Image via WikipediaOne is almost moved to nausea when viewing many television ministries today. When comparing the gospel preached on those t.v. programs with the gospel of Jesus Christ, you find a vast chasm between the two. There is such a stark contrast between them, one wonders if their entire motive of ministry should be in question. The emphasis is on man, health and wealth rather than on Jesus Christ. It leaves one wondering, “What is the gospel and where is it?” This post seeks to help the sincere preacher of the gospel with four reminders about putting the gospel back into preaching!
Definition Of The Gospel – Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
(1 Corinthians 15:3-4) “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how 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:” (KJV)
#1 – Pastor, Remember To Put A Gangplank In Your Sermon!
“We can learn nothing of the gospel except by feeling its truths. There are some sciences that may be learned by the head, but the science of Christ crucified can only be learned by the heart.” -Charles Hadden Spurgeon
If one is to be saved and go to heaven when they die, then they will have to be saved God’s way. The problem is of the thousands that hear a sermon each week, few hear the gospel preached distinctly. Pastors must put a gangplank in their messages in order for sinner to be saved! Never preach, testify, give a devotion or teach a Sunday school lesson without giving an opportunity for your hearers to be saved!
#2 – Pastor, Preach The Biblical Gospel!
How shall anyone get saved by a false gospel? The Apostle Paul made it clear to his readers in Galatians chapter one that there is but one gospel of Jesus Christ and not another! He went so far as to say that if anyone came to them with any other so-called gospel to let them be accursed. Literally saying for them to be eternally devoted to damnation!
(Galatians 1:6-9) “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” (KJV)
Pastor, please preach the right gospel! Not only for the sake of your hearers, but for your own soul! The social gospel, health and wealth gospel, and any other you would put in this sort of list is not the true gospel. People must repent of their sins and put their faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ in order to be saved. Hell will be hot for those who pervert the truth!
#3 – Pastor, Keep The Main Thing The Main Thing!
Pastor, please keep the right priority when preaching. Yes, we need to rightly divide the truth. Yes, we need to go deeper to a certain extent, but the gospel is very simple. Keep it that way! Many preachers are more concerned about things other than the gospel. I am not sure if the story of Christ has gotten old to them. If it has, then they have a heart problem. At any rate, keep the main thing the main thing! Preach Hell hot and Heaven sweet! Tell folks about the wonder working power of Christ’s shed blood!
(John 3:16) “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (KJV)
#4 – Pastor, Never Substitute Your Opinion For Scripture!
The longer one lives the more one sees opinion in place of objective expository preaching of the gospel! Opinion does not mean one iota! Preaching is not like a basketball game where you send in a substitute occasionally. The coach does not like the results of his teams efforts so he sends in a fresh player with a different strategy. God’s word and preaching does not return void of effect, but opinion will! Stick with the gospel and it will provide results in God’s timing!
Pastor, Have You Stopped Preaching The Gospel Or Know Someone Who Has?
