For the Sake of the Gospel 9.25.2025

Tell me the Story of Jesus,

Write on my heart every word.

Tell me the story most precious,

Sweetest that ever was heard.

Tell Me the Story of Jesus, Stanza 1

    The most robust and accurate test for our knowledge and understanding of scripture is the fruit-bearing evidence of our life. As a preacher you study the Bible to prepare and preach sermons designed to disciple your congregation. We invest in the understanding of Scripture because if we do not do the work with integrity, we risk making the Bible say things it does not or to emphasize issues outside its purview. And ultimately this symbiotic relationship between Preacher, Congregation, and Bible is for the sake of the Gospel. For out of all the stories in the Bible and all the truths it tells, it is the story of Jesus that yields salvation. 

    And the measure of our adherence to the story of Jesus, His Gospel is a transformed life. There are places in the Bible where we read of this consequential impact of the Gospel. 

The Beatitudes

 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.  “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God”“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.  Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

(Matthew 5:2-12 ESV)

James’ Meditation on the Words of Jesus

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.  But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

(James 3:13-18 ESV)

Fruit of the Spirit

  Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, Galatians 5:21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, Galatians 5:23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

(Galatians 5:19-23 ESV)  

    There are many other passages in the New Testament that remind us of the impact our behavior has on the reception of the Gospel. Each of these speakers or authors is recasting the central truth that a relationship with Jesus changes our relationship with everyone else and our relationship with everything else. It is for our own sake that we seek to grow into the image of Jesus. It is for the sake of our people that we work diligently in the text and grow more able as a writer and more capable as a speaker. It is for the sake of the Gospel—the saving story of Jesus that we master the text. It may have taken several essays to lay all of this out but there is a single holistic message. Jesus came into the world to save us. His story is the central plot of our life changing gospel, recorded in scripture, taught in His Church, told by those called to preach. 

    It does not matter how smart we are, how deeply we are educated, how clearly, we write, or how eloquently we speak if our lives do not reflect a saving regenerative relationship with Jesus. And please understand, I’m not talking about the risk to, or impact on our own personal salvation. I am talking about the consequences for the Gospel story itself. If the messengers are not transformed by the message, if we are not impacted and altered by the words of Scripture, why should others listen to us? The issue here is not merely rooting out hypocrisy but trying to arrive at basic consistency. When we bear fruit, it magnifies the Gospel. When we live rightly it reflects upon the impact the story of Jesus. When we live peaceably and meekly and hunger for God’s own righteousness our behaviors are an endorsement for the saving message of Jesus. 

    A part of this process of regenerated living--for those who are called to preach is remaining faithful and diligent to the task. If it is the saving Gospel of Jesus, as we believe it to be, then it deserves our full attention, our best efforts, and an honest approach. Again, not just so you and I are thought to be good guys, but because it brings honor to this saving story when we treat it like the treasured message that it is. 

    Let’s live our lives, our whole lives for the sake of this saving Gospel. Trusting Jesus, not only to save us from our sins, but to use us to proclaim His message far and wide. When we live for the sake of the Gospel, and labor toward the impact of the Gospel we can rightly expect God to bless those who hear, respond, and obey.