Today, much effort is put toward developing new ways of communicating God’s truth. New technologies mandate much of that, but it isn’t just new technology that drives new methodology. Our culture is constantly changing, so the form of our communication becomes dated, and it does so as fast as the culture changes. New methodology is constantly needed.
Often, church leadership come to understand that a new day requires a new form of Gospel communication. In a largely Christian and rural culture, brush arbor meetings, door to door evangelization and large crusades were effective methods. In a post-Christian, individualistic and urban culture, such methodology produces very little fruit. But while the communication of the Gospel gets contextualized to the culture of the day, the Gospel itself must never be changed.
We can see that mandate throughout the Old Testament. God’s message is very clear right from the beginning. He is God, and we are created to be His people. We must therefore turn from our sin and toward Him. Salvation by God comes only by repentance.
Job said of God, “He makes them listen to correction and commands them to repent of their evil.”
Isaiah said, “This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation.””
Jeremiah wrote, “Therefore this is what the Lord says: “If you repent, I will restore you, that you may serve me.”
Ezekiel said, “Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Repent! Turn from your idols and renounce all your detestable practices!’”
Indeed, the Word records, “The Lord warned Israel and Judah through all his prophets and seers: “Turn from your evil ways.”
So also in the New Testament. We’ve already read of how John the Baptist had exactly the same message, “John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”” Now we read of Jesus in Matthew 4:17 preaching exactly the same thing, “From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”” It is of some great note that this is the very first thing we hear Jesus preaching.
That message can easily get lost in the modern church, where the prevailing message is not one of repentance, but one of comfort and blessing. Emails and texts and videos are produced to encourage people to come and belong, and to come and be blessed. People are sent to help. People are sent to bless without strings. That is all good – even very good – but if we do not also preach repentance, we are misleading those He made for Himself. Without a call to repentance, strategies and better communication are nothing more than worldly advertising. They have their place, but they are no substitute for what God purposes to give His children.
It could be said that without repentance you can never have lasting blessing, because the blessing of God comes through unity with God, and unity with God starts when you turn from yourself to look to Him. Here there is no place for bait and switch. Repentance really is the first word of the Gospel!
This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.
Jesus (from Luke 26:46-48)
APPLICATION: Intentionality
What Gospel are you preaching? How are you getting that message out?