43, TX
1 Jn 3:22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
What are Christ's commandments? Certainly, we are just as ashamed of those, aren't we? Well, if we were not ashamed, we would obey them, right?
Love your neighbor as yourself? Can you tell me 12 people who, by their actions, demonstrate this? Not by how they "act", but by their actions?
How many other commandments did the Son deliver to his sheep? Click here to reply to this post
Re: Obey Christ's commandments
Posted On: 01/19/07 12:06:52 AM
Age 54, NM
This is to coach Dave and to 43 TX. First, what is the gospel of God? The gospel is so simple. It is the same thing John, Jesus, and all the apostles preached. It is the same thing the entire Word of God preached before the coming of God in the flesh. Here it is. Hold on to your hats. 'Repent and believe'. Pretty simple, right? I'm not making this up. Check the Book. Here's where all the controversy comes in. We all know, if we are interested, that repentance means turn around, come back, return. To what? God's way. God's law. Turn away from sin. But what is sin you ask? It's a good thing you asked me, because your 'christian' church doesn't want to tell you. Sin is the failure to comply with, or the breaking of the commandments of God. Which commandments, you ask? Well, the writer of Hebrews, speaking of the NEW COVENANT, in chapter 8, verses 8-11 or so, saying that God is going to write His law on our hearts, is quoting Jeremiah 31:31, which says the same thing. Here's another stick in the 'church's' spokes. The word translated into english as law in Jeremiah, is the word used throughout the portion of God's Word referred to by the 'church' as old, for Torah, all the writings of Moses. Now don't tell me that PAUL said that the law was done away with, while our GOD who converted Paul on the road to Damascus said not one jot or one tittle of the law would pass before heaven and earth passed. It is so strange that men would misinterpret Paul, just a servant or our God, and create a worldwide religion out of it. God said throughout the Book that His law, His words, His judgements stand forever. Then when He came in the flesh, He said the same thing; 'yesterday, today, and forever'. I don't mean to dash anybody's hopes or dreams or desires. I am only concerned about the truth of our GOD. Our whole duty is to obey Him. Also, He says that if we would seek Him with our whole being, we would find Him. Why don't we set aside that same day that He designated for that purpose? He made it special. He blessed it. Has that changed? I don't think so. He said it was a memorial for His people forever. It was created in the beginning, right after Adam was created. It is the fourth commandment of the ten written on stone. Read Isaiah, and believe it. It says after the wedding, after our Lord burns up this earth with the brightness of His coming, that 'all flesh shall come and worship the Lord every Sabbath and new moon.' According to the last words of our Christ, the saints are these: those who keep the commandments of God and the testimony, or faith, of Jesus. PS I could give a scriptural reference to everything I have said here, but really, God's Word says the same thing from beginning to end. Click here to reply to this post
Re: Re: Obey Christ's commandments
Posted On: 01/20/07 01:21:01 AM
Age 51, GA
You sabbatarians are a funny lot. We are under a New Covenant, Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath (see Mark 2:28, Mat 12:8). You want to go to church on Saturday go ahead. However, "The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath" Mark 2:27 "...have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?" Mat 12:5 We are now the priests, under the New Covenant. Do you remember the man that Jesus healed and told him to pick up his bed and walk on the Sabbath? The priests wanted to kill him for breaking their Sabbath laws. "And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes." Uh-oh, he was working again on the Sabbath.
The point is we enter into His rest, and are not to dispute over particular days. "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath [days]: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body [is] of Christ." Col. 2:16-17 Click here to reply to this post
Re: Re: Re: Obey Christ's commandments
Posted On: 01/20/07 06:22:34 PM
Age 54, NM
Let me reply line by line. "We are under a new covanent". Didn't I cover that in my post? The first reference to that phrase is in Jeremiah 31:31. The writer of Hebrews in 8:8 quotes Jeremiah. The word in Jeremiah translated into 'law' in our english versions is the Hebrew word 'torah', which refers to all the law given to Moses, which might explain why the Christ, Yeshuah, in His parable of the rich man and Lazarus, in Abraham's bosom after death, said 'If they won't believe the law of Moses, they won't believe even if one rose from the dead'. Now of course Jesus, Yeshuah, is the Lord of the Sabbath. He created it, along with all the commandments concerning it and everything else. After all, EVERYTHING was created through Him. If He said those words stand forever, can we argue? The Sabbath was made for man, that is why God blessed it. God made it special from the beginning, He set it aside for rest and holy gathering. The day is holy. Those are God's words. Why are the priests blameless for working in the temple on the sabbath? Because they're work was commanded by God, and obedience to God cannot be considered a conflict of interest. God is not a God of confusion. I will allow that you may be a priest of God, under the new covenant, if indeed God's laws are written on your heart. I have already pointed out what laws the Word of God says these are. Although there are translations that say Jesus 'broke' the sabbath, it does not say that in the original Greek. It says He 'loosed' the sabbath. From what? From the thousands of regulations that the Jews had connected to it. What was the Christ doing on the sabbath day besides healing? Read the book. As His custom was, every sabbath day, in the synagogue (church) teaching. The Christ didn't break the sabbath law written in the word of God. He fulfilled it. The author of Hebrews tells us that there is still a rest for the people of God, every week. Let me give you my take on Col. 2:16=17. I see you marked in brackets the words not contained in the original Greek. Good. 