WHY THE GOSPEL IS SO POWERFUL

                           By Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.

It is the power of God unto Salvation unto everyone who believes. It is the Good News that God has visited this earth with a dynamic that shook both Earth and Hell. It is the amazing story of God’s Redemption of mankind. It is Deliverance from Satan’s kingdom and a gracious entrance into Christ’s Kingdom. It is receiving an eternal inheritance that never ends!

It is Divine Healing for troubled minds, broken spirits and diseased bodies. It is our Passport from sin to forgiveness, from fear to peace, from hate to love, from eternal death to eternal life. It ushers us into the Family of God. It gives us Freedom from sin, fear, sickness, disease, pain and, power over the Devil and his demon entities!

The Gospel of Jesus Christ gives us a New Life as adopted children of God, walking in the love of God. It is reaching out in faith to help our fellowman, for the glory of our Saviour. It is the operation of the Blessed Holy Spirit, leading, guiding and protecting His children as by faith, we help to build His Church! It is joy unspeakable and full of glory as we look unto Jesus Christ, the author and the perfecter our faith, ever waiting and watching for His return! Amen.

1. It is the Power of God unto Salvation:

“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God... Jesus answered, Verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. “Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” (John 3: 3, 7)

“For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time His righteousness: that He might be just, and the Justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” (Romans 3: 23-25)

“But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on Him that raised up Jesus from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. (Romans 4: 24, 25)

“But now being made free from sin, and become servants of God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23, 24)

2. It is the Good news that God visited the earth:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son int the world to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3;16, 17)

“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on Him.” (John 3: 36); “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God.

“But made Himself of no reputation. And took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God hath highly exalted him, and given Him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Phil. 4: 5-11).

3. It is the story of God’s Redemption of mankind:

Every good gift and every perfect is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Of His own will begat He us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of His creatures.” (James 1: 17-8)

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine hear that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confesseth is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10: 9, 10)

“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifested in these last times for you.

“Who by Him do believe in God, that raised Him up from the dead, and gave Him glory; and that your faith; that your faith and hope might be in God.”(1 Peter 1: 18,19)

4. It is our Passport from sin to forgiveness, fear to peace, hate to love, eternal death to eternal life:

“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and everyone that loveth is born of God and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God for God is Love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world that we might live through Him.

“Herein is love not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in Him, and He in us, because He hath given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. Whosoever shall CONFESS that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in Him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love and He that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God and God in him.

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that fearest is not made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us.” (1 John 4: 7-19)

“Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and has translated us into the Kingdom of His dear Son. In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the first born of every creature:

“For by Him were all things created, that are in Heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him: And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist.

“And He is the Head of the body, the Church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fulness dwell. And having made peace through the Blood of His Cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself, by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in Heaven.

“And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled. In the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unrepoveable in His sight.” (Colossians 1: 13-14). “Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the Door of the sheep. All that ever came before Me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.

“I am the Door: by Me if any mans enter in, he shall be saved and go in and out and find pasture. “The thief cometh not but to steal, kill and destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

“I am the Good Shepherd: the good shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.” (John 10:7-11): “And ye know that He (Jesus) was manifested to take away our sins; and in Him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in Him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen Him, neither known Him.” (1 John 5:5,6)

5. The Blood of Jesus Christ has Destroyed Satan's Evil Power:

“Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brethren abideth in death. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us: and we ought to lay own our lives for the brethren.” (1 John 3:5-9,13, 14

“He that committeth sin is of the devil: for the devil sinneth from the beginning For This purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might Destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God does not commit sin; for His seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin because he is born of God. (1 John 3:9). The Holy Bible states that our salvation is based on the the pure and perfect blood of Jesus Christ shed for our sins: “Forasmuch as ye know that that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things...But with the Precious Blood as of a Lamb without blemish or spot, Who verily was foreordained before the fountain of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.” (1 Peter 1:18-20)

“That all men should honour the SON, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son, honoureth not the Father which hath sent Him. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My Word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation but is passed from death to life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.” (John 3: 23-25)

“Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His Holy Name. Bless the Lord O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; Who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagles.” (Psalms 103: 1-5

“Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.

“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid upon Him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth: He brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so openeth He not His mouth.” (Isaiah 53: 4-6)

“When the even was come, they brought unto Him, many that were possessed with devils; and He cast out the spirits with His Word, and healed all that were sick: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities and bare our sicknesses.” (Matthew 8: 16, 17)

“Who His own self bare our sins in His own on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” (1 Peter 2: 24); “Wherefore, come out from among them, and be ye separate saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” (2 Corinthians 5: 17,18)

6. It ushers us into the family of God and keeps us safe in Him:

CHOSEN IN HIM:

“Grace be to you, and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in Heavenly places in Christ: According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love:

ACCEPTED BY HIM:

“Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will. To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the Beloved. In whom we have Redemption through His Blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.

WISDOM & PRUDENCE:

“Wherein He hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself. That in the dispensation of the fulness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in Heaven, and which are in earth; even in Him:

SEALED WITH HOLY SPIRIT:

“In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will: That we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the Word of truth the gospel of your salvation; whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of Promise; Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory.” (Ephesians 1:2-4)

“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that they might be filled with all the fulness of God.

“Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” (Ephesians 4: 17-21): “And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.” (1 Corinthians 12:26, 27)

6. It gives us Freedom; and Power over the Devil and his entities:

“And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you...heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The Kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through Thy name. And He said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from Heaven.

“Behold I give unto you POWER to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the Enemy and all the power of the ENEMY and nothing shall by any means Hurt you. “ (Luke 10: 17-19)

“These words spake Jesus, and lifted up His to eyes to Heaven and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify Thy Son, that Thy Son also may glorify Thee. As Thou hast given Him power over all flesh, that He should give ETERNAL LIFE to as many as Thou hast given Him. And this is Life Eternal, that they might know Thee the only True God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou has sent.” (John 17: 1-3)

7. Victory over Satan eternally: 

“Afterward He appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart to believe, because they believed not them which had seen Him after He was risen.” (Mark 16: 15-20)

“Behold I give unto you POWER to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the Enemy and all the power of the ENEMY and nothing shall by any means Hurt you. “ (Luke 10: 17-19)

“How God anointed JESUS of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power, who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil for God was with Him. And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem, whom they slew and hanged on a tree:

“Him God raised up and showed Him openly...And He commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is He which was ordained of God to be the judge of quick (living) and dead. To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins.

“While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God...” (Acts 19: 34-46)

SATAN'S ETERNAL DEFEAT!

“And there was WAR in Heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in Heaven.

“And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. And I heard a loud voice saying in Heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the Kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast out, which accused them before our God day and night.

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. (Revelation 12: 7-11)

“And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast , and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” (Revelation 20: 10). Amen.