Let’s Not Hinder the Gospel in 2009

Roger Clark brought the message.

Normal
0

false
false
false

MicrosoftInternetExplorer4

/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-language:#0400;
mso-fareast-language:#0400;
mso-bidi-language:#0400;}

I Corinthians 9:12 If others be partakers of this
power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this
power; but suffer all things, lest we should
hinder the gospel of Christ.

Paul says we are to endure everything and not be a hindrance
to the gospel. Some of the greatest verses in the Bible refer to the gospel.
Romans 1:16 says “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the
power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth…” What is the gospel
but the birth, death and resurrection of our Lord?

The gospel

• Can be
  trusted
• It is
  a haven of rest
• It is
  a reinforcement to the cast down
• It is
  a solid rock
• It is
  dynamite for the power to save
• It is
  the blessed assurance of God
• It is
  the trust of a preacher and should be handled so

Paul endured beatings, hunger and depravity for the gospel’s
sake, and at the end of his life was able to say “I have fought a good fight.”

How do we hinder the gospel?

1. When
   we don’t tell the gospel we hinder it. Our light needs to shine. The Bible says the gospel saves to the uttermost. God means for us to tell it—tell the old,
   old story of Jesus and his love. This community ought to know where this
   church is. We hinder when we don’t tell.
2. We
   hinder when we don’t give to support it. II Corinthians 9 says the Lord
   loves a cheerful giver. It is more blessed to give than receive. The
   gospel itself is supported by love and giving. Malachi says our giving
   will bring blessings. We may not be a millionaire, but we will have
   victory.
3. We
   hinder the gospel when we don’t defend it. 
   Defend the Bible. The gospel supercedes everything in this world.
   Believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God.
4.  We hinder the gospel when we don’t obey
   it. The Bible asks what the end of those will be who don’t obey. To not
   obey is to be lost. It is no little thing to disobey the gospel. Doing so
   hinders it.

Let’s remember that Jesus said “I am the way, the
truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Let’s not
hinder the gospel.