Backroad Gospel

If they had newspaper during the 1^st century here is what the headlines would probably be.

(Interesting how some of the headlines would parallel current events. DISCLAIMER: no correlation is intended between any biblical characters and political leaders.)

Gaza Street Post

“Hometown hero executed for subversion”
“Followers carry on his work facing similar accusations and fate”

The Walling Wall Post:

 “Radical leaders stir up Chaos in Capitol City”

Pharisitico:

“Conservative group labeled terrorists amid internal conflict”

NT Times:

“Government officials attempt to control rise of upstart movement”

The Daily Jew:

“Man tried for treason and inciting rebellion in the Capitol”

Jerusalem Today

“Violence erupts between leaders over nation’s future”

The Galilean

“Tomb of executed leader empty after three days despite being guarded”

The Star:

“Recent events in Capitol cause deep divide among citizens and leaders alike.”

Jordan Gazette:

“Founding Fathers warned of current crisis in Capitol City”
Founders wrote documents which hold keys to averting further national issues and pending civil unrest.

News spreads quick and even faster in a small town. I have always joked about living in a small town where if you sneeze at one end of the town someone at the other end would say excuse me. I remember when I was called to be the preacher at a small town. Everyone in the town knew before I did. The attendant at the gas station knew more about what was going outside of my house than I did. If you wanted to find out anything one simply needs to walk through the gas station. There is the start of the town rumor mill. This is the case in many small towns. News spreads quick.

When my wife and I first found out we were expecting a child, nothing could contain my excitement. Everyone we met I shared that we were expecting. I remember walking through the grocery store, so overwhelmed with joy when asked by those passing by how I was doing I’d respond by saying great were having a baby. I told everyone the best news I had heard. It was some of the best news I had ever heard. It ranked up there with my wife saying yes to marrying me, and the day I heard the good news of Jesus Christ. It’s not hard to spread news we are passionate about.

 The news about the gospel is simple. Jesus said that unless we repent of our sinfulness and follow him we will not have eternal life (Luke 13:50. Before Jesus, John the Baptist called the Jewish people to repentance. He told tax collectors to collect no more than they were required to, soldiers to be content with their wage and not forcible take what is not theirs. He was calling them to give up their former ways and follow God. Jesus message was simple, follow me in life, love, trial, even to the point of death, and knowing that we will follow him to heaven if we commit to him.

Peter and the rest of the Christ’s followers echoed the same message. Repent of your sins and follow Christ through life, death, and the grave. It was for this reason that Peter said in Acts 2:38, “Repent, (Notice the comma: important because it breaks up the two commands)  and be baptized for (Greek word “eis” meaning “in view” or “because”) of the remission of your sins.” Following Christ is about giving up our former way of doing life and embracing a new life. It’s all about repentance. As a result of our repentance and in view of Christ sacrifice on Calvary and the forgiveness of our sins we follow Christ and one of those first steps is baptism. Jesus’s love and atonement is the good news.

Our world is in desperate need of some good news! With all the strife and filth going through the mainstream media it’s time for real good news. When it comes to sharing what we are passionate about, the world is our audience and our message is simple. We have no trouble sharing about our kids sporting accomplishments, battle scars, medical problems, accomplishments and achievements, and our feelings when they become violated. Why then do so many struggle to share their faith?

May I say, if you struggle to share your faith than it’s not something you are as passionate about as the other things in your life. You will share the things your most passionate about. If it comes easier to share about your health than the gospel you are simple more confident and passionate about those things. If it is easier to share about your kids accomplishments than the gospel perhaps they have become an idol. Jesus said you must love me more than these.

In Acts 8 we see

·         The apostles proclaimed Jesus everywhere they went. As they were traveling they preached in many villages along their way.

·         Phillip followed God wherever He led, God led him away from something that was very profitable and exciting to chase down a chariot.

·         God draws people to Himself. God drew the Ethiopian Eunuch to a relationship with Him.

·         How can anyone believe unless they hear how can they hear if there is no one to teach them?  (Roman 10:14)

·         God blesses and empowers his witnesses. Phillip was able to chase down the chariot, open his mouth with no prep (God’s word was on his heart) and then was snatched up and carried more than 100 miles away when his work was done.

This is such an amazing story of Gods sovereign power and love for mankind. Empty religion could not satisfy the longing of this man. He was not accepted by the self-righteous but God sent a man running after him to tell him he was loved.

God is running after you today and has a mission for you will you accept it?

God is asking you to share His GOOD news and promises to carry us to where we are needed

The big question:

Are we willing and open to God?