We have the Gospel; the Good News of Salvation by grace through faith in Yeshua. But what are we to do with it?
1) We are to Proclaim the Gospel as our Lord did.
Matthew 4: 23
“And Jesus went about all Galilee teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kins of sickness and all kind of disease among the people.”
This section of Matthew 4 gives the first use of the term “gospel” in the New Testament and clearly indicates the good news of salvation though Yeshua as the only way of salvation.
We can see the three-fold aspect of Yeshua’s ministry: the teaching of the Word of God illustrated by his discourse and parables; the preaching of the gospel of the kingdom entry to which starts with repentance; and, His acts of healing illustrated by many miracles.
Yeshua’s instructions to continue to proclaim the gospel after His ascension is found in Matthew 24.
Matthew 24: 14 (the words of Yeshua)
“And the gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all nations, and then the end will come”.
The ultimate and final proclamation of the Gospel will be universal through the two witnesses, the Angels and the 144,000 Jewish evangelists.
2) We are to defend the Gospel.
Jude 3
“Beloved while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.”
The Greek word used here gives us the word “to organise”.
God’s Spirit so influence Jude that he sensed the need to change direction. A simple, doctrinal letter would not do. He had to make a fervent appeal to his readers, to stir them up to contend earnestly for the faith as it had been delivered to them by the apostles. False teachers were active among the people, so God’s people must stand uncompromisingly for the inspirational, inerrant, authoritative and completely sufficient word of God. Whilst the salvation of the believers was not in jeopardy; false teachers false preaching and living-out a false gospel were misleading those who needed the true gospel.
Yet in contending earnestly for the faith, we are not to be contentious.
2 Timothy 2: 24
“And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition.”
Not that claims of revelation that go beyond that which is found in the Bible should not be rejected.
(If it’s new, it isn’t true. If it’s true, it isn’t new).
Paul, of course, strove against error in all its forms, fighting strenuously for the truth right to the end of his time.
2 Timothy 4: 6 – 8.
“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness …. “.
To defend the Gospel, we have to be aware of the end times situation.
1 Timothy 4: 1
“Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy …… “
We need to have sound doctrine and to be able to defend, to discern truth from error, and be willing to confront error.
2 Corinthians 10:4 – 5
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and everything that exalts itself against the knowledge of God.”
3) We are to demonstrate the Gospel.
Philippians 1:27
“Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that …. I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel …. “
Believers should behave in a Christ-like fashion with integrity. i.e., living in a way which is consistent with what they believe, teach and preach. Believers are to discharge their obligations as citizens of heaven.
Paul wanted to hear that the Philippian believers were “stand(ing) fast, in one spirit and with one mind”. We need to be aware that we face a common enemy, Satan, who is deceptive and cunning. Believers need to be “striving together for the faith of the gospel.” the Greek word used here derives from the notion of “wrestling in company with others”.
God never intended believers to be alone. We should be together so that we can win the spiritual battle for the faith and demonstrate the gospel to outsiders.
Ephesians 4: 1
“I beseech you to walk worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
4) We are to share the Gospel amongst ourselves.
Philippians 1: 3 – 5
“I thank my God …… for your fellowship in the gospel.”
Romans 12: 10 – 13
“Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honour giving preference to one another, not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord ….”
The Greek word for “fellowship” comes from the world of commerce, meaning a joint venture in which all parties participate in the partnership. In the Christian community it expresses the idea of intimacy with Yeshua and with other believers.
Intimacy with Yeshua.
1 Corinthians 1: 9
“ ……. you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.”
Intimacy with other believers.
1 John 1: 7
“But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanses us from all sin.”
Believers are to offer practical support to each other, and, where appropriate material support to each other, prayer support for each other and the whole-hearted sharing of the gospel by actions, words and attitudes.
5) We should be prepared to suffer for the gospel.
2 Timothy 1: 8
“Therefore, do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God.”
Believers are not to be ashamed of the gospel even if this leads to suffering and persecution. We should be prepared to share in sufferings, not try to avoid any disgrace which might be connected with it, but endure patiently and nobly. We need to accept that a faithful witness of the Lord will experience adversity.
2 Timothy 1: 7
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
Paul wrote this letter when he was facing martyrdom. But still, he writes that there is no place for fearfulness. God’s spirit of “power” puts unlimited strength at our disposal. Through the Holy Spirit, the believer can serve valiantly, suffer triumphantly and, if need be, die gloriously.
God has given us a spirit of “love”. Through our love for God, we can cast off fear to give ourselves for Yeshua, whatever the cost. It is our love for our fellow human beings which makes us willing to endure all kinds of persecution and repay with kindness.
