THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
The committee which determines the suitability of candidates to be missionaries had just met. They had interviewed several candidates and were discussing which ones they should send or not send.
One committee member remarked about a certain candidate: "Well, I suppose he'll be alright. He's Neo-Orthodox. But when he starts explaining Neo-Orthodoxy to Bolivian Indians, I imagine it will simplify his theology!"
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
1 Cor 15:1-4
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
KJV
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Paul was a very educated man, and a brilliant theologian. But when he was preaching the gospel, Paul kept it SIMPLE. In our text today, Paul puts the gospel of Christ "in a nutshell."
Christ, the promised "Messiah" DID come!
He died on the cross for OUR sins!
He was RAISED again on the third day!
That is the gospel by which we STAND. Without God's personal intervention for mankind, we would have no opportunity for salvation from sin. Without God's personal payment for our atonement, we could not be forgiven.
Sin took Christ's life, but His spiritual perfection overcame the death that had been decreed. He AROSE! And by His resurrection, He offers justification and reconciliation to mankind.
When we preach the gospel, lost people hear and RECEIVE.
When we preach the gospel, saved people STAND in firm commitment.
Paul also said, "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)
God uses the simplicity of the gospel of Christ to reach into the complicated heart of man and bring contrition, conviction, and commitment.
Let us remember the K.I.S.S. principle: Keep It Simple Stupid!
Love ya,
Bruce