The True Gospel -- 6/8/08

Sunday, June 8, 2008

WHICH GOSPEL?
(The True Gospel)

“I am not ashamed of the gospel…” Those words are taken from scripture. Do you know where they are found? Romans 1:16. Paul stated clearly that he was not ashamed of the gospel. And what does the term “gospel” mean? Yes, it means “good news.” Paul was not ashamed of the good news. He preached the gospel far and wide. He even said, “Woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel” (I Cor. 9:16). Most of us understand that Paul’s attitude was not intended to be unique to apostles. He urged other believers to do exactly what he was doing, to proclaim the gospel unashamedly. I can say to you without apology, “It is God’s will that you be proclaiming the gospel. The Lord intends for His people to share the good news.”

All of this does raise a question. The question is this: “What gospel are we to proclaim?” We say, “The gospel of Christ, or course.” Of course. However, would it not be accurate to say that there is more than one so-called gospel being proclaimed today? Is Joel Osteen proclaiming the same gospel that is proclaimed here in this local church? Both Joel Osteen and myself would say, “I am proclaiming the gospel of Christ, the good news of the Lord Jesus.” Are we really sharing the same message? Do I preach the same gospel that Robert Schuller preaches?

When we take time to really consider this matter, we come to the conclusion that there is only one gospel, but that doesn’t change the fact that a number of contrasting messages are being proclaimed, and they all claim to be the gospel. Let me liken it to the concept of one God versus many gods. In the Bible itself, you can find references to gods. The first biblical reference to “the gods” is in Ex. 12:12, "For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD." Were “the gods of Egypt” really gods? No. The Nile was not a god; it was a river. Nevertheless, we read that reference to “the gods of Egypt.” On the other hand, the true concept is stated clearly in Deut. 6:4-5, "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: 5. And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might." We find that truth throughout both the Old and New Testaments. While there is a sense in which whatever we bow down to becomes our “god,” we know that there is only one true and living God. So it is with the gospel. While there may be many messages that claim to be “the gospel,” in reality there is only one gospel of Jesus Christ.

This morning let’s take a little bit of time to be reminded of what the true gospel is. In doing so, we need to look at “another gospel.” You remember that Paul himself used that very term “another gospel.” Let’s read that passage again from Gal 1:6-9…
I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7. Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 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.

That is a very strong passage. It reminds us of the seriousness of proclaiming any “gospel” other than the true gospel of Christ.

Before we go on, let’s take time to read I Cor. 15:1-10…
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: 5. And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6. After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 7. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 8. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. 9. For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10. But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

Notice especially verses 3-4, “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.” These truths about the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ form the core of the gospel. While it is appropriate to expand the gospel a great deal, this is the core of it – that Jesus died for our sins according to the scriptures, was buried [He was really dead], and rose from the dead the third day according to the scriptures. Just as God planned, Jesus, the Lamb of God, gave Himself willingly as our sacrifice on the cross. Yes, and it pleased the Lord to bruise Him (Is. 53:10) in order that He might be the propitiation for our sins. That is, that Jesus through His death and payment for sin might turn away the wrath of God from all who believe. This is the basic gospel story that God’s people have been commissioned to proclaim.

With that biblical framework, now let’s take a look at our world and see what gospel is being proclaimed.

I. A Self-Centered “Gospel”

Two weeks ago I received a very interesting email. It was a forward that was passed along to me and I don’t know how many others. It was entitled “A Heavy Prayer,” and it reads like this…

God Has Amazing Things in Store for You (This is a heavy prayer)

Stars do not struggle to shine; rivers do not struggle to flow, and you will never struggle to excel in life, because you deserve the best. Hold on to your dream and it shall be well with you... Amen.

The eyes beholding this message shall not behold evil, the hand that will send this message to others shall not labor in vain, the mouth saying Amen to this prayer shall laugh forever, remain in God's love.

Good morning, your dream will not die, your plans will not fail, your destiny will not be aborted, and the desire of your heart will be granted in Jesus' name. Say a big Amen and if you believe it, send it to all your friends.

