Following Jesus without Denominationalism
Part 3: ‘Accepting the Call of the Gospel’
Three messages in, and the series is just now starting to really heat up; and getting really good if I should say so myself, as the LORD has actually been teaching me a thing or two here as well.
As I brought to you within the last message, I proposed to show you the following as a way out of religious division.
FIRST; by showing you how to follow the example of JESUS CHRIST; and maintain a ‘non – sectarian’ relationship with GOD.
You see, JESUS living under the Old Covenant, HE was simply an Israelite, as the Law intended.
And yet, living under the New Covenant, JESUS Disciples were simply called ‘Christians’, just as we should be, as we see in:
Acts 11: 26:
“And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.”
AND in 1st Peter 4: 16:
“Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.”
SECOND; JESUS wanted to ensure that we are truly members of HIS body, better known as the church, or perhaps HIS ‘called – out ones’.
This was to let us be sure that we have answered the call of the gospel, by which HE adds us to HIS church and not some sort of denomination begun by a man.
2nd Thessalonians 2: 14:
“Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Acts 2: 41 & 47:
“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.”
47 “Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”
And to let us follow the example of the early church, who “continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship,”
(Acts 2: 42)
With all that in mind, it’s an important key to remember that we properly answer the call of the gospel.
One reason is because it is through gospel, CHRIST is calling you to into HIS church.
BUT THE MAIN REASON when we accept the gospel call, by GOD’S grace we receive salvation and the LORD adds us to HIS church.
Unfortunately; there have been those out there that have ‘perverted’ certain elements of the gospel.
In the first century; Paul wrote of those who had perverted the gospel by trying to add elements of the Old Law to it.
Galatians 1: 8 – 9:
“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.”
And I found a confirmation of this within Acts 15: 1 and 6:
“And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.”
6 “And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.”
In later times, others attempted to change the basis of salvation by teaching a salvation of works, rather than by grace through faith.
EVEN TODAY many pervert the gospel by the manner they call upon people to respond to the gospel.
LEAVING OUT THE PROPER REPSONSE AS TAUGHT BY CHRIST AND HIS DISCIPLES!
IT IS FOR THIS REASON; that I see it a most important that we understand the gospel of CHRIST, and how we properly accept the call of the gospel!
There are several good ways to summarize the gospel that makes it easy to remember. And one was suggested by Walter Scott.
Not Sir Walter Scott, but the British author who wrote ‘Ivanhoe’.
A kinsman born in Scotland in 1796, Scott came to America and proclaimed the gospel throughout Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Kentucky.
In his study of the gospel, Walter Scott summarized it as containing:
Facts to be believed
Commands to be obeyed
Promises to be received
Now indeed, accepting the call of the gospel involves a person accepting the ‘facts’ ;the ‘commands’ ; and the ‘promises’ all contained within the gospel of JESUS CHRIST.
To elaborate just a little; let’s consider first of all that to accept the call of the gospel one must.
(1) Believe the ‘FACTS’ of the gospel
I have four key points I want to make here in regards to this . . .
FIRST: That JESUS was ‘crucified’ for our sins.
The death of JESUS for our sins is a fundamental part of the gospel:
1st Corinthians 15: 1 – 3:
“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;”
It was foretold by Isaiah:
Isaiah 53: 4 – 6:
“Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
Its necessity is seen that all are sinners, and the wages of sin is death:
Romans 3: 23:
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”
6: 23:
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
But in love, GOD sent HIS son to be the propitiation (an atoning sacrifice) for our sins:
1st John 4: 9 – 10:
“In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”
SECOND: That JESUS was ‘raised’ from the dead.
Together with HIS death and burial, the resurrection of CHRIST is fundamental to the gospel.
1st Corinthians 15: 4:
“And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”
Believe it or not in the very first gospel sermon ever recorded, Peter centered his message on proving that GOD raised JESUS from the dead.
Acts 2: 22 – 32:
“Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:
23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.
25 For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:
26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:
27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
28 Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.
