Intro to the Gospel Story

Introduction

Welcome to 2021!

I’m excited about another month and another year we have to Serve the Lord.

What a privilege, what an honor, what a blessing, and what an amazing feeling it is to know that God allows us to be apart of the miracles He works in the peoples lives.

I don’t know what 2021 holds but I know who holds it and I’m going to trust in Him.

My preaching calendar has changed for this year in the last week or so. As I prayed over the direction God would have me to go with the messages I believe He guided me in a direction that I might not have chosen, but I believe will be best for our church.

I’m going to preach through the entire Bible this year. Now, It wont’ be verse by verse..there is simply not enough Sundays in a year for that. But we will be going from Genesis to Revelations with some pauses for guest speakers and special messages as the Lord leads.

We are going to be looking at the gospel story as it is told throughout the Bible. You see, the Bible has a common thread that connects each and every book and verse together…that thread is Jesus

John 5:46

John 5:46 KJV 1900

46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.

Luke 24:27

Luke 24:27 KJV 1900

27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

there are some others but I believe those two show us that Jesus Himself points back to the Old testament and speaks of Himself in the writings.

We are going to take this year and seek to see Jesus, in all of scripture. The messages will, as always contain practical application as well as spiritual understanding.

Teaching or preaching with out application is lecturing. Lecturing causes you to think…and you should think…teaching and preaching should bring you to action. Which is why we have a time of response where we respond to the Word of God and determine actions to take based upon the message. Because we want to follow the admonishment of James

James 1:22

James 1:22 KJV 1900

22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

So with that said, let’s jump in today.

Some of you may be reminded of a pop culture movie from the 80’s when I say the word “inconcievable.”

Can anyone here name the movie? The Princess Bride.

A humurous movie where there is one character who continually uses the word “inconceivable” when it’s not the word he needs to use.

Finally, another stand out line from the movie is uttered by none other than Inigo Montoya, the man seeking revenge for his fathers death. Inigo looks at the character in question and says

(image) “You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.”

Ever had someone use a word out of context? I believe this happens often in Christianity with the word Gospel.

In the Greek language the word we get Gospel from is

εὐαγγέλιον

euaggelion

yoo-ang-ghel'-ee-on

(All the above on the same slide)

It literally means

a good message, that is, the gospel: - gospel.

Now, there are many things in the Bible that we can call a good message. We can call the story of the Egyptians coming out of Egypt a good message. We can call the return from babylonian exile a good message.

We can call the calling of the 12, the day of pentecost, and the various miracles and stories of peoples lives changed in the New Testament good messages.

However, The Gospel in and of itself, is not all of these.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I’m a very literal person. I take many things at face value. I don’t try to read between the lines, I seek to always say what a mean and mean what I say. This is why I resonate with the Apostle Peter so much because he would often say or do things and then have to back track...

When I approach scripture I believe we should approach it in its literal, grammatically correct, and historical context. Thats where we get our definition of faith from. We get it from

Hebrews 11:1

Hebrews 11:1 KJV 1900

1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

We don’t have to redefine faith because it has been defined for us by God.

The same is true for The Gospel. The good news of Jesus. Paul Defines the Gospel in 1 Cor 13. Follow along with me

1 Cor 15 1-8

1 Corinthians 15:1–8 KJV 1900

1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

Let’s break this down.

Verse 1 Paul writes “I’m going to declare the gospel to you. I preached this to you, you received it, and now stand on the truth of it.

Verse 2, and this is an important statement, “By which ye are saved.” This gospel that Paul is about to declare is the gospel by which you are saved. He goes on to write “if your remember what I told you unless you just believed in vain”

Verse 3 1st, Christ died according to the scriptures. What scriptures? The Old Testament. We will see how throughout the Old Testament there are multiple passages that point to the death of Christ.

Verse 4: 2nd, He was buried. 3rd, He rose again the third day according to the scriptures. Again, According to the Old Testament.

Verse 5: 4th, He was seen.

There it is…The Gospel: The death, Burial, and Resurrection of Christ.

Why is it so important to make this distinction?

Because of verse 2: By which we are saved

Because of

Romans 1:16

Romans 1:16 KJV 1900

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

The gospel of Christ, the good news of Jesus’ death burial and resurrection is the power of God unto salvation.

Folks, there are many things we can disagree on. There are many things we can think differently about, but what brings salvation to the soul is not one of them.

Faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus is what brings salvation.

That is the Gospel. You may hear phrases of living the gospel, doing the gospel, and so on. Look, I’m not hear to rain on anyones parade but I will quote Inigo Montoya and say “You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.”

