Father, Son, And Holy Spirit
During Jesus’s last days on earth, He promised His followers that “the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things” (John 14:26, ESV).
Father And Son by Cat Stevens
(Fire mine)
Matthew 24:14 Jesus taught us saying:
“The gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations and then the end will come.”
For me as a faithful minister in the Word of God, this verse from Matthews gospel has been my guiding principle and experience. In many ways I’ve seen the power of the gospel heal hearts, restore souls, and repair minds. There are many ways to influence people, reach into folks experiential moments and grab their attention, but nothing can transform them for the glory of God like the gospel. And for this reason I’ve determined to always teach and preach Jesus Christ among all the people. I believe the gospel alone will triumph over the culture, and the world of men. Just as the Rabbi Gamaliel (not a Christian), speaking about the apostles teachings, said in Acts 5:38-39, “if it is from God you will not be able to stop these men.”
The gospel disarms the pagan powers and principalities. The gospel focuses upon the creator of all things unlike the other world religions and spiritual movements that focus upon the created worldly creatures, supernatural fallen angelic beings, earthly and celestial organisms and inorganic earth bound and heavenly bodies, and even the human self. The AntiChrist’s power lives within the many networks of false gospels and misleading spiritual paths, and the gospel of Jesus Christ triumphs over all of them.
Jesus conquered over hell, over the power of death and the grave, over sin, and every unseen force of evil. And coming soon to a neighborhood near you there will be a final battle between heaven and the AntiChrist hordes. The faithful chosen followers of Jesus Christ will join The Lamb of God in this battle (Revelation 17:14). These are them who have been transformed by the gospel. They’re an ever increasing ministry, a priesthood of all believers. Their faith came by hearing and the hearing by the Word of God. They are the graduate students of the great restoring Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit matures them, fills them with his knowledge, sharing all wisdom and spiritual understanding.
The power of the gospel energizes the Christian world. Everyone of them who make up that “Church” is a gospel preacher. They all have a walk and a story to tell about how Jesus Christ has transformed them. They daily walk it and talk it. They think about it and pray about it. They are different people, a peculiar people.
1 Peter 2:9
“Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.”
Titus 2:14
“(Jesus) Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”
Friends,
I know it’s hard. I know it’s difficult. I know being a Christian in this world can get you into some very challenging situations, especially in these dark times. I know the world cuts and cuts, and bends and breaks every rule and principle we are told to live by. I know the world confuses us sometimes and they seem blind to their own foolishness and hypocritical attitudes. But through the sacrifices you are making today to remain faithful to the gospel you are being transformed into a warrior who will ultimately join The Lord in that final battle. The apostle Paul said, “my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned to me by the Lord Jesus Christ, the work of telling others the good news about the wonderful grace of God.” (Acts 20:24)
Years ago now, The Lord’s Spirit gave me a word from God. He told me to write it on my heart. I did, and have not wavered in that task. He told me, “having once learned your purpose in Christ, it is not for you to leave it left undone.” Friends, faith without the sharing of the gospel is a dead faith. Burying your gift from God in the ground, hiding the light under a bushel, will only result in it being taken away from you in times of testing. If you are ashamed of The Father, or The Son…well…let me just say, it’s not going to go well for you.
The Son has sent The Spirit of Truth and he did so that you might learn from him and share that with all the world. That is your blood type. That is who you are when you are in Christ.
Go with God, finish the race well, teach and preach the gospel, and I’ll see you at the Tree of Life. You’ll find me reclining there by the River of Life. But for now I’ll be out there—working in the vineyards, walking the by ways and telling others about Christ Jesus.