Money will know your name and address before the end of this month. If you believe, send it back to all your friends. None goes to the river early in the morning and brings dirty water. As you are up this morning! may your life be clean, calm and clear like the early morning water. May the grace of the Almighty support, sustain and supply all your needs according to His riches in glory. Amen.

Love the Lord. Have a wonderful day in Jesus' name.

The will of God will never take you where the grace of God will not protect you. I see something good happening to you, something that you have been waiting to experience. This is not a joke; you are going to receive a divine visitation that will move your life forward mightily by the outworking of God's unstoppable Power.

Do not break this prayer; send it to a minimum of seven people.
You are Blessed beyond all curses in Jesus' name.... AMEN

Pray without ceasing 1 Thess 5:17
The hurt that harms us is the one that we allow, think on these things.

Is this the gospel? It is highly likely that the person who penned this so-called “heavy prayer” would agree that Jesus died for our sins according to the scripture, was buried, and rose again the third day according to the scriptures. So there is a sense in which he is preaching the same gospel that is proclaimed here again and again. But is there something different? Does everyone who believes that Jesus died and rose from the grave understand the gospel of Christ? Is there something deeper than the raw facts that is vital to the proclaiming of the gospel?

Let’s come back again to Matthew 7. I hope that we have been over this passage so many times that whenever you hear that reference “Matthew 7,” a light comes on. Jesus’ words in this passage are crucial for these days. Let’s read it again in Matt. 7:13-24…
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14. Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 15. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17. Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23. And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 24. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

Jesus was not talking about atheists and agnostics. Nor was He speaking of the pagans who rarely think about God. No, He had in mind religious people and especially religious leaders who are preaching a false gospel. His words apply to messages such as the one contained in the email I read. It is not a heavy prayer; it is the wide gate to the broad way that leads to destruction. It is a self-centered gospel.

Listen again to some of its opening word: “and you will never struggle to excel in life, because you deserve the best. Hold on to your dream and it shall be well with you.” Amen? No… anathema. No one on earth deserves the best; we all deserve the worst, hell and the damnation of God. Later it says: “the mouth saying Amen to this prayer shall laugh forever, remain in God's love.” That’s not what Jesus says. Take time later to compare with what Jesus says in Luke 6. No one can remain in God’s love until he receives that love, and he cannot receive God’s love until His wrath has been removed. And what about this part? “Good morning, your dream will not die, your plans will not fail, your destiny will not be aborted, and the desire of your heart will be granted in Jesus' name.” According to the Bible, there is one who will receive the desire of his heart. Who is it? Ps. 37:4, “Delight thyself also in the Lord, and he shall give thee the desire of thine heart.” But the person who prays this so-called “heavy prayer” does not delight in the Lord; he delights in himself, for we then read: “Money will know your name and address before the end of this month.” And then, “May the grace of the Almighty support, sustain and supply all your needs according to His riches in glory.” Wow! Now we even have a quotation from the scripture, but Phil. 4:19 is twisted just as when Satan himself twisted Psalm 91. God promised to supply the needs of a church who gave willingly and sacrificially to others. If money has the name and address of the person praying this prayer, it is because Satan is the one doing the sending. Jesus said that no man can serve God and money. The heavy prayer then exhorts one and all, “Love the Lord, Have a wonderful day in Jesus’ name.” No one who subscribes to this prayer loves the Lord, for Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments” (Jn. 14:15). This prayer will not lead to a wonderful day, but to a Christless eternity in hell.

Please hear me. Such a selfish gospel is no gospel at all. It longs for the benefit of God’s blessings but refuses to consider the necessity of obedience. It latches on to the promises of the Bible with no regard for the conditions. It longs for the temporal blessings while largely ignoring the eternal. Jesus has become a ticket to prosperity in this world and heaven in the next. Mark it down: Jesus will not be used in such a way as this by those who seek God’s hand but not His face.

I repeat – such a selfish gospel is no gospel at all.

II. An Others-Centered Gospel

Praise God that we don’t have to stop there. Let’s now consider another gospel. Before we do, let’s learn something from that self-centered gospel that we just considered. I remind you again that many people who would say “Amen” to that email would heartily agree with the truths that Jesus died for our sins according to the scriptures, was buried, and rose again the third day according to the scriptures. How could a person start with the truths of scripture and go so far astray?

