Living With An Attitude of Gratitude
The Power of the Gospel
Antioch
Church, December 6, 2015
Text
Philippians 1:15–18, 27-28 (NIV) — 15 It is true
that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16
The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of
the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not
sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.
18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether
from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice… 27 Whatever happens, conduct
yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and
see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand
firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the
gospel 28 without being frightened in any way by those who
oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you
will be saved—and that by God.
REVIEW
God uses His people to bring great blessing into our lives. Thank God for
them and pray for His blessings to return upon them!
Background concerning this church…
·
Started by divine direction (Macedonian vision –
Acts 16)
·
Started in an inauspicious way (Lydia, slave
girl, jailor)
·
Started in a difficult season amidst great
persecution (Paul paring ways with Barnabas / Paul and Silas beaten with many
stripes
Thankful and prayerful for God’s People…
Thankful, too, for God’s Promise in Suffering, that as we follow Jesus, our
suffering will never be in vain. He will help us through it and He will use
it to point others to Him!
·
Sometimes I must suffer in order to advance the
Gospel (vs. 12).
·
As I am faithful to God in the midst of
suffering, my influence expands and my audience grows. (vs. 13).
·
God’s faithfulness to me in the midst of my
suffering encourages and inspires those around me. (vs. 14)
The BIG Idea
The Gospel of Jesus is powerful, no matter where, when, how, or even why we
proclaim it. Let's celebrate it, live it, and spread it!
What is the Gospel?
It is the “Good News” about Jesus Christ, that He died for our sins and
rose again the third day and that we can have forgiveness and eternal life by
turning from our sins and placing our faith in Him.
Gk. euangelion,
‘good news’). In classical literature the word designated the reward given for
good tidings. It also indicated the message itself, originally the announcement
of victory, but later applied to other messages bringing joy[1]
The English word gospel
(from the Anglo-Saxon god-spell,
i.e., God-story) is the usual NT translation of the Greek euangelion. According to Tyndale, the renowned English Reformer and
Bible translator, it signified “good, mery, glad and joyfull tydinge, that
maketh a mannes hert glad, and maketh hym synge, daunce, and leepe for joye” (Prologue to NT).[2]
Why is the gospel “good”?
Because it tells us that God loves us enough to take us just the way
we are…!
Because it tells us that God loves us too much to leave us the way
we are…!
Why is the gospel “news”?
Because it is always relevant and “up-to-date.”
Because it carries with it the urgency of a message that must be delivered
before it is too late.
The word “gospel” is found throughout the New Testament…
The Gospel centers around and is grounded in the historic and eternally
vicarious death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.
1 Corinthians 15:1–8 (NIV) — 1 Now, brothers and
sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you
received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you
are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you
have believed in vain. 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of
first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4
that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the
Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. 6
After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters
at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen
asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8
and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
There is only one Gospel that can and should be preached. It is not subject
to revision or alteration according to human culture or historical context.
Galatians 1:6–9 (NIV) — 6 I am astonished that
you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of
Christ and are turning to a different gospel—7 which is really no gospel
at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to
pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven
should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under
God’s curse! 9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody
is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under
God’s curse!
As God’s people, we should be ready to defend it against every
attempt to alter or dilute it.
Philippians 1:16 (NIV) — 16 The latter do so out
of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.
We must do everything we can to proclaim it.
1 Corinthians 9:16–17 (NIV) — 16 For when I
preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if
I do not preach the gospel! 17 If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward;
if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me.
We should pray for those who spread it.
Ephesians 6:19–20 (NIV) — 19 Pray also for me,
that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make
known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in
chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
We should expect supernatural opposition as we declare it.
1 Thessalonians 2:1–2 (NIV) — 1 You know,
brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results. 2
We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you
know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face
of strong opposition.
While
the letter to the Romans has gripped people’s minds down the centuries and
enabled them to see the wonder of the gospel of salvation in Christ, this
letter to the Philippians has brought inspiration and courage to many facing
hardship and persecution for the sake of the gospel, and so has made an
incalculable impact on the lives of men and women.[3]
1.
The Gospel of Jesus is powerful. (Rom.
1:15-17)
Romans 1:15–17 (NIV) — 15 That is why I am so eager
to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome. 16 For I am not
ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings
salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 17
For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is
by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by
faith.”
2.
The Gospel of Jesus is powerful when it is proclaimed.
(Rom. 10:8-15)
Romans 10:8–15 (NIV) — 8…“The word is near
you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message
concerning faith that we proclaim: 9 If you declare with your mouth,
“Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him
from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart
that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth
that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture
says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” 12
For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all
and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14 How, then, can they call on
the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom
they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15
And how can anyone preach unless they are sent?...”
The Gospel is so powerful it transforms lives even when it is spread
through wrong motives or by wrong-living people.
Not everyone who spreads the Gospel does so for right reasons. (
Selfish ambition, even jealously, sometimes factor in to the work of the
church.
Motives do matter (cf. judgment seat of Christ), but the Gospel is so
powerful that even if it is preached with wrong motives, it still changes
lives!
We should be “big enough” to overlook personal foibles and failures and celebrate the “big picture” regarding Kingdom advance.
The Gospel carries an anointing of power (When Jesus is proclaimed to be
alive, that He is what He was and that He does what He did, miracles begin to
happen…!)
1 Thessalonians 1:4–6 (NIV) — 4 For we know,
brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our
gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy
Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. 6
You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the
midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.…9 … you
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—Jesus, who rescues
us from the coming wrath.
The Gospel carries an anointing of power (When Jesus is proclaimed to be
alive, that He is what He was and that He does what He did, miracles begin to
happen…!)
1 Thessalonians 1:4–6 (NIV) — 4 For we know,
brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our
gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy
Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. 6
You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the
midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.…9 … you
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—Jesus, who rescues us
from the coming wrath.
3.
The Gospel of Jesus is most powerful when it is both
proclaimed and lived. (Eph. 4:1; Col. 1:25-29; Gal. 2:20)
Ephesians 4:1 (NIV) — 1 As a prisoner for the
Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
Colossians 1:27, 29 (NIV) — 27 To them God has
chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery,
which is Christ in you, the hope of glory…29 To this end I strenuously
contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.
Galatians 2:20 (NIV) — 20 I have been crucified
with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live
in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself
for me.
[1]
Mounce, R. H. “Gospel.” Ed. D. R. W. Wood et al. New Bible dictionary 1996 : 426. Print.
[2]
Elwell, Walter A. Evangelical dictionary
of theology: Second Edition 2001 : 512. Print.
[3]
Carson, D. A. et al., eds. New Bible
Commentary: 21st Century Edition. 4th ed. Leicester, England; Downers
Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994. Print.
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