WHEN AN APOSTLE IS CONCERNED The Gospel is like a beautiful Divine melody in which several harmonious heavenly notes blend. It centers in heaven, accenting the activity of the Lord, and offering eternal benefits to men. The manner in which the word "gospel" is used by the Holy Spirit will accent this reality. -- Tomorrow:
"Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me. For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him." (2 Corinthians 11:1-4
Devotion 24 of 29
1. THE KINGDOM. "And this GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come" (Mat 24:14; 4:23; 9:35). In the midst of fourth of the kingdoms prophesied by Daniel (Dan 2:44), a superior kingdom is announced that rules over all. Salvation would be wrought out under the strict, thorough, and effective administration of heaven.
2. KINGDOM OF GOD. "Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM, OF GOD" ( Mk 1:14). The Gospel announces a kingdom that is carrying out the purpose of God, reflecting His mind, and fulfilling His desires for fallen humanity.
3. OF GOD. "Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the GOSPEL OF GOD" (Rom 1:1; 15:16; 2 Cor 11:7; 1 Thess 2:2,8,9; 1 Pet 4:17). The Gospel focuses upon God the Father. The purpose being fulfilled in Christ is His own purpose (Eph 3:11; Rom 8:28; 9:11; 2 Tim 1:9). Jesus is His Son (John 20:31; Acts 8:37; Rom 1:4). The Spirit is sent forth by Him (Gal 4:6; 1 Cor 2:12; 2 Cor 5:5; 1 Thess 4:8). We have been reconciled to Him (Rom 5:10; 2 Cor 5:20). Jesus is bringing us to Him (1 Pet 3:18).
4. JESUS CHRIST. "The beginning of the GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST, the Son of God" (Mark 1:1). The Gospel announces a Man into whose hands God has placed everything. Concerning His manhood, He is "Jesus" – the One who will "save His people from their sins." Regarding His role, He is "Christ," the anointed One – the One God has appointed as the executor of His will.
5. HIS SON. "For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the GOSPEL OF HIS SON, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers" (Rom 1:9). The Gospel announces that Jesus' primary relationship is to God, not to man – the Son of God. That relationship is the context in which the entirety of salvation is accomplished.
6. CHRIST. "For I am not ashamed of the GOSPEL OF CHRIST: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek" (Rom 1:16; 15:16,29; 1 Cor 9:12,18; 2 Cor 4:4; 9:13; 10:14; Gal 1:7; Phil 1:27; 1 Thess 3:2). The Good News is that Jesus has not only been designated to deal effectively with sin, but He, as the exclusive anointed One, has also been empowered to bring all of the sons home to glory.
7. LORD JESUS CHRIST. "In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST" (2 Thess 1:8). The completeness of the Savior is affirmed in the Gospel. Regarding authority, or "all power in heaven and earth," He is LORD. Regarding His relevance to man, He is "Jesus," the ultimate Man who works in behalf of mankind, and is the federal head of a new race of men – the born again ones. Regarding Divine approval, He is "Christ," the One who has been "anointed" by God with the Holy Spirit, and that without measure. The "fulness of the Godhead" dwells in Him "bodily," and it pleases God that it is so (Col 1:19; 2:9).
8. GRACE OF GOD. "But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD" (Acts 20:24). The Gospel announces that God's grace, because of Jesus Christ, is now lavished upon men through their faith. This grace is sufficient (2 Cor 12:9), makes strong (2 Tim 2:1), and effectively teaches (Tit 2:11-12).
9. BLESSED GOD. "According to the glorious GOSPEL OF THE BLESSED GOD, which was committed to my trust" (1 Tim 1:11). The Gospel announces a "blessed God" – One who is happy and jubilant because of the accomplishments of His Son. He has seen the travail of His soul, and "is satisfied" (Isa 53:11). Because of this, believers are now"made accepted in the Beloved" (Eph 1:6).
10. PEACE. "And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the GOSPEL OF PEACE, and bring glad tidings of good things!" (Rom 10:15; Eph 6:15). The Gospel announces that peace with God has been "made" (Col 1:20). Those who are justified by faith now have "peace with God" (Rom 5:1). The hostility created by sin no longer exists in those who are in Christ Jesus.
11. SALVATION. "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the GOSPEL OF YOUR SALVATION: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise" (Eph 1:13). The Gospel brings home to the believer the reality of personal salvation. It encourages unfettered trust in the Lord, and brings assurance to the heart of the believer.
A "gospel" that does not deliver an awareness of these things is NOT the gospel – it is a miserable word fabricated by the devil and declared by men who have been blinded by him. Wherever professing Christians are found who are fundamentally ignorant of these realities, the gospel has not been believed. Either it has not been preached at all, or it has been preached and rejected, or "another gospel" has been declared among them. If we are dealing with people who have long remained in an ignorant situation, they are NOT regularly being subjected to the real Gospel. The Gospel will elicit some aggressive response from those who hear it. Either they will oppose it or embrace it. There is no passive response to it.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for such a grand and effective Gospel!