Faithful to the Gospel (Urbana 84)
page 1 of 4by George McKinney
read more Urbana 84 talks.
About George McKinney (as of 1984).
The challenge we face is to be doers of the gospel, not just speakers only. As doers of the gospel we are in the unique position of proclaiming and handling the only Word of life.
This talk has been put on four pages for ease of use. This is
the first page.
Click to go to page:1 2 3
4 next
>>
The gospel of God, the gospel of the kingdom, is the greatest truth ever revealed. "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" (Jn 3:16 KJV). This reveals the profundity and the greatness and the glory of the gospel of God. This passage teaches the is-ness of God, his pervasive presence. This scripture shows God's love for the world that he created, the world that is now in rebellion, and explains that his purpose in loving this world is to redeem, to buy back, to bring back into fellowship those whom he loves that whosoever believeth in the Son of God, Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, should not be wasted, but should have eternal life.
The Breadth of the Gospel
Without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
1 Tim 3:16 KJV
This beautiful hymn recorded by Paul seems to summarize the major doctrines of the gospel. In the first clause there is a clear statement of the doctrine of the Incarnation: that God became man, that "the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth" Jn 1:14 KJV).
This summary of the gospel in 1 Timothy also teaches that Jesus was "justified," approved of God in the Spirit. Jesus, the Son of God, the Savior of the world, was the God-man. He was truly God and truly man. There was no guile found in his mouth. He was without sin, and he was approved and accepted by God who sent him.
"He was seen of angels." Here we catch a glimpse of angelology. At the birth of Jesus, an angelic choir assembled in heaven's choir loft and made an announcement that Jesus, the Savior of the world, was being born. He was seen of angels in the Garden of Gethsemane, and he was strengthened by their presence in ministry. Angels also attended his ascension as he was "received up into glory."
The gospel is not only a profound truth, the greatest truth, a truth that teaches us much, but it is also an active truth. Jesus, the living Word, enters into a little synagogue in the city of Nazareth on the sabbath and proceeds to read from the scroll the Scripture lesson from Isaiah for the day. And as he begins to read, he stands and proclaims,
the Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable, year of the Lord.
Lk 4:18-19 RSV
Jesus here gives us a clear statement that the gospel is not simply for theological discussion. It is not simply a great revealed truth to provide material for those who desire to write doctoral dissertations. Somehow it must change our hearts so that, like Jesus, we will know that we are under the anointing of God and are called to proclaim that life-changing truth to the poor, to the blind, to the captives, to the bruised and to all who are imprisoned by doubt and sin and darkness.
This talk has been put on four pages for ease of use. This is
the first page.
Click to go to page:1 2 3
4 next
>>
Unless otherwise noted, all materials on the urbana.org web site are Copyright InterVarsity Christian Fellowship / USA. All rights reserved.
Print
Email
Comments
Be the first one to add a comment.
To post a comment, please login or register