Here is the first go at a Midweek Update requiring clicking on a link in Facebook.  I got some feedback that the posts were a little long for the Facebooks.  I certainly hope that this can be a better platform to reach people with the random thoughts I have throughout the week.

This week I have been thinking about the fact that the while the power of the Gospel comes from God alone through the death of Christ, the power of the story of the Good News comes because sinners are saved and lives are changed.  I know that I just said the same thing two different ways, but it has been an interesting set of ideas to consider.

The power of the Gospel comes from God alone.  When I think about the power of the Gospel I think about the power to be able to save sinners.  This power exists because God “for our sake… made him, who knew no sin, to be sin, that we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Cor 5:21).  Our salvation was purchased and completed by the death of Jesus on the cross.  And so the power of the Gospel to saves sinners comes from the death of God.  Thus the first idea rings true.

The power of the story of the Good News comes because sinners are saved and lives are changed.  When we tell the story of the salvation there is power that exists in the name of Jesus, for “at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow… and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Phil 2:10-11)  AND when we tell the story of salvation in our lives there is power knowing that the name of Jesus has worked in real time.  It is the changed life that will convince others that God is, that He is Great, that He is Good, (let us thank Him for our food?), and that He is relevant in the lives of those we love who don’t currently believe in Him.

That being said: tell people your story; tell what God has done; tell who you once were; tell what God did; tell who God is making you into; and in your telling your life will have power because the power of God will be on display for the world to see!