The Source of our Sufficiency.

CURRENT RADIO SERIES All in: The Family   CURRENT TV SERIES All in: The Family

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” We live in a world where that old money monster can chew us up if we’re not careful. I mean, how big of a house is big enough? What kind of car is good enough? What kind of clothes for me or my kids? If we care about spiritual things, we have to ask ourselves these questions. How much should I keep, and how much should I give? I want to give you a threefold test to help you evaluate the demands upon your life and upon your resources. Anything that I give to, it must be initiated by the Lord. God blesses what God begins. All charitable giving in my estimation should be to advance the work of Jesus Christ! It must be redemptive in nature. God never supports a cause that does not fulfill His primary purpose, and His primary purpose is to seek and to save that which is lost! Always ask: Does this ministry exist to the glory of God rather than the glory of man? God is committed to one grand purpose: to glorify Himself through His son, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will not share His glory with another! Do you want to be miserable? Then be miserly and hoard for yourself the blessings of God. Do you want to be happy? Instead of a greedy getter, become a gracious giver. It is out of the generosity of the heart of God that we are caused to praise Him. YOU ARE NEVER MORE LIKE CHRIST THAN WHEN YOU GIVE!

Monday, September 24, 2018

Hiding the Gospel

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

2 Corinthians 4:3–6

Perhaps the best-known and most widely-distributed gospel tract of the 1800s was called “Come to Jesus.” Written by a British pastor named Newman Hall, the tract was handed out to hundreds of thousands of soldiers during the American Civil War. After the war, Hall became embroiled in a theological dispute that grew quite heated. He used his literary ability to write a response which dissected, not just the opposing point of view, but those who held and promoted it.

After he was done writing, Hall asked a friend to read it before he had it printed and distributed. The friend agreed that it was a powerful and pointed piece, and asked if he had a title for it yet. When Hall replied that he did not and was looking for ideas, the friend said, “Why don’t you call it ‘Go to the Devil’ by the author of ‘Come to Jesus’?”

The way that we act and talk to and treat other people should be a reflection of the grace that God extended to us in allowing us to become part of His family. We have a responsibility as His children to not bring dishonor on the family name. One of the reasons the world is not being reached is because of the failure of Christians to live up to their faith.

Today’s Growth Principle: 

We should never treat others in such a way that the hope of the gospel message is obscured by our actions.