The Gospel

Mark 16:15-16

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Matthew 28:19-20

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

As Christians we are commanded to spread the gospel to the world, so that any who believe would be saved.

What is the Gospel?
What should we be sharing with the world?
Lastly, how should we be sharing it?

Let's start with the last question first. How should we share the gospel?

1 Corinthians 1:10

Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Brothers and Sisters in Christ should speak the same thing, with no divisions, unified with one voice and one mind. We should be in agreement on the basis of our salvation, the gospel, as Paul continues:

1 Corinthians 1:17

For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

The first two questions are really the same, and now we know, we should have the same agreement in the saving knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and have accepted him as our Lord and Savior. Christians should be in agreement on the gospel, and should be able share it as a testimony.

This is my gospel testimony:
For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son.
To be manifest, God in man through the virgin birth, being perfect,
crucified. His life the propitiation for our sins, raised on the third day.
Ascended to the right hand of God, to send us His spirit, the Holy Ghost.
So that we might have everlasting life.

The gospel testimony must be backed by scripture:

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.

John 1:14

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

John 10:30

I and my Father are one.

1 Timothy 3:16

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Galatians 4:4

But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

Matthew 1:18-25

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Luke 2:11

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 

1 John 3:5

And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 


1 John 2:2

And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Hebrews 4:15

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

Luke 23:33

And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.

Mark 15:25

And it was the third hour, and they crucified him.

Luke 24:6-7

He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,
Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.

Matthew 28:5-7

And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

Mark 16:19

So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

Acts 1:8-9

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

Luke 24:50-51

And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.
And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.

John 14:16

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

John 14:26

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

John 16:7

Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

John 17:3

And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

John 5:24

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

Romans 10:9-13

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

This is our core, the believers reason, the gospel is God's gift for man's redemption and salvation, we should agree on it, practice it, live it, and tell it - to everyone!

Speak no Evil - James 4:11-17

James 4:11

Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.

Think about this verse, as a Christian, is there anything Godly in this behavior? What reason do we have to speak evil of one another? Are we any better than our brother?

Matthew 7:1-5

Judge not, that ye be not judged.
For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

James 4:12

There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?

Time and time again we want to play God, have our say, be the man, determine what is right or wrong. We judge with our own false sense of morality, reach flawed conclusions, and perhaps ruin our own, or others reputations.

God is the only one that is capable judgement, and clearly tells us as much.

Matthew 10:28

And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Romans 14:4

Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

Romans 2:1

Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.

This is pretty clear, and it goes along with everything we should hold dear and aspire to. Love God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our mind, and love our neighbor as ourselves. We should humble ourselves, submit ourselves, do everything we do for the glory of God. We should do all things in love.

1 Corinthians 16:14

Let all your things be done with charity.

Ephesians 4:31

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

1 Peter 2:1

Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

So we put away our speaking evil of one another, our petty judgements, and listen to the Scripture, pay attention to God, love one another, because God for Christ's sake hath forgiven us.

Ephesians 4:32

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

James goes on to warn us against presumption that we control anything, that we can do anything of ourselves.

James 4:13-14

Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:
Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

We do not know what the next day will bring, we are but a vapor that quickly disappears, we are nothing without God. We can not add one cubit to our stature, or change the color of our hair.
The following verse lays it out, gives credit where credit belongs!

James 4:15

For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

But by the grace and mercy of God will we, or can we do anything. We should never forget or ignore that sentiment, it should be with us at all times, in everything we do. That way we give God the honor and glory for our lives, for the accomplishments that He works.

James 4:16

But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.

Otherwise we want the honor and glory, we take the credit, a credit that is not ours, and we knowing this: Knowing to do good, knowing to love, knowing to humble and submit ourselves to God, if we do not do these good things, we sin.

James 4:17

Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

Life's instruction manual

I have often heard the following, "I wish life had a instruction manual", or "Babies don't come with manuals".
It hit me the other day, we do have an instruction manual, and it covers everything a Christian needs!
The Bible, the inspired living Word of God, God's Holy Word!

2 Timothy 3:16-17

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. 

