Tonight, I want to talk a little bit about the all-sufficiency of the gospel.
- Romans 1:16
The apostle here in Romans 1, declares that the gospel is the power of God for salvation. The gospel of Christ: God's law of pardon for the alien sinner and His law of instruction for the Christian. That's what the gospel is. Now, we talked last week about the simplicity of the gospel, and how the gospel is simple to understand.
God's instructions for us today are simple to understand, not necessarily simple or easy to carry out, but they're simple to understand. The gospel is simple. The gospel is all-sufficient for us today. The gospel was revealed through the Holy Spirit, recorded for us in the New Testament. It contains all that man needs to accomplish his release from sin and to enjoy eternal life with God in Heaven.
If the above statement is true, and I sincerely believe it is, all additional revelation or doctrine, all tradition and decree must be regarded as superfluous, useless, perhaps damaging, and should therefore be rejected.
There were those in Paul's day who attempted to preach another gospel.
Paul warned the brethren in Galatia about such false teachers.
- Galatians 1:6-7
He marvels that they are so quickly turning away from the gospel to another, which is not truly another. Now, there are two different words here. The first, where he says "another gospel," means something of a different kind. That's two words, different kinds, other. And another gospel which is of the same kind.
In other words, the gospel you want to follow is not the same as the New Testament gospel. It is different. So he goes on to say that's a perversion of the gospel.
- Galatians 1:8-6
So, there is only one gospel, and it is the only one that is all-sufficient. If we add to it or take away from it, we no longer have the doctrine of God but the doctrine of men.
Therefore, we must be careful to adhere to the pure, simple gospel.
The Perfection of the Gospel
- Define "perfection" in the context of the gospel.
- Explain how the gospel is perfect, meaning it is complete and fully mature.
- Reference relevant Bible verses, such as:
- James 1:25
- Psalm 119:59-60
The Power of the Gospel
- Discuss the power of the gospel and its source in God.
- Explain that the gospel is not inherently mighty but derives its power from God.
- Reference:
- 2 Corinthians 10:4
- Greek word "dunamis" for dynamic power
The Gospel's Completeness
- Explore how the gospel provides comprehensive teachings, profitable for various aspects of life.
- Explain its profitability for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness.
- Reference:
- 2 Timothy 3:16-17
- Ephesians 5:11
The Gospel's Endurance
- Highlight the enduring nature of the gospel as compared to temporal worldly changes.
- Cite:
- Matthew 24:35
- 1 Peter 1:25
The Sufficiency of the Gospel
- Address the misconception that the gospel needs to change or adapt to modern times.
- Argue that the gospel remains relevant because human nature and sin have not changed.
- Reference:
- 1 Timothy 2:4
- 2 Peter 3:9
The trouble is that some will not come to God. Some will not choose to accept God. Jesus said, to some in His day, "Ye will not come to me that ye might have life." People reject the gospel and without it, they will not have life.
If today you are not a Christian, then obey the gospel which is the only power of God to salvation. Believe in Jesus with all your heart, John 8:24. He said, "Unless you believe that I am He," speaking about the Son of God, the Messiah, "you shall die in your sins." Acts 17:30, we are to repent of our sins. It says, "In times of this ignorance, God winked at, but God now commanded all men everywhere to repent." And upon a confession of your faith in Christ, Romans 10: 9 says, "If you confess with your mouth, the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart, that hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." Upon your confession be baptized into Christ. Matthew 28:19 says, "Go ye therefore, teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost."
And then continue to live as the gospel of Christ directs you, and be saved eternally by His all-sufficient power. Revelation 2:10, "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." 1 Peter 1:9 tells us that the reward of faithfulness, the reward for the faithful child of God is "...receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls."
If you have never obeyed that simple gospel plan of salvation, the only power of God into salvation. We urge you to do so. If you've done it in the past but haven't been living a faithful life, we urge you to make that right as well and to come back to God while it's ever, before it's everlastingly too late.
We would love to meet you and study with you as you grow in your knowledge of God's word, please contact us.
