Something is Missing!

For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! — 1 Corinthians 9:16

All these "churches" and "christians" in central PA and yet the gospel is all but completely silent. All that can be heard is the mere sound of shuffling sheep. Haven’t we received power to proclaim the gospel to the entire world? How can we be truly saved and not have the zeal of the gospel in us. How can we call ourselves the Church yet not declare the gospel? or realize our responsibility to it? It's not about if people are getting saved that’s not our job, our job is to be faithful to the preaching of the gospel. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 1 Cor 1:18 Noah preached for 120 years and only his family was saved. Peter in the book of Acts wasn't trying to please the conservative or smart crowd, he raised up his voice and declared it. But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: Acts 2:14 

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the Power of God unto salvation. Below are the words of Charles Spurgeon as you read them may they burn a whole in your soul like they have mine. The rebuke that he brings is so relevant today. 

I wish I had the ear of every preacher in the world right now, not that I deserve to preach to preachers, but I know this is so — it doesn’t matter if a little child says it, or an ignorant person says it, or who says it — Paul said it first, the Holy Spirit inspired him to say it, ‘Woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel.’ I’m in trouble, real trouble. I cannot think of any crime — I can’t think of a crime more terrible than to be entrusted with the immortal souls of eternity-bound boys and girls, young people, men and women, like every preacher is in-trusted every Sunday, and then stand up here and waste this precious time talking about myself, about my problems or my so-called denomination or my church, or talk about my ideas of what is right and what is wrong. I cannot think of a more terrible crime than to be entrusted with the souls of men and women who are sitting before us, some of whom may be in hell before next Sunday, and take that time singing a bunch of ditties, carrying on with foolishness, and making a mockery of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I can’t think of a more awful crime against society than to deceive people who are given to us to instruct in the things of the Lord. I’ve got to preach the gospel — woe is unto me if I don’t. God have mercy, and he won’t, if I don’t! Woe unto the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, woe unto the Christ-crucifiers of Jerusalem, but double woe upon the preachers and shepherds and pastors who for advantage, filthy lucre and praise of men deceive men’s souls — God help them, but he won’t. Woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel, and there’s not another one, it’s the gospel of Christ. If an angel from heaven preach unto you any other gospel, Paul said, ‘let him be accursed.’ Now if you want to play games, you play them, but you play them somewhere else — I’m going to preach the gospel here. If you want to play church, you play it, but you play it somewhere else. I’m preaching as a dying man to dying men; I’m preaching as one who may never preach again, and under God I’m going to tell you the truth. I say this in closing, woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel; but I have something to tell you: woe is unto you if I preach it and you do not believe it. You may not understand it; and it may not fit in with your tradition; and it may not fit into your denominational pattern, and I’m sure if it’s the gospel it won’t because Christ didn’t fit the denominational pattern when he came down here either — he didn’t fit into their religious theology; he didn’t fit into their tradition; and he didn’t fit into their mold; and they crucified him! My message may not fit what Mama taught you, but Mama wasn’t sent of God to preach the gospel — I am. If I didn’t believe that, I’d quit. Do you see what I’m saying? I’m saying, ‘woe is unto you, woe is unto the Tri-state area, and woe is everybody under the sound of my voice, if I preach the gospel and you do not believe it. I’m willing to take my medicine, if I don’t preach the gospel; but you get ready to take yours, if I do and you do not receive it — is that fair? I preach the gospel, Paul says! I don’t have anything to glory of — I’m just a sinner saved by grace. Necessity is laid upon me — I’ve got to preach the gospel, for woe is unto me if I don’t preach it. Now will you say this — I believe the gospel, but if I believe the gospel, I don’t have anything to glory of — will you say that? God gave me the knowledge; God gave me the repentance; God gave me the faith. For necessity is laid upon me — I’ve got to believe the gospel, because there’s no truth anywhere else; there’s no beauty anywhere else; there’s no hope anywhere else; no refuge anywhere else — necessity is laid upon me — can you say that? And can you go on and finish — woe is unto me if I don’t believe the gospel. That’s all I’ve got to say. Now it’s between you and God — I leave it with you.