RISEN WITH CHRIST

"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God." - Colossians 3:1

This weekend, the message of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection will be proclaimed from pulpits across our land.  The powerful truth of the resurrection will impact many lives.  The implications of the resurrection are far reaching, influencing every area of our lives.

When Paul wrote to the Colossians, he challenged them, "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God."  The young Christians at Colosse needed these words and we need them today.  

When a man or woman repents of sin & turns, by faith, to Jesus Christ, he or she experiences a change.  At conversion, the new believer dies to sin.  The Bible refers to this death as being crucified.  In his letter to the Galatians, Paul put it this way, "I am crucified with Christ." 

As we remember the crucifixion of Jesus this weekend, we are reminded that He was cruelly nailed to a cross.  Crucifixion was a public form of execution.  The guilty party would be nailed to a cross, suffering public humiliation while experiencing the agonizing physical effects of the punishment.  The human body cannot endure the misery of crucifixion.  It is a horrible form of death.

Paul likens Christian conversion to crucifixion.  When a person gets saved, they die to sin.  The old life is gone.  This is illustrated publicly in baptism.  Some old timers referred to baptism as "the liquid grave."  There, the new believer would demonstrate that the old life is dead and buried (symbolized by going under the water). 

That is not the end of the story.  The convert has died to sin.  The old life is dead.  Now Christ lives within.  The old life has been dead and buried, but the believer has now rises as a new person (symbolized by rising up out of the baptismal waters).  Crucifixion preceded resurrection. 

Paul wrote to the Colossians, "If ye then be risen with Christ."  Notice the word, "if."  Just because a person attends a church or is a member of a congregation, it does not guarantee that the person has been genuinely saved.  I fear that many church members are religiously lost.

Paul goes on to write that if they have been risen with Christ, "... seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God."  Life is much different for a believer because of salvation.  Salvation changes many things in the life of the believer.

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1.         A CHANGE OF ALLEGIANCE

First of all, there is a change of allegiance.  Prior to conversion, the sinner lived for himself.  In reality, he lived for the devil.  When he got saved, his allegiance changed.  Instead of loving sin and living for self, he hates sin and longs to love Jesus and live for Him.

2.         A CHANGE OF ATTITUDE

Secondly, there is a change of attitude.  The believer thinks differently.  His outlook on life and eternity is vastly different.

3.         A CHANGE OF AFFECTIONS

Next, there is a change of affections.  As I mentioned before, the new believer loves Jesus and hates sin.  He is now passionate about spiritual matters.  He loves God's people.  He treasures prayer.  He feeds upon God's Word. 

4.         A CHANGE OF ACTIONS

Finally, there is a change of actions.  The new convert begins to live and act differently.  His actions are motivated by love.  He is compassionate about the needs of others.  The new believer lives to honor and please God.

If a person has died to sin and risen with Christ, he should have his heart and mind in glory.  Believers should look above because we are citizens of that heavenly country.  Our treasure is stored there.  Most important, the Lord that we love is there.  Our future is there.

Isn't it good to be a citizen of a better country?  The longer we live for Jesus, the more we feel like aliens in this world.  The longer we live for the Lord, the more homesick we get for heaven.

While we look back to the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, let us also look up.  Our redemption draweth nigh.  Our Lord is coming back for us very soon.  Things may be bleak here on earth, but our prospects are as certain as God Himself.

Spiritually, we are raised with Christ.  Very soon, He will return and we'll rise to meet Him in the air. 

Keep looking up!

PAUL'S PERSPECTIVE

"For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." - Philippians 1:21

Some subjects are difficult to talk about.  Death is one of those subjects.  Some may talk about death vaguely, but it makes them very uncomfortable to speak about their own death. 

It is refreshing when you meet a Christian that is excited about death.  While most seem to go out of their way to avoid the subject, the Apostle Paul embraces the subject with excitement --- and why not?  He had good reasons to look forward to death.  Christians everywhere should share Paul's excitement, but few have the same passion that Paul had. 

Actually, the Apostle Paul's outlook about death was closely related to his view about life.  In Philippians 1:21, Paul wrote, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."  In this brief verse, Paul describes his perspective on life and death.  Paul was incredibly excited about life and death. 

Why was Paul so passionate?  Maybe the better question is, why aren't we so passionate?

We only have one life to live here on earth.  Because of this, we need to live intentionally.  Our time is limited and is passing quickly.  With eternity at hand, we can't waste time or play games.

Let's consider Paul's perspective.  Perhaps his perspective will change ours.

