The Importance of the Gospel

I have been studying Luke 10: 17-20.  Here are a few thoughts...

Jesus had sent his disciples out of a soul-winning mission, they had been out two by two.  They were sharing the gospel, why?   Because people cannot get saved without the Gospel!    God in his divine sovereignty wants man to be saved!     Man must believe, so who will mankind believe?  It is by the hearing of the word of God!  Men and women share the Gospel so that men will believe!  He chose us so that we could choose him. 

The seventy returned with Joy!   They returned saying: “Lord, even the demons are subject to us and your name.”   Then they received a little clarification.  Jesus began to teach them and he had seen Satan fall like lightning from heaven because of his sinful pride.  {You can read about that in Isaiah 12}  

Jesus gave to them authority over everything, in order than they might go everywhere with the Gospel.

As ambassadors of our Lord we need not worry.  If God calls us, we can go in confidence taking the gospel with us.  Yes, there are very dangerous places in the world, but we can go in God's authority with this promise:  that until God is through with them nothing shall hurt them.  But even in that context pay special attention to verse 20.

He tells them that if they want something to brag about to make sure they are joyful for the right reasons.  That their names are written in heaven. 

Nothing is more important than knowing that my name is in God's book!  Having our names on a church role, or Sunday school class is not what it is all about!  

Are you a Christian?  Well, I go to such and such church:  WRONG ANSWER! 

Are you a Christian?  Well, I was baptized:  WRONG ANSWER! 

Are you a Christian?  By faith I believe and my name is in HIS book!  RIGHT ANSWER!