Communicating a Clear Gospel Message

Aaron and Lori Luse were in sitting a phonetics class here in Missouri back in 1999. Today they work with the Patpatar people of Papua New Guinea.

In 2012, Aaron shared the message of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus to some Patpatar folks who had not yet heard the Gospel message. It was on that day that their lives were changed for eternity.

Stanley, a Patpatar believer, shared his testimony with Aaron. He said, “I knew that Jesus had died on the cross, but I just never knew the reason. I had been told a long time ago that Jesus was the road, and I told others that. But that road of Jesus’ work so I could go to God wasn’t clear to me. Now that I clearly understand, I can no longer believe in fireflies, ginger, and rituals [the traditional beliefs]. It is not my works, but only the death of Jesus, the work of his death and resurrection in our place for our sins. I believe in God’s road only.”

My own experience was similar to this Patpatar believer. I went to Sunday school as a child. I knew that Jesus died on a cross. But no one ever explained to me why He died on a cross. I am so thankful that someone finally explained the gospel to me clearly in a way that could be understood.

The goal of our Missionary Training Center is to teach missionary candidates how to present the gospel in a clear and understandable way. In order to do that they need to understand not only the language but also the culture of the people that they wish to reach with the gospel message.

Dr. Charles Ryrie’s challenge to keep the gospel clear is vital to understanding this important message. He wrote: “Keep the issue clear: The issue is sin, and Who is going to forgive it. Keep the direction clear: It is from the Giver to the recipient. The gift of righteousness is given when you believe. Keep the requirements clear: It is salvation through FAITH. There is nothing more!”

We begin a new semester here in a few short weeks. I appreciate your prayers as we train our students in the principles of communicating a clear gospel message in a cross-cultural context.

Bob

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A Restful Heart
by J. F. Strombeck

The alternative to a heart "established with grace" is a restless and fearful heart. That is the experience of vast numbers of believers who do not understand the abounding grace of God. Surely a believer's striving in his own power, with the accompanying failures, and the fears of possibly being lost, do not establish the heart. That causes uncertainty, distress, and fainting. But when it is seen that God's work of grace cannot fail, because it is of Him, and that back of His purpose is all His infinite power and grace, the heart does find rest and becomes established.