As we ponder that question, we begin to see that motive and purpose are a vital part of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Yes, Jesus died for my sins, but what do I do with that truth? If I consider responding to Jesus and what He did at the cross, what is my motive? Do I want to find peace of mind? Am I eager to rid myself of the guilt I bear? Do I hope that Jesus will give me a way to escape from the problems that I face every day? Do I hope he will find me a better job so that finances won’t be so difficult? Am I looking for a ticket to heaven? Why do I desire this Jesus who died and rose from the grave?

Those are sobering questions, but they are important questions. If my motive in responding to Jesus is along those lines, how am I treating Jesus any different from any other purchase? Am I just looking for a good deal? Though our response is not part of the gospel itself, the motive of the heart says much about how we think of the gospel.

From a consideration of motive in responding to the gospel it isn’t far to the question, “So, why did God send His Son into the world?” So that His wrath might be turned away and we might be forgiven and become His sons and daughters. That’s true, but why does He want us to become His sons and daughters?

With some of those questions in mind, now let’s move on to consider another gospel which is not engulfed in self. Let’s illustrate it through the life of a man I mentioned a couple of weeks ago. His name was Paris Reidhead and he was born in a Minnesota farming community. He answered the call to missions when he was in his late teens. Reidhead had a great passion for the people who had never heard of Jesus Christ. When he was 26 years old, he took an assignment with the Sudan Interior Mission, where he alalyzed indigenous languages in preparation for evangelistic and educational work near the Sudan-Ehtiopia border.

Why would a young man with intellectual promise and a whole life before him go to Sudan? It was because he cared about the people who lived there. He had never been to Sudan, but he knew there were people there who were lost without Christ. With a great longing to reach them, he left the comforts of home and went to Sudan to invest his life there.

Does it sound a bit like our Lord, who left the glories of heaven and became a man on this earth? We read in Matt. 9:35-36, "And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 36. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd." When Jesus saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion. He cared about their problems, especially the fact that they had no shepherd. They were lost and without hope. In association with Jesus’ concern for Zacchaeus, we read in Luke 19:10, "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." Jesus was the ultimate missionary, coming from heaven to earth to seek and to save those who were lost.

So believing he was following the will of the Lord Jesus, Paris Reidhead was committed to an others-centered gospel. He was not selfish, like the followers of the so-called “heavy prayer.” He wasn’t looking for riches or fame. He just wanted to see lost people come to know the Savior.

Before we discuss this others-centered gospel any more, I need to introduce to you yet another gospel.

III. A God/Christ-Centered Gospel

This third gospel is best illustrated by a story that this same man, Paris Reidhead, tells. It’s a true story. Two young Moravians heard about an atheist British slave owner. He brought about 3,000 slaves from the jungles of Africa and held them on an island in the West Indies, where they worked on his plantations. This slave owner made it clear that no preacher would ever come and talk to them about God. If such a preacher should become shipwrecked on the island, he would be housed and fed, but he would not be allowed to talk to any of them. This atheist said he was through with God and all that nonsense.

It would seem that these slaves were destined to live and die on that island, working endlessly and never hearing about the Lord Jesus Christ. But these two young Moravians, who were in their early 20’s, heard about the situation. They prayed and acted on behalf of those slaves. They sold themselves to the atheist slave owner, so that they might live as slaves and live as Christians among the other slaves. The price he paid for them was no more than he would pay for any other slave, but it was enough to pay their ship fare from England to the island. The slave owner was so calloused that he wouldn’t even pay to transport them.

The day came for them to leave on the ship. Many of their Moravian brothers and sisters came to see them off. As they boarded the ship, there were many questions, for many questioned the wisdom of what they were doing. They knew they would never see them again, for they had sold themselves into lifetime slavery.

Up to this point, it sounds like these two young Moravians were acting exactly as Paris Reidhead himself had done. It appears that they had the same motivation, the spiritual welfare of those who had not yet heard the gospel. However, it is the rest of the story that sets them apart from the way Reidhead first went to the mission field (as well as thousands of other missionaries who have gone as he did).

