GOSPEL BASICS - 7

CLOSING WORDS OF REFORMATION

What we have seen, what we have heard and what we have experienced is what the Lord has used to draw us to this place of repentance and reformation.

We have many zealous and truthful believers out there that are willing and ready to propagate the gospel. It is a very good thing to hear, considering the many distractions we have in this generation. 

Nevertheless, when the zeal is not backed up by the right motive, we suffer a shipwreck. When these people are not properly brought up in the way of sound doctrine, we see negativity all around. The Kingdom that is supposed to sail forward experiences stagnancy. What I mean is that, if we just jump out to preach the gospel without understanding "gospel basics", we will be "fetching water into a basket". We will be preaching, without getting results.

One of the most disappointing and most painful shipwreck I have ever heard is the Islamization of the nation of Turkey. It is one of the greatest loss the Kingdom has suffered. It was said that at a time in history, almost all the whole nation were believers. Paul the apostle was there to preach the gospel. John the beloved was also there, and In fact, Mary the mother of Jesus Christ died there. Now, as we read this, Turkey is a 100% Muslim nation after over 1000 years of the reign of the gospel.

This is one of the reasons why we need to know what we are doing and the reason why we must do it well. Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and all other African nations are barely up to 100 years, and we already have a Contention in statistics. To worse it, not all those who claim to be saved are saved, because what they heard before they joined the Church was not the gospel. Like I said in the previous lesson, the preaching of the gospel is not aimed at competing with other religions. Nevertheless, what has brought us here is the havoc that unskillful preachers have caused us.

Before the inception of any of these religions, the gospel of Christ was the order of the day. Many of these religions came to be when false teachers began to preach and teach another gospel among the people. Religions were rooted in the confusions and errors of the previously existing ones.

Now what are we saying? We are clamoring for a reformation in the dealings concerning the gospel. That anyone who is ready to preach the gospel should preach the biblical gospel. If we can stick to this, the Kingdom of God will expand better and faster than it is doing now. And then we will take over this world for Christ.

Someone may say, how can I preach the gospel in a public area when I am a shy person? Well, there are many shy people out there. That is why we established that street evangelism is not by force. And if you must do it at all and you think you are shy, I must tell you that you are being deceived by your mindset. Most people who are always prompted to preach in a public area by the Holy Spirit are actually "dangerous weapons", and so a plot rises up against them. Dear believer, if you are one, do not give in. The day you open your mouth to begin is the day you will win your first soul. Moses thought like you, Jeremiah thought like you, not knowing the weight of their destiny.

Someone may say, I am not shy, except that I don't know how and where to begin. - Well, from biblical accounts, there is no specific way of beginning a gospel message. There are although, some highlighted "ways to begin with" that are being taught today. Many of them are just theoretical and theological. You begin a conversation with someone based on the leading of the Holy Spirit. It is true that, not everyone who has won a soul was led by the Holy Spirit, but it is more certain that those who are led by the Spirit are more successful than others. We have established it before that, no one can be saved except the Holy Spirit is involved. So it is either you bring the Holy Spirit into the course or He brings you into it, in either ways, the soul is won. So approach the recipient with full confidence that, when he or she gives you audience, you will definitely begin from where God wants you to begin, and it will vary from person to person because it is the Lord who knows the heart of the recipient and knows how to get it. However, do not attempt to force someone to listen to you. There have been stubborn hearts even from the days of Jesus Christ.

Finally brethren, let us encourage the preaching of the gospel in every places and remote areas where Christ has not been named, but let us train ourselves and prepare ourselves that we may produce results as required. Let us frown at the preaching of another gospel. Let us frown at the presentation of a perverted version of the gospel of redemption. This is just how we can save ourselves and others who are outside the borders of the Kingdom. I leave us with the words of Apostle Paul, one of the greatest laborer of the preaching of the gospel.

2 Corinthians 4:1-6 "Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; WE DO NOT USE DECEPTION, NOR DO WE DISTORT THE WORD OF GOD. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. FOR WE DO NOT PREACH OURSELVES, BUT JESUS CHRIST as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness,"made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ."

(c) Philip Oklu

THE END