The Distinguishing Marks of the Gospel

Q: What does the Bible say about grace and peace in the Gospel?

The Gospel is centered around God's grace and peace, which are given through Jesus Christ. In Galatians 1:3-4, Paul introduces the Gospel as one of grace and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. This grace is sovereign and free, describing God's unmerited favor towards sinners. Without grace, there can be no peace with God; it is through Christ's atoning sacrifice that we receive both. The believer's peace comes from being justified by faith, allowing them to enjoy a harmonious relationship with God. Therefore, both grace and peace are essential elements that reflect the incredible work of Christ in salvation.

Q: How do we know the doctrine of sovereign grace is true?

The truth of sovereign grace is established in Scripture, emphasizing God's will and purpose in salvation. Sovereign grace is rooted in the understanding that salvation is entirely of God's design and execution. Galatians 1:4 states that Christ gave Himself to deliver us according to the will of God. This teaching emphasizes that salvation is not based on human will or works, but on God's sovereign choice and grace. Ephesians 1:11 reinforces this by declaring that we were predestined according to His purpose. Therefore, those who have faith are those whom God has called and chosen, demonstrating the truth of sovereign grace through biblical revelation.

Q: Why is it important for Christians to understand the concept of substitution in salvation?

Understanding substitution is crucial because it highlights Christ's role as the sole Savior who bore our sins. The concept of substitution is central to the Gospel and is highlighted in Galatians 1:4, where it says Christ gave Himself for our sins. This means that Christ took our place, bearing the penalty that we deserved because of sin. Understanding this doctrine deepens a believer's appreciation for the grace of God and the depth of Christ's love, emphasizing that there is no other means of atonement for sin. Hebrews 9:12 reminds us that Christ entered the holy place not with the blood of bulls and goats, but with His own blood, signifying that He alone is the sufficient sacrifice for our sins.

Q: What does it mean that salvation is according to God's will?

Salvation according to God's will emphasizes His sovereignty and purpose in choosing and saving His people. Salvation is described as being according to God's will in Galatians 1:4, underscoring that it is not a result of human effort but a sovereign act of God. Throughout Scripture, we see that God is the initiator of salvation; it is by His own purpose that He chooses to save individuals. Ephesians 1:5 states that we are predestined for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, reflecting God's deliberate will in the process of salvation. A proper understanding of this doctrine leads to a deeper reliance on God's grace and a recognition of the enormity of His mercy and love.

Q: Why is the glory of God fundamental in the Gospel?

The glory of God is essential as it reveals the ultimate purpose behind salvation: to glorify Him. The glory of God is presented as the ultimate aim of salvation in Galatians 1:5, which closes with 'to whom be glory forever and ever.' This highlights that the grand design of the Gospel is not merely for the benefit of humanity but fundamentally for God's glory. Salvation demonstrates God's character—His justice, mercy, and sovereignty. Believers are called to recognize that their redemption serves to exalt Christ and reflect His glory. Revelation 5:9-12 articulates this as the redeemed give glory and honor to the Lamb, affirming that the focus of salvation is about glorifying God.

