How The Gospel Should Be Preached

Paul told Ephesus saints to speak the Truth in love.
The Truth without love is dead orthodoxy.
The Love without truth is sentimentality.
But truth must be our watchword. The truth must be clear, logical, understandable, reasonable and through, especially when it comes to the gospel.
The Gospel should be preached so that the lost person understands their need of salvation. If they don't understand why they weren't born right the first time, they will not understand why they must be born again.
Their need is based on Adam's rebellion which brought on his spiritual death and the consequential spiritual death of every human since. Every human has lined up behind Adam and followed his rebellious ways.
Having now identified himself with Satan, who also rebelled against his creator, man is fairly sentenced to the same fate as Satan. Hell. He has a great NEED.
God loves man and desires to restore him to a place of fellowship with Himself once again. God leaves man's freewill intact and devises a plan that opens the door of forgiveness to filthy sinners and places them in the heavenlies with God. The amazing truth of God's work and one that lost people must understand is that God is perfect in His holiness and justice and will not violate these to open the door of Heaven to sinners. God said the wages of sin is death and that's the way it is. For His holiness to be satisfied someone must bleed for the offenses since only blood can wash away sin. For His justice to be satisfied someone must die. No human is qualified to bleed and die because all are cursed with Adam's dirty blood and sinful nature. So God Himself took on human flesh so that a perfect human could bleed and die to bear the punishment and pay the price for sin. Jesus, the lamb without spot or blemish, suffered and died to take away the sin of the world. After dying on the Cross He rose from the dead, affirming His sinlessness. Death could not hold Him for He had no sin.
Lost people must know the Truth about how to accept the Good News. God sends a messenger to share the Good News and the Holy Spirit confirms the Word and convicts the sinner. The Holy Spirit speaks to a lost person and points out that he has ignored Jesus, that he has a load of personal sin and has disobeyed every one of God's Ten Commands and if he continues in rebellion will face the same fate as Satan -eternity in Hell.
Lost people must know the Truth that they can resist the Holy Spirit as Felix did before Paul, but now they should stop resisting and surrender to God who has rightful authority in their lives because He is God and Creator. When the lost person surrenders to God (lets God be God) God provides to him the faith which is "not of ourselves, it is the gift of God", to trust Jesus as his personal sacrifice for sin. Once the lost person rusts in Jesus he becomes alive to God, forgiven for his sin,and his eternal existence begins.
The Gospel must be preached in Truth and Love. The Gospel must never be treated flippantly, or lightly.
I have not always preached the Gospel well but in these days I try to present it thoroughly, logically, understandably and truthfully, while endeavoring to let the compassion of Jesus be evident.
Next I will write on how the Gospel is to be lived. But now I have three jobs and I'm feeling the pressure of time.
I love you all.
-Dad

Sermon about Neighbors

I have been listening to some sermons by Tim Keller lately.
Many of his sermons touch on the issues that we have been writing about here on the blog.
I know that most of you probably don't have 30-45 min to sit down and listen to a sermon. But...in case any of you break a leg or have to sit at your computer all day I thought i would tell you where you could go to listen to one of these sermons that i have found so helpful. This one in particular is called "Neighbors." This is the sermon that I got the phrase "Gospel neighboring" from. Enjoy...there are other free sermons at this site:
http://www.redeemer3.com/store/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=11&CFID=292785&CFTOKEN=45891453

But to download the one that i am talking about click here.

Love you all...

Lauren, hope you are doing well. How is the car?

Mom...did dad ever write anything? Let's go...where are those typing skills?

Have a great week.

Living the "Good News"

Sal and I have been discussing this a lot lately...
While the good news of what Jesus did is certainly the only way that we as sinners can relate to God, it should also effect how we relate to other people. Along the same line, while the good news of Jesus should be preached to all, it should also be lived for all to see. So...

Good news of Jesus: How we relate to GOD--How we relate to MAN
Good news of Jesus: How it should be PREACHED--How it should be LIVED

I think we are pretty clear on the first part of these implications (GOD/PREACHED), what I am wondering about is the second part of these implications. (MAN/LIVED)

I am posing this question to all of you hoping for your answer to be as specific as possible.

What does it mean to you to "live the Good News?" What are some specific implications of the "good news" in our everyday lives?

Happy Birthday Tina

The first daughter in-law in a line of some pretty awesome daughter in-laws is celebrating another full year of life today.
Tina, happy b-day from all of us. We are so thankful for you. Your down to earth attitude and always encouraging words do not go unnoticed or unappreciated. We love you very much.
Tell all of your "blessings" hello for us.

Cita, are you still alive...how are the husband and kids? Miss you girl.

Craigs List

You all may know about "craigs list" already. But if you don't...I am here to tell you it is fantastic. I have not bought or sold from this site yet...but I definitely intend to. Check it out for yourself...This is better than ebay...It is a giant online yardsale. Go ahead, click away...you will be fascinated by all of the amazing deals and items.

http://chattanooga.craigslist.org/ (for you chattanooga people)

http://geo.craigslist.org/iso/us/wi (umm...not sure what is closest, Caleb)

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/ (Cary)

YOU CAN EVEN GET A CRAIGS LIST T-SHIRT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.cafepress.com/craigslist_sf

Well...She took the plunge. Mom has gone "JAZZY!" Mom, just so you know, I think its great. I think it is a reflection of your desire to take care of the "temple." But I can't resist having a little fun with the whole idea. I am certain the bros and sis have all already enjoyed a chuckle or two. I mean what is not to love about this... Mom...no dishonor intended at all...just a little humor. We love you very much.
Well now that i have that out of the way...I should say, Hello ALL. Sorry its been such a long time since i have posted. You know the routine...BUSY.
Curtis, how are you? Lauren, how are you?
That is all i have for now...I know, not much substance, but at least its an update, a fresh start on the comments. Keep em comin...you guys are doing great. Lauren, welcome to the blog, by the way. Clair, uhhh, you are welcom too, or are you leaving that to Tina?
Anyway. Peace to all.