Hi Everyone
Here’s this month’s Gone Fishin’ Newsletter.
Every month a team from our fellowship at Calvary Wellington heads out to our regular fishing hole, the Naenae Market and Hillary Court shops. There we share the Gospel to those in our immediate community.
Once a month I publish a simple newsletter that is distributed to the fellowship (or for anyone else who stumbles across this website), as a way of encouragement, and as a tool to equip us to be better evangelists.
You can read the last Field Report from 21/5/22 here.
Enjoy!
Gone Fishin’ Monthly Newsletter – June 2022
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith’” (Romans 1:16-17).
Hi Everyone
I pray everyone has managed to keep warm and dry during the storms over the last couple of weeks.
When we see the lightning and hear the thunder, we are reminded of that great day coming. That day when Christ will return, and we shall see Him as He is, and be like Him (1 John 3:2)!
How would you describe the Gospel? Not as in how to get saved and go to heaven, but the mechanics of the Gospel itself?
In today’s verse, we are going to break down…the pride, the person, the power, the purpose, and the people of the Gospel.
The Pride of the Gospel
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel…”
The Gospel is never something we should be ashamed of.
I know what comes into a Christians head when the issue of pride comes up. Pride is classed as the root of all sin, where it originates and takes seed. It is the starting point of placing ourselves, or our selfish subjective beliefs before those of God’s or others. So, why would I advocate having pride in something?
Because pride in the Gospel is never sinful. That is due to the purity of its’ message, who it points to, and the life-changing work it does. Now, I am the introvert of introverts – I would do anything I possibly can to divert attention away from myself. But the Gospel is different. It should never be something to be embarrassed about. I am proud because it points to Christ, not me, and that is something to boast about!
If you are ashamed of the Gospel, then maybe you should take another look at what it is, where you stand in light of it, and what it has done for you. You will be surprised how your perspective will change.
“But Peter and John answered and said to them, ‘Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.’ ” (Acts 4:19-20).
The Person of the Gospel
“…the gospel of Christ…”
The Gospel is about Christ, and nothing else.
I know what comes into some Christian’s heads when asked what the Gospel is. Some say it is for changing lives, or circumstances. Some say it is healing to the body through a miraculous sign or wonder. These can be fruits of believing the Gospel, but they are not the Gospel.
There are so many ways we can complicate the Gospel. It is so simple, yet so offensive at the same time. But we should never avert our attention away from the person of the Gospel – Jesus Christ, the God-man, who bled and died on a cross, taking our hell punishment on a cross so that we could live.
If you believe that the Gospel is not of Christ, or Christ plus something else, then maybe you should look at the cross through the eyes of a child, so that you don’t overcomplicate anything.
“Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures…” (1 Cor 15:1-4).
The Power of the Gospel
“…it is the power of God…”
The Gospel has the power of God behind it. It has to, because without it, it would be worthless.
I know what some Christians think when it comes to sharing the Gospel; that it all depends on how articulate or knowledgeable you are. But the power of the Gospel comes from God. Why is this important? Well, because only God has the power to turn a stony heart to one of flesh. And that should cause us to breathe easier. We just have to be obedient to obeying the Gospel, and sharing it. God does all the hard work for us!
If you believe that yours, or someone’s eternal future depends on you, then maybe humble yourself, and contemplate: who is more sovereign – you, or the immortal, everlasting God?
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.” (Ez 36:26-27)
The Purpose of the Gospel
“…the power of God to salvation…”
The Gospel saves.
I know what some Christians believe about salvation – that they can’t articulate what they are saved from. That’s because they don’t understand the work of the law. If the doctor gives me something and says “Take this medicine or you’ll die”, then it would sound unreasonable, and I would be offended by it. But if he instead says “You have a serious disease. Here are 10 clear signs of it, and it will kill you. I have the cure here”, then that would make more sense. Too many “Christians” are fed the false “Just give your heart to Jesus” gospel, which saves no one. But if they are taken through the law (the 10 Commandments) that point out how sinful we all are, and the punishment we deserve, then we come to the knowledge that we are saved from eternal destruction in hell.
If you don’t understand that you are saved from the wrath of God, then maybe you don’t understand the seriousness of sin. The 10 Commandments can sort that out for you! (Ex 20:1-17).
“I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!.” (Rom 7:21-24)
The People of the Gospel
“…salvation for everyone who believes…”
The Gospel is only for the Jew or non-Jew.
I know what some Christians believe – that not everyone will respond to the Gospel. While that is true, we don’t know who they are. This is why we need to tell everyone we know – nice people, horrible people, people of all ethnicities, even believers caught up in other religions. All who repent and believe in the Gospel are welcome with open arms to the family of God!
If you are using the excuse of thinking that certain people shouldn’t be saved, then maybe it’s time to take a long hard look in the mirror, and question why you deserve to go to heaven when you die.
“As it is written:
“There is none righteous, no, not one;
There is none who understands;
There is none who seeks after God.
They have all turned aside;
They have together become unprofitable;
There is none who does good, no, not one.”
“Their throat is an open tomb;
With their tongues they have practiced deceit”;
“The poison of asps is under their lips”;
“Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.”
“Their feet are swift to shed blood;
Destruction and misery are in their ways;
And the way of peace they have not known.”
“There is no fear of God before their eyes.” (Rom 3:10-18)
Let’s take time to understand the Gospel better, so we can communicate it better!
I’ll see you at my place this Saturday at 10am for prayer before heading out once again. This week we will have a table set up at the market so that people know who we are.
Blessings,
Craig.
Witnessing Tip: Christ is the Energy!
When you don’t feel like witnessing, prayer is the best motivation.
Often you will begin the time dragging your feet
But after prayer, you will finish clicking your heels!