Well, good evening. Turning your Bible to the book
of Galatians chapter one. Galatians chapter one. I know
this is a very familiar text. I pray that it is. I've often
heard that people and I especially think this is especially true
of believers that they like to be told what they already know. I'm going to remind you of some
things If you're a believer resting in the Lord Jesus Christ, I want
to tell you or remind you of some things that you already
know. Galatians chapter 1, notice verse 1. Paul, an apostle, not
of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father,
who raised him from the dead. And all the brethren which are
with me unto the churches of Galatia. Remember, Paul went
there and preached the gospel, and God used that message to
call out his people to Christ, give them life, faith, to trust
him. Verse 3, grace, grace to you,
grace to you, peace, grace and peace, grace and peace from God
the Father, our Lord Jesus Christ, and our Lord Jesus Christ, who
gave himself, verse 4, who gave himself for our sins, that he
might deliver us from this present evil world or evil age. And it's all according to the
will of God, our father, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. So be it. Verse six. Now I marvel that you are so
soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ
unto, and he says here, another gospel, which is not the gospel. But he said another gospel, which
is not another. It's just one gospel, one God,
one way, one truth. But there be some that trouble
you and would pervert the gospel of Christ. A little leaven, leaveneth
the whole lump. Some would pervert or change.
You remember those that came there to Antioch and said, you
cannot, said to those Gentile believers, you cannot be saved
unless you're circumcised. You cannot be saved unless you
keep the law of Moses. Well, they perverted the gospel
of God's grace, didn't they? They changed it. Now look verse
8, but though we are an angel from heaven, preach any other
gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let
that man be, and this is a strong word, let him be cut off, let
him be cursed, let him be damned. As we said before, so say I now
again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that
which you have received, let him be cursed. Now, this is serious,
isn't it? This is serious, to preach the
gospel and to believe the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. What
is this gospel that Paul says here that he preached? Well,
I believe here he's given us a good definition, starting in
verse 3. verse 4 and verse 5. He gives
us a good definition of the gospel of God concerning the Lord Jesus
Christ, this gospel that God uses to call out His people to
Himself. And this is a good description
of God's gospel. Notice the first word in verse
3. Doesn't it describe the gospel? Grace. Grace. It's the gospel
of God's grace, isn't it? that we enjoy by the free, sovereign
grace of God, His sovereign pleasure. It's His grace. Notice just across
the page in Galatians 1 verse 15, when it pleased God who separated
me from my mother's womb and called me by His grace to reveal
His Son in me that I might preach Him among the heathen, immediately
I conferred not with flesh and blood. This is the grace of God
that gives God all the honor and glory in this glorious gospel
of God's saving grace. From beginning in election to
glorification, salvation is all of God's grace. Grace elected
us. There's a remnant according to
the election of God's grace. Grace in justifying us. justified,
not by works, not by the deeds of the law, justified freely
by His grace through the redemption that is in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Doesn't this describe the salvation that you enjoy? It's all by God's
sovereign, free favor. That's His grace. His grace. We can't harp on it too much.
We can't preach it too much. And grace is sovereign grace.
Sovereign grace. Salvation, as it's described
in God's Word, is all of grace, not of works. Now listen to this
scripture. It's God who saved us and called
us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to
His own purpose and grace given us in Christ before the foundation
of the world. Purpose and grace. Purpose and grace. Not of works.
All of God's grace. Well, the opponent of the gospel
of God's sovereign grace might say, well, sinners need to believe. Well, that's true. We need to
believe. And God's people will hear and
believe the gospel. But we believe according to the
working of His mighty power. You see, faith is not something
that blooms in our heart naturally. What blooms in our heart naturally?
Wickedness, unbelief. Arthur Pink said faith is something
exotic, something outside of us. Faith is a gift of God, not
of work that any man should boast. We believe according to the working
of His mighty grace. We believe through grace that
we shall be saved. You see, faith is a gift of God.
If you believe, it's because God gave you life to believe. Those who believe are born of
God. Some might say, well, yeah, that's
true, but sinners must repent. Well, that's right. They must.
Except you repent, you'll perish. But you know, even that is a
gift of God's grace. He's exalted to give repentance
to his people. You see, it's all of grace. You
say, well, sinners must persevere. They will. We're kept by the
power of God through faith, and that's the gift of God's grace.
