It is a great challenge for the church to see the benchmark for anyone stepping out in authentic prophetic ministry that at the heart of their ministry, is a major emphasis on the gospel.
The reason being, as Paul says, “The gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes”. (Rom 1:16) We can so quickly forget the gospel, forget it’s encouragements, challenges, warnings, its call and its invincible power.
Let the gospel move people forward.
Prophetic ministry urges us onwards, and unlike Lot’s encounter with Sodom and Gomorrah where he is instructed not to look back, we find our great comfort by doing just that.
We look back to the life-transforming, liberating, inspiring message of the Cross.
We look back to the life-transforming, liberating, inspiring message of the Cross. That’s where the gospel comes into its own.
The Gospel is a multi-ministry platform in which God gives us everything we need – it is central to the ministry of Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers. Every ministry presses through with one authentic and genuine message; the FREE message of the gospel.
The overwhelming aspiration of the Church at this time appears to be for revival, and while few agree with what that means in practical terms, the thunder of the message that will be heard in that storm and deluge of grace, forgiveness, restoration and reconciliation will be the gospel.
Simply put, the gospel tells us that it’s not what we do, but what has been done for us in Christ that reconciles us to God. We don’t earn it, deserve it, qualify for it or have a claim for it based on merit or our actions.
It is remarkable. God chose us, in Christ, before the foundation of the world to be holy and righteous before Him. (Eph 1:4) Christ imputes His righteousness, holiness and His character (fruit of the Spirit) to us, our guilt is removed, we are free of shame even though we remember our words, deeds and thoughts.
We simply cannot do ANYTHING to incite God to love us more than He does, and because our sin is removed as far as the East is from the West, we can’t disappoint Him that He then loves us less.
God’s secret weapon! He has placed the gospel in the hands of every member of the Church! The good news about Jesus Christ!
Yes, but people need to repent, come back to God, turn away from their sin. They need to know that God is a Holy God that will judge the nations – true, but that is what the gospel so wonderfully does. The Gospel gives us the power to live our lives, it enables us to want to repent and please God with our lives, to honour Him and follow the leading of His Spirit.
The parable of the prodigal son is a powerful picture of grace, but the gospel is even greater than the parable, it is the fullest expression of reconciliation, acceptance, intimacy and sonship and it is worth contending for.
Have a conviction about the Gospel.
The Ephesian 4 ministries are not exclusive in this remarkable message of grace, kindness and mercy to all mankind. God has placed the gospel in the hands of every member of the Church! The wonder of the gospel is that it is our daily bread, we want to encourage ourselves and each other every day with it. Feed on it, live it, breathe it and share it.
Contend.
We’ve started to drop that word from our encouragement to each other. It’s time to put that word into our action plans, our discipleship our encouragement to one another and in our prayers.
- Healing? Not seeing much happening? Keep praying faithfully, it’s worth contending for.
- Leading people to Christ? Keep praying faithfully, it’s worth contending for.
- Reconciliation? Keep praying faithfully, it’s worth contending for.
The list could easily go on. The message I wanted to share with you is that the gospel is such wonderful news on every level that it is worth contending for. Revisit it, dwell on it, love it and treasure it. It is God’s glorious gift for you.
Personally, I love the gospel, and because of that, I’m contending for an unprecedented move of God that will be what people call revival, but more, much more.