As the ship was pulling away from the dock, one of the young men put his arm around the other and shouted back to those on the pier, “May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering.” Hear those words again: “May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering.” And that became the cry of Moravian missions. As Paris Reidhead said, “That is the only reason for being, that the Lamb might receive the reward of His suffering.”

Do you see the difference between an others-centered gospel and a God-centered gospel? While at first it may appear that there is not much difference, in fact the difference is great, and it is important that we understand that difference, even as Paris Reidhead came to understand it. The classic question can be stated in these terms: “What is the mission motivation that pleases God? Is it concern for the lost? Or, is it a passion to do the will of God?” You may say, “It is both.” You would be right. However, one motivation is more important than the other. To put it another way, one of these goals is included in the other one.

I won’t beat around the bush. The great and godly motivation for missions is a passion to do the will of God. Compassion for mankind is nothing in comparison with the desire to please God. Love for others can actually become an idol, if our chief desire is not the glory of God.

But wait a minute. Didn’t we just read about Jesus’ compassion for the lost and about His mission to seek and to save the lost? Indeed, we did, but those statements must be taken in context. Jesus had compassion on poor sinners because that is what God sent Him to do. Jesus came to seek and to save the lost because that was the will of His Father. Jesus is the Savior of the world only because He is the Lamb of God before the foundation of the world.

Please consider Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman in John 4. In this account, we see Jesus reaching out to a Samaritan woman who was an outcast. This woman was a mess, but even though He was tired from traveling, Jesus gave Himself to visit with her, finally revealing to this sinful woman that He was indeed the Messiah. Remember that Jesus went out of His way to meet this woman. Normally, good Jews went around Samaria because they despised the Jew-hating half-breeds who lived there. Jesus actually walked on Samaritan soil in order to deal with this needy woman.

That’s part of the story, but the truth digs deeper. We read in verse 4 that Jesus “must needs go through Samaria.” Why must He go through Samaria? As I have already mentioned, it wasn’t because it was the shortest route back to Galilee. Surely it was in order that He might meet this woman. But how did He know this Samaritan woman would be at the well at the precise time He would be there? Do you see? Jesus went through Samaria at the prompting of His Father. It was God the Father who arranged this encounter with the woman at the well. We have no record that Jesus had any idea the woman was going to be there. He didn’t need to know that; all He needed was the sense that the Father wanted Him to go through Samaria.

The priority of the Father’s will is seen more clearly later in the story. We won’t go through the whole story, but we might ask again why Jesus was willing to take His time and energy to deal with this woman. Was it not because He saw her, cared about her, and wanted to help her, to bring her to eternal life? Again, that truth is undeniable, but it doesn’t go far enough. Why did Jesus care about this woman and desire to help her? Because that was the heart of His Father. Jesus would later say, “I can of mine own self do nothing” (Jn. 5:30). And again, “I do always those things that please him” (Jn. 8:29).

Now let’s move on in the story. As Jesus was ending His conversation with the woman, His disciples returned. Remember that they had gone into the town to get something to eat. When they returned and saw Jesus talking with this woman who was a Samaritan, they were amazed. Why would their Master be talking to her, of all people? But they didn’t think it wise to ask Jesus out loud. Instead, they suggested that he eat something. Surely He would be hungry after the morning’s long walk. It was noon before He even started talking with the woman. Now it is much later. Nevertheless, Jesus didn’t seem to be hungry. He responded to their suggestion with these words, “I have meat to eat that you know nothing about.” Before He could explain, they began to ask one another who could have given Jesus something to eat while they were gone. Then Jesus spoke clearly: “My meat [food] is to do the will of him that sent me and to finish his work” (Jn. 4:34).

Think about what Jesus was saying. What was His meat, that the disciples knew so little about? Was it to bring life to the Samaritan woman? No. Although that was important, that wasn’t what sustained Him. What sustained Jesus was doing the will of His Father. Was it the will of His Father to minister to that woman? Absolutely. But the key was not what He did for the woman, but rather His obedience to the Father. If the Father hadn’t directed Him to speak to the woman, the time He spent with her would have been sin. I know that sounds very strong and harsh, but it is the truth. Why? Because Jesus said He always did those things that pleased the Father. He never did anything else. It pleased the Father for Jesus to go through Samaria and bring life to that woman (as well as many others in the city), and that is why Jesus did it. What sustained Him was not the fulfillment He found in giving life to the woman, but the doing of the Father’s will.

