Good News. Not fake news.with Kevin Harvey

Romans chapter 1 verse 16 to 17.

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, For it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith
to faith, as it is written. "But the just shall live by faith"...

This was the verse that Martin Luther was convicted by. The just shall live by faith" that is faith in the gospel!

It is what brought about the whole Protestant Reformation.

This quote. The just shall live by faith. Is found in the Old Testament in the book of Habakkuk. Chapter 2 verse 4,,,, and the context is this.. Try to picture it.

Habakkuk has questions for God, or a complaint if you will. And I think we can all relate. The question is basically this... Why oh Lord do you not hear and not answer my complaints, why do you not judge Judah?

chapter 1 verse 2-4

He looked around and he saw Judah filled with sin. Do something Lord!.

We look around and see world filled with sin. Violence etc. And we say, Lord do something!

The, Lord's answer was.... I will send Babylon to destroy Judah. 1 verse 5-11
Habakkuk has another question, and now another complaint. Why?
How can you allow Babylon, a more sinful nation then us to judge us??? 1 verse 12-21

The Lord responds, Babylon will be judged as well. 2 verse 2-20
Habakkuk's final response,,,, I will trust the Lord! I will praise him! I will write a song.

Recounting all the deeds and the powerful things that the Lord has done throughout,all the generations!

3 verse 1-19

What is the purpose of this message?

1. To not be Ashamed of this simple gospel...
2. Because it has the power to save...
3. Because it is right, and true.
4. Because it is for all who have faith, who BELIEVE I

And what is this "simple gospel" ?

It is a Jesus came to earth born of a virgin. The sinless son of God, died on the cross and his blood paid the penalty for our sin.

That he rose from the grave on the third day according to the Scriptures, proving himself to be the son of God.

And that he will return again to judge the earth and set up is eternal Kingdom!

How is the gospel appropriated?. That just shall live by faith!.
This is what all who call themselves christians "believe" Romans chapter 1 VS 18 to 25.

So now, let us ask ourselves..... Salvation! ,,,,,Salvation from what? Is it not from the wrath to come?

Every human being who rejects Christ will be judged.

But some may say, What of those who know not Christ?

God is infinite in His knowledge, and He is righteous, God will judge all for rejecting the revelation given to us in our Conscience through His creation. And for stifling the regenerative work of the Spirit in our hearts
and minds.

But careful, Remember God is the judge„ not us!

Chapter, 1 verse 21-27 reveal seven ways in which human beings, all human beings. Can Reject the Gospel.

1. Irelegious = refusal to glorify God.

1. Ingratitude = not thinking God.
2. Intellectualism = futile in their thoughts.
3. Ignorance = they become fools.
4. Idolatry = change the glory of God into an image.
5. Immorality = lust of their hearts.
6. Inversion = Exchange the natural for the unnatural.

Every human being, since Adam are all under the same judgment, we are all under sin! It is just a fact. I find comfort in that. It made me squirm a little bit at first, but when I began to understand the Gospel. That God himself loves me!

That God himself loves us all! And that He has provided a way out...
God's perfect requirements were met in his perfect Son when He willingly went to the cross. For You and I. That is the "gospel" and I am not ashamed of it. How do we relate to the Gospel?

What do we do when the difficult questions come up? Example, suffering, injustice, disaster, hard ache, sickness etc.

Sooner or later, we all have questions, have complaints for God, just like Habakkuk did. And that's OK, even normal. But don't stop there! Keep seeking., And find the only comfort that there is. In the gospel. In
Christ...

Let us just as Habakkuk , and just as Paul exhorts us too, remind ourselves of these things.

Paul put it this way.. stir up by way of reminder. What things? Of the awesome deeds that God has done.

His creation. The miracles he did to rescue his people. To call out of people to himself. To call the church, His bride. We can go on all day of all the awesome things that God has done, and is doing. We sing of them every Sunday morning at church.

Horror of horrors if they are just platitudes, or nice poems, catchy melodies, comforting ideas,,,,but not true.

We pray and find ourselves pleading with God... Why? Because God the father.

The creator of this universe.

Has planted eternity in your hearts. No matter how hard we try to look away, we can't help but say. I believe!

Therefore

Let us build on our FAITH ... And share this beautiful GOSPEL. This "good news".
I just want to close with a quote that Darlene found on Facebook.
It is by the late Antonin Sclalia... One of the judges who sat on the Supreme Court who passed away a while back.

And it goes like this.

" God assumed from the beginning that the wise of the world would view Christians as fools... And he is not been disappointed. If I have brought any message today, it is this, have the courage to have your wisdom regarded as stupidity. Before for Christ. And have the courage to suffer the contempt of the sophisticated world"

Antonin Scalia...