Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"
The word "gospel" means "good news," and good news is always interesting. When Jesus proclaimed it, "the common people heard Him gladly" (Mark 12:37). The apostles' preaching was also so powerful and attractive that their enemies confessed that they had "turned the world upside down" (Acts 17:6).
In every age, God's Good News has compelled the attention of mankind. Never does the Holy Spirit compose a tame, lifeless message. The last proclamation of the gospel is communicated by "angels … to those who dwell on the earth--to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people … with a loud voice." Then the message swells "mightily" as it lightens the earth with glory (Rev. 14:6; 18:1-4). The angels symbolize the ministry of God's servants.
This scenario calls for the most powerful and interesting communication that the world has ever heard. Neutrality is an impossible reaction to it. As in the days of the apostles, people will get off the fence and either accept it wholeheartedly or reject it just as decidedly.
Any presentation of the "gospel" that is dull and boring is suspect. The youth who complain that Christianity is not exciting, not positive, not attractive, most likely have never heard that pure gospel message which catalyzes humanity.
The full truth of the New Testament gospel message is the sweetest melody that can come from human lips—justification by faith, and the righteousness of Christ. Imagine a message so joyous and hope-inspiring that the listeners are tempted to think it is too good to be true. That is what people thought when they heard the Apostle Paul proclaim "glad tidings" (Acts 13:32).
--Robert J. Wieland
Excerpted from: Powerful Good News, by Robert J. Wieland.
