The early Church grew up in the firm expectation of the near return of Christ. The fact that He’s delayed for 2000 years doesn’t diminish the power of the promise nor the power of the message that Jesus gave, “Go preach, saying, ‘The Kingdom of God is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils. Freely you have received, freely give.” Jesus said, “Give! You don’t have to provide the money, or take extra coats, shoes or anything… What I tell you in darkness, speak in light… And don’t fear those who can kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul, but fear Him, who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matt 10:7ff,26ff. Jesus is offering a Gospel that changes men.
I’ll never forget the simplicity of this Gospel when I was invited to preach in a high-security prison in Siberia in 1994. They allowed 30 minutes for worship, then I was to speak. The commanding officer told me, “200 of these men are serial murderers, 400 are serious sex offenders, the other 800 men are criminals of every kind. I beat them, I shoot them. What can your God do to change these men?” He could only offer brutality, no change. But Jesus brings life! I called on the Lord to tell me what to say. I preached love and forgiveness, a Gospel of change and power. The world today talks about violence, brutality, punishment. But I called on those men to repent. When I had finished, all 1,400 men were on their knees, and the guards with them too – crying out for God’s forgiveness! The miracle was so great, 140 of those men, when they were released, became pastors and evangelists, and 30 years later, they’re still working, still preaching Christ in the prisons in the Far East of Russia!
Christian, preach the Gospel. God offers a message of hope, of love, of power to forgive sin, power to heal the sick. You see, God gives us Power! Jesus today has more Power on earth, more Authority, than any ruler or emperor! His Power is not to coerce and control, not to punish and destroy, but to bring healing and salvation of both body and soul. Reach out to Jesus! The Power is in His Gospel!
Watch the YouTube version: https://youtu.be/cvkPaIfTqqM
For more information on the Ministry of David Hathaway https://www.eurovision.org.uk
