The Gospel (part 2)

11/29/12 Philippians 2:6-7, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. God entered the world in human flesh to reconcile sinners to Himself. Through the shed blood of Christ our sin debt is paid, we are made right with God and we become part of His family. Even when we pray, because of what Jesus Christ has done, we can say, “our Father who is in heaven.” When we think about all the blessing our Lord has given us, family is usually at the top of the list. This is what the gospel is all about. God loved the world (John 3:16) and sent His Son to bring us to God. (1Pet.3:18) The gospel is what brings unity to church families. When groups meet together, if they are not gospel-centered, they are nothing more than a social gathering. The group without gospel-centeredness is nothing more than individuals meeting hoping they can get some felt need met. And as result the Lord Jesus is no longer the focal point. In fact He is replaced by something or somebody else. (By the way this is the essence of idolatry.) And without the gospel there can be no genuine love for one another. (Rom.12:9) Just as your biological family must have love for each other in order to live and flourish, your church family must have it even more so. Every meeting must be gospel-centered. This is the true meaning of Christmas. Christ came into the world to save sinners. People of all walks of life are brought together because Christ came as a man, lived a sinless life, died for our sins, and rose from the dead on the third day. When we begin to grasp these truths and live them our church family will truly be a family that Our Father is pleased with. Prayer: Father, because of the Lord Jesus I am forgiven and can forgive others. I can love because Christ first loved me and I can love others. Help me to live a gospel-centered life. I Jesu name amen.