1.  PAUL'S PASSION FOR LIVING

Paul was passionate about life.  His passion was strong because his perspective was undiluted.  He wrote, "For to me to live is Christ."  In that simple phrase, Paul captured the essence of his passion.  Notice that Paul did not write, "For to me to live is preaching," or "For to me to live is mission work."  In fact, Paul did not write, "For to me to live is due, partially, to Christ."  No, Paul wrote, "For to me to live is Christ."  What was Paul really saying?  Paul was emphatically stating that Christ was his life.  For most American Christians, Christ is part of their lives.  For Paul, Christ was his life.  Christ did not occupy a place in Paul's life ... Christ was everything to Paul.

These days, people think that church is about Christ, but business, home or hobbies are not.  Paul was consumed with a passion to know Christ and make Him known.  Every day, Paul was obsessed with Jesus Christ.  Jesus was #1 in his life ... and there was nothing else that came in second, because his life was Christ.

Every day was a time of fellowship with Christ.  Each day was an opportunity for the indwelling Christ to use Paul and make Himself known through the life of the Apostle Paul.  No wonder Paul was excited to live.  It is not a dull life when you have the awesome God of the universe abiding within and working through your life to impact others. 

2.  PAUL'S PASSION FOR DEATH

Secondly, Paul wrote, "... to die is gain."  Paul was not writing about an abstract subject.  Paul knew that his time was running out.  Death was very near.  Despite the fact that death was in his near future, Paul was not sad about it.  Instead, he considered death to be the best thing that could happen to him.

As Christians, we believe that heaven is ahead for us when this life is over.  You'd never know it by the way Christians act.  Many times, we act no different than the unbelieving world.  We treat death as an end instead of a beginning.  Unlike Paul, we act like death is loss rather than gain.  Why is that?  Could it be that we need our perspective changed?  It is time that we believe what the Bible says about heaven.  If you are going to heaven, it is not a demotion to die.  The best is yet to come! 

Here are a few reasons why it is gain for a Christian to die.  First of all, our earthly pain and problems will end.  All suffering will come to an end.  Our burdens will be lifted.  Our trials will be over.

Secondly, it is gain to die because when we die, we move to our new home in heaven.  Heaven will be so much better than anything we've ever experienced here on earth.  Heaven will be a beautiful place.  Best of all, it will be our home forever.

Third, it will be gain to die because we'll get to be many friends and loved ones again.  While we tend to be rather sentimental about this subject, it is true that we'll see our Christian friends and kinfolk again.  Won't that be cool?

Also, if we've been serving Jesus faithfully, we have treasures waiting over there.  As Christians, we are laying up our treasures where they can never be tarnished or stolen.  It will be gain to reach heaven and enjoy the treasures and rewards that will be ours.

Most of all, it will be gain to die because we'll see Jesus and be with Him forever.  A few years ago, I wrote a song with a title that summarizes it all:  "Jesus Will Make It Heaven For Me."  For Paul, Christ was his life.  In death, he would get to see the One who had changed his life.  He would get to serve his Lord in a fuller dimension.  Yes, it will be gain to die.

For Paul, everything was about Jesus ... his life, his death --- everything!  We are here on earth to serve Him.  When we die, we'll continue to serve Him ... and serve Him forever. 

If we truly love Jesus, as we should, we can join with Paul in saying, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."

RAISED FROM THE DEAD

"And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins." - Ephesians 2:1

Television ministries can be a blessing and a curse.  Many ministries are a blessing because many bedfast Christians find spiritual nourishment from some of the fine ministers who broadcast via television.  Furthermore, some unbelievers are brought to faith in Christ after hearing a Gospel message from a faithful minister on TV.

We must admit that television ministries can be a curse.  For instance, some believe that watching a television preacher is a substitute for involvement in a local church.  Probably the worst aspect of television ministries is the few who bring shame upon the ministry because of their outrageous behavior and false doctrine.  The American public has been exposed to so much false teaching that the false teaching is considered proper orthodoxy to most Americans. 

While I do not wish to write extensively about all the false teaching that is broadcasted these days, I do wish to address one of these subjects.  If you watch some television ministers, you get the idea that Christian conversion is simply a matter of choice, a personal decision that can made at any time.  In fact, some of these ministers refer to conversion as "making a decision for Christ." 

The Apostle Paul did not view salvation in such a light way.  When he wrote to the Ephesians, he addressed the first century believers at Ephesus, "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins."  In other words, Paul stated that a lost person is "dead in trespasses and sins."  Salvation, according to Paul, was a dead person coming to life.

