The Power Of The Gospel

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. - Romans 1:16

    The Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is not just a system of theology set for man to believe or not believe. It is not just points of doctrine for man to accept or reject—changing, adding and subtracting to fit his agenda. The Gospel concerns Christ, the Son of God, and his redemptive work in the salvation of the elect of God. The Gospel is the revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ and what he accomplished to the glory of God the Father, and the eternal good of his people.

    The Gospel is powerful to save—God has made it so. There are many systems of religion that embrace what they call the Gospel; but there is only one Gospel that clearly sets forth the God-Man and what he has done. Anything else is another gospel, which is not another, and is cursed of God (Gal 1). The Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is made effectual by the power of God’s Spirit, giving spiritual life to dead, chosen, sinners. Nothing else will work. Our text insists that there is no salvation apart from Christ and him crucified.

    This message is always powerful to accomplish that which God has purposed. The Gospel is powerful because it is the gospel of Christ. The Gospel and Christ are synonymous.

    The Gospel is powerful because it is the Word of God! Christ is the living Word of God! In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (Jn 1:1).

    The Gospel is powerful to give life—Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever (1 Pt 1:23).

    The Gospel is powerful to give faith in Christ—So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Rom 10:17).

    The Gospel is powerful to provide that necessary Food for the soul, without which we would die—And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God (Lk 4:4). The Lord Jesus is that Bread of life and it is he that is powerful to save, to keep, and to provide.

    We preach the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make knownwhat is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory—(Col 1:26-28).