Dr. MacArthur begins by explaining the great difference between false religion and the gospel of the Bible in the following 2 minute excerpt [which I cut from another video sermon on this same topic; it must be a junior pastor presenting this introduction].
The following points are HIGHLIGHTS from the 48 minute sermon, including points made in the 2 minute introduction: [bracketed statements are mine]
- The basis of many false religions is WORKS via which one becomes a “good person”
- Hinduism, e.g., outlines a process of continued reincarnation, the reliving of life until one reaches nirvana and is set free from the cycle of life
- Roman Catholics strive for goodness in this life, and believe that if they do not succeed, that they will be completely purified in purgatory before going on to heaven…
- Yet, no false religion considers what the Bible says: that a man is naturally sinful and that there is nothing he can do on his own to change that
- ONLY through the DIVINE ACT of salvation, can one be saved from eternal destruction in hell
- [God gives repentance / faith via which] one must acknowledge his sin and helplessness; repent; believe in Christ’s life, death, and resurrection so he can be have eternal life and escape eternal death
- Today, Dr. MacArthur discusses the necessity of a correct understanding of the gospel and the dire consequences of getting it wrong
- Beginning of sermon (which is from 2017) The study of Galatians is very relevant to the church and evangelical Christianity; as it powerfully presents the gospel and implications:
- Martin Luther launched the Protestant Reformation via nailing his 95 theses points to the church door in Wittenberg, Germany; each of these condemned a specific false practice of the Roman church
- THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH: Habakkuk 2:4 Galatians 3:11; Romans 1:17; and Hebrews 10:38
- The Protestant Ref. was kicked off by Luther’s discovery of what the above verse meant
- Before this discovery, Luther was confused, tormented, depressed and in spiritual unrest
- All in the monastery found the road to salvation very hard, but the church had invented the concept of purgatory to provide some solace
- Monks sought comfort from Mary because they believed the Father and the Son were too hard, judgmental
- Luther was terrified of the Father and Son and even hated them because he felt so helpless about escaping hell
- Monks taught that salvation was by grace but that one had to acquire merit to earn the grace he needed via the following sorts of disciplines: renouncing self-will; and aestheticism: meager food and water; wearing sackcloth; sleepless vigils; begging; pilgrimages; fasting; visiting relics; [buying indulgences]
- According to the church, there was a treasury of merit that came from the additional merit that others, like Mary and the Roman saints, had and did not need, it was stored for other sinners and they could tap into it via the above disciplines
- Luther walked 800 miles to visit Rome; once there, he ascended the holy steps after buying an indulgence – however, instead of receiving spiritual rest, he became aware that Rome was even more corrupt than he
- Thus, Luther was still troubled, he was no closer to God
- Luther’s fear of God continued to move him to seek reconciliation
- Pride is natural; sinners must be taught to fear God, and although the church stirred up a fear of God within him via teaching the law, they had no answer that led to spiritual peace / forgiveness
- False gospels generate no such fear (they’d permit one to blissfully enter into hell)
- Another man in the Bible knew the torment Luther experienced, Job
- Scriptures provided and Job’s torment explained
- Luther and Job wanted to know how one could be right with God (Job 9:2 paraphrase)
- All false religions envision a deity; and all offer a means of appeasing their deity; all religions give hell’s answer (works); the only true answer is the gospel
- Job was a “good” man, (even God called him that), BUT, being a good man (compared to other men) does not make one right with God – explained
- Job’s agony was similar to Luther’s; Job’s friend Bildad gave the devil’s solution – works
- Scripture cited that speak of the futility of seeking to be right with God in one’s own strength
- Paul stated such in Romans 10: …they don’t know God’s righteousness, but seek to establish their own…
- Jesus spoke of two ways: the narrow way that gives life and the broad way. Each say they lead to heaven, only one does
- Other false theologies current in the church: natural theology; wider mercy; the new perspective on Paul by N. T. Wright – Wright’s poisonous theories explained clearly, as they are trending; his beliefs are contrary to the apostle Paul’s on the gospel, thus they will damn a person
- The good news regarding Luther, is that the Spirit was at work in his soul, causing fear of God, moving him to desperately seek salvation / truth
- Today’s church has no fear, angst, dread; they propagate a false gospel with pride; those who believe it are blissfully approaching hell
- LUTHER EXPERIENCED THE WRATH OF GOD, KNEW HIS OWN HEART WAS EVIL; and longed to be right with God: as he began teaching from Galatians and Romans, he was given the solution by God – salvation is by grace, by faith alone; NOT by merit
- Through faith in Christ, His righteousness becomes ours; he who trusts in Christ, is one with Him: scriptures and explanations
- Imputation explained
- Revelation 5 cited and related to the majesty of Christ’s gospel
- Closing prayer – much worth listening to for a rounded understanding of sermon
The 48 minute sermon:
The following sermon is the 28 minute version of Getting the Gospel Right [the following video link came to my phone today, it may only contain a portion of the above sermon? It is likely part one of a series for his radio program, as it contains the above 2 minute intro]:
The DVD, Luther, with Claire Cox and Joseph Fiennes portrays the Protestant Reformation accurately, it is well worth the cost and viewing time – available on Amazon for around $10.
For other posts on the gospel, see Categories, Gospel Message; Gospel Message Defined.