When I read the The Acts of the Apostles, as well as the accounts of early church historians depicting martyrs and heroes of the Christian faith, I find myself wondering... where did that passion and commitment go? Why are American churches often seem to be filled with those who...
-Attend out of a sense of duty
-Focus on criticizing the errors of other Christians and denominations
-Look for a sense of well-being
-Just want the government to agree with their religion and values?
Worse still, many teachers, preachers, and motivational speakers realize this, but only look at the surface in their assessment of what needs to change! American Christians are told they're too comfortable, and don't fully appreciate their faith. Indeed we often are, but does the answer really lie in a hostile and oppressive environment? Still others accuse the Church of fighting and arguing within their own members. But will the Church become powerful and motivated by simply "getting along?"
Actually, I'm finding that the source of the Christian faith that characterized the apostles and martyrs was something much deeper than merely a religion, a set of values, or a family history. Their drive, courage, and boldness had a foundation, a truth that their leader Jesus Christ had personally explained to them.
24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock." -Matthew 7:24-25
A Timeless Concept
Like all the words of Christ, I believe this illustration given by Jesus Christ in His "Sermon on the Mount" does not become void with time. The concept of a strong and well placed foundation remains a key and primary concept in countless areas of life, especially in the life of the believer in Jesus Christ. Your boldness and confidence in Christ is only as strong as the truth and knowledge it is founded in. For the apostles and early believers, this foundation was The Gospel. No, their foundation was not based upon the contents of four somewhat similar books, neither was it based on a Sunday School lesson in their childhood. The Gospel is not merely the account of Christ's death, but rather the entire divine plan of redemption that God established for the salvation of His people.
Further Discussion and Application
I'm becoming more convinced every day that the church desperately needs to realize this, that the Gospel is the only firm foundation for our faith. I hope that Scott and I will soon share on specific areas of establishing a full and accurate knowledge and appreciation of the Gospel, touching on subjects such as:
How can we truly experience the Gospel as more than just a story?
-The disciples saw Jesus serve, minister, die, and resurrect in their own lifetime. How do we gain the same motivation for something that occurred so long ago?
What are the implications of the Holy Spirit?
-John 16:7 Jesus left His followers in order that they might have the Holy Spirit. What is the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of a confident and committed Christian?
Discovering the Revealed Gospel
- A careful study of the Bible will reveal the Gospel as stretching from Genesis to the New Testament. How is the Gospel revealed in the whole of Scripture, rather than just in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John?
Brian
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