Good Advice or the Power of God?

We had good discussion this past Wednesday night about the gospel. Here's a quote from Leon Morris...

"The Gospel is not advice to people suggesting they lift themselves. It is power. It lifts them up."

This is the greatest need of the American Church. We must once again see the power of the gospel. We don't need to just tell people how they can have a better marriage or be debt free or how to lose 10 pounds. We need to clearly proclaim the GOSPEL. When the gospel begins it's work on you, it will transform these other areas, but it needs to do the transforming. We aren't just a spiritual version of Oprah or Dr. Phil. We are messengers sent to proclaim the greatest story ever told, a story with the power to change the world.

Romans 1:16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."

Here's a good quote along the same idea from Jacob Riggs at afrayedknot...

Why do music and sermons only focus on “light” topics? Stop singing songs that don’t mean anything. Give us depth. Give us solid food. Give us historical context and exegetical sermons. Don’t give me three points and a poem. Stop worrying about if you’re going to step on my toes and give me the honest, pure word of God. Do this in the music, teaching, and preaching. It’s sometimes a really great thing if you’re blunt about where I’m really bad at life. That’s why I’m coming–to grow and change to be more like Christ. Don’t tell me I’m ok where I am. Yes, be encouraging, but be honest first.