Throughout the years people have been convinced that Jesus would return at any moment.

Anyone remember back to the early 1970’s to Hal Lindsey’s best selling book, The Late Great Planet Earth, and also the film, A Thief in the Night? (Maybe I’m dating myself!) We were ready for Christ to come.  But, the 70’s and 80’s went by and still no Jesus. 

There was a lot of talk about the world coming to an end at the turn of the millennium.  Remember all the Y2K alarmists?  A decade later and Jesus still hasn’t come!

As Christians, we should always be ready:  “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.  Be on guard!  Be alert!  You do not know when that time will come” (Mark 13:32-33).

So, let me ask you a couple of questions:

First and foremost, are you ready to meet the Lord?  Do you know Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord?  Are you resting solely on the all-sufficiency of the work that Christ did on the cross for your salvation? 

Click on the link for a list of resources that can help you better understand salvation:  Becoming a Christian

Second, if you do know Him, are you ready to stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ?  This judgment is not a time to determine your eternal destiny.  That was taken care of when you put your trust in Christ alone to save you.  The Judgment Seat of Christ is for those whose destiny is already determined in heaven with Jesus forever.  This judgment is for what you have done with what He has given you  —”his work will be shown for what it is … the fire will test the quality of each man’s work” (1 Cor. 3:13).

Ministry Tools Resource Center exists to help you be ready for that day — to help you use what He has given you effectively and with eternal impact.  At the core is discovering, developing, and using your spiritual gifts.

Within people who do not have a personal relationship with God through Jesus there is a vacuum, an emptiness, a deep longing of their hearts. The Gospel fills that void.

The first guide in the Evangelizing the World Around Me Discussion Guide looks at this reality.  It starts by looking at some of the descriptions the Word uses for the Gospel such as:

Gospel of God’s Grace (Acts 20:24)
Gospel of the Kingdom (Matthew 24:14)
Gospel of Salvation (Ephesians 1:13)
Gospel of Peace (Ephesians 6:15)
Gospel of Truth (Colossians 1:5)
Gospel of Hope (Colossians 1:23)
Gospel of Eternal Glory (2 Timothy 2:10)

If you think about it these descriptions in the context of lost souls, you will soon realize how the Gospel truly does touch the core of their being with some good news.  Here are some of my thoughts on these phrases.

Gospel of God’s Grace – Within all of us is the need to feel worthy. The Gospel teaches us that when it comes to salvation we are all on the same plain. There is no one righteous enough, yet Christ still loved us. In Him we find our worth.

Gospel of the Kingdom – We can seem insignificantly small in this vast universe but through the Gospel we have something bigger than us to be a part of –a sense of community, of belonging.

Gospel of Salvation – The Gospel is a way to right the wrong in this world, a way to be forgiven so we no longer have to live in guilt, a way out of darkness and futility of life.

Gospel of Peace – The conflict between ideals and reality diminishes as we trust in a sovereign God.

Gospel of Truth – There is something absolute, a standard without which everything would be a subjective mess and flux.

Gospel of Hope – There is meaning. A rational view of the universe exists explaining why things are the way they are and that they will get better.

Gospel of Eternal Glory – There is life after death so even though we live with the realization that death can come at any moment, we can be okay knowing that this world is not the end. Life is meaningless if there is no life after this.

We have the answer to man’s deepest needs.  Are we evangelizing the world around us?

The Greek word for gospel, ‘evangelion,’ means “good news.”

Evangelism (‘evangelizo’) means “to bring or announce good news.”

When God is our standard or authority on the sanctity of human life, we find a consistency from conception to old age in how people should be valued.

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! (Ps. 139:13-17)

Gray hair is a crown of splendor. (Prov. 16:31) The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old. (Prov. 20:29) Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come.  (Ps. 71:18)

When God is our standard or authority on the sanctify of human life, we find a consistency in all stages and conditions of life in how people should be viewed.

Gen. 1:27 – “all” created in the image and likeness of God
2 Cor. 5:14-15; 1 Pet. 3:18 - Christ died for “all”

When God is our standard or authority on the sanctify of human life, we find a consistency in commands and instruction on how people who are oppressed, needy, or defenseless should be treated.

Sampling of verses:  Ps. 68:5; 82:3; James 1:27; 1 Jn. 3:17

When God is not the standard, we find inconsistency because sanctity of human life is based on personal opinion, scientific interpretation, or circumstances which are individualistic or relative rather than universal or absolute.   Some lives could therefore be considered more valuable than others.  Further, the same life could be valued in some settings or times but not in others.

At the root of one’s view of the social issues about human life is a moral choice one makes about life.  Even deeper, however, is the choice we make about who determines morality.

The Social Issues:

abortion, human embryo research, human cloning, euthanasia, what to do with people who are disabled, etc.

The Moral Issues:  ethics 

Who should be protected and defended and who can be abused or destroyed?

Who should be given value and who can be disregarded and viewed as inferior?

Who should be treated with dignity and respect and who can be mocked or robbed of dignity?

The Deeper Issues:  authority

Do we listen to what the media tells us?  Does a plethora of propaganda make something right?

Do we go with what government allows?  Does legalization make something right?

Do we adhere to scientific theory?  Does someone’s interpretation of science make something right?

Do we hold to what seems expedient?  Do circumstances make something right?

Do we look for a source outside of ourselves?  Does God determine what is right?

How you handle the social issues are mere symptoms of your ethics.  Ethics stem from your basis of authority in making ethical decisions.  So, the real issue is how reliable your authoritative base is for making life and death decisions.