establishing who the gospel is for

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"establishing who the gospel is for"

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or
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"shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see"
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The gospel is actually directed at every living person in the world. Proof is found here in the words of Jesus of Nazareth ... "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." Or in the words of the book of Hebrews, after Jesus went to heaven ... "that he (Jesus) by the grace of God should taste death for every man."

The tr

uble is, the well groomed and polished education of many has become a stumbling block for them. Or their God gifted intelligence has got in the way. This is why the gospel is fine tuned for (or directed at) those who are humble enough to see that God's ways are higher than mans, the wisdom of man is foolishness to God, and "that it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe."

You see man has become so conceited, slick and clever in doing things his way, without God; or manufacturing his own pseudo god as a replacement for the one true God, that He sees God's way and the gospel as mere foolishness, as he perceives it outside mere human reason and logic. In other words ... he sees the God given simple and raw version too narrow and ordinary for his sophisticated and astute learning to get his head around. The very reason Jesus said one has to become as a child in order to enter the kingdom of heaven.

Don't get me wrong, education like wealth are not wrong. However, when they get in the way of being childlike before the Lord, and block Him out, they are. You know (here's a friendly reminder) ... we are just clay from the ground without Him, where anything good only comes from Him in the first place. If the Lord wants to bless someone with wealth or a good IQ because He can trust them with it, then it can actually be a asset for the gospel when surrendered in brokenness and humility. However, if the gift causes the recipient to become puffed-up and full of self-achievement, then it would be impossible for him to enter the door of salvation just as large animal could never fit through the eye of a needle.

Thatz why there is a huge advantage if the humble sinner comes to God empty. Or why it is okay for God to save a contrite and repentant rich person, who will only see provision as from the Lord, for the Lord. In contrast, it is an utter abomination if one uses the gospel to accumulate riches or uses religion in any way to become or justify personal financial wealth as proof of the pudding. These people always come as smooth and flattering false teachers, who will make merchandise of you and need avoiding like the black plague. God to them is just an instrument in how to secure themselves in material goods with fat bank accounts. To them, rich possessions is the proof God is blessing them; whereas spiritual fruit and godly contentment is the real biblical evidence of the blessing of the Lord in someonez life.

Furthermore, don't ever be fooled by clever men who intellectualize the gospel (thatz philosophizing the word of God away) and engineer crafty theology to prove only certain select people can be apart of God's so-called elite. It is the deaf who hear, the blind who see, the meek who inherit, and babes and the poor in spirit who receive from God. This is not rocket science is it? Nor heavy revelation! Nor is it deep theology or esoteric interpretation, conveyed by the art of eloquent oration by an eloquent orator. Someone smooth and flattering, who has the gift of the gab, in other words! Therefore, if the way gets complicated it is easy to know that God was not responsible, but man.

Have you ever read 'the parable of the sower' spoken by Jesus of Nazareth Himself, in public during the days of his earthly ministry, found in the New Testament gospels? Basically, by understanding this very simple and fundamental principle in God this would grant the very individual the very key in unlocking the rest of the Bible.

Here we go then ... this is so immensely simple! Something you will never get from seminary or a degree in theology. Stuff that only a child can learn from his Dad. The everlasting Father speaking:

"Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables (get it - the rest wont click unless this one does)? The sower soweth the word (the bearer of glad tidings).

And these (the person who responds) are they by the way side (where there is no depth to the soil and it is free prey for the birds - verse 4 of Mark 4), where the word is sown ; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.

And these (the person who responds) are they likewise which are sown on stony ground (exposed to the sun and elements of harsh weather - verse 6); who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; And have no root in themselves (those who have a shallow experience with the Lord or come to trendy "Christianity"), and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended (they love the blessings more than the one who has blessed them and therefore will not count the cost of true discipleship).

And these (the person who responds) are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in (prestige, appearance, ambition, a competitive spirit), choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.

And these (the person who responds) are they which are sown on good ground (a well prepared, uncluttered, and soft humble heart); such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred."

This means, even though the quality of the word is very important and vital, it is also the quality of the ground (the individual's heart) that is also important and vital in order for the word to find depth and geminate (spiritual regeneration that is - being born again), and bring forth much lasting fruit for the Lord. Therefore a soft, pliable and contrite heart is the criterion necessary for revelation (hearing from the Lord). Pride, smugness, inflated ego, and self conceit, will rob you off this wonderful revelation from God. In other words, you may experience the blessing and the light for awhile, but it will not last. It is what is constant and lasting which counts in the end, despite hardship, knocks and adversity.

If you can understand this, and don't fake it, but do it; nor brush it off by prescribing it to others as just "a thrilling testimony or experience to share", or "a lovely sermon for a special day", or "a nice quotation as buzz word of the day", or "a prized token of spoken spiritual rhetoric", or "a piece of moving poetic phraseology" (spare me!); but embrace the word with your whole heart, mind and strength, your pilgrimage has begun dear fellow sojourner, and you are now on the way.

Therefore, please remain diligent in the way, sober, and endeavouring not to please man but to please and acknowledge your Lord and Saviour in all your ways! Being constantly mindful that it is only to the degree of your humility and brokenness before the Lord, that He will reveal Himself and His ways to you, in order for you to be changed from one height of glory unto another, unto that perfect day. The day when we will see our closest friend, big brother and Dad (the Lord Jesus) face to face.

h whatta day that will be!!

"why"
"intro"
"gideon"
"footwashing"
"the fishermen"
"the experience"
"servant or clone"
"the gospel for dummies"
"establishing who the gospel is for"
"Jesus is coming - don't get bogged down"
"Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us?"
"beyond a popcorn testimony - "why we quit"
"beware of more diversions and obstacles"
"the evangelical subculture"
"discerning the body"
"a good keen soldier"
"the amateur scribe"
"peruse guestbook"
"sign guestbook"
"membership"
"email"
"links"
"home"