Issue #1160 – “Selling” the Gospel – May 24, 2023
If you are of a certain age, you will recognize this photo. Herb Tarlek (Frank Bonner), Sales Manager of WKRP radio. WKRP in Cincinnati was a popular television sitcom that ran from 1978-1982, focusing on the lives and antics of the staff of a fictional radio station.
Bailey Quarters, Dr. Johnny Fever, Venus Flytrap, Jennifer Marlowe, Mr. Carlson, Les Nessman and Herb Tarlek will be familiar to many.
Herb was the caricature of the smarmy salesman of the era, complete with the loud suits and patent leather belts. He was all flash and no substance. Of course, there are many legitimate salespeople out there. Still, Herb was the image of all that was bad, played for comic effect.
Sometimes the term sales rep can bring to mind some unfortunate stereotypical characters that are unethical, will promise anything to make a deal and are generally unreliable.
At times the church acts more like bad salespeople than ministers of the gospel. When we “sell” Jesus based on prosperity, better marriages, social contacts, physical healing, better money management, fixing your family, and more, we do a grave injustice to the truth.
It isn’t that Jesus cannot deliver those things. If it falls within the purview of His perfect will, anything is possible, including the miraculous.
We can also do a grave injustice to the truth by our behaviour. This can happen in several ways; firstly, we can act holy. We pretend to be someone that we are not. Acting holy is far easier than truly being holy.
Secondly, we can live a life that stands out from our culture and never tell them about Jesus.
Thirdly, we can make a big fuss about being Christian and attending church but never show any sign of a transformed life.
All three are poor advertisements for the gospel. That doesn’t even consider the many hucksters and con men who peddle religion for profit, preying on desperate people. I wouldn’t want to be one of those types come Judgement Day. Pray that they see the truth and turn from their ways.
The truth of the gospel and God’s plan for humanity are complicated in many ways. Yet, in others, they are pretty straightforward.
We are sinners doomed to destruction and unable to save ourselves. God sent His son to take the penalty for our sins so we might be saved by faith alone. There is much more to it than that, but it is a great starting point.
That is a big part of the message we are commissioned to take to the world. How do we do that?
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16
The fruit of the Spirit begins to transform us, and we grow in Christ likeness. We start to live different lives, and people notice the difference. We still stumble and make mistakes, but we are honest about our shortfalls and celebrate God’s love, grace, mercy and forgiveness.
We tell people the truth. People need to hear the Word of truth. We must introduce them to what the Bible says. The timing is based on the Holy Spirit’s leading, but they must hear of the reason for our transformation and hope. Faith comes by hearing.
How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. Romans 10:14-17
The gospel of Jesus isn’t a commodity to be sold. It is a life to be lived and a promise to be proclaimed.
May we do it well.
Be Blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the English Standard Version (ESV).
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