Paul said to the church in Corinth, “And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.” (1 Corinthians 9:23,24) When Pastor Chris Baker and I started talking about a city-wide Gospel Crusade almost two years ago, we knew one thing – it would be about the Gospel! We considered calling it a city-wide Gospel campaign, a city-wide Gospel rally, and a city-wide Gospel crusade, but we knew it would be focused on the Gospel.
As I traveled around our country these past ten months to cast the burden and vision for the Trenton Gospel Crusade, I focused most of my messages on our faith and the Gospel. The passage I preached on often was another admonition from the Apostle Paul to the church at Corinth.
“For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the Gospel of Christ: Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men’s labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly, To preach the Gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s line of things made ready to our hand.” (2 Corinthians 10:14-16) The Gospel of Christ is the heart and soul of New England for Christ Ministries and certainly was of the Trenton Gospel Crusade.
What God did in Trenton, New Jersey, several weeks ago, when over 125 people trusted Christ as Saviour, is similar to what took place in Philippians chapter one, when churches were consumed with the Gospel of Christ.
1. The Fellowship of the Gospel – v. 3-5
One of the many blessings of the Trenton Gospel Crusade was the sweet fellowship of servants for Christ from all over the country. How can people from Texas, Florida, Minnesota, Illinois, Maryland, Idaho, Maine, and many other northeastern states work together with such a sweet spirit of fellowship? THE GOSPEL! There is no other way to explain the sweet fellowship we had during the four weeks of evangelism and canvassing and the week of the crusade other than the wonderful Gospel of Christ. I wouldn’t trade the fellowship of independent fundamental Baptists for anything on planet earth!
2. Their Faithfulness in the Gospel – v. 6
What God did in Trenton could not have happened had it not been for a faithful pastor and church family – Pastor Lou Guarneri and Straightway Baptist Church. Part of our burden of the city-wide Gospel Crusades is to hitch our wagon to an independent Baptist church THAT HAS A BURDEN TO START A CHURCH IN A CITY. Pastor Guarneri and the faithful people of Straightway Baptist Church committed themselves, and continue to do so, to the Gospel going forth in this needy capital city of New Jersey. The Bible says, “But a faithful man, who can find?” Many churches will never experience the joy of starting a new church. This great church has demonstrated faithfulness to the Gospel.
3. Their Fearlessness in the Gospel – v. 7
The early churches in the book of Acts knew what it was like to experience persecution for preaching the Gospel. There are still many places around the world today that know what it’s like to suffer for the cause of Christ. The reality is very, very few Americans know anything about suffering for preaching the Gospel of Christ. But, when you go into the heart of the cities of the Northeast, you see the depths of sin and moral decay in America today. It takes boldness and fearlessness to go into gang and drug infested areas with the love of Christ. Praise the Lord that where sin abounds, grace does much more abound!
4. The Friendship in the Gospel – v. 8
Similar to fellowship in the Gospel are the friendships that we forged at the Trenton Gospel Crusade. Bible college students from several colleges came and worked together, establishing friendships as they labored. Christians from far and wide came and went soul winning together. Evangelists came from Minnesota and Florida and worked a bus route together. Pastors from New Jersey and New York lent a bus, assembled John and Romans, sent men to work security, and helped with a three-on-three basketball tournament. Also, they sent choir members, helped drive vans during the week, and established friendships! Two evangelists who helped with all the tent and supplies didn’t even know they lived 15 minutes from each other! The list goes on and on. Thank God for the friendship in the Gospel.
5. The Furtherance of the Gospel – v. 12
Some may think it is a waste to print 32,000+ John and Romans, make that many packets, and then think of how many don’t even want them. HOWEVER, it is not our responsibility to give the Gospel to just those that want to hear it or who ask for it. It is our responsibility to preach the Gospel to every creature. When Paul spoke of the Gospel’s sake, the next verse, he admonished the believers to run that ye may obtain. We praise the Lord that we were able to get packets to every home, fulfilling our responsibility to get the Gospel to everyone.
What God did in Trenton could not have happened were it not for a faithful pastor and church family – Pastor Lou Guarneri and Straightway Baptist Church. Part of the burden of our city-wide Gospel Crusades is to hitch our wagon to an independent Baptist church THAT HAS A BURDEN TO START A CHURCH IN A CITY. Pastor Guarneri and the faithful people of Straightway Baptist Church committed themselves, and continue to do so, to the Gospel going forth in this needy capital city of New Jersey. The Bible says, “But a faithful man, who can find?” Many churches will never experience the joy of starting a new church. This great church has demonstrated faithfulness to the Gospel.
6. The Faith of the Gospel – v. 27
In Paul’s beautiful letter to the church at Philippi, he reminded them that we are striving together for the faith of the Gospel. We understand that God calls us to do the same today for the faith of the Gospel. We praise the Lord that the soul winning, the preaching each night, the song service, and the programs for children and teenagers all pointed people to Jesus Christ. The Gospel message was not watered down or mixed with other religious teachings. The Gospel preaching clearly demonstrated the Gospel of Christ in simplicity. We gave public invitations to invite people to the Christ of the Gospel.
In conclusion, it is encouraging that Jesus made very clear what is the responsibility of the New Testament church. How I thank God that the Trenton Gospel Crusade helped fulfill that great purpose “for such a time as this!”