subject: The Gospel, The Life [print this page] To preach the GospelTo preach the Gospel. Thats the most important thing. Whats the Gospel? Its the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
If I dont preach the Gospel, then why not go to an Anthony Robbins seminar? If I dont preach the Gospel, whats the difference between me and Anthony Robbins or some other preacher who does not preach the Gospel? Because without the power of the Gospel Im toast and youre toast. We cant do a thing.
I mean I can talk all day and night about five ways to become a better leader, six ways to become a better husband, and eight ways to success, and ten ways to financial freedom; and I can scatter some Scripture verses in there. But if Im not preaching the Gospel, Im a heretic. Im not a true pastor.
And one day Im going to have to give an account to God himself about how I talked from Scripture. And I dont want to hang my head in shame and say, Well, God, I just talked about your grace and forgiveness and love and that you have a good plan for everybodys life and that was it. Thats half of the counsel of God. I cannot preach and edit the Bible. I cant do that before God. Ive got to give you the total package, the full counsel of God.
Yes, Ive got to talk about the fact that Gods a loving God, that God has tender love. But also, Ive got to talk about the fact that Gods love is tough, that God disciplines those he loves, and that we will face consequences of sin. So theres no way were prepared to hear the good news, which is the Gospel, until we hear the bad news.
Whats the bad news? We are in trouble. Ed Young Jr wants us to learn that, were all fallen and fallible. Were separated from God and God loves us so much he commissioned Jesus Christ to live a perfect life and to die a sacrificial death and to rise again. And if I make a faith decision, the righteousness of Christ is transferred into my life. And because of his power, not mine; because of His grace, not mine; because of His octane, not mine, I can live the life. Its from the inside out.
The Gospel is from the exterior and we move it to the interior by a faith choice. But to sit here and say, Well, lets just think positive thoughts and lets just follow what we like. Lets just talk about how God wants us to be happy. That is not the full counsel of God.
