Category: Gospel

Subject: Gospel

Sermon Minute: Drowning in the Sea of Sin

The gospel does not condemn us. We are drowning in a sea of sin, and the gospel is a life preserver that when heard can be grasped or refused.

Mining the Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

The message of the cross, the gospel of Christ, is the means by which God saves man, cf. Romans 1:15-16. Here it is contrasted with the wisdom of the world. The world has always allayed against God and His will. Nevertheless, God chose to save those He could through the preaching of the gospel message. Faith in Christ is the means to salvation. Without believing the testimony of scripture, a man is doomed to salvation.  “…it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe” (21).

It is interesting to note that even God’s foolishness is incomparable  to the wisdom of man. “Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (25).

Unfortunately, to most, the preaching of the gospel appears as foolishness, or a stumbling block.  There are few who are interested in God and His word.  They are arrogant in their so-called wisdom, and instead of believing and obeying, they refuse.

Truly, the way is difficult and the gate is narrow! (cf. Matthew 7:13).

Sermon: Warnings From Hebrews

A number of warnings concerning improper attitudes toward the word of God, given by the writer of Hebrews.

What Is Important? The Message!

Paul, as an apostle of Jesus Christ, though he was “one born out of due time” (1 Corinthians 15:8), said in 2 Corinthians 11:5, “I consider that I am not at all inferior to the most eminent apostles.”

His apostleship was given directly by Jesus Himself (cf. Acts 9:15-16), and both his own epistles and Luke’s record of his ministry (Acts) attest to the truth of this. But the next words written, in 2 Corinthians 11:6,  give a very good reason for Paul’s success, “Even though I am untrained in speech, yet I am not in knowledge.”

There is great reward, both for the teacher and the student, when knowledge is shared. It doesn’t matter if the speech or ability is limited.  Paul is proof of this, and expressed it wonderfully through his pen.

Some disagree.  Some said about Paul,  “For his letters, they say, ‘are weighty and powerful, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.’” (2 Corinthians 10:10). What an inept and inappropriate criticism.  What Paul was preaching was the gospel of Christ, “the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes…” (Romans 1:16).  The proof is evident.

If you have little talent, but you have studied and know God’s word, share it!  Let the power of God come, not by eloquence, but from the scriptures themselves. It is there from whence true power comes!

 

Mining the Scriptures: 1 Timothy 1:8-11

Paul did not have a dislike for the law of Moses. Though his reputation was often attacked, Paul realized the main purpose of that Law. It is “to bring us to Christ” (cf. Galatians 3:24). It was good. But, it had to be used correctly. It had to be obeyed.  The law of Moses is not where redemption is found, it was given to prepare and lead to redemption.

The law is abused by the disobedient. He includes in this passage a sampling of that.  He references the unholy and profane. Individuals like murderers, fornicators, sodomites, kidnappers, liars, perjurers. These are not exclusive, they are representative of all types of sin.

But, the law is contrasted with what Paul refers to as “the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust” (11). The abuse of the law does teach an important truth, such sins are “contrary to sound doctrine, according to the glorious gospel” as well, and worthy of judgment, (cf. Romans 1:28-32). The law also is not the end all.  The glorious gospel of God, committed to Paul, is.

 

Sermon: Paul and the Gospel

A discussion of 1 Corinthians 9, the value of the gospel of Christ to the Apostle Paul.

Meeting Week

The week of a gospel meeting can be challenging as we set aside time throughout the week to come hear the Bible taught by qualified men.

The week reminds me of Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 4. He made the point that our physical existence prepares us for our eternal reward with God. “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels” (7).  As such Paul characterized his teaching in this way, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16).

This is true both for the teacher and the student. Paul was very aware of his mortality, and yet endured even through suffering to prepare himself and his hearers for eternity.  Our treasure in heaven is most important, and we have an opportunity this week to allow the “inward man” to gain great advantage through our worship and the teaching we will receive.

It is a question of importance and priority. Other things press upon us each day, but occasionally we set things aside to attend and luxuriate in a spiritual feast. “Blessed are You, O Lord! Teach me Your statutes. 13 With my lips I have declared all the judgments of Your mouth. 14 I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, as much as in all riches. 15 I will meditate on Your precepts, and contemplate Your ways. 16 I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word” (Psalm 119:12-16).

