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Preaching The Gospel
by Janice S Ramkissoon Should you ask me "What is the Gospel?" I would reply: "The Good News." Then you might want to know: "What is the Good News?" And I would respond with: "Jesus!" If you want to know who Jesus is then my answer would be: "He is LOVE." LOVE is what everyone craves, yet no one wants to really get to know Jesus. Some are quick to 'Go Preach.' But we cannot preach the Gospel unless we know JESUS. One can easily re-tell stories one has read in the bible, but preaching love without practising it makes one a fraud an impostor. LOVE The command: The most important command is to love God. 'Do not worship any other gods besides me.' (Exodus 20:3). Using the New Living Translation, Luke 10:27 breaks down this command saying, 'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.' Then it goes on to say 'And love your neighbor as yourself.' All other commands derive from, and are in line with the command to 'Love'. However, today, we find that many of those who are preaching the gospel, sometimes forget this key point of the gospel. It is preached but not lived. Yet the most powerful sermon one can ever preach is one that is lived when one's lifestyle tells the story. Finding & Responding to LOVE: When we obey the commandments; living by the instructions of Godfollowing in the footsteps of Jesus, we find the love that everyone craves. The love that brings peace: overwhelming joy; the contentment so many desires, yet fails to attain. Once this is achieved, we can't help but share it with others. Having the knowledge of Jesus, changes our outlook on life. Jesus gives us boldness to share that love with others. He removes the scales from our eyes, allow us to see our flaws and therefore make the decision to allow Him to do surgery on the inside. Once He purges us, making us into the vessels He so desires to use, we are now in a position to share His love with others. Finding & Accepting LOVE removes the shackles: Having confessed your sins, you are now forgiven; cleansed of all unrighteousness. The past is no longer a stumbling block in your path your failures no longer hold you captive. The weight is no longer on your shoulder. Though the scars remain, you no longer feel the hurt and pain. The shackles are no moreGod has released the yoke of bondage and you are FREE. Sharing the Good News: Now all you want to do is tell the world about the LOVE you have found. You want to share the Good News with them; the one you craved all your life and have now received. You want to tell them about Jesus, the Saviour of the world and how knowing Him, can change their lives too. That is the Gospel The Good News. To live the life is the greatest sermon. Janice S Ramkissoon 2008 Janice, a freelance writer, lives in the UK and enjoys spending time with her husband, Vince and their son, Javin. She uses her gift to encourage others towards a deeper relationship with God, through her inspirational pieces while her travel articles provide general advice for the holiday-maker. Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |