Category: Gospel

The hymn “How Firm a Foundation” was written sometime in the 1700’s. The author of the hymn is not known, but its first appearance was in a Baptist hymnal from 1787. According to Then Sings My Soul, a book about hymn origins written by Robert J. Morgan, the song was originally published under the title “Exceedingly Great and Precious Promises”, and had a total of seven stanzas.

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Our text establishes clearly the apostle Paul’s priorities in life. Though the “things which happened to me” included imprisonment and possible loss of life, Paul considered it a fortunate turn of events. Because of his trip to Rome and house arrest, the gospel was preached to individuals who otherwise would not hear it. Paul wrote of those in Caesar’s palace who were aware that his “chains are in Christ” (13).

A further benefit was the courage taken by others from Paul’s example. Because he preached boldly despite persecution, others were emboldened to do the same. This serves to illustrate the benefit of a godly example. If you live for Christ despite opposition, others see that and are encouraged to do the same.

Paul rejoiced because the gospel was preached. He didn’t care what it cost him personally. He understood the purpose of the message, and made its spread his life’s work (cf. Romans 1:15-16).

As Paul continues the defense of his apostleship begun in verse 11, he notes that the first time he met any of the other apostles was three years after he began his ministry. Further, that on that occasion, Peter was the only apostle he met, during a two week trip to Jerusalem. (vs. 18-19).

Why would he point this out? Because of the Judaizing teachers who claimed that he was usurping his position as an apostle. Perhaps they claimed that Paul was just taking what he had heard, and parroting it while claiming an apostleship he did not deserve.

Paul’s here responds by relating his early ministry. He could not have been parroting the apostles because he hadn’t met or heard them. Instead, as he affirmed in verse 12, “For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Since the gospel he preached was revealed to him by Jesus Christ, it was authoritative, and to be obeyed by the Galatians (cf. 1:6-9).

Paul’s ministry in Thessalonica was a great success. As indicated in his writing in 1 Thessalonians 2, Paul attributed that success to diligent and gentle instruction from the word of God.

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Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

The talk discusses Paul’s statement that the gospel is veiled to those who are perishing (2 Corinthians 4:3). The gospel’s power is persuasive, and will only impact those who are willing to listen. The efforts of God’s people to share the message will not go unrewarded.

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I recently came across the following quote from C.S. Lewis:

Jesus Christ did not say, “Go into all the world and tell the world that it is quite right.”

“God In The Dock” (1970)

It seems that in every generation the desire is present to compromise the message of the gospel. It is certainly so in our day. Paul noted, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables” (2 Timothy 4:3-4).

Today, the biggest churches are those who tell the worldly that they are “quite right.” People flock to whoever will tell them that God accepts them as they are, without the need for change, without the need for zeal, without the need for obedience, for fidelity.

This treachery does not change the truth. “And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned’” (Mark 16:15-16). The world is in need of salvation. Our message must be a call to faith, repentance and baptism. The gospel tells men that they are not “quite right.” But, with God’s help, they can be.

The question is as old as the Kingdom itself, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (cf. Acts 2:37). When confronted with the reality of sin, those convicted of their guilt desire to know what they must do to be saved from condemnation.

An examination of God’s word reveals five things to be done for a person to be saved. So, Christians have often referred to the five steps to salvation. This phrase has been ridiculed as simplistic, legalistic, PATTERNISTIC. What it is, is scriptural.

1. HEAR. “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17).
2. BELIEVE. “For with the heart one believes unto righteousness…” (Romans 10:10).
3. REPENT. “Repent…for the remission of sins…” (Acts 2:38).
4. CONFESS. (That “Jesus Christ is the Son of God” Acts 8:37) “…with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:10).
5. BE BAPTIZED. “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:27).

The process of passing from death to life begins when an alien sinner hears the good news of Jesus Christ, and is completed when he arises from the waters of baptism to “walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).

For those who object to such a listing of steps to salvation, we ask two simple questions. Are any of the listed steps unnecessary? Did we leave any steps out? In reality, this teaching approach has led to the salvation of multitudes. The gospel is sublime, but simple.

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Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

The talk contrasts the wisdom of God with the words of men. (cf. 1 Corinthians 2:1-5).

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Jeremiah Cox discusses the call of Christ, referred to in 2 Thessalonians 2:13-15.

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This lesson describes the gospel. Its focus, which is Jesus Christ; the fact that it is God’s sword to the converting of man; its purpose which is to save; and it power to do so.

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Invitation delivered by: Justin Carrell

Paul thanked God for the Philippian’s fellowship, or participation in the gospel of Christ. Whenever we “participate” in the gospel, we cause joy in heaven!

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The apostle Peter here establishes the legitimacy of his desire to share with them the gospel message, by pointing out the veracity of the message itself. This was not mere hearsay he was repeating, not myth, but eyewitness testimony! Peter had himself witnessed the things of which he wrote.

How did Peter know that his Master was “our Lord Jesus Christ”? Among other events, he was present on the mountain when Jesus was transfigured before their very eyes (cf. Matthew 17:1-9). Peter heard with his own voice the words of the Father in heaven, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” (vs. 5).

Peter was a witness of other events affirming the Lordship of Jesus. He was an eyewitness of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:5). In fact, he proclaimed to the Jews on Pentecost this very proof, “This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses” (Acts 2:32).

It doesn’t matter that much of Peter’s epistle is taken up in an exposé of false teachers and scoffers rather than a retelling of the simple gospel of our Lord. He was defending the faith, and equipping his readers to make their “call and election sure” (1:10).

Invitation delivered by: Jonathan Hinds

Jonathan uses the parable of the marriage feast in Matthew 22 to indicate the proper response to the invitation of God.

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Paul, in chapters 21-26 of the book of Acts, had several opportunities to defend his actions when accused of heinous crimes. It is evident that Paul was persecuted because he was a Christian.

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In preparation for the upcoming Gospel Meeting, the sermon shows through scripture how that these efforts to share the gospel of Christ remain relevant in our time.

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