Christians

Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.

Church + Inspiration – Gospel of Jesus = EPIC FAIL!

I just woke up from a very disturbing dream. I was in a supposedly christian church service where the Gospel of Jesus was not shared. There was however, a nice inspirational feel good message about how I could improve myself, there was even a nice video shown about how my life could be changed for the better. A few scriptures were sprinkled in here and there, But NONE referenced the Gospel of Jesus! His plan of salvation was not spoken! When I mentioned it, I found that although I was in a Christian Church there were

Christians of several different religions, who had different beliefs, who believed in the words of different prophets, who read out of different Bibles. After looking in 3 or 4 Bibles, I couldn’t find the book of Acts for nothing! There were Books I had never even heard of. I had to share Acts 2 off of memory alone. Yes you have to do something to get your life together/to live a better life, BUT the ONLY way it can be done is to put your life in Jesus hand and accept His Gospel. THE Bible tells you how in Acts 2 (paraphrasing): Hundreds of men and women were gathered waiting on the Gift (the Comforter) that Jesus promised prior to His ascending to Heaven. They were praising and magnifying God (Jesus is God in the flesh). A wind filled the room and the people were filled with the Holy Ghost.

They spoke in languages they didn’t know. Other men (who were foreigners in town who spoke a different native language than what was spoken there locally) were gathered outside heard these men and women praising and magnifying God in THEIR own language. They entered the room where the others were and asked if they were drunk. Peter explained that they weren’t drunk off alcohol but full of the Holy Ghost and he preached the Gospel of Jesus to them! The men asked what must they do to receive this great Gospel. Peter told them:

#1 REPENT – that means turn away from your sins. I’m sorry is a start but wanting to no longer sin, hating sin, wanting to be free from sin is very important
#2 EVERYONE BE BAPTIZED IN THE NAME OF JESUS FOR THE REMISSION OF SIN-Remission is VERY important. Remission means removal. So when you are baptized in Jesus’ Name your sins are removed! The Bible doesn’t mention any other form of baptism removing sin.
#3 YOU WILL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST-God’s Spirit will live IN you!
You may have a few questions:
Why is that important? Dying in sin means eternal life in hell, which means you will suffer a forever type of torment that will never kill you…FOREVER! Any sin will earn you that reward Lying, stealing, killing, sexual sins (y’all know what I mean…ALL OF THEM!), envying, drunkenness, dishonesty, rebellion, witchcraft, idolatry (serving/allegiance to/pledging to/praying to/placing your hope in/valuing more than your relationship with

God anything/anyone/any organization/any spirit -ANYTHING), abusing your body, etc. Without God we can’t just stop sinning. It’s in our nature. We don’t have to think to sin, it just happens, it’s natural to us. We were all born in sin. But the only way to enter into the Kingdom of God (Heaven after our death) is to be REborn through Jesus’ Salvation. ALSO the Bible says we will receive POWER after we receive the Holy Ghost (lay hands on the sick and they will recover, lay hands on the dead and they will be raised are a couple of things mentioned). Something very important too is that the Holy Ghost is a comforter!

Tough times in this life are going to happen (death of family or friends,illness, financial troubles, marriage problems, wayward children, job stress etc). With The Comforter even when your situation doesn’t change, YOU can be strong and survive the situation with peace and joy!
Another question you may have: How will I know that I have the Holy Ghost? THIS is VERY important as well! IN THE BIBLE it mentions time and time again that when people receive the Holy Ghost, they speak in a language they don’t know (the Bible calls it tongues). God’s Spirit talks through you. It happens EVERY TIME His Spirit fills someone. Please note: A “strong feeling” of His presence, a prayer being answered, a miracle happening in your life, being emotionally moved to tears in church or during prayer, “shouting” in church ARE NOT BIBLICAL SIGNS that the Holy Ghost has filled you. Sure they can happen after the Holy Ghost has filled you, but also before.
Peter went on to say that this promise of Salvation is to you, your children and all who are far away, as many as The Lord our God will call. And that’s pretty sweet!!!

With the Holy Ghost it is actually possible to live a sin free life! Instead of eternal torment, we will have eternal life in the presence of God! The Bible says there will be no more crying there! There is the fullness of joy in His presence! That’s like the icing on the cake!
Just to be clear, Jesus’ Gospel is this: it’s the GREAT AND FABULOUSLY AWESOME FANTASTIC NEWS that Jesus walked on this Earth as God Himself in the flesh, He lived a sinless life, He died (to pay the death penalty for our sin), He conquered death and sin for us and was raised from the dead on the 3rd day just like He said He would, He ascended to Heaven where He is preparing a place for His children.

All we have to do to accept His great gift of Salvation (being saved from eternal death, and receiving eternal life in His presence) is to follow the the directions given in the Bible to accept it.

If you attend a church that inspires you, gives you goosebumps, makes you cry, dance and fall out but fails to mention Jesus’ Gospel and how to accept it: pray to God, read your Bible for yourself (ask Him for understanding of what you read), and find a church that proudly exclaims Jesus’ Gospel everytime the doors open! They are out there!!!
Remember, to be a christian is to be Christ-Like.  May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you, now & forever.
Joi