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Faith without fame

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JEFF TURNER

It is common to see a well-known person speak about faith in Christ and quickly become a major voice among believers. Within days, a celebrity who shares a testimony may be invited to speak, represent Christian causes, or be treated as a spiritual example. Christians should be glad whenever anyone comes to faith. The salvation of a person matters whether that person once lived on the street or held an important office in government. Every life changed by Christ is a reason for joy.

Yet there is a growing habit in the church that deserves careful thought. Some believers seem very eager to highlight the conversion of wealthy or famous people. Their stories are often promoted in a way that gives them a place of influence almost right away. This approach can move attention away from the message of the gospel itself.

The apostle Paul addressed something related to this in his first letter to the church in Corinth. He reminded believers that not many who follow Christ are considered wise, powerful, or noble by the standards of the world. Instead, God has chosen people who appear weak or foolish in the eyes of society. Through them, He shows that human wisdom and human pride cannot produce salvation.

One reason for this is that people who hold power, wealth, or social honour often place great value on their achievements. Their identity may be built on success, status, and reputation. Because of that, the message of the gospel can be difficult for them to accept. The gospel calls people to humility and surrender. It asks them to let go of the things they trust in and to place their hope fully in God.

The story of the rich young ruler in the Gospels gives a clear picture of this struggle. The man wanted eternal life and came to Jesus with respect. Yet when he was told to give up his riches and follow Christ, he left with sadness. His wealth and position meant too much to him. He desired life with God, but he was not ready to give up what he already had.

By contrast, many of the people who came to Jesus during His ministry were those whom society pushed aside. Tax collectors, prostitutes, and people known for crime often listened closely to His words. They knew their lives were broken. They were not pretending to be righteous. Because they understood their need, they were ready to receive mercy.

The religious leaders and respected teachers of that time often reacted very differently. Many of them opposed Jesus and rejected His message. They trusted their knowledge, their traditions, and their position in the community. Their confidence in themselves kept them from seeing their need for grace.

There is also a deeper reason behind this pattern. God often works through those who appear weak so that His power is clearly seen. When a person with little status or influence is transformed by faith, the change points directly to God’s work. No one can say the result came from human strength or talent. The grace of God becomes visible.

For this reason, believers should celebrate every true conversion without turning the spotlight toward fame or status. The gospel is not strengthened by celebrity influence. It stands on the truth of Christ and the work of God in ordinary people. When lives are changed, the glory should return to Him alone.

but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong,

1 Corinthians 1:27

The purpose of a Church gathering

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

JEFF TURNER

In 1 Corinthians, the apostle Paul addressed serious problems in the church. One issue involved the misuse of spiritual gifts during their meetings. Instead of bringing order and understanding, their gatherings had become disorderly. Paul described the result with one clear word: confusion.

The situation had become so chaotic that if an unbeliever entered their meeting, the reaction could be alarming. Observers might look around and decide that the people were behaving as if they had lost their senses. This picture showed how far the church had moved away from the purpose of a proper gathering. With this in mind, Should a church service be planned mainly with unbelievers in mind, or should it focus on believers?

To understand my answer, it helps to first remember what a church is. A church is the gathering of people who have been redeemed by God. When these believers come together, the purpose of the meeting is centered on their relationship with Him and with one another. During these times, believers worship God together. They give praise to Him and honour Christ. Their focus is not on entertainment or on adjusting the message to attract outsiders. Instead, the gathering is meant to direct hearts and minds toward God.

Church meetings are also a time for believers to strengthen one another. Fellowship with other Christians is an important part of spiritual life. By being together, they encourage each other to continue walking in faith.

I believe another key part of a church gathering is the teaching of Scripture. God’s Word is read, explained, and applied so that believers grow in their understanding. Through this process, they become stronger in their faith and better prepared to live according to God’s truth.

Prayer also holds an important place in these meetings. Believers come before God together, bringing their needs and requests to Him. They confess their sins, ask for His mercy, and seek the strength that only He can give.

All of these elements form the heart of a Christian gathering. Please don’t think I’m writing a how-to-do manual. I’m speaking of things that should be part of our gathering as the Church. The purpose is to build up believers and deepen their worship of God. Because of this, shaping a church service mainly for unbelievers does not match the design of the church.

There is, however, a place for events that focus on reaching those who do not yet believe. Special gatherings can be arranged where the message of the gospel is clearly presented to them. These occasions can help people hear the truth about Christ.

But if a church replaces its regular worship gatherings with constant outreach events, a different problem can develop. The church may become spiritually weak. In some cases, people who do not truly believe may feel comfortable in that setting without realizing their real need for salvation.

Do you agree? disagree? I would love to see your comments below.

What is the outcome then, brothers and sisters? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. All things are to be done for edification.