That is a dramatic description of conversion, yet it is very accurate.  A person doesn't become a Christian by "making a decision for Christ."  Here are some facts about salvation:

1.  SALVATION IS A MIRACLE

A person becomes a Christian because of a miracle.  It takes a miracle for a dead person to come to life.  A dead person does not revive himself.  I've visited funeral homes many times but I've never seen a corpse get up on his own and exit the casket.  A dead person cannot make himself alive.  Neither can a lost person simply "make a decision" and become a Christian. 

2.  SALVATION IS SOMETHING ONLY GOD CAN DO

Only God can perform a miracle.  God is the only One who has the power to raise the dead.  Jesus raised Lazarus after he had been dead for four days.  God has raised many people who've been spiritually dead for decades.  God, and God alone, has the power to bring life to spiritually dead people.

3.  SALVATION IS AN INSIDE JOB

Personal reform will not save a lost person.  While I think it is good for a sinner to quit drugs and other sinful, destructive habits, this will not make him a Christian.  In order for a dead person to live, something must happen within that dead person.  God must do an inside work.  Religion tends to put an emphasis on external matters (such as good deeds), but salvation is an inside work, performed by God alone. 

4.  SALVATION IS AN ISSUE OF LIFE

Many confuse religion and salvation.  Religion may be a matter of choice, but salvation is a work of Christ.  When a man or woman gets saved, spiritual life is birthed within.  That's why Jesus told Nicodemus, "You must be born again."  Nicodemus had religion, but he didn't have salvation.  The Bible says that there is life in the blood.  Life-giving nutrients are carried through the body through the blood stream.  When a person experiences salvation, spiritual blood begins to flow.  It is the blood of Jesus that gives life to an unbeliever.  Thank God, there is power in the blood!

5.  SALVATION BRINGS GLORY TO GOD

Often Christians will congratulate a newly saved believer.  Often you will hear phrases like, "I'm proud of you."  The fact is that the sinner is not the one to be congratulated.  God is the One who did the saving.  God is the One who deserves the glory for the salvation of a soul.  Too much credit is given to the sinner, the soul-winner and the evangelist, but not enough credit is given to Jesus.  He is the One who purchased salvation by His death upon the cross.  The Holy Spirit is the One who brought conviction of sin, bearing witness of the sinner's hopeless plight.  God is the One who did the saving.  As Lester Roloff once said, "Salvation is all of God.  The Father sought it, the Son bought it, the Holy Ghost wrought it."

Joining a church will never save a person.  Turning over a new leaf doesn't bring genuine conversion.  Making spiritual decisions will never transform lives.  A dead person can only be made alive through the miracle working power of God.  When the Gospel of Jesus Christ is communicated & the Holy Spirit works in the heart of the sinner, conviction of sin takes place.  The sinner is awakened from his deadness and made to recognize his lost condition.  The sinner is brought to life by the power of God through repentance and faith in Christ. 

It doesn't take rocket science to recognize the difference between a dead person and a living person.  When a man is made spiritually alive, it is evidenced by a changed life.  The man no longer lives the same way.  The God he once avoided and hated is now the One he loves and wishes to serve.  The man now acts differently, talks differently and lives differently.  "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature."  God has changed his life! 

Salvation is the miracle of all miracles.  When a person gets saved, he or she is spiritually raised from the dead.  Thank God for eternal life through Jesus Christ!

Have you experienced salvation yourself?

A REASON TO KEEP GOING

"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." - Galatians 6:9

The devil seeks to hinder the work of God's people.  He has many weapons at his disposal to hinder Christians from serving God.  I believe that discouragement is one of his strongest weapons.  The devil knows that discouraged people are anemic in their efforts.  Discouragement tends to slow people down and, eventually, stop them. 

Discouragement is the gap between expectations and reality.  Often we get discouraged when results fail to reach the pinnacle of our goal.  For some, just a little bad news is all it takes to get them discouraged.  For others, a series of disappointments is required to bring discouragement.  The ultimate goal of the enemy is to discourage the Christian to the point that he gives up. 

It is easy to quit.  Far too many people have quit going to church.  Many have quit serving God in ministry.  Others have quit serving their neighbor and those in need.  Here in America, it has become a common thing for people to quit.  Quitting has become a national epidemic. 

In his epistle to the Galatians, the Apostle Paul gives us a reason to keep going.  In Galatians 6:9, he wrote, "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."  Considering the lateness of the hour and all that is at stake, this is not a time to quit. 

