"THE EVERLASTING GOSPEL"
I. WHAT IS THE EVERLASTING GOSPEL?
A. The word gospel means good news. The everlasting gospel is the good news of everlasting life that is promised by God to all who believe in His Son.
1. The good news is that the bad news is almost over. Man's long rebellion against God that began in the garden of Eden has just about run it's course. It will soon end in a fireball, and God's great kingdom shall come to earth, the kingdom of love and light.
2. Jesus said, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life." That's the gospel truth.
3. Most people believe in life after death.
a. True there are many different beliefs that men hold such as reincarnation. That you will come back in another form, lower or higher according to how you have lived.
b. Very few believe that you just cease to exist.
c. At the time of the death of someone you held dear, you want to think that somehow life continues for them.
d. You hear people say, "They have gone to a better place."
e. We object to the idea of the finality of death.
B. I find it interesting that this far into the Great Tribulation God is still sending His messengers to proclaim the gospel.
1. This means that the door must still be open for those to be saved who will harken to the gospel.
2. Surely this must prove that God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
II. IN THE BIBLE WE READ OF THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM.
A. That is the good news of the kingdom of God. In fact the first mention of the gospel is in Matthew's gospel where we are told that
MAT 4:23 Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom.
1. To us who are tired of the reign of the kingdom of darkness, that is good news indeed.
2. God's kingdom is going to come, the day is coming when God's will shall be done here on earth even as it is in heaven.
B. Mark's gospel tells us,
MAR 1:14 That after John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
MAR 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
III. THERE ARE MANY REFERENCES TO THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST.
A. Remember that the word Christ is the Greek word for Messiah.
1. Thus it is the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.
2. For centuries the Jews had been waiting for the fulfillment of the promise of the Messiah.
3. Even to the present day there are many Jews who are still waiting for the Messiah.
4. At the passover meal, they set an extra place at the table and leave the door open in case Elijah might come and tell them the good news that the Messiah is at hand.
5. What a tragedy that when the Messiah came they did not recognize Him. Thus the prophesies were fulfilled,
ISA 53:3 He is despised and rejected of men;
PSA 22:6 But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.
PSA 22:7 All they that see me laugh me to scorn:
ISA 49:7 Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth,
PSA 118:22 The stone [which] the builders refused is become the head [stone] of the corner.
B. Paul tells us what the gospel of the Messiah is. He said, "The gospel that I preached to you how that the Messiah died according to the scriptures, was buried and rose again according to the scriptures."
1. The good news is the resurrection. Death could not keep its prey, Jesus my Savior, He tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord.
2. This gives substance to the hope that men have that death is not the end.
3. In fact Peter said, "Thank God we have been born again to a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."
C. Paul wrote to the Romans that he was not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus the Messiah, for it was the power of God unto salvation to those who believe.
1. The good news is that the power of God can save you from the power of sin.
2. Sin is destructive in its nature.
3. It is in the process of destroying you.
a. Paul tells us that the wages of sin is death.
b. James said that sin when it is finished brings death.
4. The good news is that through Jesus, you can be saved from the penalty of sin.
5. You can be saved from the power of sin.
6. One day we will be saved from the presence of sin.
7. It just doesn't get any better than that.
IV. JESUS COMMANDED HIS DISCIPLES TO GO INTO ALL THE WORLD AND PREACH THE GOOD NEWS TO EVERY CREATURE.
A. Why does God want every man to hear the gospel?
1. God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
2. God told Ezekiel:
EZE 33:11 Say unto the people, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
B. We note that the gospel is for the whole world, Jesus commanded the disciples to go into all the world.
1. Here in our text, the angel is declaring the everlasting gospel to all nations, ethnic groups, language groups and all people.
2. Sin is universal, so also the gospel.
C. What an honor it is to bring this gospel to dying man.
1. The bible says, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
2. Here it is referred to as the gospel of peace.
a. In a world of strife, it is possible to have peace.
3. The gospel first brings you peace with God.
4. That in turn allows you to have peace with yourself. As long as you are at war with God, you can never have peace with yourself.
ISA 57:20 But the wicked [are] like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.
5. Once you have peace with yourself, you can have peace with your fellowman.
D. In the final analysis, the gospel must be received. All of its benefits are not realized until you receive the gospel.
Verse-Reference
Square — [Jhn 1:1 KJV]
Abbreviate Books
Use SBL Abbrev.
