Focus: Gospel Impact

Text: Act.17:6

"These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also."

The impact of the gospel is such that the world is turned upside down. The power of the gospel of Christ causes global revolution.

Let me use the G.O.S.P.E.L as an acronym to buttress the gospel impact.

*Global impact

The impact of the gospel is indeed global. It touches all dimensions of human existence. Jesus Christ says, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mk.16:15). Jesus Christ is called the "Savior of the world." John the Baptist says, "Behold the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world." Caiaphas said it was better for Christ to die for the nation than for a nation to die for one man. Paul tells us in Gal.2 that Christ died for him. So we see Christ as the Savior for the world, for a nation, and for an individual.

*Organic/organizational impact

The gospel impact translates to how we live and do things right where we live or reside. We bring moral changes into the organizational structures of communities, companies, institutions and governments. Cultures and traditions are being shaped by the word of God. Organically, individuals are being changed from the inside out as they encounter and yield themselves to the person of Christ through the proclamation of the gospel. By the gospel of Christ man receives pardon and power.

*Spiritual/social impact

It makes a new brand of being out of man, dislodges the devil, and transforms human relationships. The gospel makes possible peace with God, peace from God, peace of God, and peace with our fellow men. It is the power of God unto salvation. We pursue peace with all men. We are the light of the world and the salt of the earth. We impact the world spiritually and socially. The social dimensional impact of the gospel is total, affecting every facet of human life - economic, domestic, commercial, educational, marital, emotional, and so on and so forth. The gospel affects the total man.

*Political impact

Redeemed man becomes God's politician and brings to bear on the earth God's brand of politics. He executes the agenda of heaven upon the earth as the citizen of heaven and enforces the rule of God in the global sphere or society. Every Christian politician will adhere to the tenets of our faith as he pursues his political career. The glory of God and the positive impact of society are his twin goal. People like Mordecai, Esther, Daniel and his three friends played vital roles politically in their days and in places where they found themselves. They stood for their God, counting on the grace of God.

*Existential impact

The power of the gospel impacts on our current experiences of life. It transforms our perspective. We encounter the reality of God in our everyday life. God continues to save, heal and change lives. Christ continues to be the wisdom and power of God to the believer. Jesus Christ remains the same yesterday, today and forever. The story of God keeps unfolding before our very eyes. We continue to see the present day relevance of the gospel. God is for today as He was in history. He's the God of providence. He's God who is current and relevant. He promises to be with us at all times and even right in life's trenches.

*Local impact

In our corner of the globe we bear witness for Christ. The gospel has enough energy in it to change people in your neighborhood and in your corner of the world. The gospel touches people in real life. The author of Hebrews says concerning past men of faith, "Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions" (Heb.11:33). By their faith they toppled kingdoms and established the righteousness of God on earth. Peter tells us "how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him" (Act.10:38). Jesus transformed a mad man into an Evangelist. Luke says that people in his locality "found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind…" (Lk.8:35). The gospel is the power of God unto salvation.

The gospel makes global and local impacts. It changes the stories of individuals, makes their lives fascinating and meaningful, and gives them a future to look forward to. No one remains the same who encounters the power of the gospel.

Our faith is not all about going to heaven but about making impact in this world. Heaven is our home and the earth is our workplace. Through us the will of God is to done on earth as it is being done in heaven. Whose lives are you touching? Who is being saved or blessed because of you? Whose lives are you motivating and influencing with the light of Christ in you? Let your light shine! Four lepers in the Old Testament found bread and other stuff, and they helped their people find same. Help someone find the Christ you have found!

Long ago someone said, 

"Do all the good you can,

To all the people you can,

In all the places you can,

By all the means you can,

As long as ever you can,

For the sake of Jesus Christ." 

Make this the motto of your life.

by Bishop Moses E. Peter