Subject: Embracing the Risk of the Gospel: A Transformative Call to Action (06/01/'24) -Message

Subject: Embracing the Risk of the Gospel: A Transformative Call to Action Dear Friends, I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to share some reflections on the profound and transformative nature of the gospel. The gospel whispers softly, a call to hearts and souls, not merely about thoughts or idle dreams, but about actions bold, like raging streams. This path of faith is dangerous, where love and truth must interlace. There is no safe retreat, no easy way, for in this walk, we must obey. God's will stands above all else, in every heart, in every land. It’s a call to arms, in love's pure light, to challenge wrong and stand for right. In family ties, in bonds so dear, the gospel’s truth may bring a tear. For when His will we first obey, some cherished ties might fray away. Yet in this risk, in this great cost, the soul finds what was never lost. A deeper joy, a truer peace, in living love that will not cease. Jesus, the man who faced the cross, in his embrace, no life is lost. He calls us now to take our stand, to bring His will to every land. There is no safe repose, no easy cheer, for those who hold the gospel dear. But in this danger, in this strife, we find the way to endless life. So let us act, with hearts ablaze, in dangerous love, in holy ways. For in this path, though trials lay, God’s kingdom dawns, a brighter day. The gospel is a dangerous idea. It is not just dangerous because we think about it and end there, but because we put what we think and believe into action. Saying the gospel is dangerous because it makes you think is an understatement. The real danger lies in the radical changes and actions it demands. It calls for God's will to be prioritized above all else, creating tension in various relationships. The true essence of the gospel is not merely believing in its principles but actively living them out. Walter Brueggemann emphasizes that the gospel is inherently radical and transformative, not "safe" or "innocuous." Jesus was crucified because his teachings and actions challenged existing power structures and societal norms. The gospel is dangerous because living it out requires confronting injustice, making personal sacrifices, and sometimes facing significant opposition. The gospel is described as "dangerous" not because it is dangerous to think about, but because living it out requires radical actions that align with God's will. This can disrupt personal lives, societal norms, and even familial relationships, as the believer prioritizes divine directives over all else. The gospel’s transformative power lies in its demand for action, its call to embody the teachings of Jesus in everyday life, and its promise of a deeper joy and a truer peace. May we embrace the risk and challenge of living out the gospel, finding courage in our faith and strength in the transformative power of God’s will. Blessings, Pastor Steven G. Lee (June 1, 2024)