THE GOSPEL IS GOOD NEWS
August 22, 1999 AM
Sermon Outline
Lk 2:8-11
INTRO: During the preaching of a sermon with which she was growing exasperated, a lady wrote these words on a piece of paper and held it up for a lady behind her to see: But the gospel is good news. Now, I am not certain of the sermon topic, but I am certain of the event noted. In a conversation I did learn that the preacher was speaking of Gods commandments and the need for obedience.
I. BUT THE GOSPEL ISGOOD NEWS!
A. Yes, that is true
1. Lk 2:10 ... good tidings ... - gospel
2. what the shepherds heard was the culmination of hundreds of years of preparation
3. 1 Pet 1:19-21
B. Lk 2:25-32 No better news could there be!
1. most news (good or bad) has a completely earthly limitation
2. here is good news which goes into eternity
3. we should rejoice, too, that the savior has come and that we can be recipients of the salvation He brought and made possible
II. DOES GOSPEL END WITH AN ANNOUNCEMENT?
A. Notice Mk 1:14,15 ...gospel of the kingdom
1. now, remember gospel is good news
2. but here is repentance! belief!
3. does this suggest that one may have to confront something unpleasant as a result of this good news?
4. 2 Cor 7:10 godly sorrow has the sound of something which involves discomfort
5. so, good news, yes - but we cannot just put the announcement in a frame and simply admire its aesthetic qualities
B. And, 2 Thes 1:7,8 ... that obey not the gospel ...
1. remember, the gospel is good news
2. but here is obedience!
3. obey certainly suggests that there is some revealed commandment - clearly, without this obedience the good news has no efficacy in our lives!
4. how does this line up with Mk 16:15,16? does this suggest (insist) there is more required in gospel than happiness because of the good news?
5. yes, there are in the broad scope of the gospel commandments to obey
C. Then, 2 Tim 1:8 ... afflictions of the gospel ...
1. remember, the gospel is good news
2. but here are afflictions resulting from it
3. Phil 2:7-11 this sounds very heavy to me
4. our commitment to the gospel requires a willingness to put everything second to the Lord and His way - and to suffer joyfully any consequences which result
5. I wonder if we have so rationalized that we can rejoice in the announcement while really making no sacrifices for the sake of the gospel?
D. Or, 1 Pet 4:17 ...judgment must begin ...
1. vv.16-19 ... what shall be the end ... and ...commit the keeping
of their souls...
2. yes, the gospel is good news
3. yet, here is the gospel in a text that refers to judgment
4. commitment would be/will be tested by unpleasant things ... our hope? obey the gospel and commit to God in well doing
CLOSE: My point herein has not been to discourage our happiness in the gospel. Rather, it has been to enlarge our view of the gospel to very practical matters which are part and parcel of the gospel. Have you obeyed the gospel?
Cecil A. Hutson
22 August 1999