THe Lost Message of The Gospel

[Rico]

The Lost Message of The Gospel

The Gospel; the foundation upon which anyone who considers themselves a Christian. The good news that Jesus the Christ came to Earth, died on a cross, and rose again the third day. News that is designed to bring about a profound change in anyone it comes into contact with. A truth so powerful it is able to save anyone who believes it from an eternity without God. Man is no longer destined to be a slave to sin, but promised an abundant life. A life full of joy, peace, overcoming power, and the knowledge that God has made a way for us to come live with Him forever. O the things Christ suffered to buy us this abundant life. Rejected by the very people He came to save, He suffered many things. Things He had to suffer because He was destined to suffer them:

Matt 16:21 (KJV)
21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

Matt 17:12 (KJV)
12 But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.

Mark 8:31 (KJV)31 And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.

There can be no doubt that Christ suffered while on Earth. He endured the suffering, so that you and I could enjoy a life full of happiness, joy, and peace. Or did He?

The lost message of the Gospel is that it will fall upon us to suffer as well. No one who wants to follow Christ does so without taking up his cross and following Him. Christianity and suffering go hand in hand. His disciples suffered. His apostles suffered. Countless others have suffered for the Cross as well. Some have suffered to the point of giving their very lives for the Gospel.

Matt 16:24-25 (KJV)
24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

Romans 8:17 (KJV)
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Phil 1:29 (KJV)
29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

2 Tim 3:12 (KJV)
12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution

1 Peter 4:1 (KJV)
1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;


How about you? What has your walk with Christ brought you? How much have you suffered with Christ? Take comfort, my friend. Your suffering is not in vain. Those who really want to know Him will suffer as He suffered and countless others who have gone before you.

2 Cor 1:7 (KJV)
7 And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.

2 Tim 2:12 (KJV)
12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:

1 Peter 4:13-14 (KJV)
13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

1 Peter 4:16 (KJV)
16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

So, my friend, the next time you feel persecution coming your way; the next time you feel temptation coming over you; the next time that spirit of oppression sets its sights on you, just know that Christ suffered before you. Take comfort in knowing you have been counted worthy of suffering. Focus on that Power living within you. Power to overcome this world and all the pain and suffering it brings with it. Be thankful that, for a time, you get to be just like Jesus and walk by faith.

I want to know Him. I want to really know Him. I want for Him to see me as someone who doesn’t live for Him because of His joy, peace, and the abundant life He’s offering me. I want to know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death. I want for Him to see me as a co-laborer in His divine plan to save the world.

[RevDWW]

Php 3:1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
Php 3:2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
Php 3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
Php 3:4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
Php 3:5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
Php 3:6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
Php 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
Php 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
Php 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
Php 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Php 3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
Php 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Php 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
Php 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Php 3:15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
Php 3:16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
Php 3:17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
Php 3:18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
Php 3:19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
Php 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Php 3:21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.


No pain no gain!

[Rico]

Originally Posted by RevDWW

Php 3:1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
Php 3:2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
Php 3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
Php 3:4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
Php 3:5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
Php 3:6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
Php 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
Php 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
Php 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
Php 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Php 3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
Php 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Php 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
Php 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Php 3:15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
Php 3:16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
Php 3:17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
Php 3:18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
Php 3:19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
Php 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Php 3:21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.


No pain no gain!

No pain, no gain. That would have made a good title too. At first I was going to focus on how it seems like no one preaches on this sort of thing anymore. You know; denying oneself, taking up our cross, resisting evil, that sort of thing. But, I sort of changed direction and didn't think to change the title. Still, I think it fits, though.

[RevDWW]

Originally Posted by Rico

No pain, no gain. That would have made a good title too. At first I was going to focus on how it seems like no one preaches on this sort of thing anymore. You know; denying oneself, taking up our cross, resisting evil, that sort of thing. But, I sort of changed direction and didn't think to change the title. Still, I think it fits, though.

It's just none too popular. Folks don't want that, they want a wide easy road, with health, wealth, and prosperity.

[Rico]

Originally Posted by RevDWW

It's just none too popular. Folks don't want that, they want a wide easy road, with health, wealth, and prosperity.

It's like that part of living for God has been completely chucked out the window, in favor of something that's easier to live with.