Vital signs- Saturday, August 21st , 2021

The Power of the Gospel

The Word of God has a power to transform the lives of people that nothing else does. When we substitute the opinions and philosophies of man for the gospel message, we lose the power that makes a difference in the lives of others. Our commitment must be to faithfully proclaim the truth, no matter how out of step with society it seems to be. The world in Paul’s day was certainly not welcoming of the gospel, but he preached it without hesitation and without shame.

Charles Spurgeon said, “Take a maxim of Socrates or of Plato, and inquire whether a nation or a tribe has ever been transformed by it from barbarism to culture. A maxim of a philosopher may have measurably influenced a man in some right direction; but who has ever heard of a man’s whole character being transformed by any observation of Confucius or Socrates? I confess I never have. Human teachings are barren. But within the gospel there is a divine life, and that life makes all the difference. The human can never rival the divine, for it lacks the life-fire.”

The devil tempts us to update the message and take out the parts that are offensive to the hearer. God calls us to be faithful to proclaim the truth. This is the only message that changes lives. It will not be well-received by all, but there will be those who hear and respond when the gospel is given.

Today’s Gospel Declaration Principle:

Never give up the powerful weapon of the gospel as your tool to win the world to Christ.

“I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭1:14-16‬ ‭ESV‬‬