THE GOSPEL
2 Timothy 8-10: 8 But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us to a holy life–not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
The gospel is the good news of salvation through Christ Jesus. These “glad tidings of great joy“ were announced on the first Christmas day, in the birth of “a Savior who is Christ our Lord.” A savior who took the punishment for our sins, punishment that we deserved, and then rose from the dead offering us the free gift of life, if only we would accept that gift.
On this the Scriptures never waver.
this message of salvation. Acts 13:26
“These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” Acts 16:17
And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Ephesians 1:13
Throughout Paul’s ministry the meaning, the teaching of the gospel remained consistent. It remained unchanged. Paul did not bend or shape the gospel message so as to better suit or not offend the sensibilities of his audience. Neither should we.
As we study these verses we will see that they speak to the character of the gospel, that is, what the gospel is. The source of the gospel, that is, where it comes from. The ground of the gospel, that is, what it rests upon.
- The character of salvation.
saved us: We must not lose sight of the fact that we were saved.
? What does the word save imply??
Unfortunately, when believers think about salvation they often stop with the concept of forgiveness. But salvation is far more than forgiveness.
The God who has saved us has also simultaneously called us with a holy calling or to put it another way, God has called us to be holy.
For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 1 Thes 4:7
To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy. 1 Cor 1:2
This salvation also brings with it the certainty of immortality.
“The term salvation urgently needs to be rescued from the mean and meagre concepts to which we tend to degrade it. Salvation is a majestic word, denoting that comprehensive purpose of God by which He justifies, sanctifies and glorifies His people: first, pardoning our offenses and accepting us as righteous in His sight through Christ, then progressively transforming us by His Spirit into the image of His Son, until we become like Christ in heaven, with new bodies in a new world. We must not minimize the greatness of ‘such a great salvation.’ Hebrews 2:3 Stott
- The source of Salvation
Where does this great salvation come from? Paul tells us, not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time. 2 Timothy 1:9
This is difficult to understand, but Paul uses the past tense, that is before time began God had already given us salvation.
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will — 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. Ephesians 1:3-6
“We have to confess that the doctrine of election is difficult to finite minds. But it is incontrovertibly a Biblical doctrine. It emphasizes that salvation is due to God’s grace alone, not to man’s merit; not to our works performed in time, but to God’s purpose conceived in eternity. However, the doctrine of election is never introduced in Scripture either to arouse or to baffle our carnal curiosity, but always for a practical purpose. On the one hand, it engenders deep humility and gratitude, for it excludes all boasting. On the other, it brings both peace and assurance, for nothing can quiet our fears for our own stability like the knowledge that our safety depends ultimately not on ourselves but on God’s own purpose of grace.” Stott
- The ground of salvation
Salvation rests only on the historical work performed by Christ Jesus. Salvation has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 1:10
And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.
15 More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.
20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 1 Cor 15:14-22
? What did Christ’s work, His death and resurrection, bring us??
- Destroyed death
Death is the heart of the human predicament. Death is the wage we earn for our sin and rebellion. Romans 6:23 But though he did not have to face death, Christ voluntarily took our punishment, took our place, earned the wage we deserved.
Death is described in three ways; 1. physical death, 2. spiritual death, 3. eternal death.
Through fear of death unbelievers are subject to lifelong bondage. Hebrews 2:15
But for those in Christ death is; katargeo: destroyed, defeated, made ineffective, powerless, idle, nullified,
“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” 1 Cor 15:55
Those who are in Christ cannot be hurt by death because they have already passed from death to life. Revelation 2:11, John 5:24, 1 John 3:14
- Brought life and immortality
The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; 43 it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; 44 it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. 1 Cor 15:42-44
“Far from being prepared for death, modern society has made the very word almost unmentionable … we have brought all our talents into use to avoid the prospect of dying – and when the time comes we react with anything from excessive triviality to total despair.” The Observer
In contrast the Christian can affirm, Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.” Revelation 14:13
To summarize:
- Before the foundation of the world God, by grace, promised you salvation.
- This salvation was worked out in history in the life, death and resurrection of Christ.
- This salvation is offered to everyone through the preaching of the gospel.
- The Holy Spirit then works in the lives of believers for their moral sanctification.
- We are given life that extends into eternity.
DEATH and AFTERLIFE
Few people speak openly and honestly about death today. There is a death myth in our society. According to the myth, death and the following afterlife are whatever you imagine them to be. Any way you want to conceive of death is legitimate, as long as it is in positive terms.
While we don’t talk about the reality of death we are, most certainly, bombarded with many interesting but false images of death in movies that are made.
? What does Hollywood teach about death and the afterlife?
While Hollywood has much to teach about death and the afterlife, only the Church holds the truth to the mystery of death. Only the Church can offer real hope.