Let's look again at Paul's challenge to us.  While it is easy to get discouraged at times, let's resolve to keep going in the Lord's work.    

 

1.  LIVE BY GOD'S PRINCIPLES

I believe that the first step in spiritual fortitude is to live by God's principles.  When the Apostle Paul wrote to the Galatians, he gave them a basic truth:  a man reaps what he sows.  While most of us understand this truth, few live by it.  So many think that they can sow wrong seed but reap a good harvest.  It is foolish for a man to think he can commit adultery without experiencing repercussions for his action.  It is wrong for a woman to think that she can live an immoral lifestyle without serious consequences.  A man is seriously mistaken to think he can mistreat others without paying a cost.  A man reaps what he has sown.

Notice what Paul wrote, "And let us not be weary in well doing."  The Christian should be doing what is right.  If we desire a wonderful harvest, we need to sow the right seed.  As John Maxwell once said, "If you don't like the harvest you're reaping, change the seed you're sowing." 

There is another matter to consider.  Some expect a harvest even though they aren't sowing anything.  I believe that one crisis we face in the American church is idle harvest workers.  It is true that most Christians aren't sowing to the wind, but at the same time, they're not sowing anything.  The best seed is useless as long as it remains in a bag.  Seed must be sown before it can yield a harvest.

Live by God's principles.  Sow the right seed.  Sow it daily.  

2.  LIVE BY GOD'S PROMISES

Secondly, we need to live by God's promises.  Paul gives us this promise, "... for in due season we shall reap."  God's promise is true:  we will reap what we have sown.  Just because a harvest hasn't arrived yet doesn't mean it isn't coming.  If we are sowing good seed, we will reap a good harvest.  Discouragement comes when we quit trusting God & focus solely on present circumstances.  Take God at His Word.  Trust Him right now.  We should live by faith and not by sight.  Stand on the promises of God.  If we are actively sowing the right seed, at the right time we WILL reap a great harvest.

3.  LIVE WITH GODLY PERSISTENCE

Finally, we need to live with persistence.  Paul wrote that in due season, we'll reap, "... if we faint not."  It is one thing to give out; it is another thing to give up. We need to obey God daily, not just when things are going well.  When times get bleak, we need to depend on God more.  Others need our help more when things are tough.  People may look to you for inspiration or hope.  Others may depend on you for strength & wisdom.  Living for God is not a Sunday activity.  We must live for God 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  God is not looking for part-time help.  He expects us to serve Him every moment. 

Life consists of ups and downs.  There are mountains we must climb and valleys we must cross.  There are sunny days and rainy days.  An unbelieving world needs to see Christians who consistently live for Jesus regardless of circumstances.

A farmer depends on the sunshine and the rain.  He does not tend the soil only when circumstances seem good.  He works hard, sowing the right seed, depending on God, and laboring persistently because he knows a harvest will come.  The same should be true of every Christian.

Knowing that God guarantees a harvest to those who persistently sow the right seed, we have good reason to keep sowing.

WHEN GOD GUIDES, GOD PROVIDES

"And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work." - 2 Corinthians 9:8

While traveling this week, I've been listening to a secular audio book written by a businessman.  In an early chapter, he wrote about his first job & an experience that had left a deep impression on his mind.  The author was a young guy, just out of college.  He was working as part of a sales staff & most of the men were much older than he.  One day, a 30-year veteran of the company was met at his desk by two superiors and was escorted out.  He was fired without notice.  Even worse than his firing was the reason for his termination:  he was earning too much money for the company to absorb.  The leadership of the company speculated that they could hire two guys out of college to work for less money than this 30-year company man.  At this point, the young author pointed out, "There's no such thing as job security."

His observation is true.  I live in the mountains of West Virginia where many have experienced the loss of a job.  For those who lose a job, it is devastating.   

In the same audio book, the author pointed out that the average worker changes jobs six to eight times during a lifetime.  That's a lot of transition.  In fact, it is more than most people are comfortable with.

The reality is that we don't know the future.  Today a person may be at the top of his profession.  The next day, he may be unemployed and desperate for a job. 

