April 29, 2015
It’s a basic message, but so very important. The God who is unknown to many has made us, and given us life, breath, and all that we have. From one person He has made us all, and established the parameters of our lives. His great desire is that we would seek Him, although He is not far from us. He graciously overlooks our previous disregard of Him, but not forever. His earnest desire is that we all repent and seek Him, because a day of judgement is coming. This judgement will be administered by His Son, and the proof of His ability to do so is established in the fact of His resurrection from the dead.
So goes a timeless message by the apostle Paul, given long ago on a hill in the city of Athens, Greece (Acts 17.22-31). To say that this is the entire gospel message would be to oversimplify it, but it definitely serves as a pattern for sharing life-changing truth with those who have only a basic understanding. It is simple enough and basic that anyone can quickly learn it, thus refuting the objection some have as to not knowing enough to witness.
Paul had many approaches with the gospel, depending upon the audience. We do well to do the same. But, one thing was common to all: resurrection. He would emphatically state, while on trial, “I am on trial for the hope and the resurrection of the dead!” (Acts 23.6; i.e, 24.15; 26.8) They key central truth was of a Savior, raised up from the dead by our Creator Father, who establishes the precedent for believer resurrection one day.
The words of 1 Peter 3.15 are applicable: “but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence”
May we know the life-changing gospel well enough so as to be wise and sensitive enough to share it as is appropriate with those who are receptive.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2015
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
Amazon ebook & print devotional -http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy of book — https://www.createspace.com/4500045
So goes a timeless message by the apostle Paul, given long ago on a hill in the city of Athens, Greece (Acts 17.22-31). To say that this is the entire gospel message would be to oversimplify it, but it definitely serves as a pattern for sharing life-changing truth with those who have only a basic understanding. It is simple enough and basic that anyone can quickly learn it, thus refuting the objection some have as to not knowing enough to witness.
Paul had many approaches with the gospel, depending upon the audience. We do well to do the same. But, one thing was common to all: resurrection. He would emphatically state, while on trial, “I am on trial for the hope and the resurrection of the dead!” (Acts 23.6; i.e, 24.15; 26.8) They key central truth was of a Savior, raised up from the dead by our Creator Father, who establishes the precedent for believer resurrection one day.
The words of 1 Peter 3.15 are applicable: “but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence”
May we know the life-changing gospel well enough so as to be wise and sensitive enough to share it as is appropriate with those who are receptive.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2015
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
Amazon ebook & print devotional -http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy of book — https://www.createspace.com/4500045
posted by steve @ 8:54 AM
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