“Because I live, you also will live … I tell you the truth … You will grieve but your grief will turn to joy … I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.” John 14:19; 16:20 & 22
Because God has given us His revelation in the Bible we can live our lives and face death without fear. Death is, in fact, a divine appointment:
“It is appointed unto men once to die.” Hebrews 9:27 (KJV)
As such, as Christians we should all understand what death is all about. What does death hold for the believer?
Blessing
- “Then I heard a voice from heaven say, ‘Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’” Revelation 14:13
This is one of the most positive and remarkable statements about death in the whole Bible. The Biblical teaching on death is that it is a blessing.
Jesus changed the meaning of death for Christians. Death is no longer the wages of sin. The atoning death and victorious resurrection of Jesus Christ has forever changed the face of the last enemy. It has made death a friend to be embraced, unafraid. Death has now become the doorway to eternal life. It is a joyous thing, even a desirable thing.
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labour for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Philippians 1:21-24
For Paul, death is not the loss that most of us think it to be, rather it is a gain. Death is better, by far, not worse. Paul even goes so far as to say he finds it difficult to chose between the two. There is, of course blessing in a life of service to the Lord, but there is also blessing in death.
The paradox here is that while death is a blessing for the Christian, he must never seek death. The choice is to be left in God’s hands. We are to do everything we can to save and preserve life and then leave the final decision to God, as Paul did.
Sleep
- “Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.” 1 Thessalonians 4:13
Death is likened to falling asleep. When Stephen was stoned to death the Bible said he fell asleep. Acts 7:60 Picturing death as sleep suggests that to die is to be released from the cares, worries, anxieties and pains of this life. A great release from stress is to turn out the lights and sleep. One day God will turnout the lights and grant us eternal rest.
In Hebrews 4:1 the Bible speak to Christians about “the promise of entering His rest.” Just as Israel wandered in the wilderness while they awaited their inheritance in the Promised land, so too, the pilgrimage of the Christian will end on the day they die and enter into the land of rest, Heaven. Until that time we will continue to be faithful to God in what ever circumstances He places us in.
Departure
- “The time of my departure is at hand.” 2 Timothy 4:6
Paul speaks of his death as a departure. Do you ever anticipate leaving for a vacation? Have you ever felt that you can’t wait to get away from the daily grind or perhaps boredom of your life? For the believer death is such a departure, leaving for our true home.
Folding up a Tent
- “I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.” 2 Peter 1:13-14
Death is like folding up a tent. Have you ever gone backpacking or camping for any length of time? It is great fun but there comes a point where you are usually glad to pack up the tent and head home to a shower, running water, electricity, warmth or even, perhaps air-conditioning.
For the believer death is like packing up and going home; and what a home it is. Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you.” John 14:2 And Paul said, “Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.” 2 Corinthians 5:1
A tent isn’t made to last forever but the house that God has promised us is. We are to enjoy the tent for now while we are here, but, God has something much better in store for us. Remember, to die is gain.
Exodus
- “And I will make every effort to see that after my exodus you will always be able to remember these things.” 2 Peter 1:15
Peter chooses an interesting way to describe death. Think of Israel in bondage to Egypt. They were enslaved to cruel task-masters. The Exodus was the turning point from bondage to freedom. Their chains were broken and they were freed.
For believers the burdens of this life, the pressure to conform to this world, the slavery to our sinful nature, the temptations will all be gone in death. We will be granted freedom just as Israel left behind her oppressors in her Exodus.
For the Christian death is not something to be feared. Our Savior wants us to understand this foe that has been defeated and has given us pictures so that we can be comforted. Death is a blessing to be compared to sleep, or departing on a long awaited vacation. It is like folding up a tent and heading home. And it is like the Exodus, being released from slavery and being ushered into true freedom.
On his death bed, Oliver Cromwell, seeing his sad and weeping friends said, “Is there no one here who will praise the Lord?” He understood that Christ took the sting from death.
“The best moment of the Christian’s life is his last one, because it is the one that is nearest heaven. And then it is that he begins to strike the keynote of the song which he shall sing to all eternity.” Charles Spurgeon
Hymn: “There is a land of pure delight”
1 There is a land of pure delight,
where saints immortal reign;
infinite day excludes the night,
and pleasures banish pain.
2 There everlasting spring abides,
and never-withering flowers;
death, like a narrow sea, divides
that heavenly land from ours.
3 Sweet fields beyond the swelling flood
stand dressed in living green;
so to the Jews old Canaan stood,
while Jordan rolled between.
4 But timorous mortals start and shrink
to cross the narrow sea,
and linger shivering on the brink,
and fear to launch away.
5 O could we make our doubts remove,
those gloomy doubts that rise,
and see the Canaan that we love
with unbeclouded eyes;
6 Could we but climb where Moses stood,
and view the landscape o’er,
not Jordan’s stream, nor death’s cold flood,
should fright us from the shore
See Appendix: “See You In Paradise”
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