The Gospel

The Gospel

Acts 10:34-44

September 14, 2003

Parkersburg Baptist Church

In America today the good news of the Gospel has become sad news—let me give you some examples:

Only 13% of Americans believe in the Ten Commandments.

There are only 12 churches in the US for every 10,000 Americans.

The church by far is the most segregated entity in America.

The US Supreme Court commits hypocrisy by not allowing a monument of the Ten Commandments to be displayed on the inside of a State Supreme Court Rotunda;

While at the same time, they are inscribed upon the marble walls outside the doorway to the United States Supreme Court itself.

The Gospel Message is for everyone and the Gospel message has always been and will always be good news. It just seems that the church is doing a poor job in getting the message out there.

The Gospel’s origin is God the Father—not man, although many claim undue responsibility for saving others.

There are eight things in this passage this morning that I want to point out concerning the gospel.

Before we get to those points, there is something else that I want to point out about the gospel message and evangelizing. It is a three-word phrase in the first section of verse 34.

Then Peter; LISTEN CAREFULLY NOW, OPENED HIS MOUTH!

In order to evangelize you must open your mouth. You may be saying preacher, I thought you said all I have to do is live Christ like—be an example.

I would tell you that you are absolutely correct. I have said that, but I also said this—doing that, Living Christ like or being an example will make people want what you have.

The only way they will find out what you have is when they ask you must tell them—open your mouth.

Now to the 8 points about the gospel.

I want you to notice in vv. 34-35, that the gospel is for everybody.

In v. 34 Peter tells us that God is no respecter of persons. In other words, the gospel is not just for the Jew, it is for everyone, the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Now v. 35 expands on this idea—but in every nation (read verse). What is this saying to us, the gospel is for EVERYONE.

Look at the last four words of v. 35 “is accepted with Him—does not say is accepted by me or you but by HIM—God.

We have not say in the matter and if Christians have no say—why is it in some churches people are not accepted or welcomed because they are different?

Again, the church in America is the most segregated organization in America.

Secondly, The Gospel is for reconciliation v. 36…

--preaching peace by Jesus Christ.

If you make peace with someone, aren’t you reconciling your differences? It is a gospel of reconciliation…in other words a gospel of Peace. Turn with me to II Corinthians 5:17-18. (Yellow)

The Gospel reconciles us to God. Through the blood of Jesus Christ, our differences with God have been reconciled; the slate has been wiped clean.

We have to be reconciled to God before we can be reconciled with one another. And if we can’t reconcile with one another, then our reconciliation with God is tarnished.

Through our reconciliation with God He has given us the “ministry of Reconciliation”. (2 Cor. 5:18)

Reconciliation—MAKING PEACE IS A MINISTRY! Did you hear that---Making Peace is A MINISTRY that has been given to EVERY CHRISTIAN? DO YOU PRACTICE THIS MINISTRY?

THE GOSPEL IS FOR EVERYBODY, THE GOSPEL IS FOR RECONCILIATION

Thirdly, The Gospel is a Gospel of POWER—v. 38:

1 John 4:4 Ye are of God…and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

No matter your problems—God has the POWER.

No matter what the master of this world throws your way, the Master of the Universe has a counter measure and that is what you get when you receive the gospel.

GREATER IS HE that is in you than he that is in the world.

***access to all power in the universe

Fourthly, the Gospel is also a Gospel of Sacrifice—v. 39

Christ was hung on a tree. HE gave up heaven, he gave up a throne, he gave up his glory, he gave up his perfect body…he gave up EVERYTHING and SACRIFICED IT ALL FOR US.

What have you given up for YOUR LORD? Take up your cross daily. Which cross have you taken up and which one have you refused to pick up.

Master what must I do to have eternal life? Sell all that you have—give it all up—sacrifice it all and come and follow me.

Folks not only was Jesus Christ telling this young man that he had to get rid of what he focused on and that was his possessions, but he also had to GIVE Jesus HIS TIME.