Sovereign Grace Chapel, located at 135 Annabel Lane in Beaver, West Virginia, invites you to listen to a gospel message concerning Jesus Christ our Lord. Welcome to today's broadcast. If you wish to follow along, turn to Acts, what is called the Acts of the Apostles, Acts chapter 13. I wanna read verses 38 through 41. That's Acts 13, 38 through 41. And we read these words. This is Luke writing and he wrote these words. and wrote these words about the Apostle Paul preaching.

Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins. and by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. Beware, therefore, lest that come upon you which is spoken of in the prophets. Behold, ye despisers, and wonder and perish, for I will work a work in your days, a work which ye shall of no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.

My title for this morning is Through Christ, forgiveness is preached. Do you hear that? Through Christ, forgiveness is preached. Now, what I just read to you, as I've already mentioned, is a portion of a message preached by Paul the Apostle. Now, of course, Luke is recording it. And Paul the Apostle preached this message in a synagogue at Antioch in Pisidia, and he did so on the Sabbath day. And if you go back to in chapter 13 and read verses 14, 15, and 16, you will see that. So Paul entered into this synagogue and began to preach. And this is what I read to you as my text as a portion of that message.

Now, if you read Paul's message, and you began to read this whole thing or this whole message that the apostle Paul preached, you will see that Paul, when he began preaching, quickly got to the topic of God raising up a savior in Israel. He didn't speak long before he got right down to the nitty gritty, as we say. He began to get right down to the subject of his message, Jesus Christ. And his message was this, Jesus, who was crucified and buried, whom God raised from the dead. And you'll see that, he begins in chapter 13, verses 17, all the way down through verse 37. And then that's when he says, be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man, This Jesus of Nazareth, this one that was crucified and buried and God raised him from the dead. Through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins.

Now we'll come to our text, that is verse 38. I read you verse 38 through 41. And we read this, that through this man, this is so vital. This is the kicker right here. This is what, everything that the Spirit of God had moved Paul here to preach is kinda, begins to be summed up in this phrase. Through this man. is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins. You see it? Verse 48, if you're following along. And listen, if you're not, listen to the words. Be it known unto you, therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins. Note the wording of the scripture. Note what Paul actually said, not what men say about what Paul said, but note what Paul said. that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins.

So let's note five facts from this scripture. And I'll basically stay right here with this scripture. And I want us to look at these five following facts concerning this passage of scripture. Mainly verses 13, what Paul said in verses 13 through 41.

First of all, here's number one. Forgiveness of sins. You see it? That's the subject. That's one of the things he talks about. Forgiveness of sins through this Jesus. This man, this one, this specific one. Forgiveness of sins through this Jesus is preached.

I need forgiveness. Do you need forgiveness? That's a question. Do you really need forgiveness? I mean, I'm talking about a real forgiveness for real sins. I'm not talking about I made some mistakes. I'm not talking about that. I'm not talking about, well, I've had a few accidents along the way. I've had a few slip-ups. That's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about real forgiveness for a real bona fide sinner. Real sins for real people, as we say.

I need forgiveness. My question is, do you? Yes, we can say all men need forgiveness, But it's clear from our text, not all men care about it. And we will see this in a moment. Not all men care about it, but do you really need forgiveness of sins? Has God Almighty by His power and His word begin to convince you of your sinfulness? not just of your sins, the things you do, but the fact that it flows from down inside here, that it comes from inside you, that these sins come from what you are inside, this corrupt fallen sinner.

I'm talking about forgiveness of sins. Again, it's not mistakes. It's not accidents. It's not slip-ups. It's real, Real rebellion against God. Can you relate to that? That's the first thing I want to figure out. Forgiveness of sins.

And here's the second thought about this forgiveness of sins. This is on number one, forgiveness of sins. I'm talking about a forgiveness of sins that's so full and so free and so sure it's called this. It's called this. And by him, by that same Jesus, that one, this Jesus, And by him, all that believe are justified, that's declared right in the sight of God. That's what that word means, justified, right. But right in the sight of God. It's not about how other men view me or how other men view you. That's not what it's about.

