The GOSPEL hindered

 

Luke 24:45

King James Version

45 Then opened he their understanding, 

that they might understand the scriptures,

How is the gospel hindered?

Who hinders the WORD of GOD?

Here are a few methods used by the world.

With the spirit of the enemy behind it all.

That people may not get to know CHRIST.

Nor hear His gospel of salvation.

Here's what SPIRIT taught me.

On how the gospel is being hindered:

Fear

People are afraid to know, and face truth.

Timidity

People don't know how to approach the gospel.

Pride

People think they're the authority on truth and law.

Unbelief

People just don't believe in JESUS.

Ignorance

People haven't heard of JESUS and His gospel.

Indifference

People don't care to know the gospel.

Deception

People have been deceived with false doctrine.

Reception

People receive the gospel in different ways.

(See "SOWER and SEED" article.)

What is the LORD's gospel?

JESUS acknowledged the FATHER.

Before He was taken for His crucifixion.

John 17:8

King James Version

8 For I have given unto them 

the words which thou gavest me; 

and they have received them, 

and have known surely that I came out from thee, 

and they have believed that thou didst send me.

He also explains the gospel to His disciples.

Before He was "carried up into heaven":

Luke 24:46-47

King James Version

46 And said unto them, 

Thus it is written, 

and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, 

and to rise from the dead the third day:

47 And that repentance and remission of sins 

should be preached in his name among all nations, 

beginning at Jerusalem.

Apostle Paul echoes the very same gospel of JESUS CHRIST:

1 Corinthians 15:1-4

King James Version

15 Moreover, brethren, 

I declare unto you the gospel 

which I preached unto you, 

which also ye have received, 

and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved, 

if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, 

unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all 

that which I also received, 

how that Christ died for our sins 

according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried, 

and that he rose again the third day 

according to the scriptures:

We must know it's a futile attempt to hinder the LORD's gospel.

Proverbs 19:21

King James Version

21 There are many devices in a man's heart; 

nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, 

that shall stand.

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Image: Clipart Library

CLEARING the CLUTTER

 

2 Corinthians 4:3-4

King James Version

3 But if our gospel be hid, 

it is hid to them that are lost:

4 In whom the god of this world 

hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, 

lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, 

who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

What is clutter?

What makes it a roadblock?

Let's hear what JESUS has to say:

Matthew 6:19-21

King James Version

19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, 

where moth and rust doth corrupt, 

and where thieves break through and steal:

20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, 

where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, 

and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

21 For where your treasure is, 

there will your heart be also.

Luke 12:15

King James Version

15 And he said unto them, 

Take heed, 

and beware of covetousness: 

for a man's life consisteth not 

in the abundance of the things 

which he possesseth.

Luke 16:15

King James Version

15 And he said unto them, 

Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; 

but God knoweth your hearts: 

for that which is highly esteemed among men 

is abomination in the sight of God.

Apostle John cautions us, too:

1 John 2:15-17

King James Version

15 Love not the world, 

neither the things that are in the world. 

If any man love the world, 

the love of the Father is not in him.

16 For all that is in the world, 

the lust of the flesh, 

and the lust of the eyes, 

and the pride of life, 

is not of the Father, 

but is of the world.

17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: 

but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

Let us not be possessed by our possessions.

It is covetousness.

As well as idolatry.

As apostle Paul states:

Colossians 3:5

King James Version

5 Mortify therefore your members 

which are upon the earth; 

fornication, uncleanness, 

inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, 

and covetousness, which is idolatry:

The true born again's room, home, and life are focused on JESUS alone.

On the commanments He gave.

To love GOD, and others.

To believe in His life, death, and resurrection.

The true believer's mind is clear.

It's not cluttered with evil.

It's not cluttered by possessions.

It's not cluttered with desires.

Our souls don't have cobwebs.

JESUS shines His LIGHT upon our hearts.

We can see clearly, because of the LORD.

We are not caretakers of worldly possessions.

In all simplicity is how we live:

Psalm 1:1-2

King James Version

1 Blessed is the man 

that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, 

nor standeth in the way of sinners, 

nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; 

and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

We stick to our Bible.

Which earthly possessions could not compare with.

GOD's WORD lives forever.

Isaiah 40:8

King James Version

8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: 

but the word of our God shall stand for ever.

It is the soul-saving WORD.

James 1:21

King James Version

21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness 

and superfluity of naughtiness, 

and receive with meekness the engrafted word, 

which is able to save your souls.

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Image: Clipart Library