Posted on

Gratitude for God’s Freedom – Periscope Revival

PeriscopeRevival

I was blessed to participate in the first-ever Periscope Revival last night (Tuesday, November 10, 2015). This is a fun little project (that quickly grew into a not-so-little project) that Adam Faughn put together. The theme for the event is “A 20/20 Vision of Gratitude.”

The revival spans the better part of two weeks (with the exceptions of weekends and Wednesdays), and includes nine speakers. Each night’s speaker delivers a brief presentation on a selected passage of Scripture about gratitude, and concludes with several minutes of audience interaction.

My presentation was titled “Gratitude for God’s Freedom,” and it was based out of Romans 6:17-18. You can watch the replay below.

Be sure to check out the other presentations in the Periscope Revival. Plus, you can still tune in live for the rest of the sessions. Click here to learn how to participate and to watch archived presentations.

To God be the glory!

 

Posted on

Good News! A Message to Proclaim

Do you know someone who is searching for life’s purpose? Many people are looking for the point of life, but they’re looking in all of the wrong places. Wisdom, wealth, power, prominence, pleasure – none of these things have what can really fill your life with purpose. What if I told you that the key to fulfillment in life is likely right under your nose?

The average American household owns at least three Bibles. At the very heart of God’s book, we see a positive message: the gospel of Jesus Christ! Jesus will give you purpose (Col. 3:4). I don’t have to remain in the shackles of sin any longer! Jesus Christ has saved my soul! That’s a powerful message. That message will give you purpose.

I imagine the majority of people who read my blog already know about the message of the gospel. You have probably experienced the grace that it brings. Your life, though imperfect, is purposed on heaven and you are traveling there via the Way, the Truth and the Life, Jesus Christ (John 14:6).

But what about everyone else (Mat. 7:13-14)?

The gospel must be proclaimed. It has been designed for that very purpose. Paul says, ” I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you” (1 Cor. 15:1). Jesus commanded, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15-16).

Maybe you’re on fire about the message, but you don’t know where to begin carrying it to other people. It seems like our first century brothers and sisters were motivated by at least three things:

  1. They proclaimed the gospel because of their love for God (1 Thes. 2:1-4).
  2. They proclaimed the gospel because of their love for people (1 Thes. 2:5-9).
  3. They proclaimed the gospel because of the judgment (1 Pet. 1:25; 4:5-6; cf. Rev. 14:6-7).
We have a positive message that has been handed down from heaven; let’s go proclaim it to as many people as we can!

How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,
Who bring glad tidings of good things! (Isa. 52:7; Rom. 10:15)

For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have been entrusted with a stewardship. What is my reward then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel (1 Cor. 9:16-18).

Posted on

Good News! A Positive Message

Could you use something positive in your life? If you keep up with today’s current events, then I know you could use some good news. In fact, I have something exciting to tell you: it is very likely that you have the good news in your house already. There are about three copies of God’s Word in the average American household – that’s where you’re going to find this good news.

In 1 Corinthians 15:1, Paul says, “Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel…” That word “gospel” means “good news!” Paul had something good to tell the church at Corinth. Paul’s entire ministry was centered around something good! In fact, it was so good that the name by which it was identified – gospel – literally meant good news!
I’m telling you that the message of the Bible is a positive message. I know that the Bible addresses the sin problem (Rom. 3:23; 6:23), the danger of temptation (James 1:13-15), hell (Mat. 25:46), and other topics that are generally unpleasant, sad, and hard to hear, but the main message of the Bible is HOPE through Jesus Christ (1 Pet. 1:3)! Our message – the gospel’s message – is that Jesus saves! There is no better message than that.
Many people look at the Bible as a book of “cannot’s,” as though it’s filled with nothing more than “thou shalt not do this” and “thou shalt not do that.” Yes, the Bible does condemn sinful activity. However, we must realize the reason why the Bible gives us these warnings and condemnations: because sin distracts us from the good news! The real message of the Bible is “you CAN.” You CAN go to heaven! You CAN be saved! You CAN have a relationship with God (cf. Psa. 34:8)!
The Colossian Christians had experienced the positive power of the gospel firsthand. They had hope laid up for them in heaven, “of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel” (Col. 1:3-5). They heard the positive message, received it, and the result was a powerful, positive impact on their lives. The same can thing can happen for you!
Let’s preach the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27). Let’s warn people of the dangers of sin and of the horrors of hell. We must. But let’s not forget to include the positive message of the gospel of Christ. Jesus has saved my soul, and He can save your soul, too!