False Christian teachings, trends….
The gospel message in narrative form
“Are we as Christians saved by works, or by faith alone? The key to understanding what part works and faith play in the drama of redemption is to understand the biblical structure and role of covenants. Without a proper understanding of covenants we fail to grasp the grandeur of Christ’s life and work. In this message, Dr. Sproul gives us the covenantal framework of redemption that finds full resolution in the work of Christ.”
Genesis 3:15 says, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” This is known as the protoevangelium—the first gospel. The verse introduces two elements previously unknown in the Garden of Eden, elements that are the basis of Christianity—the curse on mankind because of Adam’s sin and God’s provision for a Savior from sin who would take the curse upon Himself….
…Many misunderstand the kingdom of God and hold to a false salvation that is rooted in the belief that eternal life is a reward for a good life on earth. But besides offering no hope to a sinful person, it misses the entire glory of the free salvation in Christ — everyone justly deserves hell because they have all broken God’s law, yet Christ was offered as an acceptable substitute in their place in the reception of God’s wrath…. [MLJ explored the themes of this parable sufficiently well as to help listeners see whether they are making such a fatal error.]
What is the gospel is? A great tragedy today (even among professing Christians) is not knowing what the gospel of Jesus Christ is. In this Christmas sermon on Matthew 4:23 titled “The Gospel of the Kingdom,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches on the message that frames the beginning and end of the Lord Jesus’s ministry. By looking at both Matthew 4:23 and 24:14, he explores the message of the gospel from the perspective of the kingdom of God. Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds that the greatness of the gospel is the good news of God’s kingdom (or His rule and reign). [I opened the post with points about the gospel that he did not mention herein, but he did note in other sermons.]
It has been said that the Gospel is so simple that a young child can hear it, understand it and believe it, yet so profound that a theologian can spend a lifetime studying its glorious transcendent truths. It is the greatest news anyone will ever hear because it offers a free and complete salvation from the punishment and power of sin, and a glorious inheritance in the everlasting kingdom of God awaits all believers. Topics of the gospel cards: God; Man; Sin; Jesus Christ; the cross; resurrection; salvation; grace; faith; repentance; righteousness; truth. [The complete newsletter is herein pasted, it includes speaking times and places; letters to the editor….]
This post contains a 4-minute sermon excerpt of Pastor Voddie Baucham explaining the gospel. I wanted to post it because he actually explains the necessity of the virgin birth, something that I have rarely heard from the pulpit. A very brief post follows the video, it fills in many gaps that Pastor Baucham’s excerpt did not cover. He did start explaining the gospel from the Garden, the fall… but the post says many things about God’s plan of redemption, culminating in the gospel. Together, they provide a very good biblical explanation of God’s plan of redemption.
This post contains a 24-minute explanation of God’s righteousness, as is proclaimed in scripture, particularly, Romans. Many professors of Christianity do NOT understand what Pastor Hines explains herein. He focused on Romans 3, but also made some general statements about what is contained in the epistle of Romans. He also used the apostle Paul’s presentation of the gospel in light of a couple of statements from Isaiah and Jeremiah to show that salvation is by grace, not keeping the commandments. Video preceded by overview points.
R C Sproul, What is the Gospel? In the process of his sermon to define the gospel message, R C identifies about 10 FALSE ways of proclaiming the gospel that have been used by modern evangelists since the 20th century. Furthermore, he explains the problem of all the versions of the gospel as having to do with an improper attitude towards it, which dishonors its owner, God. If you cannot come up with a clear definition of the gospel for your own witnessing of it to others, then knowing the contents of this sermon is essential for you.
This post contains a brief video podcast by Pastor Patrick Hines on Romans 1:1-4. Therein, he explains the gospel of God of which Paul testifies in his teaching. If you do not understand ‘justification by faith alone,’ then you can benefit by hearing Pastor Hines’ explanation of this text. Additionally, he provides a basic overview of the apostle Paul’s conversion and his former life as a Pharisee. [This is the most foundational doctrine of Christianity, over which the Protestant Reformation was fought; it is still largely misunderstood by Christians, especially those who do not study scripture; your understanding of ‘faith’ may also be bolstered by Pastor Hines teaching ]
In the R C Sproul sermon of this post, he carefully explains how God gives salvation to a believer. In the process he discusses faith, justification and imputation, all bed-rock doctrines upon which the Christian’s spiritual life is built. He also clearly shows where Protestantism and Roman Catholicism differ, and where the latter veers into unbiblical byways. He uses scripture to make his points. [Sermon highlight points and some passages of scripture are provided]