God has given us a “sound mind”; a spirit of self-control so that we do not act rashly, hastily or foolishly. No matter how adverse the circumstances, we are to maintain balanced judgment and act soberly.
Romans 8: 31
“If God is for us, who can be against us?”
If God has indeed done everything from foreknowledge to glorification for us, all adversaries are powerless.
6) Don’t hinder the Gospel.
1 Corinthians 9: 12
“Nevertheless, we have not used this right (to financial assistance), but endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ.”
1 Corinthians 9: 19 – 22
“ ….. I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; and to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those under the law; to those who are without the law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ) that I might win those who are without law; to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.”
We see in 9: 12 that rather than insist on his right to financial support, Paul would bear all sorts of privations and hardship, so that the gospel would not be hindered. He was aware that the church at Corinth was supporting others who were preaching and teaching there. They were recognising their obligation to others but not the apostle Paul who had brought the faith to them. But rather than take offence Paul put up with “all things” lest the gospel “be hindered”.
In 9: 19 – 22, we see that Paul put his ministry of the gospel above his personal desires. He was willing to conform to the customs of other people, whether Jew or Gentile, in order to introduce them to Yeshua. But it is important when looking at this section to see that Paul did not compromise on any point of scripture. It is not a matter of the ends justifying the means. Rather he accommodated himself to the customs and habits of the people whom he was working with in order that he might get a hearing for the gospel.
7) Don’t Be Ashamed of the Gospel.
Romans 1: 16
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes ….”
Paul was not ashamed to take the gospel to sophisticated Rome even though the gospel had proved to be a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Greeks. Paul had been imprisoned in Philippi, chased out of Thessalonica, smuggled out of Berea, laughed at in Athens, regarded as a fool in Corinth and stoned in Galatia. These events had not curbed his enthusiasm. He remained intent on preaching the gospel in Rome, the centre of contemporary political power and pagan religion!
He could do this because he knew that the gospel was the “power of God to salvation for everyone who believes.”
“Salvation” of course means “deliverance” or “rescue”. The power of the gospel delivers people from being lost, from the wrath of God, and from the ultimate penalty of sin; separation from God and eternal punishment. The Gospel reveals that on the basis of faith, and faith alone, God will impute the Lord’s righteousness to sinners who believe.
8) Preach the Gospel.
1 Corinthians 9: 16
“For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity has laid upon me: yes, woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!”
Paul here describes a divine compulsion to preach the gospel. He didn’t choose to do it. But he would be miserable if he did not preach the gospel. He was both perfectly willing and compelled.
Paul was genuinely overjoyed at having the privilege of serving the Lord. He had nothing to boast about. It wasn’t his gospel nor was he proud of the way he preached it.
In verse 17 he described himself as being “entrusted with the stewardship” of the gospel. He was acting under orders and he was determined to carry out his responsibilities as a solemn obligation. God had set him apart for service.
9) Be Empowered by the Gospel.
1 Thessalonians 1: 5
“For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance….”
The Gospel came to the Thessalonians “in power” as it worked I n their lives with supernatural energy, producing conviction of sin, repentance and conversion. The Holy Spirit was the producer of this power. And the gospel was received “in much assurance” as Paul had preached with great confidence in the message.
The Thessalonians accepted the gospel as the word of God and received the full assurance of faith. Having received the gospel “with joy” the Thessalonians were empowered to face persecution. The empowering of the Holy Spirit is confirmed in John’s gospel.
John 16: 8
“And when He (the Holy Spirit) has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness and of judgment ……”
And of himself Paul wrote in 1Corinthians as follows:
1 Corinthians 2: 4
“And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”
Paul wanted to be seen as someone reliant on God’s power. His life was to be an open book, establishing the credibility of the power of God, essential to making the message of redemption believable to sinners.
10) Guard the Gospel.
Galatians 1: 6 and 7
“I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another, but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.”
Here Paul expresses his incredulity that the Galatians were so eager to accept error. Although they had been called in the grace of Christ and away from the curse of the law. The different message was not good news at all but a perverted message mixing grace and law. Whereas the law has a curse for those who all to keep it; the Gospel has a curse for those who try to change it.
The term used here for “turning away” was originally used to describe military desertion which was punishable by death. To “pervert” is to turn something into its opposite. These Judaizers were perverting the true gospel by adding requirements of the Old Testament as requirements for salvation. They were effectively destroying grace – the good news of salvation by grace through faith in Yeshua. They were causing deep emotional disturbance among Galatian believers and for their sake, the Gospel had to be guarded.