What gospel do you hear when you sit in church on Sunday? A “gospel” promising health, wealth, and satisfaction? A “gospel” encouraging you to slide your sin under the nearest rug? Or a “gospel” taunting you with salvation if you just try a little harder to keep someone else’s rules?
Instead of proclaiming good news, these “gospels” of prosperity, license, and legalism bind people in chains of selfishness, sin, and despair. ABH’s new book, Hope in a Broken World,walks readers through a scriptural understanding of the gospel. Humans’ sin broke the perfect world God created. God sent his Son Jesus to this earth where he died for our sins, lay in the tomb for three days, and rose again. All who believe in Jesus receive everlasting life in the perfect new world God promises to create.
Along with Bible teaching, Hope in a Broken World shares the true stories of four people who experienced this world’s brokenness. Hermelanda, for example, used drugs with her friends to gain the acceptance her family never gave her. She refused to believe in Jesus even when her boyfriend Juan received Christ. When the crossfire of a feud left Juan dead, Hermelanda desperately searched the Bible, wondering where his soul lived now. She became convinced she would never see him again in heaven unless she repented from her sins and trusted Jesus. Now she trains teachers to lead children’s Bible programs in Mexico. Her story serves as a real life example of God’s power to save and change lives.
I wrote Hope in a Broken World for those who never heard the gospel or those blinded by a false gospel. I also wrote it for new believers wondering, “What next?” Chapter 6, “Walking in Hope,” teaches new believers how to grow in their faith by putting off fleshly behaviors, renewing their minds, and putting on Christ. This chapter offers specific instruction on how to study the Bible, pray, and become part of a local church.
As we grow, we yearn to share Jesus with others. The final chapter, “Sharing Our Hope,” explains how you can tell your testimony or walk someone through the gospel using the Romans Road or Three Circles method. You can also take Hope in a Broken World on your travels to give to strangers or friends who need to meet Jesus. After all, our bite-sized books fit easily in your purse or pocket!