True Gospel

I have been blessed with the opportunity of welcoming in the New Year by seeking the Lord with over 20,000 other 18-25 yr olds at Passion 2011.  The conference was filled with dynamic speakers/preachers of the Lord such as John Piper, Louie Giglio, and Francis Chan.  It also was loaded with worship leaders including David Crowder, Charlie Hall, and Chris Tomlin.

I was beat up and convicted by Francis Chan's intense message on Philippians 1:27-29.  He keyed in on the phrase, "Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel."  I really started to think about what it means to be worthy of the Gospel.  To be worthy of the Gospel means to be on the same level as the Gospel.  Our lives should reflect the Gospel in every way.  This is not just a statement of faith; it's a lifestyle consumed and radically transformed life.

He shared about his travels to India, China, and Thaliand.  In India he met with people who were rejected by their whole families for choosing Christ and renouncing Hinduism.  Francis asked the question which is quite relevant here in the states; "Are there people who call themselves Christians but do not really live different and according to God's word?  Are there people just say they are Christian but aren't living for Christ?"  Emphatically they all said that those people don't exist.  To say that they follow Christ is to lose everything in that culture.  Should this look different in our culture?

Chan shared about talking with the persecuted church in China.  He asked them to share about persecution. They were confused why he was asking.  They wanted to know why this was such a big deal.  "Isn't persecution a reality in all believers?" they asked.  John 15:20 jumps to mind when it states that Christ says if they persecuted Him then they will surely persecute us, His followers.  It makes me wonder sometimes if I'm missing it...

This message was the full and true Gospel.  This was not about health and wealth prosperity.  He talked about our lives reflecting, being in line with, the Gospel.  During the worship time after the message I glanced out over my generation worshiping.  I was encouraged in the sincerity and focus of everyone on the Lord.  We are known as the distracted generation.  We are known as the generation who is ADD/ADHD and have short attention spans.  In class, at church, and hanging out, you will many times see us on our phones and not fully being present in that place.  The minds wonder.  This was not so on this night.  Why???  I believe it was because this is the exact message we need to here.  It is not soaked down version of the Bible but in your face.  This is the true message of Jesus Christ.  This is what you take hold of and center your life around.  It adds up with our hearts and minds and spirit.   Hebrews 4:12 says, "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."