29 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.
30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;
31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.
32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.”
WITHOUT THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST;
THE GOSPEL IS MEANINGLESS!!!
1st Corinthians 15: 14 – 19:
“And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.
16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:
17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.
19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.”
THIRD: That JESUS is ‘exalted’ as KING and SAVIOR.
This is seen where Peter proclaimed at the climax of his first gospel sermon.
Acts 2: 33 – 36:
“Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
34 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
35 Until I make thy foes thy footstool.
36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
All have been put under HIS feet, and made subject to HIM.
Ephesians 1: 20 – 22:
“Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,”
1st Peter 3: 22:
“Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.”
Therefore HE is truly ‘the prince of the kings of the earth’
Revelations 1: 5:
“And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,”
FOURTH: That JESUS is ‘coming’ again.
As prophesied in the Book of Revelation:
Revelation 1: 7:
“Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.”
As proclaimed by the ‘two men stood by them in white apparel’when JESUS ascended to heaven . . .
Acts 1: 9 – 11:
“And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”
What about the purpose of HIS coming? To execute judgment and be glorified.
2nd Thessalonians 1: 7 – 10:
“So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.
8 For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God–ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.
9 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;
10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.”
Certainly there are other elements of the gospel necessary for us to believe such as the virgin birth of CHRIST, HIS deity, etc.
But in the preaching of the gospel as recording in the Book of Acts, the facts which I have shared were emphasized time and time again.
I ask you; do you believe the facts of the gospel? If you do; that’s wonderful!! For when you have such faith, you will be prompted to accept the call of the gospel to do my next point.
(2) Obey the ‘COMMANDS’ of the gospel
To obey the commands of the gospel, there are several things you have to keep in mind.
ONE: Believe the gospel concerning Jesus Christ.
I know this sounds a little redundant, but it is very important to stress two serious things.
THAT THERE ARE INDEED ‘COMMANDS’ ONE MUST OBEY TO BE SAVED!
AND THAT THE FIRST COMMAND IS TO BELIEVE!
Now unless one believes the gospel, there is NO HOPE!!
Mark 16: 15 – 16:
“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
THE GOSPEL IS GOD’S POWER UNTO SALVATION!
BUT ONLY . . . ONLY TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE!
Romans 1: 16:
“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.”
You see; faith, along with confession, is a necessary step leading to salvation.
Romans 10: 9 – 10:
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
We all should know and believe what the Bible says when it comes to faith in GOD.
Hebrews 11: 6:
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
In other words . . .
IF YOU HAVE NO FAITH IN GOD;
YOU CAN NOT PLEASE HIM!
Without faith, one will not act upon the other conditions of the gospel such as confession; repentance; etc.
Do you lack faith? Then I strongly urge you to really pay close attention to the four gospels of Matthew; Mark; Luke; and John, for they are each written in the attempt to produce faith.
John 20: 30 – 31:
“And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:
31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”
I always hear people make the statement that they have ‘no faith’ and I continually tell them you must know what Romans 10: 17 says.
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
TWO: Confess your faith in JESUS as LORD.
In addition to the command to believe, there is the command to confess JESUS as LORD.
Again I refer you to Romans 10: 9 – 10:
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
Reverend Sam; would you expound a little on what you mean as far as confession?
Well this simply means to acknowledge that you believe JESUS to be the CHRIST; the SON of GOD; who is KING of kings and LORD of lords.
A good example of such a confession can be found in Acts 8: 37:
“And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
You see without confessing JESUS before men, we have no hope that HE will confess us before the HIS FATHER in heaven.
Matthew 10: 32 – 33:
“Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.”
Think about where you are in your life at this very moment are you willing to confess that you believe JESUS to be the CHRIST; the SON of GOD?
I hear many people say that they believe JESUS to be the CHRIST they confess HIM as the SON of GOD. But when you get them out in public, outside the church, I ask you:
WHY ARE THEY WHISPERING TO PEOPLE ABOUT GOD?