You see, in salvation we contribute nothing. We simply receive what
he has accomplished for us as a gift of his sovereign, free
grace, the grace of God. You see what he's saying there?
Grace, grace to you. God purposed salvation and he
purposed to give salvation to you. If you're a believer, he
singled you out in eternity and he chose you by his grace And
he called you by his grace, and he reveals the gospel to you
by his grace. Not by works of righteousness
which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us. That's the first word that describes
his salvation. You've heard this before, haven't
you? It's all of God's sovereign free grace. Grace. Grace alone. The second word
here that describes our salvation is peace. Grace to you and peace. Peace from God Almighty and from
our Lord Jesus Christ. The believer enjoys peace with
God. Peace with God through the Lord
Jesus Christ. Being justified by faith, we
have peace with God. Now you think about this. Peace
with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. You ever heard someone
say this? Well, I'm trying to make peace
with God. Your efforts are in vain. You
can't make peace with God. That's exactly why the Lord Jesus
Christ came to make peace with his own blood. And that's how
peace is made. Turn over just a few pages to
Colossians chapter one. How is peace made? Here it is, Colossians 1 verse
19, For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness
dwell, having made peace. How is peace made? Having made
peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all
things unto himself. By him, I say. whether they be
things in earth or things in heaven, and you that were sometimes
alienated, enemies in your mind by wicked work. Yet now he reconciled. He made peace for us with his
blood and the body of his flesh through death to present you
holy, unblameable, unreprovable in his sight. Grace and peace. That's what the believer enjoys,
and that describes Our salvation, there is no peace with God based
upon the sinner's performance. Is it? Is there? Not at all. Turn to Psalm 57. Look at this
here with me. Psalm 57. I like those scriptures
that talk about everything that he has done for us. And this
is what this whole book is about. It's what God, salvation is what
God has done for us, not what we do for him. Psalm 57. Notice
verse 2, I will cry unto God most high, unto God that performeth
all things for me. Look at verse 3, he shall send
from heaven the highest, best resources possible. He shall
send from heaven and save me from the reproach of him that
would swallow me up. God shall send forth his mercy
and his truth. I tell you, it's peace with God
based upon his performance. He's able to meet all our need
according to his riches in glory through the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace and peace. God was in Christ
reconciling us unto himself. So we have grace and we have
peace. And notice they come from. There's
no peace without grace. Grace first and then peace. And they all come from our gracious
hands. The gracious hand of our loving
father, rather, and from our Lord Jesus Christ. Now, watch
this. Here's something else that describes
the salvation that we enjoy. Paul here is talking about the
gospel. The gospel. Here's the gospel that Paul preached
and all the apostles preached in God's service today. And here's
something else that describes this salvation that we enjoy.
Look at verse four, the first word there. Who? Who? The Lord Jesus Christ, who salvation,
my friend, is in a person, the Lord Jesus himself. He is salvation. Find Philippians chapter three.
Philippians chapter three. You remember Simeon in the temple,
Simeon, when they brought the Lord Jesus, that eight day old
baby into into the temple to circumcise him and Simeon picked
him up, looked him straight in the face and said, let me die. Let me depart in peace. according
to your word, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation." Salvation
is in a person, the Lord Jesus Christ. And here's the believer's
desire. Philippians chapter 3, verse
8, "'Yea, doubtless,' he said, I count all things but lost,
for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for
whom I suffered the loss of all things, and count them but done,
that I may win Christ and be found in him.'" found in him,
not having my own righteousness, which is of the law, but that
which is to the faith of Christ, the obedience of Christ, the
faithfulness of Christ, the righteousness, which is of God, by faith, by
faith, true saving faith looks to the Lord Jesus Christ for
all of salvation. You see, salvation, the heart
of salvation and the essence of salvation is the Lord Jesus
Christ himself. He's the sum of it, the substance
of it, and the subject of it, Christ. Turn to 1 John, notice
this, 1 John chapter 5. Jesus Christ who? Grace, peace. Where's grace and peace revealed?
In Christ, in the Lord Jesus Christ. Notice what he says here
in 1 John 5, verse 11. This is the record that God hath
given to us, the eternal life. He's given this eternal life
and this life is in His, what does that say? In Christ, in
His Son. He that hath the Son hath life. He that hath not the Son of God
does not whatever else you may have. If you're not found in
Christ, you don't have forgiveness. You don't have life. You don't
have salvation. He that hath the Son hath life.
He that hath not the Son of God does not have life. Christ is
