The Exclusivity of the Gospel: A Divine Truth

 

Summary

In reflecting on the privilege of proclaiming God's truth, I am reminded of the 40 years of ministry at Grace Community Church and the enduring friendships and opportunities to minister alongside others, such as at Ligonier conferences. As we gather today, I invite you to join me in a Bible study focused on the exclusivity of the gospel. This theme is crucial, especially in a world where the gospel is under attack, even from within evangelical circles. Many today question the exclusivity of Christ as the only way to salvation, a belief that is foundational to our faith and clearly supported by Scripture.

The gospel's exclusivity is not a matter of personal opinion but a divine truth that has eternal consequences. Romans 10 serves as a starting point, illustrating that even those who possess the Old Testament and believe in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are not saved without faith in Christ. This underscores the necessity of understanding the gospel in its true, saving power. The gospel is not a malleable concept but a precise truth that demands adherence.

Throughout history, the church has been committed to spreading this gospel, often at great personal cost. Yet, today, there is a troubling trend of ambiguity and a reluctance to proclaim the gospel's exclusivity. This is compounded by theological views that suggest salvation can be attained through natural theology or a wider mercy, which contradicts the clear teaching of Scripture. The Bible is explicit that salvation comes only through faith in Christ, and any deviation from this truth is a departure from the gospel.

The natural man, unaided by God, cannot attain salvation through reason or intuition. The gospel is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to those who are called, it is the power of God for salvation. This truth compels us to remain faithful to the gospel and to continue the mission of taking this message to the ends of the earth, for without it, people will perish.

Key Takeaways:

- The exclusivity of the gospel is a foundational truth that must be defended against modern ambiguities and theological distortions. It is not merely a tradition but a divine mandate that has eternal consequences. [03:13]

- Romans 10 illustrates that even those with a zeal for God, like Israel, are not saved without faith in Christ. This highlights the necessity of understanding the gospel's true saving power and rejecting any notion of salvation by works. [06:26]

- The church's historical commitment to spreading the gospel, often at great personal cost, contrasts sharply with today's trend of ambiguity and reluctance to proclaim the gospel's exclusivity. This calls for a renewed dedication to the Great Commission. [15:48]

- Theological views such as Natural Theology and Wider Mercy, which suggest salvation can be attained apart from Christ, contradict the clear teaching of Scripture. Salvation comes only through faith in Christ, and any deviation from this truth is a departure from the gospel. [20:58]

- The natural man, unaided by God, cannot attain salvation through reason or intuition. The gospel is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to those who are called, it is the power of God for salvation. This truth compels us to remain faithful to the gospel and to continue the mission of taking this message to the ends of the earth. [37:21]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:39] - Reflections on Ministry
- [01:11] - Informal Bible Study
- [01:51] - The Gospel Under Attack
- [02:29] - Ambiguity in Evangelicalism
- [03:13] - Defending the Exclusivity of Christ
- [04:20] - The Consequences of Getting the Gospel Wrong
- [05:39] - Romans 10 and Israel's Unbelief
- [07:05] - Misunderstanding Salvation
- [09:13] - The Importance of Public Faith
- [10:18] - Righteousness and Salvation
- [12:39] - The Necessity of Preaching
- [15:03] - Historical Commitment to the Gospel
- [17:51] - Theological Views Challenging the Gospel
- [20:58] - Wider Mercy and Natural Theology
- [25:17] - The Inadequacy of Natural Revelation
- [31:45] - The Sinfulness of Man
- [37:21] - The Power of the Gospel
- [42:47] - The Role of God's Calling
- [52:52] - The Urgency of the Gospel Mission

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Exclusivity of the Gospel

Bible Reading:
1. Romans 10:1-4
2. 1 Corinthians 1:18-24
3. Acts 4:12

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Observation Questions:

1. According to Romans 10, what is Paul's desire for Israel, and what does this imply about their spiritual state? [05:39]

2. In 1 Corinthians 1:18, how is the message of the cross perceived by those who are perishing versus those who are being saved? [36:19]

3. What does Acts 4:12 declare about the exclusivity of salvation through Jesus Christ? How does this align with the sermon’s emphasis on the exclusivity of the gospel? [25:17]