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian church and challenged to them to generously support the work of God.  Most people tend to be very conservative with the use of their income, especially during economic tough times.  Being a Christian in the first century was not an easy life.  Financial freedom was not part of their experience.  The modern "wealth and prosperity gospel" that is popular in some circles today was not taught or experienced by the early Christians.  In spite of all the challenges of the first century, Paul encouraged believers to be liberal in their giving.  Furthermore, Paul gave this promise to those who honor God with generosity:  "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work" (2 Corinthians 9:8).  Although many have misused this verse, it is actually a promise specifically offered to believers who practice generosity.  No, it isn't a promise that you'll "get rich quick," by giving to God's work.  Instead, Paul gives us the truth about generous living & the life of fruit that follows it.

1.  THE POWER OF GOD

In our text, Paul begins by making the statement, "God is able to make all grace abound toward you."  Let's be honest.  When times get tough, our faith is tested. It can be scary to face uncertainty during times of economic recession or depression. But God is not dependent on circumstances.  He is able to work in spite of the circumstances.  God's economy is not affected by the constant changes of the stock market.  Although God may use different ways to accomplish His will, He does not need human aid or natural means.  The Bible says that God is able to make, "... all grace abound toward you."  Grace is God's unmerited favor.  Grace is God's mercy and blessings, freely bestowed upon undeserving people.  God has the power to bless you when all other channels of support are cut off.  He is able to bless His people in an abundant way.  He lavishes His grace on His people.  The God we serve has enormous power.  He has the power to lavish you with grace --- even when the world around you seems to come crashing down.  

2.  THE PROVISIONS OF GOD

The power of God is at work in a believer's life, "... that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things."  In other words, God gives us exactly what we need when we need it.  God meets every need.  Notice that the believer "always," has sufficiency.  God give us the grace we need right now.  We are always recipients of His grace.  God provides us with grace for today.  He doesn't supply us with tomorrow's grace until tomorrow arrives.   Also, note that we have "sufficiency in all things."  God's provisions are all encompassing.  He is able to meet your diverse needs, including those that no one else knows about. 

3.  THE PROMISE OF GOD

The power of God enables us to enjoy the provisions of God --- but why does He provide so much grace for a believer?  Our text teaches us, "... that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work."  Notice the reason God blesses us:  so that we may abound to every good work.  What a promise!  God brings grace to our situations, that through them, we may abound to every good work.  Notice that believers who live generously will, "... abound to every good work."  God blesses us so that we may thrive in personal ministry.  You are blessed to be a blessing.  God gives grace so that you will be an agent of grace.  God gives you help so you can help others.  Too many believers are selfish to the core.  They receive God's blessings and then hoard them up.  No wonder their lives are void of fruit.  When you give generously, you are living like Jesus, for He gave everything for you.   I don't believe we should treat generosity as a means to gain more money.  Obviously, this verse doesn't teach this.  Instead, this verse teaches us that those who give generously are blessed by God to abound to every good work. 

Let me share one closing thought.  Many think that generosity refers to giving money.  At least in the case of Paul's writing to the Corinthians, that was the case.  However, keep in mind that generosity is more of a state of heart than the use of your wallet.  A generous person will give of his time, talents and treasures for the glory of God.  That is the kind of person that God will bless. 

Though times are tough just remember, when God guides, God provides.

LIVING FOR GOD'S GLORY

"... whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." - 1 Corinthians 10:31

This weekend, 68 men's college basketball teams will be formally invited to play in the NCAA tournament.  Only one of these teams will emerge as the national champion.  Players from different backgrounds will be playing hard to reach the pinnacle of the college basketball world.  Their dream is to hold that national championship trophy.  100 years from now, that trophy won't matter.

Most Americans pursue goals and dreams that are just as temporary as a national championship.  It goes without saying that fame and fortune are not eternal.  Vacations and retirement don't last.  Too many people are climbing the "ladder of success" without noticing that the ladder is leaning against the wrong wall. 

The fact is that most people fail to understand why they are here on earth.  Most think they are here to earn a living, raise a family and retire.  The Bible gives us a far different reason.  Revelation 4:11 states, "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created."   Reread that last line again:  "... thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created."  Everything, including you & I, were created for God's pleasure.  We were created to bring glory to God.

Our purpose for living is not wrapped up in careers and cars.  We're here for something more than homes and hobbies.  Life is about something bigger & better than fame and fortune.  We are here on earth to bring glory to God.

Why should we live for God's glory?  Here are several important reasons.

1.  GOD IS WORTHY

First of all, we should live for God's glory because He is worthy.  Actors, musicians and athletes are sought after because of their talent.  Often these celebrities are far from being decent human beings.  There is only One who is truly good.  Only One is perfect.  God is worthy of our glory.  When a man or woman lives to glorify God, he or she is devoting himself or herself to the ultimate purpose of life.