the sum and substance of the gospel. Jesus Christ himself. To him give all the prophets
witness. They all talk about one person. Turn to Ephesians chapter 2.
Salvation's in a person. The Lord Jesus. Who? Who? In a person. Ephesians 2. All the prophets of the past.
Ephesians 2, 19, Now therefore ye are no more strangers and
foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints in the household
of God, and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and
prophets, Jesus Christ himself." All the foundation of the apostles,
the apostles of the past, and the prophets of the past, they
all pointed to Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone,
in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto
a holy temple in the Lord, in whom ye are also builded together
for a habitation of God through the Spirit. Salvation is in a
glorious person, the Lord Jesus Christ." You see how he describes
this gospel back to Galatians chapter 1? You see, it's his
glorious person. What makes redemption powerful
and effective? It's just not that someone died.
It's who this someone is. God bought us with his own blood. It's his glorious person that
gives power. I'm not ashamed of the gospel
of Christ. It's the power of God unto salvation
to everyone that believes. His glorious person and his redemptive
work. He gave himself for us in his
glorious resurrection. Delivered for our offenses, raised
again for our justification. Our Lord said in the Revelation,
I am he that liveth and was dead. Behold, I am alive forevermore,
and I have the keys. He has the ownership of all things. He's in charge. God had given
him power over all flesh, and he should give eternal life to
as many as the Father had given him. You see, it all gets back
to him. salvation in him, through him
and by him, grace and peace flow from God through Christ upon
his sacrifice, upon his blood. That brings me to my next point.
Turn back to Galatians 1, verse 4, who, now watch this, gave
himself for our sins. Here we see the only means of
our salvation. He gave Himself for our sins. That's substitution, isn't it?
That's satisfaction, isn't it? He gave Himself for our sins. Turn over here to Ephesians chapter
5. He gave Himself for our sins. I often read this portion of
Scripture when we conduct weddings, and I try to read it every time,
but notice verse Ephesians 5, 23, For the husband is the head
of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church, and he
is the Savior of the body. Therefore, as the church is subject
unto Christ, so let wives be their own husbands and everything.
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church
and gave, what did he give? He gave himself. He gave himself
for us, for us. Turn back to 1 John, look at
this, 1 John chapter 4. 1 John chapter 4, he gave himself
for us, for our sins. God made him to be sin for us,
who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of
God in him. 1 John 4, look at this, verse
9, in this was manifested the love of God toward us. because that God sent his only
begotten Son into the world that we might live through him. Herein
is love, not that we love God, but that he loved us and sent
his Son to be the propitiation, the satisfaction, the answer,
debt paid in full, satisfaction, the atonement for our sins. He gave himself. The Lord Jesus
Christ is the Lamb of God that taketh away our sin. Christ himself
is the only substitute. Christ himself. Not another. Turn to Hebrews 1. Hebrews chapter
1. Keep you busy here. Hebrews chapter
1. You don't mind looking at these,
do you? Hebrews chapter 1. He gave himself. Not the blood
of bulls and goats. You remember Hebrews 9.12? He
entered in once into the holy place, not with the blood of
bulls and goats, but with his own blood. And he obtained for
us eternal redemption with himself, by himself, a sacrifice for sin."
Hebrews 1, 3, "...who, being in the brightness of his glory,
the expressed image of his person, upholding all things by the word
of his power, when he by himself purged our sins, sat down on
the right hand of the majesty on high." By himself, Christ
is the only substitute for sin. Christ himself is the only satisfaction
for our sin. Galatians chapter 2, look at
verse 19. For I, through the law, Galatians
2, 19, am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. What's
your position on the law? Dead. Dead. Crucified with Christ. Verse 20. Nevertheless, I live,
yet not I, but Christ liveth in me, and the life which I now
live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who
loved me and gave himself for me. Verse 21. I believe this
is one of the key verses in all of Scripture right here. Verse
21. Have you got that underlined in your Bible or circled in your
Bible? If you don't, do it. Well, I do not frustrate, distort,
or confuse the grace of God. If righteousness comes by the
law, Christ is dead in vain. You see, it took a glorious substitute
to put away my sin. The law couldn't do it. The blood
of bulls and goats couldn't do it. It's Christ Himself. You
get a hold of this. He died for me. He took my place. He became Sin for me. And he gives us perfect righteousness. What an exchange. What an exchange. I tell you, that's grace. That's
grace. That's mercy, is it not? Christ
himself is the only substitute. Christ himself is the only satisfier. What does it take to satisfy
