THE GOSPEL
We often use Matt. 28:19, 20 to teach what is known as “the Great Commission.” And indeed we are to take the Words of Jesus Christ out to the world. But I would like you to take a minute of your time and see if we are really being taught, and are teaching what Jesus taught. Look at the first three verses of Acts chapter one. It shows all that Jesus Himself taught, and taught His disciples to teach; “….things pertaining to the kingdom of God”. A good barometer, to see if you really have “all of the message,” is to see what you understand about the – kingdom of God – that Christ preached (Acts 1:1-3).
Man was created for a purpose which had to do with regality (rulership or dominion[Gen. 1:26, 28]); and fallen man has been redeemed with this same purpose in view. Salvation has been provided for fallen man in order that God might bring man back to the position for which he was created in the beginning.
Therefore, the gospel message, the good news seen throughout the Scriptures, has two facets – the good news concerning the grace of God, and the good news concerning the glory of Christ. The latter is not understood by most of Christendom; it is just not preached and as a result most Christians are ignorant of this great truth. That is exactly what Satan wants, there is nothing that Satan desires the children of God not to know more than this, because it has to do with him and his fallen angels loosing rulership of this earth and it be given to man under the leadership of Christ as the coming King.
THE GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD:
The gospel of the grace of God is a message dealing with Christ’s past, finished work at Calvary. It is the message of the Cross; it is a message surrounding the shedding of blood; it is a message surrounding death; and it is a message which is to be proclaimed to the unsaved – to those “dead in trespasses and sins.”
The reception of this message – man believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, Who died in his stead – results in eternal salvation.
THE GOSPEL OF THE GLORY OF CHRIST
This gospel is a message encompassing Christ’s past work but culminating and dealing more specifically with His future work. It is a message surrounding present Christian living, with a view to that which lies ahead. And, encompassing Christ’s present work as High Priest, the gospel of the glory of Christ (as the gospel of the grace of God) is also a message surrounding the shedding of blood (Christ’s shed blood now on the mercy seat in the heavenly sanctuary). Most Christians know nothing about this aspect of Christ’s work. The message surrounding Christ’s glory and that of bringing many sons into glory with Him is not preached, and as a result not understood in by the average believer.
The reception of this message – redeemed man exercising faithfulness to his calling – will result in an individual being accorded the honor and privilege of ascending the throne with Christ in His kingdom when He returns in all His power and glory. This is not automatic for every Christian as is commonly taught (Heb. 3:6, 14; Matt. 10:22; 24:13; Mk. 13:13). "Saved from what?" Remember in all these passages Jesus was addressing those that already possessed eternal life.
These distinctions must be clearly understood if an individual would properly understand the 'whole' of the salvation message taught in Scripture.
Examine Paul’s message in Acts:
Acts 20:24-30
24 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.
25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.
26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God .
28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
Paul states that the message he went around preaching was that of “the kingdom of God,” in verse 25. He said, “….I am pure from the blood of all men,” having preached this message – the message he calls “the counsel of God.”
The question then is: do you understand the ‘whole counsel of God’?
We often use Matt. 28:19, 20 to teach what is known as “the Great Commission.” And indeed we are to take the Words of Jesus Christ out to the world. But I would like you to take a minute of your time and see if we are really being taught, and are teaching what Jesus taught. Look at the first three verses of Acts chapter one. It shows all that Jesus Himself taught, and taught His disciples to teach; “….things pertaining to the kingdom of God”. A good barometer, to see if you really have “all of the message,” is to see what you understand about the – kingdom of God – that Christ preached (Acts 1:1-3).
Man was created for a purpose which had to do with regality (rulership or dominion[Gen. 1:26, 28]); and fallen man has been redeemed with this same purpose in view. Salvation has been provided for fallen man in order that God might bring man back to the position for which he was created in the beginning.
Therefore, the gospel message, the good news seen throughout the Scriptures, has two facets – the good news concerning the grace of God, and the good news concerning the glory of Christ. The latter is not understood by most of Christendom; it is just not preached and as a result most Christians are ignorant of this great truth. That is exactly what Satan wants, there is nothing that Satan desires the children of God not to know more than this, because it has to do with him and his fallen angels loosing rulership of this earth and it be given to man under the leadership of Christ as the coming King.
THE GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD:
The gospel of the grace of God is a message dealing with Christ’s past, finished work at Calvary. It is the message of the Cross; it is a message surrounding the shedding of blood; it is a message surrounding death; and it is a message which is to be proclaimed to the unsaved – to those “dead in trespasses and sins.”
The reception of this message – man believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, Who died in his stead – results in eternal salvation.
THE GOSPEL OF THE GLORY OF CHRIST
This gospel is a message encompassing Christ’s past work but culminating and dealing more specifically with His future work. It is a message surrounding present Christian living, with a view to that which lies ahead. And, encompassing Christ’s present work as High Priest, the gospel of the glory of Christ (as the gospel of the grace of God) is also a message surrounding the shedding of blood (Christ’s shed blood now on the mercy seat in the heavenly sanctuary). Most Christians know nothing about this aspect of Christ’s work. The message surrounding Christ’s glory and that of bringing many sons into glory with Him is not preached, and as a result not understood in by the average believer.
The reception of this message – redeemed man exercising faithfulness to his calling – will result in an individual being accorded the honor and privilege of ascending the throne with Christ in His kingdom when He returns in all His power and glory. This is not automatic for every Christian as is commonly taught (Heb. 3:6, 14; Matt. 10:22; 24:13; Mk. 13:13). "Saved from what?" Remember in all these passages Jesus was addressing those that already possessed eternal life.
These distinctions must be clearly understood if an individual would properly understand the 'whole' of the salvation message taught in Scripture.
Examine Paul’s message in Acts:
Acts 20:24-30
24 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.
25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.
26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God .
28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
Paul states that the message he went around preaching was that of “the kingdom of God,” in verse 25. He said, “….I am pure from the blood of all men,” having preached this message – the message he calls “the counsel of God.”
The question then is: do you understand the ‘whole counsel of God’?
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