Spanning the gap between us and the death of Christ are 2000 years of history and plenty of opportunity to think upon the good news of Christ. Yet within the first one-hundred years since Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, false teachers crept into the church largely unnoticed and distorted, changed, and altered the news about the free gift of grace prompting Paul to write that if “anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.” Paul’s warning was powerful and applies to the church today. The enemy has crept into the midst of many and distorted the Gospel of Christ. Join speaker Michael Durham as he attacks the issue head on by answering the questions of what has happened to American Christianity, what is the gospel in modern America, and what does true conversion look like.

These four messages were given at the Grace Camp, Bentley, La. Romans 8 is perhaps the most important chapter in the Bible. Its theme is established in verse one, “There is therefore now no condemnation . . .” The Apostle Paul shows the assurance that should fill the believer’s heart as a result of the great gospel of grace. Also, in this chapter the doctrine of the Holy Spirit is wonderfully opened up to the reader. Michael Durham takes us from verse one to the chapter’s powerful conclusion.

Ask someone who doesn't attend church what the gospel is, and they will probably not have a clue on how to answer. Ask a church member what the gospel is and you'll not get much better. Their answers will range from "asking Jesus into my heart" to "going to church and obeying the Ten Commandments." There is a major void in understanding the essential elements of the most important information known to humanity.

This country has more a access to Christian information than any people, anywhere, anytime. Yet it is rapidly becoming an anti-Christian culture having no tolerance for truth in any facet of the marketplace. Why? Because the church has become irrelevant. Its message and methodology cannot answer the deepest questions of America's soul. We have abandoned the gospel and its purity for an impersonation of a click, Madison Avenue ad agency. We have nothing different to offer this generation. They have bought into our polluted gospel of empty promises of wealth, health, and beauty and have felt ripped off. They have fallen for the sting operation of American Christianity, and it has left this nation embittered against the church. Why does the very best statistic say that only 16% of people making professions of faith today remain in a church one year later?

Pastors and men of God must return to the fundamental truth of Christianity. But do we know how? What re the essential elements of the good news? How do you preach them to this trendy, consumer-oriented culture?

This series of messages from the 2004 Living Priorities pastors' conference will help you understand the biblical gospel after years of abuse, additions, and apathy.