The Sounds of the Gospel

DSCN0545Selma Oetker Protestant Christian Missionary.

Recently I was sitting in my backyard on a beautiful sunny afternoon, the temperature in the 80’s. It was so quiet, the only sounds I heard were the cicadas and crickets chirping, and wind chimes tinkling in the gentle breeze.

Suddenly this thought came to me: what are the “sounds” of the Gospel? The first Scripture that came to my mind (from the Protestant Christian Bible New Testament), was of John the Baptist, saying,Repent, for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand. After reflecting on this, I decided that I need to start at the beginning, in the Book of Matthew.

All Scriptures in this article are from the Protestant Christian Bible New Testament, which is the ONLY TRUE REVELATION FROM GOD.

First, we hear the “sound” of the angel of the Lord speaking:

[Matthew 1:18-21 NIV] 18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

Again, in these verses from the Book of Luke, we hear the “Sound”of the angel of the Lord, announcing the birth of Jesus.

angels

[Luke 2:1-12 NKJV] 1 And it came to pass in those days [that] a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.8 now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 “And this [will be] the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

Now we hear a new sound: the voice of John the Baptist, preaching, and preparing the way for Jesus to begin His earthly ministry as an adult man in the flesh, who is also the Divine Son of God.

[Matthew 3:1-3 NKJV] 1 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” 3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make His paths straight.”

[Matthew 3:13-17 NIV] 13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. 16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

Now we will listen to the “sound” of Jesus Himself speaking:

[Matthew 4:17 NKJV] 17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say,”Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Repentance means to stop the way one is thinking and acting, to be contrite for your actions. Repentance in the Old Testament is very clear; the Jewish people and their proselytes were to obey only the Laws of Moses. Repentance in the New Testament is also very clear. The New Covenant that Jesus spoke about at the Last Supper can be summed up by Jesus’s one command … if you love me you’ll keep my teachings and my commands… Jesus’ teachings and commands are found only in one Book, the Protestant Christian Bible New Testament. If a follower of Jesus does not obey ONLY these commands then he/she is not a Spiritually Born Again Christian; they are only the lost religionists. 

It is by the Holy Spirit of God, the Third Person of our Blessed Holy Trinity, (who is equal and inseparable from the Father, and Son(Jesus), all are within this Spiritual Substance known as God), and by God’s Grace, that one can be spiritually born again. The Father’s Grace is His Power, Strength, Love, and Favor, that condescends down to all humans, in abundant measure.

God wants ALL people to be saved from eternity in Hell. However, it is YOUR CHOICE! God does not send people to Hell. You CHOOSE Hell when you refuse to put your faith in JESUS ALONE as your Savior, believing that He is the Divine Son of God, and the ONLY WAY TO HEAVEN.

[Acts 4:12 NIV] 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other
name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

Do you want to continue listening only to the “sounds” of the world; lies, deception, vulgar talk, anti-Christian rhetoric, tolerance and acceptance of every thing that is immoral and evil?

Or, are you willing to open your heart and mind and ears to “hear”the “sound” of the Gospel Message, which is the words given by Jesus, the Apostles, and Evangelists in the Protestant Christian Bible New Testament?

When you die, you will hear either the beautiful sounds of Heaven, or the sounds of tormented souls in Hell. There is nothing in between. There is no such thing as soul sleep, purgatory, reincarnation, or simply ceasing to exist. It’s your choice alone!, Heaven or Hell.

September 2015, Protestant Christian Missionary Norman and Selma Oetker, Saint Charles Missouri U.S., HowToBecomeAChristianToday.Com,NormanOetker.com, HmongNews.Org, Norman Oetker: YouTube, Twitter, Tumblr, Linkedin