THE GOSPEL
THE GOSPEL
INTRODUCTION:
The Bible as a book is an empirical fact. We can see it; we can hold it. It comes in differing bindings and styles. We are so proud of our Bible that we often engrave our name on the cover. But while the aesthetics of the Bible are pleasant to the eye, the Bible as a book is not what we should be concerned about. Moreover, because of technological advancements, we now carry our Bibles on our smart phones and laptops. With the ease of just a few swipes, we’re scripture ready! Whether it’s our binding book or our smart phones, it is the information contained therein that’s important. James wrote, “Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls” (James 1: 21). The information is to be received which results is the salvation of the soul.
Shortly before Jesus ascended back to heaven, He gave direct orders to his apostles to take this information to the entire world. “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 gospel is the information that gives man his only hope in this life to be at peace with God when he dies. In this tract, I want to set forth the importance and imperativeness of the gospel being preached, believed, obeyed, and the great result of being saved.
THE GOSPEL PREACHED: When Jesus gave the command to go and preach the gospel, He specifically identified the message that was to be preached. “Go into all the world and preach the gospel…” (Mark 16: 15). The gospel literally means good news. The good news is that Jesus came to this earth, lived a sinless and perfect life, died for all men, was buried, and resurrected on the first day of the week. Within that message there are facts to believe, commands to obey, and promises to receive. It (the gospel) is the one and only message that is to be preached. Paul wrote, “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him…to a different gospel…But if we, or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1: 6-8). Men today should recognize this warning and preach the gospel and the gospel only for it is the message that the Lord sent forth. The gospel must be preached!
THE GOSPEL BELIEVED: This gospel is to be believed. Jesus said, “He who believes…” (Mark 16: 16). There are many messages believed today; and unless it is the gospel, men will perish in perdition. Man must believe the gospel because as the Bible teaches, “So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10: 17). Where there is no hearing (of the gospel) there can be no faith (believing). But faith (believing) comes by the word of God (the gospel). And men must be sure that what they are hearing is the gospel and then believe the message therein. In 2 Corinthians 5: 7, the Bible teaches, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” To walk by faith or belief means we take God at His word. But His word is the gospel. So, if there is no faith (belief) we cannot walk. And where there is no gospel there can be no faith. The gospel must be believed!
THE GOSPEL OBEYED: In John 12: 42-43 we find a sad statement in the Bible. “Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” It obvious from this text that there were believers; however, it is just as obvious that belief was not sufficient, for it did not move them to confess Christ. Belief affords one the opportunity, the right to become a son of God. “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name” (John 1: 12). Jesus said, he who believes and is baptized…” (Mark 16: 16). In this passage, salvation results from belief plus baptism. You cannot have one without the other. Many believe in the Christ, but refuse to do what He says. “But why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do the things which I say” (Luke 6: 46). Further, the Hebrew writer wrote, “And having been perfected, He [Jesus] became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him” (Hebrews 5: 8-9). If men and woman do not obey the gospel, eternal and devastating consequences await. “…when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power” (2 Thessalonians 1: 7-9). The gospel must be obeyed!
THE GOSPEL SAVED: When the gospel is preached, believed, and obeyed, the wonderful and marvelous result is that the world can be saved. Jesus said, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel…He that believes and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16: 15-16). How grave the matter of salvation is! Salvation should be the most important matter in one’s life. But sadly, many are well deficient when it comes to their salvation. The apostle Paul wrote and echoed the words of Jesus in his great resurrection chapter in 1 Corinthians 15, “Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel [the message] which I preach [the command] to you [the recipients], which you also received [believed] and in which you stand, by which also you are saved [the result], if you hold fast that word [the gospel] which I preach to you—unless you believed in vain” (1 Corinthians 15: 1-3). Paul also wrote, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes…” (Romans 1: 16). There is no other message that can save man. The gospel saves!
CONCLUSION:
Dear friend, have you heard the gospel? Do you believe the gospel? Have you obeyed the gospel? Are you saved by the gospel? These are questions that you must honestly consider and answer for yourself based on the gospel. Paul wrote concerning the gospel, “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith’” (Romans 1: 17). In the gospel we find the church that Jesus built that wears His name. “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16: 18). “Greet one another with a holy kiss the churches of Christ greet you” (Romans 16: 16). In the gospel we find heaven’s plan of salvation. Members of His church heard the gospel (Romans 10: 17), believed the gospel (Romans 10: 17), repented of their sins (Luke 13: 3, 5; Acts 17: 30), confessed their faith in Christ (Romans 10: 9), and were baptized for the forgiveness of their sins (Acts 2: 38; 1 Peter 3: 21). In the gospel we find the church worshipped according to the gospel (John 4: 23-24) on the first day of every week (Acts 20: 7) which consisted of preaching (2 Timothy 4: 2), singing (Ephesians 5: 19), prayer (Acts 2: 42), giving (1 Corinthians 16: 1), and the Lord’s Supper (Acts 20: 7; 1 Corinthians 11: 23-29). In the gospel the church lived righteous lives (Titus 2: 11-14). I pray your consideration of these important matters.
∼By Stacey Mobley
