In Jesus' encounter with the rich young ruler, we learn that only God is morally good, the law is good, and the gospel is good.
A Christ-Centered, Bible-Believing Fellowship
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
In Jesus' encounter with the rich young ruler, we learn that only God is morally good, the law is good, and the gospel is good.
Christians have a responsibility to "contend earnestly" for the gospel -- to defend it, to depend on it, and to proclaim it.
In Paul's final statement we find three truths about God that prompt our hearts to worship Him.
A brief overview of this passage, along with a look at an important person in church history, highlights the power and effectiveness of the gospel.
In this short window into the ministry of Paul, we find three key commitments necessary for our own ministry to be effective as well.
God's gospel mission through Christ is to form a kingdom made up of people from all nations. And in this mission, His faithfulness and mercy is made evident. This passage allows an explanation of the gospel and what it means that Christ accepts sinners.
Like today, the early church had to deal with what areas Christians should and should not compromise in. We can learn from their example as we learn to identify these areas by applying some biblical principles.
This is one of many passages that make a direct connection between the incarnation and the crucifixion. Therefore, in these two verses we have some very important aspects of our Christology.
In this passage we find three important attitudes that Christians need to develop so that they can be effective in proclaiming gospel truth in today's world.
God's rejection of Israel is temporary and not permanent. In fact, God's eternal redemptive plan includes a glorious future for Israel, with many Jews someday coming to Christ. Those saved Jews will then lead many more Gentiles to Christ.
The real reason for unbelief is not that people haven't heard or don't understand the gospel -- they hate that the gospel is a message centered on grace. So their unbelief is actually obstinate disobedience.
Paul provides three reasons why we can boldly live a gospel-centered life, and therefore three reasons why we can boldly proclaim the gospel everywhere in the world and to all people.
God uses believers to evangelize the world. The four components of Biblical evangelism are that: the Spirit is the power, God's children are the messengers, Christ is the message, and the world is the goal.
Is true saving faith the mere intellectual assent to facts about Jesus? Is it some superficial decision to "ask Jesus to come into your heart?" No. Instead, it is first of all submission to Jesus Christ as Lord of your life.
There is nothing unusual or impossible that man needs to do in order to find out what God says about salvation from sin. His message of forgiveness is accessible to all people in the “word of faith”—the gospel.
In one verse, with an economy of words, the Apostle John provides a summary of the gospel and the Christian life. But it is extremely important to understand the correct meaning of what it means to confess that "Jesus is the Son of God."
It is estimated that 100 million Americans make New Year's resolutions. Some of the most famous resolutions known are those of Jonathan Edwards. More than anything he was resolved to make Christ the source of his joy rather than earthly, fleeting things. Paul makes it clear in Philippians 4:4 that because our joy is the result of God's grace gift, the person of Jesus Christ, we must be resolved to rejoice in Christ always!
In the sending out of the apostles, Christ makes it clear that His people are saved from sin in order that they might go out and tell others how to be saved from sin. This passage presents some far reaching principles on evangelism and apply today.
God used one man, Jonah, and an eight-word message to produce the greatest revival in world history. We see what the power of the Gospel was able to produce in the lives of the people of Nineveh.
We can glean fifteen practical reminders from Jonah's life, including preaching the gospel, idolatry, compassion, and other helpful reminders.
Jesus returns to His hometown of Nazareth. But instead of being welcomed, most of the people in the town, including His relatives, are offended by His teaching. Their rejection of Him caused Jesus to limit the display of His miracle-working power, and as well illustrated the very reason why Jesus had to die on the cross -- to pay for sin.
The Beatitudes provide valuable insight into true repentance and the character of a true Christian. With the first Beatitude, Matthew focuses on the absolutely foundational truth of the first Beatitude: man's spiritual bankruptcy apart from Christ, and man's complete dependence on God for salvation and progressive sanctification.
Thus far, Paul has been an exposition about faith by way of contrasts: apart from works, apart from circumcision -- and now, apart from the Law. He points out two disturbing realities concerning the Law: it invalidates God's promise and eliminates His grace. He emphasizes particularly how it was faith that secured what God has promised, not Law.
We see in Scripture that God justifies and forgives people base upon their faith -- this is true of both Jew and Gentile. Paul makes a shocking statement by describing Abraham as the father of all men of faith. He discusses the timing and purpose of his faith. An overview of circumcision and baptism is discussed.
The way in which God justifies an individual -- the way of faith alone -- is nothing new, and Paul wants to prove this. He argues his point utilizing two vitally important case studies from the Old Testament: Abraham and David.
There are two facts that summarize the doctrine of justification; really, that summarize the message of the entire Bible. Man has a problem... and God has the cure.
After stating a rather overwhelming case for the judgment of all men, Paul now shows that God has intervened to inaugurate a new era. This is the light of the glorious gospel, the very heart of the book of Romans. Paul presents two sides to the transaction we call "justification."
The God-centered nature of the gospel is expounded upon. The power of the gospel is revealed by His declaration of the sinner's innocence. This declaration is only possible by imputing to him that which he most needs: the righteousness of God. God's righteousness denotes His activity of "establishing right" and intervening to save His people; this includes judging those who oppose Him.
We gain further insight into Paul's missionary heart for the Romans by analyzing his indebtedness and his climatic statement of what his mission is: to preach the gospel to the glory of God. He is overwhelmingly concerned with displaying the gospel's power unto salvation.
Paul's brief summary of the gospel by bringing it to its natural conclusion: that Jesus Christ sovereignly commissions His servants and calls His saints. This commission is one of obedience and is ultimately for His own glory.
Christ calls two sets of brothers, Simon and Andrew, then James and John. All were fishermen; all used nets; all responded immediately. When preaching the gospel, remember the net method of fishing.
The gospel is further elaborated upon by highlighting two successive phases of the revelation of Jesus Christ to the world: He is the eternal Son incarnate, and the eternal Son exalted.
Paul begins his introduction to the Romans by explaining further the gospel which he represents. It is an eternal gospel, being being preached since the writing of the Old Testament; and it is a message focused on one person: Jesus Christ.
John the Baptist has completed his task. Christ begins His preaching ministry of the gospel at the time ordained by God. The gospel of God and the kingdom of God are connected.
In this introduction to Romans, Paul sets the stage by introducing himself. He lets his readers know Whom he serves, his apostolic credentials, and the gospel message he proclaims. Rather than drawing attention to himself, however, this gospel is presented as God-given and is the springboard for the rest of the letter.
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