The Gospel is offensive .....

[cygnusx1]

THE GOSPEL 0FFENSE: PASTOR HENRY MAHAN

Paul called his message "the offense of the cross"(Galatians 5:11). Again and again he warned that the true Gospel of God's grace and glory would meet with great opposition from the religious world and the natural world. "The preaching of the cross is foolishness" (1 Corinthains 1:18). "The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God" (1 Corinthians 2:14)

Our Lord said, "Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you" (1 John 3:13). He also said, "They shall put you out of the synagogues (organized religion): yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service" (John 16.-2). If what we preach is NOT offensive to the religionist and to the worldling, then it is NOT THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST. I repeat, it is not the Gospel!

1. GOD'S ABSOLUTE SOVEREIGNTY in creation, providence and redemption offends man's claim to free will! "We will not have this man to REIGN over us " (Luke 19:14).

2. The preaching of TOTAL DEPRAVITY AND INABILITY offends man's dignity and claim to personal righteousness. "We be not born of fornication," that is, "We be not (they say) born in sin." "We may not be perfect, but we are not totally corrupt in God's sight."

3. The gospel of Christ comes by REVELATION, and this offends man's natural wisdom. The college professor knows as much about the mysteries of grace as the farmhand, which is nothing apart from the Spirit of God.

4. EFFECTUAL REDEMPTION through the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ, our Substitute and Sin-offering, offends man's pride. Men would have God do all that He wants to do and all that He can do, but there must be a work left for the sinner to perform, that we might share somewhat in the glory.

THE LORDSHIP OF JESUS CHRIST offends man's desire for recognition here and hereafter. "They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on tky left hand, in thy glory" (Mark 10:37). "Let us have a system of rewards to distinguish us in some way from the beggar." We have established our social levels here and choose to continue them in heaven.

http://members.aol.com/kcbc2ball/bulletins25.html


Is "your" Gospel offensive , or has it taken on the influences of Western Secular Capitalism ..... ​

 

[hooverbranch]

I would hope that it offends people in certain ways. I would not like to become as Macarthur puts part of the "Christianity Lite" fad. The Gospel is clear cut yet everyday people change it so that it may sound more delectable to mans eyes and ears. The truth is we are wicked sinners and without Christ we shall perish in the flames of hell for that is what every single man born into sin deserves.

 

[Beoga]

Whats so offensive about telling people that:
Jesus loves them very much
That He died for our sins
And giving them an invintation to repent and believe

That is how i was told today to share the gospel, give these three points, "simple and easy as that."

 

[hooverbranch]

Whats so offensive about telling people that:
Jesus loves them very much
That He died for our sins
And giving them an invintation to repent and believe

That is how i was told today to share the gospel, give these three points, "simple and easy as that."

That is fine but dont leave out the part that we must live by FAITH and follow him. Living by faith means that we put all that we have in Him. That we would decide everything in our lives by His example. That is the offensive part. People dont want to change themselves they would rather deny the cross to keep themselves.

 

[cygnusx1]

Whats so offensive about telling people that:
Jesus loves them very much
That He died for our sins
And giving them an invintation to repent and believe

That is how i was told today to share the gospel, give these three points, "simple and easy as that."

can The Gospel ever be "shared" without The Command to Repent!

Why didn't John The Baptist just share ......... and did Jesus not call for repentance ?

The place of the Law is imperative in Evangelism , otherwise expect to see a multitude fall away after making their "descision" .

I have found a great video , called "Hell's Best kept Secret" that is well worth a view .

Greetings
Cygnus

 

[ksen]

Whats so offensive about telling people that:
Jesus loves them very much
That He died for our sins
And giving them an invintation to repent and believe

That is how i was told today to share the gospel, give these three points, "simple and easy as that."

What is offensive is that a person needs to be shown that they are dead in their sins without Christ and are under the wrath and judgment of God if they do not come under the blood of Christ.

People don't like to be told that they bad to their very core.

 

[Beoga]

What is offensive is that a person needs to be shown that they are dead in their sins without Christ and are under the wrath and judgment of God if they do not come under the blood of Christ.

