Isn't The Gospel Enough?

[KeptByTheWord]

After reading another thread referencing the mainstream church's tricks and gimmicks to try to get people to come and visit on Easter Sunday, I thought I would ask this question....

What happened to just preaching the gospel? Why do we think we have to entice people to come to visit with gimmicks and giveaways? Isn't the gospel enough?

Of course, the gospel involves death. Death to self. Death to one's will, and surrender of one's life to the Lord. Something people just don't really want to hear.

Yet, isn't giving things away to entice people to come to church somehow poking holes in the very reason Jesus died? Isn't the gospel enough? Why does it have to be sugar coated?

Could it be that people don't really want to hear the real gospel that the apostles preached? Could it be that we are preaching another gospel... and not the one the apostles knew?

The only gospel that saves and transforms lives is where death to self and surrender of our will takes place, and where repentance causes a life to stop and do a 180 turn away from a life of sin and disobedience to Christ.

The gospel involves picking up our cross and following Jesus. The only way to have the true life of Christ living and indwelling us is this way... straight is the gate, and few there be that find it.

Why lie to people with gimmicks, shows and entertainment? Isn't the gospel enough?

Jesus said I am the truth, the way and the life, no man cometh unto the Father but by me. No one comes to the Father without the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus becoming personal in your life! Without death, there is no victory.

Why sugarcoat the gospel with gimmicks and lies? The apostles didn't. Neither should we.