the holy justice of God? Turn to Ephesians chapter 5.
Again, look at verse 2. Walk in love. As Christ also
had loved us and given himself for us, himself, an offering
and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor. It's satisfying. It's satisfying. Is the blood
sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ enough to satisfy God's law and
justice? Well, the resurrection demonstrates,
demonstrates. when he by himself purged our
sin, he sat down at the right hand of the throne of God, having
accomplished salvation for us. Christ himself is the only substitute,
the only satisfier. He's the only Savior, Christ
himself. Peter said it that day before
that council that's recorded in Acts chapter 4, neither is
there salvation in any other. There's no other name under heaven.
given among men, whereby we must be saved." It's in Christ. Christ
Himself is the absolute victorious Savior. Christ Himself. His death
is complete atonement. It's not an attemptment. It's
an atonement for sin. The Lord Jesus Christ is victorious
over sin. He put it away. by the sacrifice
of himself. He appeared once in the end of
the age to put away sin. How? By the sacrifice of himself. That's our gospel. That's the
gospel that Paul preached. And that's the gospel that he
died preaching there in Rome. The gospel of a victorious Savior. This scripture and this Bible
that we hold and look at knows nothing of a defeated, frustrated
reformer named Jesus. He's the victorious, conquering
king. He went forth conquering to conquer. He defeated all our enemies.
You know how he did this? Turn to Colossians again. Look at Colossians. He defeated
all our enemies by himself. Look at Colossians 2. Verse 13,
and you being dead in your sin, and the uncircumcision of your
flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you
all trespasses, 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, having spoiled principalities
and powers. He made a show of them, openly
triumphing over them, and writing this word, Instead of in it,
write Himself. Spoiled all principalities and
powers. Triumphing over them Himself. We are more than conquerors through
Him that loved us. Christ Himself. Back to Galatians
chapter 1. This describes the gospel that
we preach, that we believe. Who gave Himself for our sins. Something else, he says in verse
four. Anything other than this is another
gospel, is another gospel. Look what he says next, that
he might deliver us from this present evil world. There's a good word that describes
our salvation, deliverance. He's our deliverer. You know,
he's called that in scripture, turn back to Romans He's our
Deliverer as He's our Savior. He's our
Redeemer. Romans 11. Romans chapter 11. Look at verse 26. And so all Israel shall be saved
as it is written, this is from Isaiah 59, there shall come out
of Zion the, there's just one. He's the Savior and He's the
Deliverer. and shall turn away ungodliness
from Jacob, for this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take
away their sins." He's a deliverer. That describes our salvation,
does it not? How does he deliver us? Stay
in the book of Romans there. Look at Romans 8.32. You remember
Paul said, Oh, wretched man that I am. And then he asks this question,
Who shall deliver me from this body of death? Who can? Who would? Who has the ability? Christ himself. Here's how he
does it. Romans 8, 32. I thank God through
Jesus Christ our Lord, he said. Romans 8, 32. He that spared
not his own son, but, what's that word? delivered Him up for
us all. How shall He not with them also
freely, freely give us all things? Who shall lay anything to the
charge of God to let? It is God that justifies. Him being delivered by the determinate
counsel and foreknowledge of God. He was delivered up to bear
our sin and His own body on the tree. That's the reason we enjoy
deliverance. It's because He was delivered.
for our sins. He was our sacrifice before God. He's a deliverer. Now turn to
Galatians chapter 3 and look at this. This word here, deliverance,
means to release. It means to pluck out. It means to rescue. Rescue. He's our Redeemer. Notice Galatians
3.13, Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law. Being
made a curse for us, He's redeemed us. He delivered us from the
curse of the law. How? Being made a curse for us,
He satisfied God's every precept of that law and every penalty
of that law. For it is written, Cursed is
everyone that hangeth on the tree, that the blessing of Abraham
might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ, that we might receive
the promise of the Spirit through faith, not law, through faith. Turn again to Galatians chapter
4, verse 4. He's our deliverer. Delivered. You remember that scripture in
the book of Job? Deliver them from going down
to the pit. I found a ransom. Christ is our
deliverer. He delivers by ransom. He gave
himself. He came not to be ministered
unto, but to give himself a ransom for many. And when the ransom
paid, The captive goes free. That's right. He paid my debt
and we go free. Look what he says here in Galatians
four, verse four. But when the fullness of time
was come, God sent forth his son made of a woman, verse four,
made under the law to redeem them. You see, it's a select
deliverance to redeem them, to deliver them. that were under
the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because
