1 Corinthians 1:18 – “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. “  NKJV

I interviewed for a sales job once and the interviewer commented, “Well I guess you are qualified after all preaching is the ultimate in sales.”  I have thought about that many times since and disagree.  Someone once asked if I knew the definition of a salesman and I knew he had what he considered clever to offer so I played the game and said no.  He said, “A salesman is some who convinces you to buy what you don’t need at a price you can’t afford.”  That may be true of some but certainly not true for all who are in sales.  Although sales involves convincing someone to purchase a particular item I do not consider preaching a ‘sales job’ or a ‘pitch’ it is the presentation of GOOD NEWS pointing to the door of salvation and life.  It is more of a ‘public service announcement’ than ‘sales pitch’. 

Once in witnessing to a particularly difficult individual and presenting the GOOD NEWS he stopped me and said, “You are quite the salesman, aren’t you?”  I said, “No sir, I’m not trying to sell you anything I am simply offering information that, if received, will completely transform you”  I make no commission, the price has already been paid, and the warranty is eternal.  It is up to each individual to decide if they will receive the offer or reject it.  If the Holy Spirit is tugging your heart strings then I urge you to accept.  I know that this might be splitting hairs but I have never considered preaching the gospel as sales or politics.  I not seeing a sale or garner a vote I am seeking to see a life transformed.

The apostle Paul packaged what the gospel is in a beautiful package in 1 Corinthians 15:1-8.  He identified that Christ died for our sin, was buried, rose on the third day, and seen by eyewitnesses.  He continues in the next verses declaring that there is a resurrection from the dead for Christ arose.  If Christ did not rise then our faith is in vain and we are still without hope and all we have is here and now making that a pitiable existence.  But, Christ did arise and we have hope!

The word gospel means ‘good news’ and the image is that of a newborn calf skipping in delight as it leaps and plays.  The GOOD NEWS makes our hearts leap for joy for it is transforming us from children of darkness into children of light.  We are ‘born again’ and become ‘new creations’ in God where the old is gone and the new has come to life.  So today I come with a ‘public service announcement’ that Jesus is alive and is extending the offer of salvation to whosoever will.  Harken to the call of the Spirit of God if you have not and if you are a child of the King then allow Him to live His life through you completely.

            May God be with you as you go through your day!