2 Corinthians 4:4-6 “4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. 6 For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
1. How do we see the glory of God?
In the face of Christ
Christ came to demonstrate God and His love
2. What is the gospel?
Jesus shows himself through it
1 Peter 3:18 - Paul is the foremost of sinners
*There is one love, God’s love for us. The gospel is free, His love is free*
3. Why don’t we get giddy when we start talking about the gospel of Jesus?
- Because we don’t think of God as a person, we think of God as a concept
a. We are meant to know the warm, loving face of our father God
b. Because we think of Him as a cosmic police officer who is never pleased
His countenance is a frown
Luke 15:20 “And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.”
Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.”
c. Because we don’t look at the world around us as loving communication
But everything around us is sending a message from God
Psalm 19:1-5 “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom leaving it's chamber, and, like a strong man runs it's course for joy."
Because the cross of Jesus has become cliche
d. Because the cross of Jesus has become cliche
- Use my imagination to see the cross more clearly