Good Friday Series — Our CALL to the CROSS
In Galatians 2:20, the Bible says, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
Jesus Christ gave His life for us; He shed His blood for our salvation. Let’s remember His sacrifice, and live our lives for Him.
“The bedrock foundation for our call to world missions is the blood of Jesus Christ.” –Jon Dunagan
Follow the full GOOD FRIDAY series
God’s Only Way
It is Christ’s blood that sets Christianity apart from every other religion. In the world’s eye, Christ’s blood is despised and rejected; yet according to God’s Word, it is precious and powerful.
“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.”
–I Corinthians 1:18
Non-Offensive Evangelism?
Years ago, I (Jon) had an acquaintance with a pastor who was trying to add people to his church by making his services “user-friendly.” One time, when I was visiting his congregation, I listened as this pastor encouraged his members to invite others to church in non-offensive ways. Spontaneously, the pastor called for me to come up to the front (as a visiting evangelist) and to demonstrate to the congregation how to lead someone to Jesus without using offensive words such as “the blood” or “the cross.”
So I walked up to the front and just stood there . . . without saying a word.
After several minutes of awkward silence, the pastor seemed nervous and embarrassed.
Finally, I answered loud and clear, “Pastor, it is impossible to lead someone to salvation without talking about the blood and the cross.”
A few people in the congregation clapped, as I sat back down (but needless to say, I was never invited to preach at that church again).
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus
Old hymn books are filled with choruses about Christ’s precious blood and His sacrifice on the cross; yet any contemporary churches avoid this theme.
In “broadminded” Christian churches, preaching about Christ’s blood is considered controversial and unnecessary. A sermon about “the blood” sounds violent and grotesque. Serious discussions about sin, or God’s salvation through Jesus Christ alone, are deemed insulting, or offensive. Some Christian churches even avoid any display of the cross.
In many public settings, ministers or leaders are criticized, or harassed, for praying in the name of Jesus Christ.
Yet Christ’s sacrifice, His cross, and His name are irreplaceable.
His blood is our only hope.
This post is an excerpt from Chapter 2, “God’s Only Way,” from
Jon & Ann Dunagan’s book, THE SCARLET CORD: Nothing but the Blood of Jesus. It’s a concise call to world missions, emphasizing God’s only way of salvation through the precious blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.
NETS missions with Harvest Ministry: Sharing the JESUS Film in remote villages in Nepal
From “For Christ Road” our whole family sends blessings back your way. God bless you Mr. & Mrs. Robert 🙂 🙂
It is so good to read the Gospel on your website. Bless you and ‘yours’…all that are ‘His’.