Proclaiming the Unchanging Truth of the Gospel

 

Summary

In this sermon, I explore the foundational role of the church as depicted in Acts 6:1-7, emphasizing the church's primary mission to preach the gospel. The early church faced a significant crisis when a dispute arose over the care of widows, prompting the apostles to make a crucial decision: to prioritize the ministry of the word over serving tables. This decision underscores the church's central task of proclaiming the gospel, which is the only true solution to the world's problems. The sermon challenges modern tendencies to dilute the gospel message to fit contemporary sensibilities, emphasizing that the church's message is not a product of human reasoning but a divine revelation from God.

I argue that the authority of the church's message is rooted in the word of God, which is distinct from human philosophy or modern interpretations. The Bible is presented as a unique revelation, inspired by God, and not subject to the whims of modern thought. The sermon critiques the modern rejection of doctrinal propositions and emphasizes the necessity of a clear, propositional gospel that can be defined and defended. The church's message is not merely a spirit or ethical teaching but a specific truth that has been revealed and must be proclaimed in its entirety.

The sermon also addresses the dangers of adding to or subtracting from the gospel, warning against the temptation to tailor the message to suit intellectual or cultural preferences. The gospel must be preached in its fullness, starting with the revelation of God and His eternal nature, leading to the doctrines of creation, the fall, and redemption through Christ. The sermon concludes with a call to believe in the gospel as the unchanging truth of God, urging listeners to embrace the message of reconciliation and salvation through Jesus Christ.

Key Takeaways:

1. The church's primary mission is to preach the gospel, not to engage in social services or charitable works as its main focus. This decision by the apostles highlights the importance of prioritizing the ministry of the word, which is the true solution to the world's problems. [03:22]

2. The authority of the church's message is rooted in the word of God, which is a divine revelation, not a product of human reasoning or modern thought. The Bible is unique and stands apart from any human philosophy or interpretation. [13:11]

3. The gospel is a propositional truth that can be defined and defended. It is not merely a spirit or ethical teaching but a specific message that has been revealed and must be proclaimed in its entirety. [30:23]

4. The church must resist the temptation to add to or subtract from the gospel to suit intellectual or cultural preferences. The gospel must be preached in its fullness, starting with the revelation of God and His eternal nature. [42:10]

5. The message of the gospel is about reconciliation and salvation through Jesus Christ. It is an unchanging truth that calls for belief and obedience, offering forgiveness and new life to those who accept it. [57:59]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Introduction to the Early Church Crisis
- [01:19] - The Church's Primary Task
- [02:21] - The Apostles' Decision
- [03:39] - Preaching the Gospel as the Church's Mission
- [04:30] - The Authority of the Church's Message
- [05:21] - Modern Challenges to the Gospel
- [07:21] - The Ineffectiveness of Modern Approaches
- [08:03] - The Early Church's Example
- [09:09] - The Word of God as the Church's Foundation
- [10:46] - Revelation and Inspiration
- [13:11] - The Unique Nature of the Bible
- [18:22] - The Role of Inspiration
- [25:34] - The Apostolic Authority
- [30:23] - The Propositional Nature of the Gospel
- [42:10] - The Danger of Altering the Gospel
- [47:08] - Starting with God in Preaching
- [54:10] - The Doctrine of Sin and Judgment
- [57:59] - The Call to Believe in the Gospel

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Acts 6:1-7
- 2 Timothy 3:16
- 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

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Observation Questions:

1. What was the crisis faced by the early church in Acts 6, and how did the apostles respond to it? [02:21]

2. According to the sermon, what is the primary task of the church, and how does this relate to the decision made by the apostles in Acts 6? [03:22]

3. How does the sermon describe the authority of the church's message, and what distinguishes it from human philosophy? [13:11]

4. What are the dangers mentioned in the sermon of altering the gospel message to fit modern sensibilities? [42:10]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the decision of the apostles in Acts 6 to prioritize preaching the gospel over serving tables reflect the church's mission today? [03:22]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the authority of the church's message is rooted in divine revelation rather than human reasoning? [13:11]

3. What does the sermon imply about the importance of maintaining the propositional truth of the gospel in the face of modern challenges? [30:23]

4. How might the temptation to tailor the gospel message to cultural preferences impact the church's mission and integrity? [42:10]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own church experience. How does your church balance the ministry of the word with social services and charitable works? Are there areas that need more focus? [03:22]

2. The sermon emphasizes the authority of the Bible as divine revelation. How can you deepen your understanding and reliance on Scripture in your daily life? [13:11]

3. Consider a time when you felt pressured to alter your beliefs to fit in with cultural norms. How did you respond, and what might you do differently now? [42:10]

4. The sermon warns against adding to or subtracting from the gospel. How can you ensure that your understanding and sharing of the gospel remain faithful to its original message? [42:10]

5. Identify a specific area in your life where you struggle to fully embrace the gospel's message of reconciliation and salvation. What steps can you take to address this struggle? [57:59]

6. How can you actively participate in proclaiming the gospel in its fullness within your community or social circles? What challenges might you face, and how can you overcome them? [30:23]

7. The sermon calls for belief and obedience to the gospel. What practical steps can you take this week to live out this call in your personal and spiritual life? [57:59]

Devotional

Day 1: The Church's Mission: Proclaiming the Gospel
The early church, as depicted in Acts 6:1-7, faced a significant challenge when a dispute arose over the care of widows. The apostles made a pivotal decision to prioritize the ministry of the word over serving tables, highlighting the church's primary mission to preach the gospel. This decision underscores the belief that the proclamation of the gospel is the true solution to the world's problems. In today's context, there is a tendency to dilute the gospel message to fit contemporary sensibilities. However, the church's message is not a product of human reasoning but a divine revelation from God. The church must remain steadfast in its mission to preach the gospel in its fullness, without compromise. [03:22]

Acts 20:24 (ESV): "But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God."

