THE GOSPEL MESSAGE

“This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief!” (1 Tim. 1:15 NKJV).

This verse is very instructive as it contains some important truths about the Gospel message. It speak about the authenticity of the Gospel, the appeal of the Gospel, the Advocate in the Gospel, the aim of the Gospel, and the accomplishment of the Gospel.

Authenticity of the Gospel - “This is a faithful saying.” The Gospel message is the most reliable, trustworthy, true, and credible message ever given to man. It is not a myth, a fable, or some delusion. It is not built on the quicksand of twisted interpretation, deception, or ignorance. It is built on the solid foundation of truth. It has the greatest testimony of any message. It is indeed “a faithful saying.”

Appeal of the Gospel - “Worthy of all acceptance.” This is the great appeal and urgent invitation to accept the Gospel message. Receiving the Gospel message is practical, intelligent, and soul saving. No wonder Paul said it was “worthy of all acceptance.” You cannot say that about our news media, and the godless philosophies of this world.

Advocate in the Gospel - “That Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” An advocate is one who pleads another’s case before a judge. Scripture says the Lord Jesus Christ is our Advocate (cf. 1 John 2:1). Our verse speaks of the Advocate’s pre-existence (“came”) which says He was God, and His incarnation (“came into the world”).  

Aim of the Gospel - “To save sinners.” The greatest need of man is to be saved. The Gospel message says the Lord Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. His death on Calvary’s cross paid the price for our salvation.

Accomplishment of the Gospel - “Of whom I am chief.” The Gospel brought salvation to the apostle Paul who was a great sinner. Claiming to be the “chief” of sinners, the apostle Paul acknowledges that before his conversion, he was “a blasphemer, persecutor, and an insolent man,” actively opposing the early church (cf. 1 Tim. 1:13; Gal. 1:13). It is hard to think of another conversion accomplishing so much as this one did. Indeed, the Gospel accomplishes much in saving sinners.

(Adapted from Butler’s Daily Bible Reading 2)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“The man who does not glory in the gospel can surely know little of the plague of sin that is within him!”

John Charles (J C) Ryle (1816 – 1900)

English Evangelical Anglican Bishop

Word Study

Flee

In Jam. 4:7 we read, “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (NKJV).

“Flee” is the Greek word pheúgō (φεύγω = fyoo'-go) and it means to flee away in the sense of to take to flight in order to seek safety. It is to flee in the sense of to escape something, being made safe from danger by eluding or avoiding it. In classical Greek it means to flee from or to a certain place, to escape out of a predicament; to shun or avoid things such as evil or a dangerous campaign. In the Septuagint pheúgō carries the basic meaning of fleeing from or to a certain place, or from a person or army. In the New Testament pheúgō also has the basic meaning of fleeing from impending or anticipated danger or difficulty. Further, word is in the future tense and can speak of certainty. When we submit to God and resist our archrival, then he must immediately flee! This is a golden promise believers should commit to memory so that we are always prepared for spiritual battle. However, we need to remember that this promise is conditional and must be preceded by our willing submission to God! Only then can we claim the promise!

Did You Know…

According to the Book of Proverbs, an honest answer is as pleasing as a kiss on the lips – “He who gives a right answer kisses the lips” (24:26).

Bible Quiz

Which Old Testament character did the apostle James used as an example to demonstrate how the prayers of a righteous man can have powerful results?

**Answer to last week’s Bible Quiz

According to Matthew 24, when will the Lord Jesus Christ return to the earth? “At an hour you do not expect” (Matt. 24:44).

Prophecies Fulfilled by the Lord Jesus Christ

His enemies try to entangle Him by craft (Psalm 38:12; cf. Mark 14:1; Matt. 22:15)

"Those also who seek my life lay snares for me; those who seek my hurt speak of destruction, and plan deception all the day long” (Psalm 38:12 NJKV).

In context, David not only felt lonely and abandoned by friends and loved ones, but now his enemies, wanted him to die. This also spoke of the attitude of the religious leaders toward the Lord Jesus Christ (cf. Mark 14:1). His crucifixion was no accident or a result of unplanned mob reaction. It was carefully crafted by the enemies of Christ. If fact, it was the religious leaders, of all people, who plotted the Lord Jesus’ crucifixion. Further, in spite of the religious season of Passover, these religious leaders plotted the crucifixion of the Son of God. Determining not to seize Him during the Feast, they planned to arrest Him after the crowds had gone, but Judas’ unexpected offer (cf. Mark 14: 10-11) speeded up things. However, things would proceed on God’s timetable, and the Lord Jesus Christ, the Passover Lamb would be sacrificed for us right on time (cf. 1 Cor. 5:7). This is a powerful reminder that the world is still controlled by our all-wise God, not by conniving religious leaders, or puny politicians. God would turn the religious leaders’ murder plot into the greatest blessing that mankind would ever know.

Did You Know – Christian History

Athanasius Exiled Again - February 8, 356

Athanasius I of Alexandria was born around 296 A.D. in Alexandria, Egypt. He was a Church Father, Christian theologian, and noted Christian leader of the 4^th Century.

On February 8, 356, five thousand troops surrounded the church of St. Theonas in Alexandria, Egypt. Inside, an all-night service had begun in preparation for communion the next day. Calmly Bishop Athanasius sat down and ordered a deacon to read Psalm 103 which begins, “Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name!” The soldiers then burst through the doors, swords flashing, and arrows flying. Christians screamed and tried to flee. “Get out, get out,” shouted the monks to Athanasius. But the Bishop refused to leave until the people were safe. In horror he watched as those who stumbled under the heels of the soldiers were trampled to death. He fainted. “Where’s Athanasius?” demanded the soldiers. Miraculously, in the confusion, the monks had quickly carried away their venerated champion. And for the third time since the Council of Nicea in 325, Athanasius went into exile.

At the Council of Nicea, Athanasius had been a significant background figure in the dispute over Christ’s divinity which Arians denied. There Emperor Constantine, who had fallen under the influence of the Arians, backed the decision of the assembled Bishops. Further, under Constantine’s successors, Arians influenced the court at Constantinople. Athanasius’ defenses of Christ’s divinity became “politically incorrect” and was viewed as political resistance by Arian partisans. Constantinople sent Bishop George, an Arian, to fill Athanasius’ place. He unleashed a spate of persecution, banishing sixteen orthodox bishops from Alexandria. Using terror and murder, George tried to force Egypt to accept a new creed in place of the Nicean. A price was placed on the head of Athanasius. Agents searched everywhere for him. But the Egyptians loyally hid their beloved teacher. Eventually George was ousted. Athanasius returned. Twice more opponents forced him into exile, but eventually he died peacefully on May 2, 373 in Alexandria. Not so George: When he returned to Alexandria, a mob killed him.

A Little Humor

A huge man sat in a pew and it creaked loudly. The elderly man next to him said, “Son, you just moved us closer to God.”

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“Only JESUS could build a bridge to heaven with just two boards!”