I believe we can live out the truths of the gospel because when you take the death burial and resurrection of Christ and break down His perfect life, substitutionary and atoning death, miraculous resurrection, and the implications of the 40 days he spent on earth after his resurrection before going back to Heaven with God, there are truths and points of application inside of those that should impact our lives. Why? Because we believe the gospel.

Again, not here to be your grammar police, but I do want to make sure we are aware of what we believe for salvation.

Today and this year I want you to know why understanding the Bible is important. Knowing what the Bible says is one thing, understanding it is another, and applying is a whole other level that I pray each of you will seek to get on throughout this year.

Now with the gospel defined, and all of that as introduction, lets turn over to Luke 24:13 where we find Jesus on the road to Emmaus.

Luke 24:13-35

Luke 24:13–35 KJV 1900

13 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. 14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened. 15 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. 16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. 17 And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? 18 And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? 19 And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: 20 And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. 21 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. 22 Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; 23 And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. 24 And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not. 25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. 28 And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. 29 But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. 30 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. 32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? 33 And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, 34 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. 35 And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.

Let’s Pray

See First that

1. Jesus is with you, even when you don’t see Him

We are beginning our exploration of scripture after the resurrection of Christ. We encounter two people walking on the road from Jeruslamen on the day of Jesus’ resurrection. They are on there way to Emmaus.

They left out of Jerusalem travelling together. Disciples of Christ in one of the darkest moments of their lives. One of them a man named Cleopas and the other is believed to be his wife. Can you imagine their walk on this road? Shoulders drooped over…head down…beaten and defeated by the death of the one they believed to be the Messiah.

Forgetting His promises, forgetting His miracles, not remembering His statements “I and the father are one,” and his talk of the tabernacle being destroyed and three days later being rebuilt.

Isn’t this a perfect picture of the American Christian going through trouble? You put your head down and go through a difficulty worried and troubled by the cares of this world, forgetting that Jesus said “He that is in you is greater than he that is in the world. I have overcome the world.”

You see, I don’t want to diminish the intelligence of this couple or you. Maybe they did remember what Jesus said. Maybe you do recall the psalms of David “Yea though I walk through the shadow of death I will fear no evil.”

Maybe you do remember Jesus promise to each of us to never leave nor forsake us.

See…that’s knowing the Bible. Knowing the Bible doesn’t help. I know..weird statement to hear a pastor make but follow me on this one. I can know 2+2=4 but if the time comes for me to get 4 apples at the store because my wife asked me too and I actually remembered it this time and I go over to the apple area and pick up 3 apples and 2 apples and say “Ok, I’ve got 4” then my knowledge of 2+2 doesn’t really help me does it?

I have to believe that 2+2=4. Because if I believe it, then I will behave like it.

If I believe

Psalm 9:1

Psalm 9:1 KJV 1900

1 I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.

Psalm 16:8

Psalm 16:8 KJV 1900

8 I have set the Lord always before me: Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

Then I will behave.

I see the problem with modern Christianity not being a lack of Bible knowledge. There are plenty of people who know the Bible and can quote it from memory…there is a lack of understanding and application. Why? Because many know it…but don’t believe it.

What you believe determines how you behave.

Whether you realize it or not, Jesus is with you even when you don’t see Him.

2. Without Biblical understanding, you cannot know Jesus

Look at verse 25 and those after it

Luke 24:25-27

Luke 24:25–27 KJV 1900

25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

I believe the Lord miraculously kept them from knowing who he was. And yet we also see here that Jesus calls them fools.

The word for fool that means exactly what you think it means. One who lacks understanding. Then slow of heart is speaking of how slow they are to believe what the Prophets had spoke.

How David in Psalms and the Prophet Isaiah both spoke of the resurrection of Christ.

He goes on to expound upon what they knew and help them to understand and see Himself throughout the Bible.

We can be reasonably sure that this couple is Jewish. They were at Jerusalem for the Passover and are now leaving. They would have been raised being taught the torah. They would have known the Psalms of David and the Proverbs of Solomon. They would have been told about the Babylonian exile and the return. They would know the story of Jonah and his deliverance from the whales belly.

They would have known about all of those things. But it’s apparent they didn’t understand them.

I believe what was done to this couple is the same thing we have done to our youth for a number of years. We provide them with biblcal knowledge. We ask them to memorize the words of a verse so they can repeat it to us and gain a badge. We challenge our teenagers with scripture like “honor thy mother and father” “Obey your parents in the Lord for this is right” yet we forget that just knowing what the Bible says doesn’t bring about heart change.

