08 | The Gospel Is The Power Of God Unto Salvation
The Gospel Is The Power Of God Unto Salvation
Philippians 3:7-11
As taught Sunday 8 March 2015, Emmanuel Church, Auckland, New Zealand
The Gospel Has Power To Change Your Life
Paul had the best citizenship available to the ancient world
He was born of the sock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, Philippians 3:5
This entitled him to all the rights and benefits enjoyed by the Patriarchs since the time of Abraham
He was born a Roman, Acts 22:25-28
This gave him certain rights and protection under Roman Law
Illustration: I know what it is like living in a country not my own
Work restrictions, maximum tax liability with minimum benefit
Paul had the equivalent of a passport to every Western nation and Israel—including full rights of citizenship
Paul received the best religious education possible in his day
He studied at the feet of the celebrated teacher Gamaliel, Acts 22:3
Paul moved up in the ranks of Jewish society
He was a Pharisee of Pharisees
He gained the ear of the high priest, Acts 9:1-2 — Letters from high priest to persecute Christians in Damascus
In every way Paul was groomed for position, power and wealth
In one afternoon he threw it all away saying…
Illustration: Doctor Martin Llyod-Jones, 1899-1981
In 1921 Llyod-Jones begin his medical career as an assistant to the Royal Physician, Sir Thomas Horder
He had a brilliant mind and bright future
On one fateful day in 1927, he left London, abandoned his medical career, returned to Wales to pastor God’s people
What compelled these two men, Paul and Dr Lloyd-Jones—and countless others—to…
Turn their backs on lives of comfort, wealth and position
In exchange for suffering and heartache?
They came face to face with the living Christ through the power of the Gospel
And their lives were never the same
Has your life been changed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
Can you say with Paul,
Before you answer consider carefully how this passage applies today…
In my home town there has been an increase in oil and gas exploration
They have brought to our area many new jobs which offer higher wages than our local industries
The working man has the opportunity to make three times his yearly wage
Many cannot resist their offer and flock to the oil fields—but none of them stop to count the cost
Companies do not pay high wages for nothing
They expect their employees to work upwards of 90 hours per week
All of them are required to work weekends
I go to church with the men who supply fuel for the drilling machines
During one of their meetings with the drilling company an employee complained about the hours
He was fired on the spot, and everyone else unhappy was invited to leave!
What price do these men pay in order to earn such high wages?
Physical health is harmed due to stress, anxiety and loss of sleep
They sacrifice time with their families
And they do not go to church for months at a time
In my home town it is possible to live on a working man’s single income
You will not be able to buy a new car, new clothes, eat out, take expensive holiday
But you will be home every afternoon by 4.30 PM with Saturday & Sunday free for family and church
What would you do?
Would you go after the high paying job at the expense of family and church?
Does money and the prestige of earning it matter most to you?
Or has Gospel freed you from the values of the world and taught you to treasure what matters…
That is to know Christ and be made like Him?
Would you do without comfort and leisure that you might learn to treasure Christ?
I have served in poor churches in Nepal and Ecuador—you are not a poor Church
The question is—what will you do with all God has given you?
The Gospel has power to change lives—has it changed your life?