And by him, all that believe are justified from all things. You see that? From all, I don't care what it is you've done. I don't care how bad you see you are. In truth, we really don't see how bad we are like God sees it. But thank God if he's beginning to show you something of it. You see it? And by him, all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

Paul is saying that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins, you see, real sins, bona fide sins. I'm talking about rebellion against God, enemies against God kind of sins. But here's the second thought. Forgiveness of sins through this Jesus. Luke put it this way, through this man, you see, this Jesus, the one that was crucified, the one that was buried, the one that God raised from the dead, and the one that God took back up into heaven and set him, S-E-T, set him at his own right hands.

This is a forgiveness of sins through this Jesus is preached. Think about it. It's not through our good deeds. It's not even by our law keeping. By him, all that believe are justified from all things from which he could not be justified by the law of Moses. It's not through our good deeds. It's not through our repentance. Yes, repentance is necessary and good deeds are honorable amongst men and needful, but good deeds. And repentance doesn't earn us favor before God. We must repent or we'll perish. But God don't save us because we repent. We repent because God Almighty's laid his powerful hand of grace and mercy and compassion upon us and granted to us repentance. It's not through our good deeds. It's not through our repentance. It's certainly not through our keeping of the law. It is not through our religious deeds. Listen to me, it's not about how much you work for your church. It's not about how much you do for other people. Though certainly, if your church is preaching the truth, if it's preaching this Jesus, this man, certainly we ought to serve and work for the church, but that's not how we are justified.

It is by this, by, and all that believe, you see it? And by him, all that believe are justified from all things by which you could not be justified by the law of Moses. So it's not our good deeds. It's not our repentance. It's not our keeping the law. It's not through our religious deeds. It is through this man is preached unto you. the forgiveness of sins. You see that? Isn't that glorious?

Be it known. I mean, this is not something that we try to slip in under the door. This is not something that we get up here and preach about how we're to act and how we're to conduct ourselves and then slip in a little bit about Jesus Christ. No, we preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified. And for those who believe, then we give them instruction and counsel and encouragement on the way we should walk and honor Jesus Christ. It is forgiveness of sins that is the message. And it's forgiveness of sins through this Jesus.

But here's. A third one, it is, here's the third thing. Remember, first one, forgiveness of sins. The second one is through this Jesus, through this man, not another, not another. But then this forgiveness of sins is through this Jesus, it's preached. Now notice the language. Be it known unto you, therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached. unto you the forgiveness of sins.

I'm gonna say this. I've gotta say this because there's too many preachers hoodwinking people today. They're not telling the truth about the scripture. It's forgiveness of sins through this Jesus is preached, not offered. Paul's not offering these people anything. He's preaching it to them. You see it? It's not made possible. We're not talking about possibilities. Our Lord Jesus Christ himself said, when it come to salvation, that was the actual subject that the disciples said, who then can be saved when that rich young ruler wanted to do some good thing to inherit eternal life and he went away sorrowful. And the disciples asked the Lord Jesus Christ himself, who then can be saved? Do you remember what our Lord responded to them? With man, it is impossible. That's what he said. That's what he taught.

Is your church preach that or are they teaching that Jesus? With man, it is impossible, but with God, all things are possible. See, so forgiveness of sins through this Jesus is preached. It's not offered. It's not made possible. It's not made available. It's not a take it or leave it deal, though some people receive it and some people don't, but that's not what it's about. Through this man is proclaimed. It's preached unto you. There is forgiveness of sins. Not there can be, there might be. There is forgiveness of sins. Do you believe him? That's the question. It's not through your religious deeds. It's not offered. It's not made possible. It's not available. It is through this Jesus is preached. It is proclaimed. It is sounded forth. It is declared without apology. There is forgiveness of sins. Listen to what? Let's know what the Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Colossae, and these are so, so important, vital words. I want you to just listen to this. Colossians chapter two, and if you're following along, fine, turn to Colossians two, and I will start in verse 11, but just listen to the word. Listen to what the word of God says.

verse 11 of Colossians chapter 2. In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands. It's not that old Jewish rite of circumcision, but it's a circumcision made without hands. In the putting off of the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ. It's something Christ does for you, not something you do for him. The circumcision of the heart, that's what Paul's talking about here, not the flesh. The circumcision from the heart is an act of God, and that's what he says.

