Category: Gospel

The sermon explains the assertions made by the Apostle Paul concerning the gospel, the Lord and God in the text of Romans 1:1-7

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Hebrews 1:1-4

The first four verses of both the first and second chapters of Hebrews are similar in that they declare the superiority of the words of our Lord. However, while the second chapter points out the responsibility we have to heed and obey the words of Jesus, the first chapter keeps the focus on the Lord Himself.

The words spoken by Jesus are superior because of who Jesus is. He is the Heir of all things. He is the Creator of the universe (cf. John 1:1-4). He is the personification of God, and our blessed Redeemer. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords, and is presently reigning in His kingdom at the right hand of the Father. He is superior to the angels, and as stated by the writer, “has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they” (4).

These words serve as the premise of the Hebrew epistle. The Hebrew Christian should not place his trust in the Old Covenant. Rather, he should turn to the New. Salvation is in the words, sacrifice and mediation of Jesus Christ. All who have gone before are flawed, and unable to save. In these last days, God has spoken to us “through His Son.”

The sermon is based upon a well known sermon chart, in which it is established that man must not go beyond the doctrine of Christ. Things such as the doctrines of men, perversions or changes of the gospel, acting outside of personal faith, standards of righteousness established by men, and the wisdom that emanates from man are condemned in scripture.

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In 2 Corinthians 10, Paul gives one of his many defenses of his work as an Apostle of Jesus Christ. Paul affirms that he came to the Corinthians with the gospel, and as such, with the authority of Jesus Christ.

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In two weeks, we will begin a Gospel Meeting with brother Jerry Fite, of Pasadena, TX. The effort will start on Saturday night at 7:30 pm, and will continue through the following Thursday. There will be a special Wednesday morning study together with our regular Sunday services and the weeknight preaching.

Jerry preaches for the Parkview congregation in Pasadena, and has been a faithful proclaimer of God’s word for many years. He is known to the brethren here, having spent a number of years at the Castleberry congregation as a young man, while his father Harold preached for that group. He held a meeting for our congregation in May of 1999, and we are glad to have him return to preach for us again.

Continue reading “The Importance of Gospel Meetings” →

In the first three chapters of his epistle to the Romans, the apostle Paul gives an overview of man’s need for, and God’s supply of redemption. Two things emphasized: 1) The power of the gospel; and 2) The universality of sin.

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The gospel is God’s power of Salvation, both in the conversion of men, and in the maintaining of their standing before God.

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Various evidences certify or establish the veracity of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The sermon describes these evidences.

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In 2 Corinthians 2:12-17 the apostle Paul uses the metaphor of fragrance or aroma to describe the preaching of the gospel. To some, the word is the aroma of death, while to others it is the aroma of life. We are to preach that gospel (diffuse the aroma), and those who are right minded will accept and embrace it.

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Galatians 1:6-10

The Apostle Paul was a stickler for accuracy. He was careful to preach the gospel as it was revealed to him, and was harshly critical of any who would “pervert the gospel of Christ.”

Of course, the condemnation was given by inspiration, and so reveals to us the attitude we must have toward God’s word. While it is popular to modify the gospel to suit the desires of men, it is not acceptable to God. Consider the severity of the condemnation, “let him be accursed.”

The word, a translation of the Greek anathema, literally means to be banned or excommunicated. The lesson? God will cut off those who change the gospel to please men!

Our purpose is to please God, not men. As such, we should be willing to preach His word to the world, even if it earns us persecution, and the disdain of others. That is what it means to be a bondservant of Jesus Christ.

Acts 13:14-41

It has been said that the theme of Redemption runs as a scarlet thread throughout the Bible.

Paul, in his sermon to the Jews in the synagogue of Antioch in Pisidia, takes up that thread with the Jews’ sojourn in Egypt. Following the thread through the wilderness into Canaan, he mentions the period of the judges, and the Kings, including Saul and David. He indicated that the Christ of God would come through David’s seed, mentioned John the Baptist as the Christ’s forerunner, and proclaimed Jesus of Nazareth to be that Messiah.

He established the proof of that annointing by saying, “But God raised Him from the dead” (vs. 30). In that resurrection we have hope. As Paul said, “…by Him everyone who believes is justified…” (vs. 39).

Finally, Paul called them to repentance, the first work of preaching. He said, “Beware…” We too must beware sin, and embrace Christ.

1 John 1:1-3

In John’s introduction to his first epistle, he quickly affirms two basic facts. First, that the gospel of Christ was authentic. He states that he was an eyewitness to that which brings eternal life. He heard it, saw it, gazed upon it, and handled it.

An examination of the gospels underscores the truthfulness of this declaration. Jesus Christ was raised from the dead. The apostles not only heard of that resurrection, they saw and touched the Lord. They recognized His victory over death. Paul wrote, “…by Man also came the resurrection of the dead” (1 Cor. 15:21).

Second, that the gospel of Christ brings eternal life. He declared it to his readers that they might also “have fellowship with us.” Because it is authentic, it means Jesus truly is the Savior. He died for our sins, and was resurrected from the dead. His victory over death supplies for us the same hope!

As Acts 8, with Philip preaching to the Eunuch shows, the Lord gives each of us opportunities to preach the gospel of our Lord.

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Paul’s ministry took him to Ephesus, as recorded in Acts 19. The text indicates to us truths about the Holy Spirit, conversion, and the power of faith.

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AOTS Number 9

Is the greater wonder found in physical miracles, or in the ability of the gospel to change the hearts of men?

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