1 Corinthians 14:26

The Kramers add new song to Texas Gospel lineup, pointing listeners toward eternal hope

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

“And We Will” arrives as a stirring anthem of promise for the faithful

JEFF TURNER

Texas Gospel is thrilled to welcome a new addition to our music lineup: And We Will, a brand new song from The Kramers. Beginning this week, listeners tuning in will hear this anthem of faith woven into our daily broadcasts.

From its very first lines, And We Will anchors itself in the bedrock of Christian hope, the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the glorious future He has secured for all who believe. The Kramers have crafted a song that doesn’t shy away from life’s heartaches, but lifts every burden toward the light of eternity.

“We hold a promise with hands of faith / Of a glorious world to come / Where we will live someday / A guarantee of what will be / Fought by a risen Saviour’s blood / Sealed by an empty tomb of love.”

The song moves with a tenderness that will resonate deeply with anyone who has known grief, uncertainty, or longing. Its chorus builds into a bold, joyful declaration, an unshakeable confidence rooted not in circumstance, but in the unchanging character of God and the promises He has kept.

From the chorus

We will go home to a glorious place
Where the hallelujahs ring
We will behold His smiling face
In the sights we’ve never seen
We will declare He’s worthy
As His wonders are revealed
He promised we would meet Him there —
And we will.

Particularly beautiful is the song’s bridge, which paints an intimate portrait of Christ’s welcome in eternity. scarred hands wiping away tears and mending broken hearts, making room for all things new. It is an image drawn straight from the Scriptures, set to melody in a way that is both gentle and profound.

For those walking through seasons of waiting and weariness, the closing verses offer a word of encouragement that feels timely and true: “So, until that day we’re holding on / ’til we’re called away, or until He comes / This is the hope that gets us through.” It is a reminder that perseverance in faith is never without purpose.

Texas Gospel is an online Christian radio station in Prescott, ON, committed to sharing the Good News through music, 24 hours a day.

Retired pastor convicted for preaching near hospital buffer zone sparks free speech debate

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

TEXAS GOSPEL STAFF

A 78-year-old retired pastor with no prior criminal record has been convicted and fined in Northern Ireland after preaching a sermon near a hospital abortion buffer zone, a case that has drawn international attention and renewed debate over the limits of free speech and religious expression.

Clive Johnston, a former president of the Association of Baptist Churches in Ireland, was found guilty on two counts by a district judge following a July 2024 open-air service he held on a public sidewalk across from Causeway Hospital. He was fined £450.

Prosecutors argued Johnston had conducted a protest capable of influencing a “protected person” near the edge of a hospital buffer zone, and that he failed to comply with police orders to leave the area.

Johnston and his legal team at The Christian Institute maintain the conviction was unjust. They say he carried no banners or placards, made no mention of abortion, and delivered a sermon drawn from John 3:16, one of the most familiar passages in Christian scripture.

“It was a small open-air Sunday service near a hospital,” Johnston said. “I did not harass, threaten, or verbally attack anyone.”

Johnston said police video evidence supports his account, and he described the conviction as deeply troubling given what he called an overly broad application of the buffer zone law.

The Christian Institute plans to appeal the ruling.

US evangelist Franklin Graham drew wider attention to the case through a post on Facebook, saying Johnston had simply preached the Gospel without any reference to abortion. Graham said he hoped the legal team would succeed on appeal.

God’s purpose in every trial

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

JEFF TURNER

The world is filled with suffering. People face natural disasters. Others deal with sickness, pain, and loss. These hardships affect people everywhere, including those who follow Christ. That statement may not match what some have preached, but I choose to stick with what the Bible says. Faith in God does not remove every trouble from a believer’s life. From reality comes an important question: If God cares for His people, why are they not always protected from suffering?

The Bible gives us guidance in Romans 8:28. The verse teaches that God works all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. The phrase “all things” means exactly what it says. It includes every part of life. Good experiences are part of it, but so are painful and confusing moments. Even events that seem neutral or unimportant are included. Nothing is outside the reach of God’s work in the life of a believer.

This doesn’t mean that every event is good by itself. Some situations bring grief, loss, or fear. At times, there may be no clear benefit that can be seen right away. However, the promise is that God brings these different parts together to achieve His plan. I heard a preacher once describe this as threads being woven into a tapestry. A single thread may not show the full design. Some threads may even appear dark or out of place when viewed alone. Yet when all the threads are brought together, they form a complete picture. In a similar way, God uses every detail of a believer’s life to accomplish His purpose.

For those who belong to Christ, their future with God is already secure. Their eternal destiny has been settled through Him. Because of this, nothing in life can work against that final outcome. Hardships may come, but they cannot remove salvation or destroy true faith.

There may be seasons when we can’t see any good coming from a painful situation. Still, the promise of Scripture remains. God continues to guide every circumstance according to His will. What seems confusing or harmful in the moment will one day be seen as part of His greater plan.