Prioritizing the Gospel: Transformation and Obedience in Faith

The primary task of the church is to preach the gospel even before philanthropic and work and work of relief even before looking after widows the task of the church is to preach this message why well it's the only message that can save men it's a good thing to attend to people's physical needs medicine's all right charitable work is excellent social work is fine we can't praise these things too much but after all you see they're all working on a very limited program with your most perfect National Health Service and all the best drugs in the world you can't cure death. [00:05:22]

The Christian is a man who has made a total response to the message the Christian I say is not a man who responds only with the Mind neither is he a man who responds only with a heart there are many who've done that there are many people who think they're Christian they're not they're just sentimentalists perhaps a direct attack has been made upon their feelings they've been affected by some very moving story that an evangelist has told or by some hymn or chorus singing and they've been moved emotionally and because they weep they think they've under on a profound change. [00:26:22]

The essence of sin is Disobedience of God so many people seem to think that sin is that which makes me miserable sin is that which gets me down sin is that which makes me unhappy sin is that which gives me the feeling of the morning after the night before them that is that thing that makes me kick myself metaphorically for being such a fool sin is a headache sin is that which makes me ill at ease well I grant you sin has all those consequences but you know that's not the essence of sin the essence of sin is that it is rebellion against God. [00:28:25]

The essence of becoming a Christian is that we render obedience God is our maker God is our lawgiver God is our judge Eternal and God is a right over us this is not some arbitrary action on the part of God God is just and right and holy and he made men the same and he gave men the great Dignity of putting something in his own image upon him and God is it where he's trying to hold up the Dignity of men a human being meant for communion with God and man rebelling against God not only disobeys but drags himself down. [00:31:16]

The gospel is not just something to be listened to it isn't enough just to listen to The Gospel there are people who spend a lifetime in listening to the gospel Sunday by Sunday that doesn't make a man a Christian of course a Christian will listen to The Gospel all I'm saying is that merely to listen to it doesn't put one right it doesn't save one there are people who have done this out of tradition and out of habit and custom exactly as these priests have been doing that doesn't make you Christian. [00:38:17]

Repentance the very word describes itself repent think again it's the Latin word from which our word repentance has come and you know this is a very simple but it's a very profound thing this message calls upon you to think again you've got your scheme of things you've got your philosophy of life you say you've worked it out you're an intelligent person you've read you're up to date in your reading and you're well aware of all these theories and you know all about Hinduism and confusion ISM and other religions and you know all the arguments that can be brought against Christianity. [00:38:36]

The first step in obedience is that you stop resisting I don't want to keep you my dear friends but we all know what it is to do this don't we I've known people you know coming under the power of this gospel and seeing something of the immediate consequences they deliberately pick up a him book and start turning the leaves or they look at somebody else and wink and smile and laugh or they'll do anything Shake themselves anything to stop it that's resisting the spirit you know about that don't you the first step in obedience is that you stop resisting. [00:37:57]

The Christian faith always produces emotion it is the word of God it is the truth of God it is the action of God recreating us and he involves the whole man the mind is engaged the heart is engaged and the will is engaged it is an obedience and it is an obedience on the part of the whole of the personality and unless your entire personality has been captivated captured and is involved I say you're not a Christian you have obeyed from the heart the form of sound doctrine that was delivered to you. [00:27:16]

The gospel is made manifest and by the scriptures of the prophets according to the Commandment of the Everlasting God made known to All Nations for The Obedience of Faith that's why it has been made known it is called in know it is preached in order that we might be called to obedience unless somebody might think that this is just the special teaching of the Apostle Paul listen to Peter saying the same thing he's writing to Christians elect according to the for knowledge of God the Father through sanctification of the spirit unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ. [00:22:08]

The Christian is a man who has made a total response to the message the Christian I say is not a man who responds only with the Mind neither is he a man who responds only with a heart there are many who've done that there are many people who think they're Christian they're not they're just sentimentalists perhaps a direct attack has been made upon their feelings they've been affected by some very moving story that an evangelist has told or by some hymn or chorus singing and they've been moved emotionally and because they weep they think they've under on a profound change. [00:26:22]

The gospel calls upon you to think again you've got your scheme of things you've got your philosophy of life you say you've worked it out you're an intelligent person you've read you're up to date in your reading and you're well aware of all these theories and you know all about Hinduism and confusion ISM and other religions and you know all the arguments that can be brought against Christianity and you've decided there is no God there is no salvation none of these things and there it is you've got your scheme and you've been going on like that. [00:38:36]

The Christian is a man who has made a total response to the message the Christian I say is not a man who responds only with the Mind neither is he a man who responds only with a heart there are many who've done that there are many people who think they're Christian they're not they're just sentimentalists perhaps a direct attack has been made upon their feelings they've been affected by some very moving story that an evangelist has told or by some hymn or chorus singing and they've been moved emotionally and because they weep they think they've under on a profound change. [00:26:22]