you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your
hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore, thou art no more a
servant but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ."
He's our deliverer. Turn to Galatians chapter 5. Stand fast, verse 1. Therefore,
in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, you shall
know the truth, and the truth shall set you free. And be not
entangled again with the yoke of bondage. He set us free, free
indeed. How free? Let me show you an
example of how free we are. Turn to John 18. Remember when they came to arrest
the Lord Jesus in the garden? In John 18, verse 4, Jesus, therefore, knowing
that all things should come upon him, went forth and said unto
them, Whom do you seek? Verse 5, They answered him, Jesus
of Nazareth. And the Lord said unto them,
I am. And Judas also which betrayed him stood with them. As soon
Then as he had said unto them, I am, they went backward and
fell to the ground. Then ask ye them again. Then
ask ye them again. Whom seek ye? They said, Jesus
of Nazareth. Verse eight. And he answered,
I told you that I am. If therefore you seek me, let
these go their way. He's our deliverer. He lets us
go. He died in our stead and sets
us free by his sacrifice. Back to Galatians chapter one. He's our deliverer. That he might deliver us, verse
four, that he might deliver us from this present evil age. Don't want to wear you out, but
one more scripture on this deliverance, Colossians, chapter one, Colossians,
chapter one, verse twelve. Colossians, chapter one, verse
twelve, giving thanks unto the father who made us meet fit to
be partakers of the inheritance. Of the saints in light in Christ,
who delivered us. from the power of darkness, and
hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son, in whom we have
redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins."
We have deliverance. Colossians 2, 9 and 10, you all
know that one. In him dwells all the fullness
of a Godhead bodily, and in Christ we are, we are what? Complete. Complete. Complete
in Christ. Complete deliverance. Who can
lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It's God who justified. It's Christ who died. Yea, rather,
is risen again, who was even at the right hand of God. Whoever
lives to make intercession for us, deliverance. Now, Galatians
chapter one again. Here's another word that describes
this gospel that we preach and believe, that this word teaches. It's all according, look at verse
4, according to the will of God our Father. It's salvation by
God's will, not our will, God's will. Here's the source of God's
salvation. It's not of him that willeth
or him that runneth, but it's God that shows our sake. Salvation is according to whose
will? What does that say there? the
will of God. It's all according to his will.
Ephesians 1, look at this. Ephesians chapter 1, look at
verse 11. In whom also we have obtained
an inheritance. Notice an inheritance is something
that's obtained. An inheritance is not something
that's earned, it's something that's given. We've obtained
an inheritance where heirs of God enjoined heirs with Christ,
being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh
all things at the counsel of his own will." If you're saved
by God's grace, it's not because you willed it, it's because God
from eternity determined. As many as were ordained to eternal
life believed. He works all things after the
counsel of His own will that we should be to the praise of
His glory. It's all working to the praise
of God's glory. Salvation is by the will of God. Of His own will begat He us with
the word of truth. James 1.18. John chapter 1 talks
about we're born again, not of the will of the flesh, not of
the will of man. We're born of God. It's God's
sovereign will. God's sovereign will. Thy people
shall be willing in the day of God's power. Blessed is the man
to whom thou choosest and causest to approach unto him. They're
over here to Isaiah 64. There's a building down the street
from me, and they call themselves a church. It's the Church of
Water and Works. Down the road is the Church of
Grace and Blood. That's where I pastor. But down
the street from me, there's the Church of Water and Works. And
they have a sign out on the big sign. And the sign this week
is, God wants to save everyone, especially you. Well, my thought
is this. Well, if that's what God's determined
to do, to save everyone, why doesn't He do it? Because the
God that's described in Scripture is God who is God, who works
all things after the counsel of His own will, who does in
heaven and on earth according to His own will. You see, down
there at the water and works, they preach another God. They
preach a God who wants to and can't, a God who is frustrated
by your will. That's no God at all. As my pastor
used to say, it's a peanut God. Our God is God, and He works
all things well according to His own will. Now, I told you
to turn to Isaiah 64. Is that right? Are you there
in Isaiah 64? Look at this here, verse 6. We are all as an unclean thing,
Isaiah 64, 6. And all of our righteousnesses
are as filthy rags, and we do fade and delete, and our iniquities
like the wind have taken us away. And there is none that calleth
upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee. For thou hast hid thy face from
us, and hast consumed us because of our iniquities. But now, O
Lord, thou art our Father. We are the clay, and thou our
