Page 22 - May 2025 - Truth & Tidings

sians he preached “repentance toward believing than you do about the Savior?
God, and faith [believing] toward our Look at the gospel preachers in the Book
Lord Jesus Christ” (Act 20:21). Obviously, of Acts. Peter, Stephen, Philip and Paul
there are specific occasions when special- preached to different audiences from dif-
ized and focused messages are required ferent angles, but they all ended up at the
to address specific needs. However, may death and resurrection of Christ.
we seek to imitate Paul’s example as his Therefore, we must ask, Is a lack of
clear burden was to preach “Jesus Christ, preaching about Christ and the cross
and him crucified” (1Co 2:2).
and a corresponding overemphasis on
The Greatness of Evangelism believing contributing to false professions
The gospel message is more powerful where souls think they are saved but are
than psychology and philosophy com- only just believing in their believing? The
bined. Paul said to the Corinthians, “The Lord Jesus warned of false professions
message of the cross is foolishness to using many figures, including soils, fish,
those who are perishing, but to us who wheat, house foundations, oil lamps, etc.
are being saved it is the power of God” Again, how can we avoid contributing to
(1Co 1:18 NKJV). What is it in the gospel this crisis in Christianity?
message that translates perishing souls Imagine convincing a non-swimmer
into saved souls? It is the unique, eternity- that they mistakenly went beyond buoy
transforming “message of the cross.” markers in a lake. Then, you help them
The true gospel not only changed see they are about to sink to the bottom. At
the Corinthians’ eternal destiny; it also that point, do you give discourses on how
changed their lives. When Paul spoke of to trust a life preserver? Suppose the same
the unrighteous, fornicators, idolaters, non-swimmer realizes he has erred, he is
adulterers, homosexuals, sodomites, about to drown, and that he is helpless. At
thieves, covetous, drunkards, revilers and that point, just point out the life preserver.
extortioners (1Co 6:9-10), he added, “And Yes, he must consciously and voluntarily
such were some of you.” What changed put his faith in it. However, that step will
their lives so radically? A decision? A occur much more easily when he under-
prayer? A commitment? Opening their stands what it is, how it works, and what
hearts? Believing? No, a thousand times it can do for him.
No! It was the power of God through the
message of the cross. It is the same with the gospel. We must
So, sister, when you share the gospel present sin using clear biblical texts. We
with fellow students, with fellow work- must present the realities of account-
ers or with your own children, how much ability, judgment and eternity. We must
do you share verses about the Lord Jesus command souls to repent and believe in
and His death at the cross? All of us who the Savior. But may God preserve us from
try to preach the gospel should ask our- a Christ-less gospel, and may God also
selves, Could we preach for 20 minutes preserve us from a cross-less gospel. Let’s
only about the person of Christ and His all renew our commitment to evangelize
redeeming blood? Fellow believer, do like Paul and preach “Christ, and him
you know and quote more verses about crucified” (1Co 2:2).

150 TRUTH kTidings May 2025