DCLM Daily Manna, July 4 2016 by Pastor Kumuyi - Purpose of the Gospel

Topic: Purpose of the Gospel [July 4, 2016]

Text: Luke 1:1-7

Key Verse: "It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus" (Luke 1:3)

Bob Woods, in Pulpit Digest, told a story of a couple who took their children - son, 11, and daughter, 7 - to Carlsbad Caverns. When they reached the deepest point, the guide turned off all the lights to dramatize how completely dark and silent it is below the earth's surface. The girl got frightened and began to cry. Immediately, her brother said, "Don't cry. Somebody here knows how to turn on the lights.

“This is the purpose of the gospel-Jesus came to turn on the light to the world. Luke took time to carefully and conscientiously investigate the life and ministry of Christ. He explained that many people took up the task of setting in order a narrative of Christ's life. This implied that besides the inspired accounts of Matthew, Mark and John, many uninspired writers gave account of Christ, either for themselves or for the benefit of their family and friends.

Even today, some people present the gospel Christ, not to preserve the sanctity of the word of God but to discredit it. Luke made this observation based on certain qualifications which he felt other writers did not have. Particularly, he was in the company of actual eyewitnesses, who accurately told him the details of the events of Christ. This indicates that for you to truthfully present the gospel message of Christ, you must acquire the basic qualification - salvation - otherwise your efforts will be a waste.

The question now is, do you have the basic qualification which will enable you give a precise account of the life and character of Christ? The gospel also presented the story of Zacharias and Elisabeth, the parents of John the Baptist, who lived righteously. They obeyed God from the heart, not regarding their challenge of barrenness. This clearly reveals that the centrality of the gospel message of Christ is purity of life. Therefore, we must be holy to earn God's recognition.

Thought for the day: Turn on the lights of the gospel.

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DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.