…. and that is the good news, the gospel! The bad news is that you were lost in sin and destined for hell. But Jesus died for your sins and now you are forgiven and have eternal life. If you accepted Jesus as savior, you claim your identity as a child of God. Praise the Lord and live in that knowledge. Walk in his ways and He will see you through. I will see you next Sunday.
I think I will have a coffee before heading home. Looks like there are just two cups left. Ah, now to sit down and relax.
Was that good news?
What, who is talking?
It is me Jesus. You know the person you were just preaching about.
Am I dreaming or something?
No, it is me. Was that good news?
Yes, of course it was. It is your gospel.
Was that good news?
Yes, you know it was/is.
Hmmm, let’s see if you really believe your gospel is good news.
It is not my gospel, it is your gospel!
Was that good news? My message was for the whole world and that includes you. So I ask again, was that good news?
Yes it was – the way to eternal life.
For who?
Those who accept you as savior.
If it is good news for the world, then it would be entirely fair if I walked you through a portal that would randomly assign you as a new person.
What do you mean, a new person?
A person other than yourself in another part of the world perhaps.
No, that would not be fair.
Why not, your gospel is good news for the world isn’t it?
I might step through the portal and become one of the non-elect?
That is entirely possible.
I don’t want that to happen.
What makes you think you are one of the elect now? Maybe you would become one of the elect.
I know I am one of the elect, I feel it in my inner being, I preach in your name, I pray and praise you with lifted hands.
What did I say to similar people in my sermon on the mount? Depart from me, I never knew you.
No, No, this can’t be!
Are you ready to walk through the portal?
No, No, I might be a person in a far off place that never hears of you.
So you might be. Are you ready to walk through the portal?
No, No, I might be a person who was abused by a church and so reject you.
So you might be. Are you ready to walk through the portal?
No, No, I might be a backslider who accepts and then rejects you.
So you might be. Are you ready to walk through the portal?
No, No, I be a homosexual or trans person.
So you might be. Are you ready to walk through the portal?
No, No, I can’t take a chance, I won’t walk through the portal.
It is true that you might become one of the persons you mentioned and more. If your gospel is good news for the whole world then it is good news for them as well.
But my gospel sends all those people to hell!
That is true. Now walk through the portal.
No, Jesus, No, that is not fair.
It is not about fair, it is about the gospel. Now walk!
No, No, No! Pastor, Pastor, wake up! What? Where? Oh, I was dreaming! There is no portal to walk through. What a relief. I will have that last cup of coffee and head for home.
Was that good news?
Not you again! I know it is just a dream. I won’t walk through the portal.
Until you are willing to walk through the portal, the message you preach is your gospel not mine. My gospel is good news for all people for all time and this you do not believe. Now walk through the portal.
Dear reader: Are you willing to walk through the portal? Or is the gospel you hold good news for only certain privileged people – is that what God is really like?
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