November 8th

What is the gospel?  Well, for starters, the word gospel simply means good news.  The Gospel is the historical fact that Jesus was born of a virgin, lived a life perfectly obedient to the Law (i.e. the Ten Commandments), and died a death we deserved because of sins we alone are guilty of.  The gospel is the glorious truth that, Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Cor. 15:3-4).  The gospel is the promise that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone (Eph. 2:4-9).  The gospel is the reality that all who have been saved by Jesus have been forgiven much. 

So, what does it mean to stand in the reality of the gospel of Jesus Christ?  We will consider a fuller answer to that question this Sunday as we will focus on the shoes of the gospel of peace in Ephesians 6:15, but for now, as a way to prepare your heart for this Sunday, take some time to reflect on a parable Jesus told about forgiveness.  Peter asked Jesus, Lord, how many times shall my brother sin against me and I still forgive him? Up to seven times?  Jesus answered Peter: I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy-seven times.  Then He told a parable: 

"For this reason the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his slaves. And when he had begun to settle them, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. But since he did not have the means to repay, his master commanded that he be sold, along with his wife and children and all that he had, and repayment be made. So the slave fell to the ground and prostrated himself before him, saying, Have patience with me and I will repay you everything. And the master of that slave felt compassion, and he released him and forgave him the debt. But that slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and he seized him and began to choke him, saying, Pay back what you owe! So his fellow slave fell to the ground and began to plead with him, saying, Have patience with me and I will repay you. But he was unwilling, and went and threw him in prison until he would pay back what was owed. So when his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were deeply grieved and came and reported to their master all that had happened. Then summoning him, his master said to him, You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you? And his master, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he would repay all that was owed him. My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart. (Matt. 18:21-35)

So here are two questions I would like you to reflect upon leading up to this Sunday: 

Question #1: How much of the gospel is affecting the way you are walking as a Christian (see Eph. 4:1) if you are unwilling to show the same kind of mercy God has shown you? 

Question #2: What areas in your life does Gods mercy, love, and grace still need to transform so that you can become more merciful, loving, and gracious?  

I look forward to seeing you this Sunday in our 9AM and 11AM worship services!  

Grace, 

Pastor Keith