WHY ARE THE SO SCARED TO SHARE THE GOSPEL WITH SOMEONE?
WHY ARE THEY SO TIMID TO MINISTER TO SOMEONE AND SHOW THEIR CHRISTIANITY?
WHY DO SOME ACT THE WAY THEY DO UN-CHRISTLIKE??
THREE: Repent of your sins.
I want everyone to really take note of what I am going to say here. It seems like so many people just cannot understand just what it means to ‘repent’.
To repent means to simply have a change of mind, in which case you make the decision to turn away from your sins and turn toward living for GOD.
Repentance is brought out by a ‘godly sorrow’ for your sins.
2nd Corinthians 7: 10:
“For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.”
With that sorrow, it will produce a visible change in one’s life.
Vs 11:
“For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.”
JESUS told us that repentance should be preached in HIS name among the nations.
Luke 24: 46 – 47:
“And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”
Now I know the apostles Peter and Paul stressed repentance in their gospel preaching.
Acts 2: 37 – 38:
“Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
3: 19:
“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;”
17: 30 – 31:
“And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.”
Friends, has faith in what CHRIST did for you on the cross and sorrow over your sins moved you to the point that you have made the decision to change?
If you have answered yes to this, then you are ready for the culminating act of faith and obedience to the gospel of CHRIST.
FOUR: Be baptized for the remission of your sins.
Baptism is clearly a part of the gospel message that JESUS wanted HIS disciples to proclaim.
Mark 16: 15 – 16:
“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
Matthew 28: 18 – 20:
“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
Peter stepped up and proclaimed baptism for the remission of sins in his first sermon.
Acts 2: 38:
“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
Here we see where Paul related that he was commanded to be baptized and wash away thy sins.
Acts 22: 16:
“And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”
Now you MUST understand that not that there is anything in the act of immersion that merits or earns forgiveness, but it is simply the point of time in which GOD by HIS grace unites us with CHRIST in HIS death, and by HIS working in conjunction with our faith raises us to walk in the newness of life!
Let’s take a look at Romans 6: 3 – 6:
“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.”
This passage describes baptism as the point in time we are united into the death of CHRIST at which point we die to sin and thereby raised to the newness of life.
Let’s look at Colossians 2: 11 – 13:
“In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;”
When we look at this passage, we see where it reveals that in baptism we are buried with CHRIST and then raised through faith in GOD’S working who makes us alive in CHRIST by forgiving us of our sins.
My dear friends; have you been baptized for the remission of your sins? If not; are you willing to let GOD cleanse you through the blood of HIS SON and raise you to a new life?
Simply put:
BAPTISM IS THE OUTWARD ESPRESSION OF THAT INWARD FEELING WE GET WHEN GOD’S FORGIVENESS IS GIVEN TO US!!
FIVE: Be faithful unto death.
Those who gladly received the preaching of the apostles were indeed baptized, and the LORD added them to HIS church.
Acts 2: 41 & 47:
“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.”
47 “Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”
So while in one sense the ‘commands’ of the gospel end with the command to be baptized . . . there is also the command of our LORD for faithfulness.
You see JESUS wanted HIS disciples to teach others to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:
Matthew 28: 19 – 20:
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
JESUS also exhorted HIS church in Ephesus, when HE said:
“be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”
(Revelation 2: 10)
All of us have to understand something really important here.
THE NEED FOR CONTINUED FAITHFULNESS IS PARAMOUNT!
And I say this for three reasons:
ONE: For believers can develop an evil heart of unbelief in falling away from GOD.
Hebrews 3: 12:
“Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.”
TWO: For believers can become hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
Vs. 13:
“But exhort one another daily, while it is called to day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”
THREE: And believers become partakers of CHRIST only “if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;”
(vs. 14)
It’s therefore easy to assume that the need for such exhortations as the one given by Paul in 1st Corinthians 15: 58, is also of paramount.