Look, buried with him in baptism, wherein also you are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God who raised him from the dead. Now here's what I'm talking about, the forgiveness of sins now. And you being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh. He was writing mainly to Gentiles who'd never even been circumcised after the old Jewish rite. and he's talking to them about before they were ever even raised from the dead or circumcised in here, that spiritual resurrection, and you being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh hath he quickened together with him, look, having forgiven you all trespasses. Do you see? Even when you were dead in your sins. when you weren't even following the old Jewish rites. Then he'd already forgiven you. He's writing to believers and said he did it for you before you ever even believed. Do you see it? Having forgiven you of all trespasses.

Do you believe the scripture or do you believe it's offered or made possible or made available? This says it's done. Paul says it's done, look, blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailed it to his cross. And having spoiled principalities and powers, having made a shoe or show of them openly triumphing over them in it. Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a holy day, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath days, which are a shadow of things to come, but the body is, you see it, of Christ.

Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshiping in angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, and not holding the head, that's Christ, holding him, it's all about him, through this man is preached unto you, the forgiveness of sins. and not holding the head, from which all the body, by joints and bands, having nourishment ministered together and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.

Wherefore, if ye be dead with Christ," do you see that? It's all about this man. So we see that Paul said there is forgiveness of sins. We see that there is forgiveness of sins through this Jesus, and we see that this forgiveness of sins through this Jesus is preached, it's proclaimed, it's declared, it's already done. It's an accomplished thing. Do you believe him or not? Do you believe he did what God sent him to do? Not offered, not possible, not available, but it's done. It's done. Here's the fourth thing. along with this great encouragement, there is a grave warning. There is a grave warning here that Paul gave, and it's in our text. There is a grave warning that this is not, you hear what I just said, this is not purposed and declared for all without exception. Why don't preachers preach that? Now, yes, they preach, well, not everybody's going to heaven. Some people's going to hell. Some people will believe, some people won't, but why don't they say it just like Paul said it? Look at what he says.

Beware, therefore, lest that come upon you which is spoken of in the prophets. The prophets said this is going to be true of some folk. Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish. You see it? Behold, this is from Habakkuk. Hundreds of years, a prophet from hundreds of years before this ever took place. Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish, for I will work a work in your days. You see who's doing the work? Look, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you. Some people just not gonna get it. They're not gonna believe it, but they're not believing about something they do for Jesus, something they do for God. It's about believing that Jesus Christ did what the book said he'd do. He's already dealt with sins. It's done. There's the warning. Right there it is. It's the warning. Beware. Therefore lest that come upon you which is spoken of in the prophets. There we see the warning. And there is a frightening exception.

Behold ye despisers and wonder and perish for I will work. I just wish I could emphasize that enough that it would make a difference for you. But it's not me and my power in preaching it. It's just me preaching it by the power of God and Him applying it to your heart, that it's His work. We're talking about believing His work, not believing in your work. We're talking about me believing in the work of God in Christ Jesus, not me believing in my work. Behold ye despisers and wonder and perish, for I will work a work in your days, a work in which ye shall in no wise believe, though somebody does preach it to you, though someone does declare it unto you.

You see, there is forgiveness of sins. And this forgiveness of sins is through this Jesus, that one who was crucified for sinners. crucified for his enemies, crucified for those without strength, crucified for those who are ungodly, and he was buried and raised again the third day and ascended back to glory and is now set, S-E-T, set by God the Father, set at the right hand of God the Father. So this grave warning is there. Why? Because it is not purposed and declared for all without exception.

Here's the third thing. This forgiveness was wrought by Jesus Christ for sinners who believe. You know what he says? Look at it. It's wrought for sinners who believe. They believe by Jesus and they believe in Jesus. Note the two different things. They believe by Jesus. That is, he's the source of their believing. He's the reason why they believe. He's the one that causes them to believe. He's the one that gives them the faith with which to believe. And he's the one in whom they do believe. It's like we talk about the old illustration of water seeking its own level. If when God gives a man or a woman that faith that accompanies salvation, it'll seek the source of its salvation, and that's Jesus Christ. And look, be it known unto you, therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins, and by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

So again, this forgiveness was wrought by this Jesus for sinners who believe by this Jesus and they believe in this Jesus. It's as simple as that. But yet how profound and dependent upon God we are. It's profound. It's a profound thing.