4. How does the sermon describe the current trend within evangelical circles regarding the exclusivity of the gospel? [02:29]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does the sermon suggest about the consequences of misunderstanding or misrepresenting the gospel's exclusivity? How does this relate to Romans 10:1-4? [04:20]

2. How does the sermon explain the role of human reason and intuition in understanding God, and how does this relate to the concept of Natural Theology? [17:51]

3. In what ways does the sermon challenge the idea of a "wider mercy" that allows for salvation apart from Christ? How does this relate to Acts 4:12? [20:58]

4. How does the sermon describe the historical commitment of the church to spreading the gospel, and what does this imply about the importance of maintaining the gospel's exclusivity? [15:03]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own understanding of the gospel. Are there areas where you might have been influenced by modern ambiguities or theological distortions? How can you seek clarity and truth in these areas? [02:29]

2. The sermon emphasizes the necessity of faith in Christ for salvation. How can you ensure that your faith is not just a private matter but a public declaration of Jesus as Lord? [09:13]

3. Considering the sermon’s discussion on the inadequacy of Natural Theology, how can you engage with those who believe in salvation through reason or intuition? What approach can you take to share the gospel with them effectively? [17:51]

4. The sermon highlights the church's historical sacrifices to spread the gospel. How can you contribute to the Great Commission in your own community or globally? What specific steps can you take this week? [15:48]

5. Reflect on the idea of "wider mercy" and how it might affect your view of evangelism. How can you remain committed to the truth that salvation is through Christ alone while engaging with people of other faiths? [20:58]

6. The sermon mentions the power of the gospel as the power of God for salvation. How can you rely more on this power in your daily life and interactions with others? [37:21]

7. How can you support your church in maintaining the clarity and exclusivity of the gospel message in its teachings and outreach efforts? What role can you play in this mission? [56:32]

Devotional

Day 1: Defending the Gospel's Exclusivity
The exclusivity of the gospel is a foundational truth that must be defended against modern ambiguities and theological distortions. In today's world, the belief that Christ is the only way to salvation is often challenged, even within evangelical circles. This exclusivity is not a matter of personal opinion but a divine mandate with eternal consequences. The gospel's truth is precise and demands adherence, as it is not a malleable concept. As believers, it is crucial to uphold this truth and resist any attempts to dilute or distort it. [03:13]

"For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time." (1 Timothy 2:5-6, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you actively defend the exclusivity of the gospel in your daily conversations and interactions with others?


Day 2: Faith in Christ Alone
Romans 10 illustrates that even those with a zeal for God, like Israel, are not saved without faith in Christ. This highlights the necessity of understanding the gospel's true saving power and rejecting any notion of salvation by works. The passage emphasizes that salvation is not about human effort or heritage but about faith in Jesus Christ. It is a call to recognize the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice and the futility of trying to earn salvation through our own deeds. [06:26]

"For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin." (Romans 3:20, ESV)

Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you rely on your own efforts rather than faith in Christ for your sense of righteousness? How can you shift your focus to trust in Him alone?


Day 3: Renewed Dedication to the Great Commission
The church's historical commitment to spreading the gospel, often at great personal cost, contrasts sharply with today's trend of ambiguity and reluctance to proclaim the gospel's exclusivity. This calls for a renewed dedication to the Great Commission. The mission to spread the gospel is not just a historical endeavor but a present-day calling for every believer. It requires courage, clarity, and a willingness to stand firm in the truth of the gospel, even when faced with opposition or indifference. [15:48]

"And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.'" (Mark 16:15, ESV)

Reflection: What steps can you take this week to actively participate in the Great Commission, whether through sharing your faith, supporting missions, or praying for the lost?


Day 4: Rejecting Theological Distortions
Theological views such as Natural Theology and Wider Mercy, which suggest salvation can be attained apart from Christ, contradict the clear teaching of Scripture. Salvation comes only through faith in Christ, and any deviation from this truth is a departure from the gospel. It is essential to discern and reject these distortions, holding fast to the biblical truth that Christ is the only way to salvation. This requires a commitment to studying Scripture and being vigilant against teachings that compromise the gospel's integrity. [20:58]

"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" (John 14:6, ESV)

Reflection: How can you deepen your understanding of Scripture to better recognize and refute theological distortions that compromise the gospel?