Reflection: In what ways can you prioritize sharing the gospel in your daily interactions this week, even when faced with distractions or competing responsibilities?


Day 2: The Divine Authority of the Church's Message
The authority of the church's message is rooted in the word of God, which is a divine revelation, not a product of human reasoning or modern thought. The Bible is unique and stands apart from any human philosophy or interpretation. This distinction is crucial in a world where modern interpretations often challenge traditional beliefs. The church must hold fast to the authority of the Bible, recognizing it as inspired by God and not subject to the whims of modern thought. By doing so, the church maintains its integrity and the purity of its message. [13:11]

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV): "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."

Reflection: How can you deepen your understanding of the Bible's authority in your life, and what steps can you take to ensure that your beliefs are grounded in Scripture rather than cultural trends?


Day 3: The Gospel as Propositional Truth
The gospel is a propositional truth that can be defined and defended. It is not merely a spirit or ethical teaching but a specific message that has been revealed and must be proclaimed in its entirety. In a world that often rejects doctrinal propositions, the church must emphasize the necessity of a clear, propositional gospel. This involves defining and defending the gospel message, ensuring that it is not reduced to a vague spiritual or ethical teaching. The church's message is a specific truth that has been revealed and must be proclaimed in its entirety. [30:23]

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (ESV): "For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures."

Reflection: What specific aspects of the gospel do you find challenging to articulate, and how can you equip yourself to better define and defend these truths in conversations with others?


Day 4: The Fullness of the Gospel
The church must resist the temptation to add to or subtract from the gospel to suit intellectual or cultural preferences. The gospel must be preached in its fullness, starting with the revelation of God and His eternal nature. This includes the doctrines of creation, the fall, and redemption through Christ. Altering the gospel message to fit cultural or intellectual trends undermines its power and truth. The church is called to preach the gospel in its entirety, without compromise, ensuring that the message remains true to its divine origin. [42:10]

Galatians 1:8-9 (ESV): "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed."

Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you have been tempted to alter the gospel message to fit in with cultural norms? How can you commit to sharing the gospel in its fullness?


Day 5: The Unchanging Truth of the Gospel
The message of the gospel is about reconciliation and salvation through Jesus Christ. It is an unchanging truth that calls for belief and obedience, offering forgiveness and new life to those who accept it. In a world that is constantly changing, the gospel remains a steadfast truth that offers hope and salvation. The church is called to proclaim this message, urging individuals to embrace the gospel and experience the transformative power of reconciliation and salvation through Jesus Christ. [57:59]

Colossians 1:13-14 (ESV): "He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."

Reflection: How can you actively embrace the unchanging truth of the gospel in your life today, and what steps can you take to share this message of reconciliation and salvation with others?

Quotes



The primary task of the church is to minister this word to preach the gospel everything else even works of Charity and of kindness are subsidiary and are secondary to that we give the reasons for the rightness of this decision of the Apostles led by the Holy Ghost. [00:03:27]

The authority of our message how can we know what our message is and be sure of it now this is the thing I say that is in such dispute and debate at the present time. [00:04:56]

Christianity as a way of life appeals perhaps to more people than ever before when it is presented as a translation into modern terms of the teaching and spirit of Jesus at the same time Christianity as a series of propositions about God about heaven and hell and in particular about metaphysics is looked upon with increasing suspicion. [00:05:41]

The word of God it is the word the ministry of the word it is the faith now then what is this here is the thing to which I'd like to call your attention and which I invite you to address your minds to with me this evening. [00:09:28]

The first thing therefore that we must be clear about is this that our message is the word of God it's a word from God you notice the term they keep on using it it is not reason that we should leave the word of God and serve table the word of God. [00:10:49]

This is unique this is absolutely apart it doesn't belong to any class or any category whatsoever it stands alone because it is the word of the Living God now this is the claim that is made by the whole Bible for this message we preach the Bible for that reason because it is the word of God. [00:13:03]

Revelation you see deals essentially with this knowledge that we stand in need of it is the content of the message that is something which is revealed or take again that way the Apostle Paul puts it in writing to the Corinthians 1 Corinthians 2 9 and 10 iath not seen nor are heard neither have entered into the heart of men the things which God ha prepared for them that love him. [00:17:28]

The gospel doesn't start with Jesus if you think it does you don't know your Bible you don't know your new testament the gospel doesn't start with the Lord Jesus Christ still less does it start and end with man and his needs and his fibes and his aches and his pains and his 20th century and his knowledge no no it is a revelation of God. [00:47:09]

The doctrine of men the doctrine of the Fall the doctrine of sin and the Judgment of God upon it all and the consequences that have ensued to the children and the race of Heaven what is it spiritual death and blindness sin as slaver sorrow and trouble selfishness and immorality and vice all the lusts of the Flesh and of the mind all that you see in the modern world. [00:54:08]

The message of the church well she mustn't add to it she must never add to it we are told that solemnly in the Book of Revelation at the very end don't add to this word you can't you can't mix your word with God's word there is nothing known to Modern then which in any way adds to this word you mustn't add to it. [00:41:10]

The whole Council of God what is the message of the church well she mustn't add to it she must never add to it we are told that solemnly in the Book of Revelation at the very end don't add to this word you can't you can't mix your word with God's word there is nothing known to Modern then which in any way adds to this word you mustn't add to it. [00:42:10]

God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself Heath made him to be sin for us who knew no sin that we might be made the righteousness of God in him believe my dear friend that God so loved you that he sent his only begotten son into this world for you to Bear your sins to Bear their punishment to set you free to give you pardon and forgiveness to give you a new life and a new start. [00:57:59]

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Transcript
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