February 10, 2025
Sometimes, there is a call for flowery prose or encouraging exhortations. But there are moments when we need just the direct facts. This is especially true with the good news about Christ. For there are few who know the real facts, and it is on these facts that our faith must rest.
SPURGEON
… the great English preacher, observed this about Paul’s simple gospel message to the people in Antioch (which would later become his great missionary sending station).
“There are no embellishments here—not even an anecdote or an illustration—but just a plain declaration of the great facts of the life and death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. These are the backbone of the gospel, and the more we dwell on these facts, the better.
“Let us preach the doctrines that grow out of these facts, for facts are stubborn things, and if they are backed by the Spirit of God, they will carry all before them. Exhortation is well enough in its place, but you must not have only powder in your gun—there must be some shot, also. The apostle has solid facts here, which he drives home to the heart and conscience of his hearers. He does not forget that the weight and forge of a sermon must lie in the distinct truth of God it teaches.”
THE FACTS
And what were the facts Paul taught?
“For those who live in Jerusalem, and their rulers, recognizing neither Him nor the utterances of the prophets which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled these by condemning Him. And though they found no ground for putting Him to death, they asked Pilate that He be executed.
“When they had carried out all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the cross and laid Him in a tomb. But God raised Him from the dead, and for many days He appeared to those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, the very ones who are now His witnesses to the people.
“And we preach to you the good news of the promise made to the fathers … Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses. (Acts 13:27–39)
· We crucified the innocent Christ who carried our sins in our place.
· God raised Him from the dead.
· He appeared to many.
· And now we preach the good news to you.
· Forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you!
· Everyone who believes will be freed from all things (which you could never be freed from by your own works).
Humble believers around the world have shared those simple FACTS of the real events that God did through Christ for two centuries. They have been shared and heard through the power of God’s Spirit, opening eyes and bringing people to saving faith. And millions have had their sins forgiven and been restored to a real, authentic relationship with God forever as they have turned from trusting in themselves (and what they might do) to Christ (and what He has done to save us).
Have you believed … just the facts?
February 06, 2025
When God begins working in our hearts, we often think it is just on our end. But God is not limited by time, geography, or power. He is working all the time in multiple places.
February 05, 2025
Many people struggle with the assurance of their salvation, which is one reason an entire book of the Bible (1 John) is devoted to this theme. Here is John’s statement about why the Holy Spirit wrote 1 John through him.
February 04, 2025
There are adjustments that must be made if you desire to live in the presence of God all day long. There must be a turning from and a turning to.
