Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Matthew 24:14 - the Gospel - sharing difficulties
in last week’s podcast (“s4a002 - The Bible as Story...”) I mentioned how a search of online dictionaries brought up the Old English definition of the word ‘Gospel’ as being ‘God’s spell or tale’ (lit. the story or narrative of God).
We briefly discuss this verse in this week’s podcast, and point out the connection Jesus made between the ‘Gospel “of the Kingdom”’ and the end times. In other words the Story of God must first be preached in all nations... and then the end shall come.
I wanted to add some further thoughts I had about this. Although I have been a full time church planter since January 1977, and saved since 1973, I have always somewhat struggled with the fact that I do not see an orderly summary of the four spiritual laws in the Bible. It has always perplexed me. Why is the “nutshell” of the Gospel so scattered throughout Scripture, and not found somewhere all neatly laid out in one passage?
Add to this the tremendous difficulty I have always felt, from my Bible School training until today, with trying to pass on the very conceptual approach to Gospel presentation I have learned. It has always seemed a little forced or unnatural to me, whether I try to “work conversations round” or whether the opportunity arises “naturally“.
Now if instead you see the Gospel as the narrative of God it takes on a different perspective in my mind. Which goes down better - sharing some concepts about God’s love/plan, the problem of sin, forgiveness provided in Jesus, and new life in Him, or telling the Story as parts of it need telling along life’s journey and in divine appointment with others, and in that way ”always ready to give a reason for the hope that is within us“? I can’t help heaving a great sigh of relief when I look at it this way: the latter storying option.
We briefly discuss this verse in this week’s podcast, and point out the connection Jesus made between the ‘Gospel “of the Kingdom”’ and the end times. In other words the Story of God must first be preached in all nations... and then the end shall come.
I wanted to add some further thoughts I had about this. Although I have been a full time church planter since January 1977, and saved since 1973, I have always somewhat struggled with the fact that I do not see an orderly summary of the four spiritual laws in the Bible. It has always perplexed me. Why is the “nutshell” of the Gospel so scattered throughout Scripture, and not found somewhere all neatly laid out in one passage?
Add to this the tremendous difficulty I have always felt, from my Bible School training until today, with trying to pass on the very conceptual approach to Gospel presentation I have learned. It has always seemed a little forced or unnatural to me, whether I try to “work conversations round” or whether the opportunity arises “naturally“.
Now if instead you see the Gospel as the narrative of God it takes on a different perspective in my mind. Which goes down better - sharing some concepts about God’s love/plan, the problem of sin, forgiveness provided in Jesus, and new life in Him, or telling the Story as parts of it need telling along life’s journey and in divine appointment with others, and in that way ”always ready to give a reason for the hope that is within us“? I can’t help heaving a great sigh of relief when I look at it this way: the latter storying option.