It’s a bit of a paradox, really... when you think about it: This gospel that Jesus came to proclaim- it’s not for everyone; and yet...it is for everyone. Allow me to explain...

When I say ‘it’s not for everyone’, that’s the attitude and response that many have when they hear it- “Thanks, but no thanks; I’m good.”

And let me be clear here: I’m not referring to those ‘other gospels’ you hear often that people tend to share... while their hearts and affections seem more drawn to political systems and figures, or maybe worldly riches and such. I’m talking about the ‘gospel of the kingdom’ that Jesus came preaching. And the gospel that Jesus came preaching was heralded in with a single command to ‘repent’...and then believe...(Matt. 4:17; Mark 1:15; Luke 13:1-5; Acts 17:30)

It's one of those messages that just didn’t go over well for many people, especially for those who thought they were up to speed on all this ‘God Talk’. In fact they (religious folks) got so tired of hearing it they nailed Jesus to a cross. But that didn’t stop those who did ‘believe and sign on’ from going out and sharing it with the world. And they too, ran into much opposition; yet Jesus had given them plenty of warning as to what they could expect- (Matt. 10:7-8,14-22) What is it about this ‘good news’ that offends so many people?

You can look back to Noah’s day (whether you believe in this actual story or not) and see how his message was not well received by...most of the world (Gen. 6); but God still had a plan of escape for him and his family when destruction came. And the guy preached for like a hundred years, so it’s not like there was little warning.

And as previously stated... we saw what they did to Jesus when He preached the gospel everywhere. Then, when His followers took up the mantle and began to declare it, they were put in prison, stoned, run out of town, threatened, etc. And this was for coming to declare the ‘good news’, which is what the word ‘gospel’ actually means. Go figure! Why would people respond to ‘good news’ in such fashion?

There’s an incident recorded where Paul took this gospel message to those in Athens where a lot of ‘smart’ people lived. And after he shared the gospel with them, we are told ‘many laughed and mocked him, some contemplated and said they’d ‘think about it’; but there were those who did believe and responded to it. (Acts 17:32-34) Oh, and just to make this ‘paradox’ I speak of more...interesting, Jesus lets us in on this morsel of truth, how His message was actually ‘hid...from the wise and the prudent’...and ‘revealed to the babes’ (Luke 10:21-24). So there’s that to think about.

I’ve come to learn over time that many sincere professing believers are of the persuasion that God did not intend for everyone to ‘believe and be saved’. I’m not sure how they come to that conclusion given we are told just the opposite in several places- (John 3:16; 1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Pet. 3:9). Jesus did clue us in that many simply have no interest in truth, or ‘coming to the light’ because their heart and affections lay elsewhere. (Matt. 15:8; John 3:19-21; 2 Thess. 2:9-12)

Friends...it’s no secret that this gospel was not ‘for everyone’, based on their response to it. Which then, makes Paul’s statement rather profound where he reminds us that “the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Cor. 1:18). And did you notice that reference, again, about ‘power’? (Yesterday’s message)

If you really want to gain some more insight as to who this ‘gospel’ message is directed towards, go read about the time Jesus went and had dinner with Levi (Matthew) and a bunch of ‘sinner folks’. Once again, some religious leaders got hot and bothered by this and confronted Jesus, asking why He would spend time with ‘such people’. You probably have heard His response before: “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners...to repentance.” (Luke 5:27-32)

If you don’t see the ‘paradox’ there, Romans 3:11 & 23 should help you out- ‘There were no righteous people because all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God’. And guess who Jesus came for? Sinners; lost sheep, those who were taken captive, and are blind and maimed. And His message was not just about ‘accepting Him as personal Savior’... then go out and try harder to be a better person, and He’ll see us in heaven someday’. I know this next part won’t land well for some people, but those who did respond to the gospel and followed Jesus...did not remain as ‘sinners who kept on sinning’. They became a ‘new creation in Christ’ and ‘walked as He walked’ in the power of His Spirit. (2 Cor. 5:17; 1 John 2:6; 3:6; 5:18)

This is what makes the ‘gospel’...Good News!. You can be free, transformed, made new; and not with some shallow religious ‘makeover’ either (2 Tim. 3:5). Your past life can be forgiven and ‘hid in Him’ as you walk in the newness of life that only comes through faith in Christ. (Rom. 6:1-8). But it’s a ‘walk’, not just a ‘belief’. I cannot understate the significance of what Paul warned we would witness in the ‘last days’... there in his writing to Timothy which I just referenced (2 Tim. 3:1-7). Notice that part how they would have a ‘form’ of godliness, but deny the ‘power’? There’s that mention of ‘power’ again that seems to always accompany this real ‘gospel’. So again, I ask...’power to do what?” And don’t overlook that lasts part about how people were ‘always learning, but never coming to the knowledge of the truth’ (7). Do you know what ‘truth’ he speaks of here?

Maybe it’s time we go back and read again...what ‘gospel of the kingdom’ Jesus came proclaiming. And I think we might glean a few things if we start in Luke 4: 1-18. Take a read through of that and then meet me back here tomorrow....Lord willing, of course.