Listen to the way the Apostle Paul put about believing when he wrote to the church at Ephesus. And this is an amazing thing. Listen to the words. Listen to what the book says. And you won't need me to explain it to you. I'm just gonna read it for you and proclaim it. And I pray God that he applies it to your soul.

Listen to what Paul wrote to the Ephesians. Ephesians chapter one. And I'll begin in verse 16 for a good bit of the context. He said, I'm sorry, verse 15. Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints. And that's where it starts. Love for the Lord Jesus, love for His people. Faith in the Lord Jesus, love for His people. Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and again, it's the Lord Jesus, not just AG, it's the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints. Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers. that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation and the knowledge of him.

You see, it's not up to us to figure this out. He must grant it to us. He must give it to us. And Paul prayed to God that he'd do it for him. Look, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of his calling and what is the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.

Now look, here's what we're getting to, remember. And by him, all that believe are justified, you see it? You remember what I said. This forgiveness was wrought by this Jesus for sinners who believe by Jesus and they believe in Jesus.

Now we're gonna see that, Paul put it another way here. And what is verse 19 of Ephesians 1? And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe according to the working of his mighty power? Do you see that? If I believe, if I believe this way, if I believe, if I'm believing the record God gave his son, not that it's offered, not that it's made possible, not that it's made available, and I'm preaching forgiveness of sins, and I believe that, it's what, look, and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe according to the working of his mighty power.

It takes the mighty power of God for any man or woman to believe. And think about it, if you do believe, God's worked his mighty power on you, in you, and through you. You see it?

But look, what kind of power? Which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead. It's called resurrection power. Paul told the Ephesians, and it's true of us, that we're born dead in trespasses and sins. That's why it takes this mighty resurrection power to raise us from this dead spiritual state, you see it? Which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead and set him, you see? Remember I mentioned, set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places. far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come, and hath put all things under his feet, that's under Christ's feet, and hath given him to be head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all.

So again, remember, forgiveness of sins. It's forgiveness of actual real sins. And it's also forgiveness of sins through this Jesus. And it's also forgiveness of sins through this Jesus. It's preached, it's proclaimed, it's not offered, made possible or available, it's declared. And there's a grave warning. It's a grave warning if you don't believe this. You don't believe it.

Number five, again, this forgiveness was wrought by Jesus Christ for sinners who believe by Jesus and they believe in Jesus. Now there's the example. First of all, the warning came to fruition on some. You'll see that in Acts chapter 13, verses 44 through 46. Some people, these Jews, when they seen some of these Gentiles believe in this, they were moved with what? Envy, filled with envy and spake against those things, verse 45, which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.

Any man preaches anything to you other than exactly what I've said unto you from this book this day, they are contradicting and blaspheming the word of God. Look, then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold and said it was necessary that the word of God should first be spoken unto you, but seeing you put it from you and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. That is the warning. These Jews just fought against it, said no. They were moved with envy and spite, contradicting and blaspheming. And that which was prophesied in the Old Testament was true of them. They wouldn't believe it, even though a man was declaring it to them.

But then look at verse 47. We see the blessing come upon these believers. Look at it. For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I've set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. And when the Gentiles heard this, now the Jews, some of them, not all of them, you'll read not all of them because that's true in verse 42 and 43, some of them believed, but that wording, He came upon some of them, look. And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. It's not their take, well, here's what I believe about it. They believed what Paul was preaching. They believed who Paul was preaching. They believed that he did what Paul said he did. You see it? They were glad and glorified the word of the Lord.

And as many as were ordained to eternal life, Believed, you see that? They believed. I guess about, all I could ask this morning, where do you stand? Where do I stand? Would I mock, contradict, maybe even blaspheme? Or do I believe, you see it? It's just one or the other. If God leaves you to yourself, that's what you're gonna do. So I don't believe what that preacher said. You'll believe this Christ here or you'll perish. You'll perish. And beware lest that come upon you which is spoken of by the prophets. Behold ye, despisers of wonder and perish. Our work, a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though somebody's preaching it to you.

Ah, but those that were ordained to eternal life, what happened? They believed. Which comes first? The ordaining or the believing? The ordaining comes first. Who does the ordaining? God must do the ordaining. I'm here to declare unto you that salvation is of the Lord.