Hello from Louisville, Kentucky

This week I am in Louisville attending my last DMIN seminar here at the Billy Graham School at Southern Seminary. I will be here through Friday and then drive back home to Marysville onn Friday night. I want to say happy birthday to my mom, however, I will try to be a good son and not disclose her age, although I am tempted to:) Have a wonderful day and tell somebody about the good news that Jesus saves!

The Essentials of the Gospel

Let's face it, fads come and go. The are numerous styles, methods, and outlines which assist the believer in sharing his or her faith. While there is nothing wrong with using outlines, the essentials of the Gospel can only be found in the Scriptures. The Bible says in Romans 10:17 that, "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God." As an Evangelism Explosion teacher/instructor, I have no problem with anyone using an outline that is centered around the Scriptures. However, we must know and be able to clearly share the essentials of the Christian faith with others. There are distinctives that seperate us from other religious denominations. Living Hope is proud to be a Southern Baptist Church, however, I am more proud to be a Christian and am more concerned to lead people to Christ than anything else. This brings me to my original question, what are the essentials of the Gospel. I believe they are:

Jesus is the only way (John 14:6)
Repentance and Faith (Acts 20:20-21)
Must be born again (John chapter 3)
Virgin Birth of Christ (Luke 1; Romans 5)
Sinlessness of Jesus (1 Peter 1:18-19)
Must acknowledge sin and confess Christ as Lord (Romans 10:9-10)

The virgin birth and sinless life of Christ are NON-NEGOTIABLES, Christ has to be born of a virgin because the Word of God teaches that sin is passed through the seed of the male, thus, requiring Christ to be born of a woman in order to die for the sins of the world. God cannot sin and Jesus said in John 10:30 that He and the Father are one. Jesus is God and never sinned, though tempted he died sinless. One must acknowledge their sin, believe Jesus Christ is Lord and He was raised from the dead, and receive Jesus Christ by grace through faith. Let us not become sucked into this era of easy-believism by watering down the Word of God and forcing people to pray prayers without a clear understanding of the Gospel!

This Coming Week...

Please pray for the following traveling here to OHIO this week...

Carol and Josh Wiley as they come to buy a new home.

Hannah Campbell, Marissa Blaylock, and James Cornett as they come to pray about the possibility of relocating here in the future.

Wisdom and the funds to move into office space beginning in July. The cost is $800 per month and is a wonderful opportunity.

James Moseley will be arriving to continue the job search and working with the ministry.

Houses need to be sold and jobs to be found...good thing God is in charge!!!
Keep Praying...

Last Night...

At our second interst meeting there were 58 people present...41 adults and 17 kids. To God be the Glory! Please keep praying.