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”
And finally; my last point to stress to you today is to fully accept the call of the gospel, we need to:
(3) Receive the ‘PROMISES’ of the gospel
I have three short points to make here:
FIRST: For the remission of sins.
As stated by JESUS, remission of sins was to be proclaimed among all nations.
Luke 24: 47:
“And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”
Being faithful to the LORD’S charge, the early Christians offered this wonderful promise to those who would heed the commands of the gospel.
Acts 2: 38:
“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
3: 19:
“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;”
22: 16:
“And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”
In their epistles, the writers would often refer to this wonderful blessing.
Ephesians 1: 7:
“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”
I ask you this; don’t you want the assurance that your sins have been forgiven, washed away by the blood of CHRIST?
THEN YOU MUST HEED THE COMMANDS OF THE GOSPEL!!!
Acts 2: 38:
“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
SECOND: The gift of the Holy Spirit.
JESUS had also spoken of those who believe in HIM receiving the SPIRIT in a special way.
John 7: 37 – 39:
“In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)”
Thus Peter offers the gift of the SPIRIT to those who will obey GOD.
Acts 2: 38 – 39:
“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.”
5: 32:
“And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.”
The blessings of having the SPIRIT in our lives are related to HIS indwelling in three ways.
Our bodies are the temple of the HOLY SPIRIT.
1st Corinthians 6: 19:
“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?”
With the aid of the SPIRIT, we are able to put to death the deeds of the flesh.
Romans 8: 9 & 11 – 13:
“But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”
11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.”
Indeed, the HOLY SPIRIT is an instrumental agent by which the FATHER imparts strength to the Christian.
Ephesians 3: 16 & 20 – 21:
“That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;”
20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”
I ask you all; GOD does not expect you to live the Christian life solely by your own strength; don’t you wish to receive all of the aids that GOD affords HIS children through HIS HOLY SPIRIT?
THEN YOU MUST HEED THE COMMANDS OF THE GOSPEL!!!
Acts 2: 38:
“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
THIRD: The gift of eternal life.
When you sit back and think about it the expression ‘eternal life’ is an interesting one, evidently used in two different ways in the scriptures.
First off it is used to describe the reward of the faithful, received only at the end, on the Day of Judgment.
JESUS used it this way in Matthew 25: 46:
“And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.”
Paul, likewise, describes it as a gift from GOD through JESUS CHRIST.
Romans 6: 23:
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Another way it is used is also to describe the spiritual life we now enjoy by virtue of our knowledge, and our fellowship of the FATHER and the SON.
JESUS describes it this way in John 17: 2 – 3:
“As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”
JESUS beloved disciple John made a great description within 1st John 5: 11 – 13:
“And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”
Thus the gift of eternal life is one that has promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.
I have had so many people tell me that they are so tired of the shallow life this world has to offer; so I ask them the same thing I will ask you, if you feel the same way:
DO YOU WANT TO RECEIVE THAT ABUNDANT LIFE THAT JESUS CAME TO GIVE YOU THAT HE PROMISED IN JOHN 10: 10:
“I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
Then heed the commands of the gospel!!!
Mark 16: 16:
“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
It may sound really difficult but NOTHING is impossible when you have GOD on your side.
I will close with these final thoughts . . . .
These wonderful promises, and many more, can be received by anyone who is willing to heed and accept the call of the gospel of CHRIST.
Those who do, will not only receive these blessings, but they will also be added by the LORD to HIS church, that great assembly of ‘called – out’ ones who have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.
Have you accepted the ‘call’ of the gospel?
Have you believed the ‘facts’ of the gospel?
Have you obeyed the ‘commands’ of the gospel?
Have you thereby received the ‘promise’ of the gospel?
Now it is possible that you have only some of the commands of the gospel.
Sadly; my biggest fear is that many have reacted to a ‘perversion’ of the gospel adding meritorious works.
Then; by going to the other extreme where they commit another ‘perversion’ of the gospel taking away a command of GOD.
I love you!!
Reverend Sam