Let me be very clear here. We must not take this as a loophole that will let us out of sharing the gospel with people. On the other hand, when we truly long to do the will of the Father, sharing the gospel will not longer be a have to. Rather, it will be life itself because we are doing it in obedience to our Father which is in heaven. Without question, when we do the will of the Father, a large part of that will involves sharing His life with others. Nevertheless, our primary motivation is not compassion for others, but a great longing to do the will of our Father.

Evangelism, like every other part of life in Christ, is done first unto the Lord, not unto people. Brothers and sisters, even non-Christians can demonstrate compassion for people who are hurting, but only God’s children can do the will of the Father. And in doing the will of our Father, we can be a channel for His life. Yes, rivers of living water can flow out of us.

Conclusion

So what is the true gospel? The true gospel is the message of the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ shared for the glory of God. A self-centered gospel is no gospel at all. Even an others-centered gospel is less than the true gospel of Jesus Christ. The true gospel finds its beginning and end in God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. Our motive for sharing it is His glory, and the glory of God is a part of the message itself. While it is true that God sent Jesus to be the Savior of the world, even that has a context, and that context is the glory of God. Ultimately, God saves sinners through the gospel for His own glory. Anything less falls short of being the true gospel.

Let’s come back to that so-called “heavy prayer” that we looked at earlier. To speak of such as “a heavy prayer” reveals great deception. Most anyone can pray a prayer that brings comfort, ease, financial blessing, and safety. If you want to stand in the presence of a heavy prayer, listen again to John 12:23-28…
And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. 24. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. 25. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. 26. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. 27. Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. 28. Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.

If the writer of that email prayer had been in Jesus’ place, he would have prayed, “Father, save me from this hour. Protect me from death, and I will say, Amen. Don’t let me go the way of the cross. Reward me with plenty and I will love you.” But in the face of the greatest crisis ever known to a man before or since, Jesus prayed, “Father, glorify thy name.” That is a heavy prayer, for Jesus knew what it meant. It meant enduring the cross, bearing our sins, and being cut off from His Father.

Of course, that was Jesus. So let me remind you of others who prayed the same basic prayer. Stephen was speaking before his accusers. When he came to a certain point, they couldn’t stand it any more and they cut him short. Let’s pick it up in Acts 7:54-60…
When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. 55. But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, 56. And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. 57. Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, 58. And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. 59. And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 60. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Surely this man’s attitude and heavy prayer influenced Saul, the Jewish Pharisee who stood by holding the garments of those who stoned Stephen. Many years later Paul would write these words from prison to the church at Philippi… (Phil. 1:19-21)
For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20. According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. 21. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

The context makes it clear that the salvation Paul speaks of here is not escaping from prison and death. For Paul, nothing could be greater than Christ being magnified (made large, glorified) through either his life or his death. It made no difference to Paul. If you continue reading, you will find that Paul would actually prefer death, for that would mean going to be with the Lord. But even in that, he couldn’t be selfish; God would receive more glory if he continued in this world for a time and ministered in Jesus’ name. This too is a heavy prayer. May God give us grace to pray like this.
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These concepts have been in my mind for many years, and I share them with you often in one form or another. But I must confess that these principles from the scripture have been strengthened and sharpened in my mind, as I have listened to other brothers who understand
them better than I. Please allow me to give you a couple of valuable resources. One is a book by John Piper. The title is God Is the Gospel. I have one ordered and should be on the shelf back there by next Sunday. Its message is scriptural and powerful.

The other is a sermon that some of you have heard. I heard it a couple of years ago and it has impacted my life. It is the message by Paris Reidhead entitled “Ten Shekels and a Shirt.” You can find it easily on the internet or pick up one of the CD’s on the bulletin table. If you want to listen to a three-minute clip from this sermon, go to…

http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=3496021cfc4e9b196d9a