The BIG Picture (Shorts)

In Romans 1:16, Paul wrote, "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes." To be saved, we need to believe the gospel. The word "gospel" translates to "good news." But before we can believe this good news, we need to understand what it is. I paraphrase what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4: "Brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you... that Christ died for our sins, as the Scriptures said; He was buried, and He rose again on the third day, as the Scriptures said." This is the good news we must believe to be saved. Unfortunately, many sincere Christians often use popular phrases instead of sharing the true gospel message. Some common phrases include, "Ask Jesus into your heart," or "Make Jesus your Lord and personal Savior." Another phrase you might hear is, "Say yes to Jesus today." These phrases don’t have the p...

Even if someone owns a Bible and reads it daily, they may still be out of God's will and lack His power. Personal faith is the most important thing to God.  “But without faith it is impossible to please [God]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Heb 11:6). “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom 10:17). “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe” (1 Thess 2:13).  Faith activates God's Word in our lives. When we believe the verses we read or hear, the Holy Spirit works these words out of us, “…To be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man” (Eph 3:16). He makes the verses a reality in our lives, allowing us to reflect the grace doctrine we believe and so, hono...

Read the Parable of the Sower in Matt 13:3-9, 18-23. Overall, four classes of people heard the Word of God, but only the last group (1/4) actually received by faith that sound Bible doctrine. The other 3 groups represented lost souls —but who all heard the Word! Furthermore, after concluding the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus cautioned Israel not only to “hear” His words but “do” them, Matt 7:24-26. Now, also read this remarkable passage is Acts 24:24-27. Governor Felix heard the Gospel of Grace from Paul —and literally shuddered when he realized he was a lost, Hell-bound sinner! But, Felix procrastinated in receiving the gospel. For 2-years, he had more "Bible discussions" with Paul, but he remained undecided and lost, keeping Paul in chains.  Like so many people, it was far better had Felix heard nothing, than to have heard so much from God and yet believed none of it! So, to recap thus; hearing the Word of God is insufficient. We must respond to it in faith! ______________ Joi...