2.  HIS GLORY IS OUR PURPOSE

As I've already written, we are here to bring Him glory.  When we live for God's glory, we fulfill our purpose for living.  Only in living for Him can we find peace and satisfaction in life.  When we live fully for Him, we can die without regrets.

3.  WE'LL BE REWARDED

Ultimately, those who live for God's glory will be rewarded.  The Bible says, "... them that honor me I will honor" (1 Samuel 2:30).  One day, God will reward those who live for His glory.  That's a good reason to glorify Him, don't you think?

We should live for God's glory, but how can we do this?  First of all, we must believe in His Son, Jesus Christ.  Only a born again believer can really bring God glory the way he was designed to do.  Secondly, we must live humbly.  Rather than seeking our fame, we should seek His fame.  We can't occupy the spotlight while simultaneously shining the spotlight on Him.  We must reject our selfish ways and seek to make Him known to those who need Him most.  Third, we must obey His Word.  A Christian cannot live for God's glory without obeying the Word of God.  We honor Him by submitting to His Word.  Next, we must make His glory our all-consuming passion.  Living for God's glory is not one of many things we do; it should be the total passion of our lives.  Thus, every aspect of our lives is impacted by this passion.  Whether at home, work, church, in the community or on vacation, we should do everything so that God will be glorified.  This greatly changes our approach to marriage, parenthood, careers, hobbies and spirituality.  When we live for God's glory, we do not become hermits.  Instead, we live on a mission to glorify God in all we say and do.

We were created to bring glory to God.  The Bible says, "... whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."  Glorifying God is not just a Sunday experience.  Notice the Bible tells us to glorify Him in "... whatsoever ye do."  If you haven't been living for God's glory, begin today.  Then continue to glorify Him every day. 

Live for God's glory.

THE POWER OF GOD

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." - Romans 1:16

Here in the mountains of West Virginia, we had severe weather this past week.  Many homes, including my own, were without electric power for some time.  It has been a rather difficult time of recovery and survival during those days.  It is amazing how dependent we've become to electricity.  Without electric power, our lives almost come to a halt.  So many of the necessities and luxuries of life rely upon electricity.  When we have long-term power outages, it seems to cripple our lifestyles, drastically altering our daily routines.

I am grateful to have electric power.  The loss of electric power this past week was due to power unleashed through a storm.  Yet I am reminded that there is power that we need desperately.  This power is comes from God.  We are more dependent on His power than we are to electric power.  One day, this world (and its electric power) will cease, but God's power will still exist.  Even though His power is effectively working today, it is not being diminished.

When Paul wrote to the believers at Rome, he penned these words:  "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."  In this verse, Paul reveals the nature of God's power.  His power is an unseen power, yet more dynamic than electric power.  God's power has the capacity to save and change people. 

God's power is unleashed as the Gospel of Jesus Christ is proclaimed.  Whether it is proclaimed from a pulpit, on a street corner, in a Gospel tract or through a one-on-one conversation, the Gospel message has the power to penetrate the heart of a man and bring him in humble submission to the Master.  In fact, Paul wrote that the Gospel was the power of God, "... unto salvation to every one that believeth."  The Gospel message is used of God to save sinners and change their lives.  That is powerful!

God has given His children the awesome privilege to share this Gospel message.  He has given us the blessing of speaking the truth to those who need it most.  It is glorious to see God's power at work in the hearts of men and women.  When we see sinners repent and believe, we behold God's power as He transform lives. 

No wonder Paul was unashamed of the Gospel.  He was an obvious example of the Gospel's transforming power.  He had personally been changed by the power of God.  Furthermore, he had preached the same Gospel and seen numerous lives also changed.  Why should he be ashamed of such a message?  Why should we?

Paul was unashamed of the Gospel.  How do we know?  First of all, he believed the Gospel.  The Gospel had changed his life & he knew it would change others also.  Secondly, he preached the Gospel.  He was consumed with a passion to proclaim the Gospel.  His passion compelled him to travel many miles, endure hardship & persecution, and ultimately give his life for the sake of the Gospel.

I fear that many in the American church have slowly departed from the Gospel.  Many ministers have diluted the Gospel with pop-psychology, human marketing techniques and self-help concepts.  It seems that we have departed from the simple, yet bold preaching of the Gospel.  While modern techniques may yield a following, only the Gospel can change lives eternally. 

Rather than trust in the power of persuasion, we need to get back to trusting in the power of God.  His power is unleashed as we boldly proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Will you share that message with others?