explicit gospel

is the Gospel explicit in your life?

"Is the gospel assumed in your relationships?  Or is the gospel explicit?  I have been thinking about this distinction for a few days now.  Those who live life under the banner of an assumed gospel simply navigate the waters of life with an underlying foundation that is personal and meaningful.  An assumed gospel often means that a person deeply values the gospel and tries to live life according to the gospel.

The issue with an assumed gospel is that it is often too personal and, therefore, becomes private.  People who live under the assumption for the gospel often know how it relates to their life, but nobody else does.  Their kids never see how the gospel effects decisions, arguments, finances, etc.Their neighbors never hear of the hope within.  Their coworkers are alert to wonder about what makes them different.  Those who live under the assumed gospel often find it awkward to bring it up and talk about the work of Christ.  Why?  Because they never bring it up and learn to articulate the implications of Christ's atoning work and their life.

On the contrary, those who are explicit about the gospel in their relationships have a different effect.  By living out the gospel and speaking about the gospel and working through the gospel(verbally), they are helping to connect the dots for those around them.  Their kids hear how the gospel relates to the family finances or time or relationships or arguments.  Their neighbors hear about the hope within.  Coworkers are privy to the reality that this person is not simply a moral guy or girl, but one who is forgiven and transformed by the death and resurrection of Christ.  

I want to encourage you to begin and, with some of you, continue to make the gospel explicit in your relationships.  Don't  waste life by living an assumed gospel; rather, flesh it out and connect the dots for yourself and those around you.  Talk with your spouse about how Christ's person and work relates to everything.  Pass this on to your kids.  Mention Christ.  Talk about Christ.  Point to Christ.  Relate to Christ.  Oftentimes where the gospel is assumed, it is quickly lost."

Josh Patterson 

(appendix in The Explicit Gospel by Matt Chandler)

Who Rescued Who?

early a.m.

woke up down, discouraged, purposeless and unmotivated.

know where refreshment is but have trouble even getting to the well to drink.

what will today be like?...unsure...unpredictable

muster up a faint voice to speak to HIM.

where can i go for help?  for rescue... show me...

quiet...no noise...sip coffee...think

pray a little, write a little, read a little

humid outside on the porch, unrefreshing air reminds me of my spirit...seeking, wanting more for this day than what's ahead, blah

YOU send a breath of fresh air in a friend

a friend to visit who feels the same way...

needs rescue, vision and purpose

we speak of our souls, empty and fragile

who will rescue who?

talk continues, still no breeze on the porch

sighs, stares into space

a moment of truth, a reminder comes forth

where does my help come from?

from the MAKER

Oh yeah, we begin to remember...

remember gospel truth - we speak it to one another

iron sharpening iron

there you have it...the well springs forth

a little short psalm, the day begins

damp spirits gone... thankful HE sent a friend

Ephesians 4:25
Therefore, laying aside falsehood, SPEAK TRUTH EACH ONE of you WITH HIS NEIGHBOR, for we are members of one another.

Hebrews 3:13
But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin (unbelief).

1 John 1:7
But if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

This week:

~  Think of a friend or family member who lives out the gospel explicitly rather than assumed. Call them and set up coffee or a meal, or maybe a walk to speak truth to one another. 

~Rejoice and thank God for the gift of community that we so often neglect.

Mention Christ.  Talk about Christ.  

Point to Christ.  Relate to Christ.