Day 5: The Power of the Gospel
The natural man, unaided by God, cannot attain salvation through reason or intuition. The gospel is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to those who are called, it is the power of God for salvation. This truth compels us to remain faithful to the gospel and to continue the mission of taking this message to the ends of the earth. The transformative power of the gospel is not dependent on human wisdom but on God's calling and grace. [37:21]

"For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." (1 Corinthians 1:18, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you rely more on the power of the gospel rather than your own understanding when sharing your faith with others?

Quotes



What a privilege that is, to be called and sent by God to proclaim his glorious truth. This February will be 40 years of ministry at Grace Community Church. 40 years, that's pretty amazing when -- you -- I appreciate that. You should be applauding the people who have endured all of this for all these years. [00:00:01]

One of the strange realities in my life, that I never really anticipated, is that I have spent so many years, preached so many messages, written so many books trying, in a sense, to hang on to the gospel while it's under attack from so-called 'evangelicals.' When I was in seminary, you know, we were kind of prepared to battle with liberalism, and we were prepared to defend the inerrancy of Scripture. [00:01:36]

But if you look at surveys that are done by these various groups that do that, you will find that somewhere between 45 percent and 65 percent of so-called evangelical Christians are convinced that Jesus is not the only way to heaven. This goes counter to our tradition, our theology, and Scripture, as you know. [00:02:48]

The heart of our faith, of course, is the gospel of salvation, and we must understand the gospel as the gospel truly is in its saving reality and its saving power. True Christians have always believed and taught that you can't be saved from eternal hell unless you hear the gospel of Jesus Christ and believe that gospel. [00:04:41]

They had a zeal for God, and they were the chosen people. But it was not in accordance with knowledge. And what was wrong with their knowledge? Verse 3 -- "not knowing about God's righteousness." They didn't understand how righteous God was (and I pointed that out last night). And so they went to seek their own righteousness. [00:10:13]

You can't be saved unless you believe. You can't believe the right thing unless you've heard it. You can't hear it if somebody doesn't tell it to you. And that is why those who preach are so beautiful -- "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring glad tidings of good things" -- because you can't be saved until the message arrives that you must believe. [00:12:56]

And when you look at the history of the gospel-faithful church, you go back and you see the uncountable amounts of money, millions of believers through the centuries who have spent their resources, who have sacrificed their lives to take the one and only message of salvation concerning Christ to the edges of the earth. [00:14:04]

The church has taken the shallow approach, motivated by shallow understanding. And, in many cases, a synthetic gospel is being propagated that doesn't have the power to save because it's not the truth. Now all of that indifference toward precision and clarity in proclaiming the gospel has basically kind of come out of some theological views, or it's defended by some. [00:17:15]

The knowledge that man has of God -- manifest in the creation, and revealed in the moral law that is behind the function of his conscience -- is not enough to save. It is only enough to damn. Romans 1:18 -- "the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness." [00:28:49]

Man is utterly unable to believe in the truth by himself. That's the issue. People always get stuck on the sovereignty of God in salvation. You'd better get, before that, the right kind of understanding of the sinfulness of man. And then you will understand that the only way that man could ever be saved would be if God blasted into his life, and gave light and life to the dead and the dark. [00:31:28]

The only people who believe -- boy, this is so powerful -- verse 23 of 1 Corinthians -- "We preach Christ crucified." Doesn't work with the Jews. It's a stumbling block. Doesn't work with the Gentiles. It's foolishness. With whom does it work? Verse 24 -- "to those who are" what? "the called." The called. And who are the called? [00:41:23]

Father, we thank You for Your truth. We thank You for the clarity of it. We are so grieved when Your name is dishonored, when false religions come along (and are clearly false and anti-Scripture). We grieve for the people that are lost there. But it seems so much worse when people undermine the gospel and call it 'Christianity.' [00:55:31]

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Transcript
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