potter. We are all the work of thy hand. We are his workmanship. created
in Christ Jesus. You see, salvation is according
to look back at that text again. Galatians 1.4. You see, he gave
himself for our sins to deliver us, and it's all according to
the will of God. All according to the will of
God, our Father. There's another word there. Lastly,
in verse 5, that describes this gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Do you see it there in verse
5? To whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Amen. The purpose of God's salvation,
my friend, is His glory. Is that right? The purpose of
God's salvation, I remember reading a book years ago. The title of
the book was The History of Redemption by old Jonathan Edwards. And
one thing I remember in that book, the bottom line of salvation
is this, the grand design of salvation is the glory of the
Lord Jesus Christ. God has so fixed this salvation
that no sinner is going to stick his face in the face of God and
say, look what I've done. No, they're going to bow at the
throne and say, look what Christ has done. He said it's finished. The first words he spoke, the
recorded as a young lad, he said, I must be about my father's business.
The last recorded words were what? Done, finished. I've glorified
thee on the earth. I finished the work that you
gave me to do. His glory. His glory. The purpose of God's salvation
is to the praise of the glory of His grace. Is that what this
book teaches? Turn to Galatians chapter 6.
His glory. The grand design and redemption
is the glory of God. Now, you want a rule to walk
by? Are you one of those that like rules? regulations? Well, there's just one rule of
faith, and that's His Word. But look what it says here in
Galatians 6. I'll give you a rule to walk
by. I'll give you a rule to live by. I'll give you a rule to die
by. Galatians 6, 14, But God forbid
that I should glory, save in the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ. God forbid that we should glory,
save in the cross, substitution, satisfaction, of our Lord Jesus
Christ, for whom the world is crucified unto thee, and I unto
the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision invadeth
anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature, as many as
walk according to this rule." There's your rule. Glory only
in Christ. Peace on them. Mercy upon the
Israel of God. You see, the bottom line in this
is His glory. This is God's grand design. You
know what glory is all about? Eternal glory and the revelation. The revelation. Salvation is
all about His glory. David said, Lord, not unto us,
not unto us, but unto thy name do we give glory for thy mercy,
for thy truth's sake. Revelation chapter five. And
they sung a new song, verse nine, saying thou art worthy to take
the book To open the seals thereof, for thou wast slain, and hast
redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, tongue,
people, and nation, and hast made us under a God, kings, and
priests, and we shall reign on the earth. And I beheld, and
I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne, and the
beast, and the elder, and the number of them was ten thousand,
times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud
voice, And here is all the redeemed who love this gospel, who believe
this gospel, who rest in the Lord Jesus Christ, saying with
a loud voice, worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power,
riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in
heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, such as are
in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, blessing,
and honor, and glory, and power be unto him that sitteth upon
the throne, and unto the Lamb forever. You see, it's all about
His glory, all about the glory of the Lord Jesus. Now back to
the text again. All to the praise of the glory
of His grace. Now let's read these verses again. Describing this gospel of God
that this book teaches all the way from beginning to end, grace,
grace to you. Peace from God, the Father, our
Lord Jesus Christ. He is God, our Savior, who gave
himself for our sins that he might deliver us from this present
evil world. He's our deliverer. And it's
all according to the whose will God's will. Verse five, to whom
be glory forever and ever. Now, what's that last word there? Can you say in your heart, amen? So be it. So be it. May God bless his word to your
heart. Thank you Tom. I appreciate that.
I was thinking while he was preaching there that who gave himself.

The Distinguishing Marks of the Gospel

What does the Bible say about grace and peace in the Gospel?

How do we know the doctrine of sovereign grace is true?

Why is it important for Christians to understand the concept of substitution in salvation?

What does it mean that salvation is according to God's will?

Why is the glory of God fundamental in the Gospel?

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The Distinguishing Marks of the Gospel

What does the Bible say about grace and peace in the Gospel?

How do we know the doctrine of sovereign grace is true?

Why is it important for Christians to understand the concept of substitution in salvation?

What does it mean that salvation is according to God's will?

Why is the glory of God fundamental in the Gospel?

Sermon Transcript

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