The name 'church' on a sign post or over the door of a building does not guarantee that the Gospel of Christ is being declared from that particular pulpit or the classrooms. The name 'Baptist' does not guarantee the declaration of the Gospel. Even the name 'Independent Fundamental Baptist' bears no guarantee. Most of the churches in existence today claim to be declaring the Gospel, yet the truth is that many churches are far away from the Gospel.
Paul gives the three elements of the Gospel in this passage.
Then he says, "And we declare unto you glad tidings..." Vs. 32. This is the same statement made by the heavenly angel in (Luke 2:10) "And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people."
The greatest news your ears will ever hear is the "Good News" that Christ came to save sinners, of whom you are chief. Too many churches have gotten away from the Gospel.
Religious work, religious efforts, religious, and religious programs have taken the forefront in today's churches. We seem to have forgotten that Jesus said, "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." Today we celebrate 37 years as a local church in this community. God has blessed us over the years. There have been many ups and downs, but there is no question that God has blessed. The reason for His continued blessings upon this church is that Grace Baptist Temple began and continues to be place where the Gospel is declared. I want to focus upon the words found in Vs. 32, "And we declare unto you the good tidings."
I. We Declare It - Not Debate It!
A. There Is Nothing To Debate About The Gospel.
1. I don't know how many times I have heard people debate as to how, what, and when a person gets saved.
a. One group says that if a person has committed murder he can't be saved.
b. Another one, the same about adultery or alcoholism.
c. Jesus taught us that the only sin that was not forgivable is the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Ghost. Matt. 12:31.
2. A person is born again when they obey the Word of God.
3. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved...
4. That is what God says, not what some theologian thinks!
5. When a person acknowledges their sin before God, confesses and repents of it, and calls upon the name of the Lord...that is salvation!
B. Debating The Gospel Is A Past Time For Many.
1. There are some who make a living out of it.
2. There are others who waste time and effort debating the gospel while people all around are dying and going to hell.
3. Who then can be saved?
(ROM 10:13) "FOR WHOSOEVER SHALL CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED."
(2 PET 3:9) "THE LORD IS NOT SLACK CONCERNING HIS PROMISE, AS SOME MEN COUNT SLACKNESS; BUT IS LONGSUFFERING TO US-WARD, NOT WILLING THAT ANY SHOULD PERISH, BUT THAT ALL SHOULD COME TO REPENTANCE."
C. Debating The Gospel Does Not Change It.
1. The message of Good News came on the night that Jesus was born.
(LUKE 2:10-11) "AND THE ANGEL SAID UNTO THEM, FEAR NOT: FOR, BEHOLD, I BRING YOU GOOD TIDINGS OF GREAT JOY, WHICH SHALL BE TO ALL PEOPLE. {11} FOR UNTO YOU IS BORN THIS DAY IN THE CITY OF DAVID A SAVIOUR, WHICH IS CHRIST THE LORD."
2. There may be some who reject or even despise the Gospel message, but all the debate and rhetoric in the world will not change the facts.
3. Every man, woman, boy, and girl needs to be saved...and there is only One Savior...Jesus Christ.
II. We Declare It - Not Define It!
A. What Is The Gospel? 1 Cor. 15:1-4.
(1 COR 15:1-4) "MOREOVER, BRETHREN, I DECLARE UNTO YOU THE GOSPEL WHICH I PREACHED UNTO YOU, WHICH ALSO YE HAVE RECEIVED, AND WHEREIN YE STAND; {2} BY WHICH ALSO YE ARE SAVED, IF YE KEEP IN MEMORY WHAT I PREACHED UNTO YOU, UNLESS YE HAVE BELIEVED IN VAIN. {3} FOR I DELIVERED UNTO YOU FIRST OF ALL THAT WHICH I ALSO RECEIVED, HOW THAT CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES; {4} AND THAT HE WAS BURIED, AND THAT HE ROSE AGAIN THE THIRD DAY ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES:"
1. The Gospel can only be defined according to the Scripture.
2. Paul Gave The Definition Of The Gospel In His Sermon.
a. The Death of Christ. Vs. 28. This must include the shedding of His blood. His death alone will not save.
b. The burial. Vs. 29. This was God's approval.
c. The resurrection on the third day. Vs. 30.
B. This was God's plan. He demanded it be done.
(MARK 16:15) "AND HE SAID UNTO THEM, GO YE INTO ALL THE WORLD, AND PREACH THE GOSPEL TO EVERY CREATURE."
III. We Declare It - Not Dilute It!
A. Religion has diluted the Gospel by mixing man's efforts with it. Jesus plus...
(ACTS 4:12) "NEITHER IS THERE SALVATION IN ANY OTHER: FOR THERE IS NONE OTHER NAME UNDER HEAVEN GIVEN AMONG MEN, WHEREBY WE MUST BE SAVED."
1. Jesus plus works.
(ACTS 15:1) "AND CERTAIN MEN WHICH CAME DOWN FROM JUDAEA TAUGHT THE BRETHREN, AND SAID, EXCEPT YE BE CIRCUMCISED AFTER THE MANNER OF MOSES, YE CANNOT BE SAVED."
2. Jesus plus water. Those who preach that one must be baptized in order to be saved.
3. Jesus plus words. That's the doctrine of the tongue speaking people.
4. All of these are "Another Gospel". Paul warns about that.
(GAL 1:9) "AS WE SAID BEFORE, SO SAY I NOW AGAIN, IF ANY MAN PREACH ANY OTHER GOSPEL UNTO YOU THAN THAT YE HAVE RECEIVED, LET HIM BE ACCURSED."
B. Easy Believeism.
1. Believing the Gospel must include repenting toward God.
(ACTS 20:21) "TESTIFYING BOTH TO THE JEWS, AND ALSO TO THE GREEKS, REPENTANCE TOWARD GOD, AND FAITH TOWARD OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST."
2. Repentance brings a total reversal of our life, thoughts, deeds, and desires.
(2 COR 5:17) "THEREFORE IF ANY MAN BE IN CHRIST, HE IS A NEW CREATURE: OLD THINGS ARE PASSED AWAY; BEHOLD, ALL THINGS ARE BECOME NEW."
God has blessed this church through the years because of the message of the Gospel. The only hope for eternal life is in Jesus Christ. He shed His blood on Calvary, was buried, and rose again the third day. He is alive! We have a living Savior! Do you know Him today? Would you allow us to tell you more about Him? If you do not know Christ as your personal Savior, will you come and receive Him this morning?
Christians, are we declaring the Gospel message to others? Are you involved in taking the Gospel around the world? Why not come and join with us as we seek to serve the Savior?
Whatever your need, would you come? As the invitation is given, will you respond?