Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Different Gospels
Intro.
1. Paul was set for the defense of the gospel, Phil. 1:17.
2. We are to be ready to give a reasoned defense of our gospel hope, 1 Pet. 3:15 (to enemies of the gospel).
3. The gospel is the good news of Jesus and salvation from sin, Rom. 1:16 (Eph. 1:13). It is a revelation from God, Rom. 1:17.
4. Some are confused and spread error about what the gospel is:
a. Only life, death, burial, resurrection, and exaltation of Jesus. But, gospel includes sound doctrine, 1 Tim. 1:10-11.
b. Only for and preached to lost. But, Rom. 1:15; 1 Thess. 2:9; 3:2.
c. Added many things to the gospel never found in the NT.
I. THE GOSPEL IN THE NEW TESTAMENT, 1 Cor. 15:1-2.
A. Source and Subject of the Gospel.
1. Of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Mark 1:1.
2. Of God, Rom. 1:1; 15:16.
3. Of His Son, Rom. 1:9.
4. Of Christ, Rom. 1:16; 15:19, 29.
5. Of our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 Thess. 1:8.
6. Of the blessed God, 1 Tim. 1:11.
B. Nature of the Gospel.
1. One (“the”), exclusive, singular, Rom. 1:16; 10:16 (Eph. 4:5).
2. Of the kingdom, Matt. 4:23.
3. Of the kingdom of God, Mark 1:14.
4. Of the grace of God, Acts 20:24.
5. Of the glory of Christ, 2 Cor. 4:4 (glorious, 1 Tim. 1:11).
6. Of peace, Rom. 10:15; Eph. 6:15.
7. Everlasting, Rev. 14:6.
8. The faith, Gal. 1:11, 23.
9. Hope of the gospel, Col. 1:5, 23.
10. Truth of the gospel, Gal. 2:14 (Col. 1:5).
C. This Gospel was:
1. Preached by the apostles:
a. By revelation, Gal. 1:11-12.
b. Our gospel, 2 Cor. 4:3.
c. My gospel, Rom. 2:16; 16:25.
2. Preached to the world (all nations, Mark 13:10; Col. 1:23):
a. To you, 1 Cor. 15:1; 1 Pet. 1:25.
b. The uncircumcised and the circumcised, Gal. 2:7.
3. Heard throughout the world, Col. 1:23 (faith, Rom. 10:17).
II. CHANGING THE GOSPEL IS CONDEMNED, Gal.1:6-10; 1 Cor. 4:6.
A. Different (Perverted) Gospels We Never Read of in the NT.
1. Social gospel (although saints ate together). John 18:36; 1 Cor. 11:22, 34.
2. Medical mission gospel (although Dr. Luke traveled with Paul), 1 Tim. 5:23; 2 Tim. 4:20.
3. Community food pantry gospel (although saints fed each other), Acts 6:1-6; 1 Tim. 5:16.
4. Prosperity gospel:
a. “At its core, the health-and-wealth gospel teaches that God rewards increasing levels of faith with greater amounts of wealth. In other words, wealth and holiness are intrinsically and linearly connected: the more holy you are, the richer you will be” (What Is the Prosperity Gospel?, Dr. Andrew Spencer).
b. cf. Apostles, 1 Cor. 4:11-13 (Did they lack sufficient faith?)
5. Youth ministry gospel (although young people were Christians in NT), Eph. 6:4.
6. Church counseling gospel:
-Highland Church of Christ: “The Highland Counseling Center was opened with the purpose of providing accessible and affordable mental, emotional, and relational help for Highland members and the community of Abilene.”
a. Spiritual, emotional, relational health taught in gospel, Phil. 4:4-9 (no local church counseling centers in NT).
b. Gospel teaching is not a “counseling” session; Instruction session of God’s word (Matt. 28:20; 2 Tim. 2:2).
Conclusion
1. The gospel, once for all delivered, is sufficient to save and direct our lives, Jude 3.
2. Different gospels condemn; only the gospel of Jesus saves, Acts 4:12 (2 Thess. 1:8).
By: Joe R. Price
Posted February 10, 2022