Gospel From the Beach

I write this after attending a Sunday Morning service, beachside on an island in the Caribbean. Crashing waves created the rhythm to accompany the worship leader’s guitar. The pastor and his team setup in chairs and provide coffee in a shelter hut they rent from the island park service.

It was a far different experience than I experience each week in Laramie, or in Uganda, or in Guatemala, or any of the many places across this county I’ve had the honor of praising my savior.

What connects the global church is quite simple, yet so powerful its hard to express. Thankfully smarter people have done it for me.

The Gospel in One Sentence

“The death of Christ is the wisdom of God by which the love of God saves sinners from the wrath of God, all the while upholding and demonstrating the righteousness of God in Christ.”

— John Piper (Desiring God)

This message of hope and literal good news, has brought people from all walks of life to assemble in worship through song and the word for generations.

This has been the mark of the church for generations. Jesus gave marching/leading orders to his disciples close to his mission being completed on the cross.

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” 

 — John 13:34-35

This love is made complete in the sharing of the truth of the gospel that brings us together regardless of nation or tongue. A few verses after professing a commandment of love, he made sure that love was manifested in the truth.

…“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

 — John 14:6

It was a joy knowing that the spot I sat, hearing the Gospel of John preached, and the good news being proclaimed, was a spot that 1400 visitors a year shared that space. A great reminder that hearing the truth and seeing redeemed people love each other, will be the hope of all who