People don't like to be told that they bad to their very core.

but if we tell them that they are bad and wicked, they won't want to listen to us. how will we evangelise to them then? shouldn't we just tell them that Jesus loves them and has a wonderful plan for their life, and that He died for them? That He is just knocking on the door of their heart and all they have to do is open and believe? Then once they believe that tell them that they were pretty bad and that they needed Jesus to help them? okay, enough nonsense...

so yeah, my previous post was something i heard by Louis Paleau, and i about nearly swerved off the road in frustration when i heard

 

[ksen]

but if we tell them that they are bad and wicked, they won't want to listen to us. how will we evangelise to them then? shouldn't we just tell them that Jesus loves them and has a wonderful plan for their life, and that He died for them? That He is just knocking on the door of their heart and all they have to do is open and believe? Then once they believe that tell them that they were pretty bad and that they needed Jesus to help them? okay, enough nonsense...

so yeah, my previous post was something i heard by Louis Paleau, and i about nearly swerved off the road in frustration when i heard

Whoa, warn a guy will you? My head nearly exploded!

 

[Bulldog]

We need to preach the same message that Christ and the apostles taught. That we are sinners in need of a Saviour, and must repent for salvation.

 

[cygnusx1]

Whoa, warn a guy will you? My head nearly exploded!

Hi brother , where have you been hiding

great to see you

 

[Beoga]

Whoa, warn a guy will you? My head nearly exploded!

hehe, sorry, just thought i would have a little fun, remember the glory...um, well, no they weren't really glory days, oh well

 

[Knight]

We need to preach the same message that Christ and the apostles taught. That we are sinners in need of a Saviour, and must repent for salvation.

Amen and Amen!!!

Well said.

If the gospel did not offend then it would not be effective.

 

[Elderone]

People don't like to be told that they are bad to their very core.

Over the years of seeing people visit for a Sabbath or two then disappear, I can vouch for the validity of the quote. Proverbs 1:7 says it all.

Pr 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

but if we tell them that they are bad and wicked, they won't want to listen to us. how will we evangelise to them then? shouldn't we just tell them that Jesus loves them and has a wonderful plan for their life, and that He died for them? That He is just knocking on the door of their heart and all they have to do is open and believe? Then once they believe that tell them that they were pretty bad and that they needed Jesus to help them? okay, enough nonsense...

Had you not added those three words, a very lively discussion would have ensued.

As ksen said " Whoa, warn a guy will you? My head nearly exploded! "

 

[johnny_redeemed]

cygnusx1,
have you read hard to believe, by John MacAurthar?

 

[cygnusx1]

cygnusx1,
have you read hard to believe, by John MacAurthar?

No , I have a couple of his books though , I found him very helpful on The Charismatics ......

 

[Beoga]

cygnusx1,
have you read hard to believe, by John MacAurthar?

that is one of my favorite books, i really "enjoyed" that book (if enjoyed is the correct word, i was very convicted)

 

[Beoga]

Had you not added those three words, a very lively discussion would have ensued.

As ksen said " Whoa, warn a guy will you? My head nearly exploded! "

yeah, i figured i should stop before i get shot and disowned

 

[tigersnare]

but if we tell them that they are bad and wicked, they won't want to listen to us. how will we evangelise to them then? shouldn't we just tell them that Jesus loves them and has a wonderful plan for their life, and that He died for them? That He is just knocking on the door of their heart and all they have to do is open and believe? Then once they believe that tell them that they were pretty bad and that they needed Jesus to help them? okay, enough nonsense...

Dude I was loading my gun!

 

[hooverbranch]

cygnusx1,
have you read hard to believe, by John MacAurthar?

hey johnny did you catch my "Christianity Lite" comment earlier....

 

[Jon_]

Heh, this is a great post. I would like to think that use Calvinists lay claim to the highest offense of the Gospel. Shoot, most Christians find our views offensive! Ha!

However, that is not the sole the stick against we should measure. Observe the Mormon church. It is an offense to the world and to all of God's true believers, but who among us would say they preach the Gospel?

It's a good point, nonetheless.