1 John 2:27

But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

Look at that.

The Word of God is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness, and whats more, God has provided us the Holy Spirit to teach us. We as Christians, have our own personal teacher. All we have to do is read our Bible and the Holy Spirit will teach us all things and provide remembrance and comfort as we need it.

John 14:26 

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Why?

So that Christians (the men and women of God) may be perfect, and able to provide all good works. We are changed creatures, made new again.

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

We need to read our Bible, live in God's Word everyday so that we may prepare, and strengthen  ourselves for a life set apart from the world, yet living in the world. That we can be a beacon, a light to the world, drawing and reconciling the unsaved to God.

We do battle with the evil in the world everyday, and God wants us to be prepared and ready, God gives us everything we need, contained in His Word, the Bible, imparted by his teacher, and comforter the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 6:10-18

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Joshua 1:8

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

God's word provides the way and means to discern righteousness, what is spiritually correct from evil and worldly. Reading the Bible is what makes the Christian successful in both mortal and spiritual life.

I can tell you, reading your Bible every day, spending time in God's word,  it changes you, it tunes you, it makes you want more, to be more, to live for God.

You can not spend time with God and not be changed!

I challenge my Brothers and Sisters in Christ to read the Bible, set a goal of reading through the Bible over the next year. It only takes about 15 minutes a day.

Spend one month reading the Bible everyday, and you will never stop. You will be changed and amazed by what God has in store for you!

This is a great online resource for reading the Bible through in one year: (I use it every day)
http://oneyearbibleonline.com/

The Gideons provide a Bible App that contains sections and verses for helps in the time of need, help with life's problems, and Christian character for Godly living in today's world, as well as the plan of Salvation. This Bible App will even read itself to you!
http://gideons.bible.is/

God's Word provides Christians the manual for life, how to love God, pray, manage your household, how to love your spouse, how to raise your children, how to love your neighbors, how to love your brothers and sisters, how to manage money, how to bring others to the loving and saving knowledge of Christ. It is our sword against evil.
God's Word is our all...

It is God's love to us. 

Hebrews 1:2-3

Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;  

Sinner to Christian, God's Power and Sanctification

As a Christian I am a new creature, at the moment I accepted Christ as my Savior my sins were forgiven, past, future, and present, at the time you accept Christ as your Savior, your sin is washed away and completely forgiven.

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Romans 6:4

Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 

1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

Acts 10:43

To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

Acts 13:37-39

But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption.
Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:
And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

Ephesians 2:4-9

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Now that we have been made new, adopted into the Body of Christ, a child of God. We must start reading the Word of God, We should read the Bible daily. Without it, we do not know or understand how to live for God, the Bible is the living Word of God and provides instruction, reproof, and righteousness.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

We need the Word of God so that we may be equipped to stand righteous in the world, it provides our weapon against evil, and allows us to know and discern spiritual matters. The Bible is our manual for success and prosperity from the world in the Kingdom of God.

Ephesians 6:17

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Joshua 1:8

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. 

We have the Holy Spirit to comfort and teach us through the Word of God how to walk in newness of life.

John 14:16-17 and 26 

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

1 John 2:27

But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. 

Christians, this means that we have all the tools needed to live and sanctify ourselves to a sinless and perfect life in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior! All we have to do is submit to God's will and put our trust and faith in God. We must do as God commands and live in obedience, as children of God we have his mercy and grace, Christ the Redeemer, his Holy Word, and the Holy Ghost as our teacher and comforter.

Living for God, immersing ourselves in his Word provides freedom, and release from being the servant of sin.

James 1:22-25

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

John 8:31-36

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

God wants us to be free from sin and provides all the tools needed, and commands us to be sinless.

James 4:7

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

1 peter 1:14-16

As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

1 Corinthians 10:13

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 

James 1:12-17

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
Do not err, my beloved brethren.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. 

How marvelous and wonderful God is. His mercy and grace, providing for us in every way. Protecting us, nurturing us, and preparing our way. I urge you to read God's Word. Sanctify yourself to God's will. Your joy will be overflowing.