The Gospel of Christ is simple and complex. The fact that Christ was crucified, buried, resurrected, and ascended is something that is remarkably simple and yet the implications of it are far-reaching and complex. It changes everything about life and those changes are life-long and never ending. Thus its complexity. The Bible is alive, and though its message is ancient, its applications are current and many.
Euangelion is the Greek term for the Gospel. It is good news of an event that has occurred; a victory that has been won. It is for everyone including those who have already called Jesus Lord. We do not stop being changed by the Gospel. We should never stop growing. Unfortunately the Gospel has, on many occasions, been reduced to something that solicits a one-time response from people. Life change never occurs or it is stymied early in the life of a new believer. I believe that because of this tragic fact that, at times, the Gospel that we present to people becomes an unbelievable one.
With the invention of the internet and other various technologies, knowledge is said to double every twelve months. That essentially means that what you knew last March has become obsolete. With advancements happening in technology, the rate of knowledge doubling is fast approaching a month long process. As I researched this increase of the rate of knowledge, I was struck by something. People are smart. They get smarter everyday. Just this week I was having a conversation with someone about the Wright Brothers. December 17, 1903 is when they made their first flight at Kitty Hawk. July 21, 1969: the first man walked on the moon. ON THE MOON! There is no way that Orville and Wilbur could have ever imagined that the next generation would see such advancements. It is simply breathtaking how quickly we have advanced over the last 100 years.
People are not dumb. They can see through to the truth maybe a little more than we give them credit for. When we live our lives submitted to the Gospel of Christ it is evident. Unfortunately, it is also rather evident when we don't. Going to church is not that common anymore. Being a Christian is not as easy as it once was. When we capitulate to the world, rest assured the world is watching and they are smart enough to see through the smokescreen that we put up. It is not enough to play religion on Sundays. The Gospel must reach every area of our lives.
Last Christmas, the American Atheists Association created a billboard that read "Make Christmas Great Again: Skip Church". Of course this was a play on the words of President Trump but the deeper meaning underlying it is obvious. Atheists do not believe in God and they certainly don't believe in Jesus. In their minds skipping church is easy because there is no point worshiping something that doesn't exist. When atheists say "skip church" it is telling anyone who will listen what their beliefs are. What, pray tell, is the message when a believer skips church? I submit to you that the message is that the Gospel doesn't mean as much to that believer as they would like the world to think. When our community sees us not making much of Jesus, why in the world should we expect that they should. We shouldn't and we can't.
It is time for a new beginning. For over a month now we have been preparing for Easter. I have been exhorting you to invite people to start their new beginning in Christ with us on Easter. This invitation is not necessarily just for lost people. Could it be that it is time that you started a new beginning in Christ as well? Is it time that you took your faith more seriously and allowed the Gospel to touch every area of your life? Live in the Gospel, walk in the Gospel, spread the Gospel. After all, it is good news and that is something that we don't get much of anymore.
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