The Calhoun Church of Christ Podcast

The Spirit of The Gospel -8 "The Resurrection Gospel"

Jesus isn't dead. His body isn't here on earth.

At his resurrection, he came back for that body, and he now resides in it in Heaven, a glorified body that will never die again and never decay. It is his body, the same one that walked the earth, but it looks like his Father, glorified and fit to live in Heaven, ruling the nations and commanding angels.

All who believe on him will have the same resurrection because the gospel and the resurrection are bound together for ever.

The Spirit of the gospel is the power of our bodily resurrection.

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The Spirit of The Gospel -7 "Jesus In The Old Testament"

How can we know for sure that God wrote the Bible? 

Many Christians have a weak faith because they don't know this basic fundamental proof that God wrote the Bible... "The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." (Revelation 19:10) 

Bible prophecy came from God to prove that Jesus is his son, and that he gives us eternal life.

Jesus put it this way when he met with his disciples after his resurrection, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” (Luke 24:44 NIV)

The Bible reveals hundreds of prophecies predicted centuries, even millennia, before Christ's birth. And they all came true, proving that he is the Messiah.

Listen and find out more.

The Spirit of The Gospel -6 "The Spirit of Prophecy"

Jesus often said that he was pictured, previewed, and prophesied about in the Old Testament.

"And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself." (Luke 24:27 NIV)

"He said to them, 'This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms'. Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures." (Luke 24:44-45 NIV)

Prophecies spoken centuries, even millennia, before Christ were fulfilled by his life, teachings, crucifixion, and resurrection on behalf of lost humanity. The spirit of the gospel is the spirit of testimony about Jesus.

"Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” (Revelation 19:10 NKJV)

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The Spirit of The Gospel -5 "The Eternal Gospel"

"Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language and people." (Revelation 14:6 NIV)

Why is it called, "the eternal gospel"?

Because the gospel didn't just begin when Jesus came into the world. It existed long before that. Even from eternity.

That's why Jesus is called, "the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world" in Revelation 13:8.

And it's why Galatians 3:8 tells us, "Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: 'All nations will be blessed through you.'”

So, the eternal gospel is eternal because Christ, our 'good news', is eternal. And our salvation is forever.

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"The Spirit of The Gospel"-4 'To Seek And To Save'

The "eternal gospel" isn't just a set of Bible facts. It has a Spirit. And that Spirit lives in Jesus' declaration:

"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10 NIV)

Jesus often called himself the "Son of Man" to show solidarity with the human race. Even as the Son of God, he grieves over people who are missing out on Heaven because of wrong choices.

In Luke chapter fifteen, the Spirit reveals three stories of why the Lord is so passionate about the Gospel and about lost people.

 

 

"The Spirit of The Gospel" -3 'He Came!'

"Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth..." (Revelation 14:6 NIV)

Before we can fathom this 'eternal gospel', we must understand the true horror of sin. It isn't just a little wrongdoing, a little lapse in judgement - sin is a thing, a spiritual force, an evil power that has kidnapped humanity.

When Cain was angry and considering killing his brother Abel, God said to him, "But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”  (Genesis 4:7 NIV)

This thing called "sin" crouched like a predator waiting to pounce on Cain. And it did, inciting him to kill his brother. Sin is a real force that Satan uses to destroy people.

So, how does the eternal gospel overcome this horrible sin problem we all have? Listen and hear the good news. "He Came!"

"The Spirit of The Gospel" -2 'Redeemed!'

"Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth..." (Revelation 14:6 NIV)

What's so great about this "eternal gospel"? Why is it mentioned in the Bible ninety times?

The apostle Paul said it this way,

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile." (Romans 1:16 NIV)

One way the gospel saves people is through something called "redemption". Redemption means "to buy something out". Like buying slaves in the ancient marketplace just to set them free.

Listen and hear how the Gospel of Jesus buys us out of spiritual slavery and sets us free.

"The Spirit of The Gospel"

"Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language and people." (Revelation 14:6 NIV)

The "Eternal Gospel" isn't just a set of Bible facts. It isn't just a system of teaching. It IS spiritual life imparted to the believer through what Christ did for us.

That's why the Spirit through Paul said, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile." (Romans 1:16 NIV)

This spectacular power that snatches people from the road to hell and puts them in Heaven, is the Gospel, the "good news". Listen and dig deeply into this good news.

No Other Gods! -9 "Why Prayer Matters" -2

God isn't controlling everything on earth - if he is then prayer never matters.

If God were controlling everything, then he'd make everyone believe and follow Christ. But he doesn't. So, he gives us freedom to make our own choices.

That's why the Bible says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." (James 4:8 NIV)

As you come near to him, you'll find that his heart's desire is to know you and give you eternal life with him forever. Catch this podcast and learn more about how it's his delight to fellowship you in prayer.

No Other Gods! -8 "Why Prayer Matters"

The path to putting God first begins with prayer. So, why aren't more Christians actively crafting a powerful prayer life?

Because there's something missing in the way they understand prayer and how God chooses to work.

God isn't controlling everything on earth. If he is, your prayers don't matter. If he is, you can pray and pray, and he will still do what he's going to do no matter what we say.

But he gives us choices. God doesn't force us to pray, to read the Bible, to attend church, or even to accept Christ and be saved. We have the power of choice, so when we choose to pray, it matters.

Listen and hear more about why your prayers matter.