Pastor's Letter October 2012
Dear Friends
In Paul’s first letter to the church in Corinth we read:
“…I want to remind you of the gospel……
….that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures…”
1 Cor 15:1,3,4
The proclamation of the Gospel for Paul was an absolute necessity, a reason for living. In our series on Philippians we have seen that even when Paul was in prison his main concern was not for his own wellbeing or reputation, but that the Gospel was preached. In the same way, today, it is absolutely vital that the church proclaims the Gospel to a world that is lost and separated from God. The Gospel is the message of good news to people who need to hear good news.
In order to proclaim the Gospel, however, we need to be clear as to what the Gospel message is. What is it that we are proclaiming and how do we do that with clarity and confidence? George has recently preached a message called “What IS the Gospel” where he clearly laid out the Gospel, helping us to see what it is and what it is not. I would encourage you, if you have not heard the message, to listen online.
The main point of the message is that the Gospel is all about Jesus Christ and what God has done for us through him. It is not about our efforts, our behaviour or our good works. It is all about Jesus – his birth, life, death, burial, resurrection and ascension. This is the Gospel message we proclaim.
The Gospel is rooted in God’s love for us and it is that love that motivated God to send his Son to save us, to do for us what we could not do for ourselves. The Gospel, however, is more than the fact that God loves us. We can tell people that God loves them and we can show God’s love in practical ways to those around us, ministering to those in need, without ever proclaiming the Gospel. But the truth is that however much we love people, they need to hear the Gospel, because it is the Gospel that changes us. As Paul writes in Romans 1:16 “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes..”
I believe, more than ever, that you and I need to be clear on the Gospel message, both for our own lives and for the lives of those we come into contact with. Let me encourage you to ask the question for yourself, “What is the Gospel?”, and to be able to answer that question clearly. Let me also encourage you to consider those whom God has placed you in relationship with and to ask him for opportunities to share that message with them.
To keep the Gospel message central to everything we do as a church is to keep Christ central. He is the reason we exist as a church. He is our Head. He is our Saviour. He alone is “the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). All glory be to God.
Much love
Jon
Jon Farrimond, 29/09/2012