Sermon: The Gospel Message

There is no more important, beautiful and momentous message ever spoken by man than the Gospel message. It is God’s message to save mankind.

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The Morning Star Rises in Your Hearts

In Peter’s second letter, knowing his time on earth was short, he sought to “stir up by reminding” his readers of the Lord, and His revelation. He wrote, “Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease.” (1:12-15). What Peter wanted to share again was not a fable or story. Peter and others were eyewitnesses to the “majesty” of Jesus and His redemptive work. He was one who actually heard the words of God on the mount of transfiguration saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (1:16-18).

These events Peter witnessed were revealed by the prophets, and he appealed to his readers to heed those prophecies “as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts” (1:19). This is such a beautiful phrase to describe the illuminating nature of God’s revelation. Just as the dawn signifies light chasing away the darkness, God’s word brings light into the dark recesses of man’s mind.  Doubts are dissipated, lessons become visible, and our perspective is changed completely. The Psalmist wrote, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalms 119:105).

The “morning star” or “day star” refers to the planet Venus. When the Greeks witnessed the planet shining just before dawn, they referred to it as phosporous, the bearer of light. In this way, the Lord Jesus and His will bring light into the world of darkness. They illuminate with a message Peter knew to be of eternal importance. “Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life’” (John 8:12).

 

Accommodation and Principle

Acts 16 details the decision Paul made to take a young man named Timothy with him on his preaching journey. Timothy was the “son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was a Greek” (1).

The scripture says that since Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, he had this 50% Jewish man circumcised.  The reason given in the passage, “because of the Jews there in that region, for they all knew that his father was Greek” (3). Continue reading “Accommodation and Principle”

The Faith of Ananias

Ananias and Saul

Ananias, the preacher whose message brought Saul to obedience exhibited great faith to go to Damascus to share the gospel with him.

Saul of Tarsus quickly established his name as a chief persecutor of Christians. He was present at the stoning of Stephen. We are told that he “made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison” (Acts 8:3). In Acts 9, shortly before Ananias met him, we are told that Saul was “still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord” (Acts 9:1) as he came to the city of Damascus.

And now, a disciple in Damascus was told to go to where Saul was staying to preach to him.

We might think, well of course he would go, this was a vision from the Lord. However, there are examples in the past where men either questioned and equivocated (Moses) or even disobeyed (Jonah) such a message from God.

Not Ananias. He told the Lord that he was aware of Saul’s reputation, and even his purpose in Damascus (Acts 9:13-14). But, at the Lord’s insistence, “Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, ’Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you cam, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit’” (Acts 9:17).

We rightly champion Saul who became a great apostle. But, Ananias deserves our praise and thanksgiving as well.

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Only One Gospel

Gospel2

Paul’s admonition to the churches of Galatia was centered in their departure from the gospel of Christ into doctrinal error. They had turned away “to another gospel, which is not an other; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ” (Galatians 1:7).

There is only one gospel. Only one good news with the capability of saving the souls of man. This is why the altering of it through error brings the curse of God upon those who would “pervert the gospel of Christ” (7).

In John 14:6 Jesus said to Thomas, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” It is astounding that so many would take the singular gospel of Christ, and seek to alter it in any way. It alone is the “power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek” (Romans 1:16).

And yet they do. It is significant that the perversion of the gospel introduced by the Judaizers was an addition to the gospel. They taught that the Gentile had to become a Jewish proselyte to be saved. “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved” (Acts 15:1). Others today do the same. They may add to the gospel (pray the sinners prayer) or subtract from the gospel (saved by faith only). Some may deny the resurrection of the Christ, or His virgin birth, and yet claim discipleship. Others ignore his call to unity in faith. By this all rob the gospel of that which makes it God’s power to salvation.

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Sermon: Is the Bible Enough?

Is the Bible Enough

Speaker: Ian Tilley

Many churches seem to think that they need to modernize worship, add social programs and entertain to convert souls. This lesson shows that the preaching of the gospel is sufficient in and of itself to save the souls of men.

Sermon: The Beginning of the Gospel

Beginning of Gospel

An examination of the text of Acts 2, as Stan describes the power of the gospel to pierce hearts and save souls.

Sermon: Progress in Philippi

progress

(A discussion of Acts 16). When the gospel falls on good hearts, fruit is borne, despite any opposition.