01/10 -- The Spirit of the Gospel

Post date: Oct 30, 2017 5:32:53 AM

THE SPIRIT OF THE GOSPEL

OUR COMMISSION TO PREACH THE GOSPEL

Every saved person who has read the New Testament knows that the Lord Jesus left the believers with only one command: to preach the gospel to all the nations. In Matthew 28:19-20 the Lord charged the disciples, saying, “Go therefore and disciple all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” In Mark 16:15 He also charged the disciples to preach the gospel, saying, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to all the creation.” Preaching the gospel is a very important matter.

In the New Testament the apostles kept the Lord’s command and were filled with the spirit of the gospel. In Romans 1:16 Paul said, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes.” In 1 Corinthians 9:16-17 he also spoke of his attitude toward the gospel, saying, “If I preach the gospel, I have no boast, for necessity is laid upon me; for woe to me if I do not preach the gospel. If I do this of my own will, I have a reward; but if not of my own will, I am entrusted with a stewardship.” Paul accepted the commission and even offered his whole being for the gospel, just as he said in 2 Corinthians 12:15: “I will most gladly spend and be utterly spent on behalf of your souls.” Paul was filled with the spirit of the gospel, and he was glad to spend everything for the gospel, even his being. The church in Philippi also had fellowship with Paul for the furtherance of the gospel (Phil. 1:5), and the believers there were one soul with him (v.27).

THE SPIRIT OF THE GOSPEL

When we do not preach the gospel, our spirit becomes deadened. In the same way, when the church does not preach the gospel, the church becomes deadened. However, when a Christian rises up to preach the gospel, his spirit becomes burning, and when the church preaches the gospel, the church becomes burning. Preaching the gospel is like lighting a fire; preaching the gospel releases the Spirit. If we do not preach the gospel, we will quench the fire in our spirit and choke the Spirit.

The spirit of the gospel is burning within every believer who loves the Lord. This inward burning should be reflected in our outward attitude toward the gospel. We have the spirit of the gospel within, but we need to allow the spirit of the gospel to burn us from within. The spirit of the gospel is a fire that has been kindled, but we need to respond.

Some people think that eloquence is needed in order to preach the gospel. They think that a person cannot preach the gospel unless he is a good speaker who can give a message. This thought comes from the world; it does not apply to spiritual things. It is not a message that causes a person to be saved but the release of the spirit of the gospel. Regrettably, we focus on eloquence and the content of a message instead of paying attention to the spirit of the gospel. Consequently, people are not filled with the Spirit and are not saved. The spirit of the gospel is not something outward; it is something that ignites from within us.

ENEMIES OF THE SPIRIT OF THE GOSPEL

1. A person who preaches the gospel must not exalt himself. Such a person must also deny himself. The spirit of the gospel cannot burn within someone who is sitting on a throne.

2. “Clever” people cannot preach the gospel; it is the “foolish” who can preach the gospel. D. L. Moody preached the gospel his whole life and brought thousands and thousands of people to salvation. He originally worked in a shoe shop.

When the spirit of the gospel goes out, the words of the gospel have power. When the spirit of the gospel goes out, the words of the gospel save people. Doctrines cannot save people; only the spirit of the gospel can save people. (Christ Being the Burden of the Gospel, Chapter 15, Section 1)