'Let no man judge you, but the body of Christ.' Doesn't it say that? Let no man judge you about what? About eating or drinking, or concerning a holy day or a new moon or the sabbath. Why? Because these are a shadow of things to come. Whether we observe these things or not, they are coming, because they are a part of the everlasting Word of God. Who is the body of Christ? The saints of God, of course. They, as a body, are to judge all things. "Know ye not that ye shall judge angels?" In Revelation 11:19, John says he saw the temple of God in heaven opened and there was the ark of the testament. We know that when God gave all the instructions to Moses on the mountain, He said be sure you do everything just as in the pattern I have shown you. Is there a copy of the law on something more durable than stone in the ark of the testimony in heaven? IF we 'keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus the Christ' according to the last revelation given to men by our savior, we may get to see those things personally. I pray that we all do, and invite all comments concerning these things. Lonnie at ajo1@zianet.com Click here to reply to this post
Re: Re: Re: Re: Obey Christ's commandments
Posted On: 01/21/07 03:20:26 PM
Age 51, GA
Ok, I'm going to try to help get you out of a box, if you'll consider the possibility that you do not know everything. Your response, brings to mind this scripture "Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." 2 Tim 3:7 Do you ever stop into the quiktrip on Saturday to get some gas? Ever mow your lawn on Saturday? Do your laundry, take dishes out of the dishwasher? Ever gone to the hospital or called a fireman out on Saturday? How far do I have to go here? Do you figure everyone that doesn't go to church or synagogue on Saturday is going to hell? What about those that don't live near a church? What about those at forced labor in a communist gulag, they love the Lord, don't know what day it is, and have no access to a church? Let's move along, ever lusted after a woman? Ever told a lie? Ever stolen anything? Sure, we are to live holy and set an example, but there are none perfect (none righteous, no not one), so we do the best we can. We confess our sins, and trust in Him. Anyway, your response did not appear to be line by line the way I read it, more like a meandering trip around the truth. Really your "take" on those verses from Colossians, is not simply your take, but a complete denial of what it clearly says. So, come on, let's get real, we are supposed to spread the good news, not make sure everybody is in church on Saturday. Where in the New Testament did the Lord say you have to be in church on Saturday? Here's His take on the commandments necessary for eternal life, from Matthew - "And behold, one came to Him and said, "Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?" And He said to him, "Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments." He *said to Him, "Which ones?" And Jesus said, "You shall not commit murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honor your father and mother; and You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
I don't see anything there about going to church at all, much less any particular days. We are the church, and He is Lord of the Sabbath. Get to work, share the good news. You want to remember the sabbath and keep it holy, then preach Christ, and Him crucified. As scripture says, don't dispute over holydays, food, sabbath whatever that inhibits getting the job done. You want further help, here's my email address - canoe@america.net In His service, Porter +++ Click here to reply to this post
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Obey Christ's commandments
Posted On: 01/23/07 08:11:13 PM
Age 54, NM
I really had no intention of putting down anybody. I read Daubenmire's articles all the time and really respect His work. I read this article and the replies and thought I would put in my two cents worth. I am a sinner as bad as they come. I only recently acquired a desire to learn something of the word of God. (Hard times sometimes does that to a human) In my original comment, I was just commenting on statements about what the 'gospel' was. You seemed to be upset about my mention of the sabbath, but that is something that God promotes. Both Gods. Click here to reply to this post
Re: Obey Christ's commandments
Posted On: 01/24/07 09:52:23 AM
Age 51, GA
"One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day [alike]. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind." Romans 14:5 Click here to reply to this post
Re: Ashamed of the Gospel
Posted On: 01/18/07 10:46:26 AM
Age 43, NC
Amen! and Amen! Now we have read the truth here in this article, WHAT ARE WE... WHAT AM I going to do about it? There is no use blogging all day about it. If you have read the article then like me, YOU are now responsible to GOD for the light you have been given. You and I will stand before God Almighty one day and give an account for what we have done with this truth. No use talking about what we are going to do (cause it will never get done just talking about it). It's time to get off the pew and get to work. (I hate that we have to borrow a secular phrase but..) JUST DO IT, GO and witness the Gospel of Jesus Christ to this world. You GO, the Lord Jesus Christ will supply the power! Amen Coach, Amen! Click here to reply to this post
Re: Ashamed of the Gospel
Posted On: 01/18/07 10:14:18 AM
Age 48, VA
While reading this article a scripture I recently read concerning Jesus first message of His earthly ministry came to mind. Mark 1:14&15 "After John was put into prison, Jesus went into Galilee proclaiming the good news of God. 'The time has come,' He said. 'The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!'" Jesus proclaimed the Gospel and called it the Good News of God. Right from the start He made clear it involved repentance. And He knew already the high cost of such a message. John the Baptist knew it too. Thank you, to Dave Daubenmire for reminding us of the same! Click here to reply to this post
Re: Ashamed of the Gospel
Posted On: 01/18/07 06:18:44 AM
Age 42, VA
Coach, I'm in tears! Amen...our Lord has really used this article to touch my spirit...thank you.
Perhaps all of us will not become missionaries, but wherever the Lord Jesus has us is our ministry to proclaim His message...even in the face of mean-spirited rejection, I will remember this article to spur me on past my insecurity!
God bless all of you. Click here to reply to this post
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