It has to be understood so that it can be believed. It’s hard to believe something you don’t understand. A believer who has lived as a Christian many years can find the faith much easier to believe the Bible without understanding than a new believer, than a child.

We are called to have a childlike faith yet so many of us want more. Is it wrong to seek understanding of scripture? No. Is it wrong to not believe parts of the Bible because you don’t understand? Yes. Should we blindly beleive everything I say? No. Should you, like the Bereans in acts, search the scriptures to understand them better? YES.

Why? Because without biblical understanding you cannot know Jesus. Because you must believe the Bible to be true. Not just know what it says but believe what is written. You must believe that the words of these 66 books can all be prefaced with “Thus saith the Lord...”

It’s when biblical knowledge is upgraded to biblical understanding that our relationship with Jesus is made whole. Because we know longer just know what He said…we understand and we believe. We have faith.

The disciples asked for their faith to be increased and Jesus told about the faith of a grain of mustard seed, and thats important, but too often you focus on the mustard seed and miss the story of the servant.

Luke 17:5-10

Luke 17:5–10 KJV 1900

5 And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. 6 And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you. 7 But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? 8 And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? 9 Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. 10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

Let’s break that down. The Apostles said “Lord, increase our faith” Jesus said “if you had the faith of a mustard seed you move a tree to the sea”

Then he tells a parable about a servant serving his master.

Jesus tells the disciples when the servant has done all that he was commanded does the master thank Him? I trow not…I think not.

He tells Him to keep serving and then He can eat.

I could be wrong on this one but I read this and see no break in conversation. No redirection to a different point of application. I don’t believe Jesus was as ADD as I am when it comes to conversation and is going off on another tangent unrelated to the question asked of Him.

So what’s the point of bringing up the servant when He was asked about faith?

We are God’s servants by choice.

When we are living by faith and not by sight, we are serving. What if the servant just said “master, I know what you said....but I didn’t believe you?” How would that go?

biblical understanding is knowing what the Lord says in His word and then applying it…also known as living by faith or wisdom. I believe wisdom is the application of knowledge and understanding.

When you understand the Bible, you will know Jesus. The question is do you seek understanding or just knowledge?

3. When you know Jesus, you will have a desire for others to know Him.

Luke 24:31-35

Luke 24:31–35 KJV 1900

31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. 32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? 33 And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, 34 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. 35 And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.

Their eyes were opened to who Jesus was and then they went to tell others about Him. This sequence of events is common throughout the Bible.

Why do we not tell others about Jesus more? Why do we not share the gospel with people? I’m afraid it’s because too many Christians have a surface level understanding of Jesus. Their Christianity is a mile wide and an inch deep.

Is that you this morning? You know what the Bible says but you couldn’t say you understand or apply it?

You believe in Jesus but you don’t know Him. You know what He said but your not sure you believe it all. That’s a hard thing to admit. But as many of you know, actions speak louder than words.

This is a new year. Many of have made resolutions or promises to themselves. I challenge you as individuals this year. Make a promise to God to not just know His word more, but to understand it and Him. To make Him known but telling people…Come and see. Come and see what God as done for me.

Come and see what the Lord is doing at my church. Come and see the great things the Lord has done and is doing.

Before you can tell others about Him…you must know Him.

Time of Response

Christians, do you know Him? Most of us could say we don’t know Him as well as we would like. Will you commit to know Him more? Will you commit to serve Him by faith as the servant in the parable?

Who here would say today I commit to seeking understanding so that I can live by faith in Jesus this year?

Do you know Him? Do you believe Jesus is the Son of God and died for your sins?

Are you here this morning or listening online and not sure if this was your last year on earth you would go to Heaven?

The Bible says that when we believe by faith in Jesus, we are saved.

John 3:16 KJV 190016 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.

God does love you. Loves you so much He sent Jesus to die for you.

Now you are faced with a decision…will you continue finding salvation in your own works or in the finished work of Christ?

Ephesians 2:8–9 KJV 19008 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Your first have to admit your sinner

Romans 3:23 KJV 190023 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

I’m sure each of us could do that.Next you believe

Romans 10:9 KJV 19009 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Then confess. Confess Jesus as your Savior and call out to Him

Romans 10:13 KJV 190013 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

IF you’d like to do that today I’d like to help.

“Dear Jesus, I know I’m a sinner, I believe you came to die on the cross and rose from the dead. I put my faith right now in you and ask you to come into my life and change me from the inside out. Amen.”

Christians, let’s stop trying to know what the Bible says and start believing what the Lord has written so we can behave according to our faith in Him and His Word.

PRAY