Welcome to Hank’s Place
Here at Hank’s Place we love the Gospel — this Good News that Jesus Christ, Son of God, was crucified for us, died for us, and rose again in triumph, for us — in order to save us from our sins, taking the punishment for those sins, transforming us from unworthy creatures deserving eternal wrath — into sons and daughters of the Living God, destined to live with God the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and with our brothers and sisters in Christ, eternally!
That’s a message worth sharing, isn’t it. Whether they believe it or not, receive it or not, we have been “commissioned” it says in Matthew 28:19, to share this message with the world.
Listen to Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:17 “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made of no effect.” Paul forewarns us that the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. Indeed, he adds, “has God not made foolish the wisdom of the world? …and God was pleased through the foolishness of this message preached, to save those who believe.”
Although Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; we preach Christ crucified to – everyone. “We preach Christ crucified.” That reminds me of a story…. There once was a church. With adjectives. Vibrant. Alive. Dynamic. Thriving. Countless decisions for Christ, baptisms, ministries, outreaches – the envy of many other churches. Over the doorway of the church, carved in stone, was 1 Corinthians 1:23: “We Preach Christ Crucified.” And they did.
But over the years their fervor began to wane – ivy grew up the church walls and obscured a word of the inscription. It now said, “We Preach Christ” – indeed, they spoke well of Jesus, the good things He’d done, the healings, the words, the inspirational example, but no longer crucified – for US. More time went by and the ivy grew and the fire of life in the church further waned. Those marvelous words over the doorway now read, “We Preach” – and they did, but it was about this and about that and no longer Christ, the crucified Messiah – for US.
More time, more ivy, less fire. Visitors to the church saw a message over the door. It now read, “We” – for the church had become a social club, a fine gathering place for friendships, connections and such, but no word concerning the Christ, crucified – for US.
Although this story is about a church my friend, but it could easily be about you and me. Let’s not forget our Great Commission, to let the world know about Jesus, the Cross, His death and resurrection – and the eternal benefit. It’s Good News. And it will cause others — to COME ALIVE!
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