The BIG Picture (Shorts)

SOCIAL MEDIA COMMENT: Forget theology and let love be the primary function of your ministry. No need to tell others what they must believe or not believe, it will be evident what you believe when nothing but love flows from your lips. MY RESPONSE: One cannot just love another or do kind deeds alone for them to get saved. They need to learn the gospel. Rom.10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard [the gospel]? and how shall they hear without a preacher? ... Paul says it is the gospel that is the power of God to save (Rom.1:16). Showing love in deeds towards others is a great testimony of your faith, but those deeds cannot save anyone. Just being kind and doing good and loving others has great value and can soften their heart, but if the recipient never understands the message of the gospel concerning the cross and resurrection of Christ, all that love and care you give them is ultimately meaningle...

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...

God had chosen Joshua to lead the Israelites into Canaan. On the eve of the battle of Jericho, Joshua encountered a man wielding a sword. Despite the surprise, Joshua displayed no fear. He approached the man and asked, "Are you with us or our enemies?" The man's identity as the captain of the Lord's army, likely Michael, the angelic prince of Israel (see Dan. 10:21; 12:1), brought Joshua to his knees. The real question was not whether the angel was on God's side, but whether Joshua was aligned with God's will. This story serves as a lesson. In the struggle between truth and falsehood, Christians may challenge each other, asking, "Whose side are you on?" However, the critical question is not whether others are on our side, but whether we are on God's side. God's truth will triumph. His plans will succeed, and alignment with God's Word and will is crucial, regardless of human power or influence. Like Joshua, we should humble ourselves and...

  Yes. Paul would have preached the grace gospel to the jailer. We are beyond the Jerusalem council in Acts 15 where the Kingdom gospel was closed, and Paul's grace gospel was the only valid gospel.  Let's look at all the details of this account: Paul says, "Believe on the Lord." This is not the whole gospel. This is just a short statement of fact. The next verse says that they spoke unto him "the word of the Lord" . This is probably where they presented him with the whole gospel message.  Note that baptism is still mentioned here. Remember that this is during the transition period. This account happened in 50AD. Paul only mentions 5-years later, in 55AD, when writing the Corinthian letter, that he no longer baptizes. So, even though the jailer was preached the Grace gospel, it was still evident that baptism was the custom for new converts. Over the next 5 years, this would fade away as Paul matures in the revelation of the grace gospel. ______________ Join ...