The Power of the Gospel

The Power of the Gospel

1. What is reality?
   1. We are living in a time of a major religious shift where the lights are going out on Western Civilization.
   2. Drove through Dallas Saturday, I have always liked cities, Austin in a Thunderstorm.
      1. Reordering creation through the image of God – animals do not build cities.
      2. Paganism – village dweller – As cities go, so goes the culture.
   3. Flying into a city at night – lights.
   4. Imagine the power goes out and everything is left in darkness.
   5. In the failing light of our Biblical heritage darkness is flourishing:
      1. Materialism – There is no eternal point, for tomorrow we die.
      2. Eastern Religion -all is illusion, you create your own reality
         1. Spiritual but not religious – independent spirit

• Denigrating the institution of the church.

1. Denigrating covenant
2. Denigrating the Law of God – proclaiming love while rejecting true love
3. Denigrating Christ

1. Is there power to bring light to the nations? The answer is Yes!

2. The power of the gospel
   1. 1 Corinthians 4:20 (ESV) — 20 For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.
   2. Matthew 16:18 (ESV) — 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
   3. Romans 1:5 (NKJV) — 5 Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name,
   4. Matthew 28:18–20 (NKJV) — 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
   5. 1 Thessalonians 1:5 (NKJV) — 5 For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.
   6. IS THE CHURCH A FIRE DEPARTMENT OR A MILITARY CAMPAIGN?
   7. This world needs hope, every person needs hope. IS THE GOSPEL GOOD NEWS FOR THE WORLD TODAY OR DOES THIS PRESENT AGE NEED ANOTHER SAVIOR?
   8. It is not hard to imagine that the power of the gospel is meant to change people.
   9. It is not hard to imagine that the gospel is meant to change marriage and family, but that is about where many believers stop.
   10. History has proven that the gospel has changed nations for the better.
   11. The simple mandate to love and serve others, to bear one another’s burdens inspired culture.
   12. The cultural mandate is starting to take off in our generation once again and it is both exciting and causing conflict.
   13. IS JESUS CHRIST THE KING?
   14. IS OUR VIEW OF THE POWER OF CHRIST MORE PATHETIC THAN OUR VIEW OF THE POWER OF SIN AND DEATH? THAT IS THE FIGHT OF FAITH!
   15. It is an infectious worldview.
   16. It is a call to the cross, for everything in the world, the flesh and the devil resist the government of Christ and the reconciliation of the world.
3. The empowerment of practical Christianity
   1. The heresy of hyperspirituality – overemphasis on a truth that cripples many believers.
   2. Healing, miracles, signs and wonders – all are necessary, and to deny them is also heresy
   3. I do not need a dream or a vision to use the talents and treasures God has given me for His glory. – Stewardship
   4. Preparing for the funeral
4. Example of heresy that comes from interpreting scripture out of context
   1. 1 Corinthians 2:1–5 (NKJV) — 1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 3 I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
   2. Pillar NT Commentary – In the ancient world a public speaker’s initial visit to a city was critical to establishing their reputation. Orators would compete for applause and offer entertainment to diners in between courses at the best banquets. Competitive showmanship was the order of the day… In contrast to the orators who wowed the citizens of Corinth, “Paul repudiated the sophistic method of ‘presenting himself’ when he came to Corinth.” In short, he was concerned not with “projecting an image of himself,” but rather of Jesus Christ.^[1]
   3. Developing ourselves to be of use to Christ and His kingdom in this earth.
   4. Capturing the imagination of a generation.
5. Manifesting the power of the gospel
   1. Is our aim to get people to heaven or conform them into the image of Christ?
   2. The radical impact of living to emulate and please Christ.
   3. Throwing off the shackles of unbelief
   4. A vibrant relationship with God
   5. Walking in biblical love
   6. Building the church
   7. Cultivating the earth
   8. Team
   9. What God is doing at Life Springs Church
   10. The Cross and Christianity
   11. The Anointing of the Holy Spirit

^[1] Roy E. Ciampa and Brian S. Rosner, The First Letter to the Corinthians, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2010), 112.