August 2024

We Can’t Afford to Get this Wrong!

by Pastor Mike Fabarez

There’s a lot of talk these days about “saving the soul of America” and what it really means to be an American. What makes someone an American? What are our unifying principles? These heated discussions aren’t just talk — they are important debates about our national identity.

While you and I may grow weary of the rhetoric, and seek to tune out the noisy political talk, I assure you there are some debates worth having — especially those about the gospel and the central truths of Christianity.

What does it mean to be a Christian? Who can be saved? What do we have to do to be saved? There’s so much at stake and so much to defend!

One of the early church’s first tasks was to ensure that the gospel Jesus gave his disciples was accurately communicated. As you can imagine, when the gospel spread, it became more difficult to maintain a unified message.

Paul and Barnabas recognized the danger of a distorted gospel and gathered with church leaders at the “Jerusalem Council” to debate and determine the central tenants of the Christian faith. These men worked hard to clarify the gospel handed down to us.

You and I cannot afford to get the gospel wrong.

As followers of Christ, our first priority is the kingdom of God. Elections are very important (you and I should be a part of it), but they cannot save America’s soul — only the gospel can do that. The well-being of our families, our communities, and our country are inextricably linked to the health of the gospel and the church.

That’s why this August on Focal Point, I invite you to join me for a study titled, Guarding the Gospel. I’ll walk you through several critical sections in Acts 15 with the following messages in my four-part series:

• A Debate Worth Having … Discover why there are some debates worth having, especially those about the gospel and the central truths of Christianity.
• Grace and Works … Find out how the gospel guarantees immediate, full, and unearned forgiveness and why this grace should inspire us to do good works.
• Unified By the Truth … Uncover the importance of wholehearted submission to God’s word and the call for unity among God’s people under these truths.
• Strengthened By Our Unity … Be inspired by the joyful and gratifying reality of biblical unity — an essential component of a vibrant and fruitful church.

It is my prayer that as you listen, you will refresh your focus, avoid doctrinal confusion, and experience the peace of living each day in the timeless, changeless truths of God.