The Gospel Is Not Theology. It's A Person.

                                               When The Door Slams

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of this age."       (Matthew 28:16-20 NIV)

            For the New Testament Christians, witness was not a sales pitch. They simply shared, each in his own way, what they had received. Theirs was not a formally prepared, carefully worked-out presentation with a gimmick to manipulate conversation, and a "closer" for an on the-spot decision....but the spontaneous, irrepressible, effervescent enthusiasm of those who had met the most fascinating Person who ever lived. 

            The gospel is not theology. It's a Person. Theology will not save You. Jesus Christ saves.  The first-century disciples were totally involved with a Person. They were followers of Jesus. They were learners of Jesus. They were committed to Jesus. They were filled with the Word of God. 

            They had encountered Jesus Christ and it simply could not be concealed. They witnessed not because they had to, but because they could not help it. Their school of witnessing was the school of the Spirit where they learned continuously. Authentic Christian witness is born of the Spirit. 

            The simplest Christian does it effortlessly when he tells a friend what Christ means to him. "When the Holy Spirit comes to you, you will receive power. You will be my witness in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).    

            Think about this: The Bible says, "He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4). The Christian believer, by having the Holy Spirit within him, has power over all demons. When Jesus Christ sent His apostles out on their mission, He said He was giving them authority over all the power of the enemy (Luke 10:10). 

            Intercession: "Then I asked, Who are you, Lord? "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting, the Lord replied. Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me. I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me (Acts 26:15-18 NIV). 

Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the LORD and thank Him for His forgiveness.

                                                    Never Rest Ministries