Volume 31 Issue 1
A publication of Focus Evangelistic Ministries, Inc
Spring 2021
THE COMMUNICATOR
Focus Evangelistic Ministries, Inc. PO Box 498 Danielsville, GA 30633
What Does it Mean to be Clear on the Gospel?
An excited student told me about a “wonderful evangelist” who had a testimony of going from an alcoholic to being a preacher. “My family is going to help with his next crusade!”
“Well,” I said to her, “the main thing with evangelists is not how great their stories are, but whether they are clear on the gospel or not.”
“Oh, he’s clear Mr. Freddie. He made me cry!”
An easy internet search revealed that the message of that particular preacher was not a clear gospel. It made me wonder how many people actually understand what it means to be clear on the gospel.
Clarity is important!
Can you imagine a pilot being unclear about where the plane is supposed to land? What if a surgeon wasn’t clear about what to cut? What would music sound like if musicians were not exactly clear what notes to play?
No subject needs clarity more than the gospel, since this is the very message that establishes eternal salvation. The message needs to be clear so that a person understands exactly what to do to be saved into eternal life!
Paul wrote thirteen or fourteen books of the Bible and invested much time and energy to solve the disastrous and widespread problem of unclear gospel presentations. He wrote this:
“…praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds; that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.” – Colossians 4:3, 4
Paul gave us a great prayer! Having a door of utterance is a prized possession, a pure treasure of opportunity! Let us never waste those tremendous moments of eternal potential with sloppy presentations that leave people uncertain of what to do to know they are saved.
To be clear on the gospel means that we present an understandable message that leaves an unsaved person certain that their position is so hopeless that all they can do is trust in Jesus, and nothing else, to save them. Using the Bible as a guide, let’s look at what makes a presentation clear.
Before the Moment of Salvation
“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” – Isaiah 53:6
“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” – Isaiah 64:6
We should be clear about the person’s position as a sinner before God. Can a sinner fix the sin problem? Can the lost sheep find his own way? Can the sinner create righteousness that God will approve? Of course not, but people still play games with words and phrases to try to help sinners to not be sinners, rather than show them the way to have life. Lost sheep don’t know which way to turn! A clear gospel stops allowing lost people to think religious efforts will save them.
“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins.” – Ephesians 2:1
Clearly, the Bible says unsaved persons are lost, hopeless, and dead in sins. The answer is not to find their own way to God, trust in their best religious actions, and make themselves alive. There is no hope for self help, religious deeds, or attempts to turn from sin to be saved. Thank God, our iniquity was laid on Him.
In the Moment of Salvation
There is only one act that brings an unsaved person into eternal life. That single action is believing in Christ. Their hope is not fixing their addictions, turning from their sins, or self improvement. It is Jesus. Make no mistake; if the unsaved think that their increased efforts to start doing better will help save them, the gospel has not been clearly understood.
“He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” – John 3:18
“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” – John 3:36
“And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” – Acts 16:31
In the moment of salvation, believing in Christ to save is the single thing a sinner can do.
After the Moment of Salvation
Is there more to do to be saved than believing in Christ? No. Of course we have hopes that a saved person will live obediently and serve the Lord, but obedience and service are a part of growth and discipleship, not birth. When good works and obedient acts get mixed into a gospel presentation, it makes the gospel unclear. If the person thinks other things must be added to faith in Christ for salvation, the gospel has not been clearly understood.
“But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” – John 20:31
“But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe…” – Romans 3:21, 22
We are tempted to add things into the gospel to help people behave, but the clear gospel is a message about God’s rescue. It calls a fallen sinner to trust in nothing else but the worthy Christ who purged sin at the cross.
F.E.M.I. is a non-profit organization. All gifts are tax deductible. Freddie is supported through the financial support of churches and families who love him and believe in the ministry that God has entrusted to him. All bookings are handled through the ministry office on a first come basis. Freddie does not charge a fee for his speaking ministries but trusts the Lord’s people to care for and support him.
Gifts or Contact by mail: FEMI PO Box 498 Danielsville GA 30633 Phone: 762-218-3060
DOWN AT GRACE FARM
Grace Farm has never looked better! volunteer groups are coming in and serving. Flowers are blooming. we’re getting ready for summer camps and The Georgia Missions Project!
This summer our theme is “Grace For Life.” Are your church youth signed up yet? How about the grandkids? Everybody ought to experience the good times we’ll be having and the good truths we’ll be bringing from the Word of God. So come on! Get ‘em signed up! Camps are for ages 8-18. All ages will be at the Georgia Missions Project.
We’ll be needing a few more Volunteers too. You could even bring the family! Apply at www.GraceFarmOnline.com.
“COMMUNICATING THE TRUTH WITH CLARITY AND SIMPLICITY.”
We’re so thankful that people are going and doing again! People need the Lord so much. Its better to light a candle than complain about the darkness. No candle shines a brighter light than the gospel of Christ. So let’s keep on keeping on!
Going For The Gospel…
