.png)
Proverbs of a 40 yr old man
What is the power of the Gospel? And do we truly understand as Christians what we believe in and what we have to offer in this lost and broken world? For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” Amen. I love the story in Scripture of Philip preaching in Samaria. Crowds listened intently to Philip because they were eager to hear his message and see the miraculous signs he did. Many evil spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims. And many who had been paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was great joy in that city. A man named Simon had been a sorcerer there for many years, amazing the people of Samaria and claiming to be someone great. Everyone, from the least to the greatest, often spoke of him as “the Great One—the Power of God.” They listened closely to him because for a long time he had astounded them with his magic. But now the people believed Philip’s message of Good News concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. As a result, many men and women were baptized. Then Simon himself believed and was baptized. He began following Philip wherever he went, and he was amazed by the signs and great miracles Philip performed. At one point Simon saw Peter and John lay their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit. When he saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people, he offered them money to buy this power. Simon said, “Let me have this power, too,” he exclaimed, “so that when I lay my hands on people, they will receive the Holy Spirit!” But Peter replied, “May your money be destroyed with you for thinking God’s gift can be bought! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin. Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.” Amen. The message of the Gospel has been watered down by so many that the power of God has been removed and replaced with manmade spark or magic. People want the things of God and not what God can do for them. The gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, we must believe it and proclaim it boldly. SALVATION IS THE MAIN NEED OF EVERY PERSON. And it requires the very power of God! Salvation demands that the righteousness of God be upheld and applied to the guilt sinner. The power of the Gospel is more than your best life now. Its salvation by faith from start to finish. The Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. When we are truly obeying God and living in the power of Holy Spirit, we are a living testimony and light to this dark world. Its more than just laying hands for miracles and some kind of brand of social justice. No, The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. It is more Iike the Apostle Peter who said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”
Study Romans 15:13
Komentarze