Scripture Reading: Revelation 22:12-17
The Gospel Invitation
(Revelation 22:12-17)
Intro.
1. There was a
time when you did not hear a gospel sermon without it being punctuated
by a gospel invitation.
2. Now, some brethren say offering a “gospel invitation” is “church of
Christ tradition” and have stopped offering them.
3. It is unquestionably true that Jesus and His apostles invited people to
believe and obey the gospel, Matt. 11:28;
Acts 2:40.
-This makes it apostolic tradition, 2 Thess.
2:15 (3:1);
1 Cor. 11:2.
4. The Lord offers His gospel invitation to all,
Rev. 22:12-17.
5. The Biblical case that the gospel invitation is apostolic tradition, not “church of Christ” tradition.
I. THE GOSPEL INVITATION REFLECTS AN UNDERSTANDING OF CHRIST’S RETURN,
Rev. 22:12.
A. Jesus Will Return, Acts 1:9-11;
2 Thess. 1:9-10.
-Quickly - “Without delay” – Assured, Rev.
22:12.
B. Jesus Will Return to Judge All Men,
Rev. 22:12.
1. Everyone according to his works, 2 Cor. 5:10.
2. Impartially and completely, Rom. 2:6-11.
-In view of the coming judgment, we urgently invite and implore
sinners to believe and obey the gospel to be saved and to be ready for that day.
II. THE GOSPEL INVITATION IS BASED ON JESUS AND WHO HE IS,
Rev. 22:13,
16.
A. Jesus is Eternal God,
Rev. 22:13.
1. Alpha and Omega, Rev. 1:8 (the
Almighty), 1:11 (first in rank, protos
and last, the only one).
2. The Beginning and End - (arche: cause, chief cause, origin
of all things). Creator and Consummator of all, Jno.
1:1-3; Col. 1:16-18.
B. Jesus is the Savior (Jesus: “Savior,” Jehovah saves),
Rev. 22:16.
1. Root and offspring of Jesse, Isa.
11:1-2 (Rom. 1:3). Messiah, King
2. The bright and morning star, Lk.
1:76-79. Brightness, beauty, harbinger of new (eternal) day; He is the
Way (Jno. 14:6).
-In view of who Jesus is, we urgently invite and implore sinners to
believe and obey His gospel to receive eternal life from Christ (Rev.
22:17).
III. THE GOSPEL INVITATION EXHORTS MAN TO OBEY TO BE SAVED,
Rev. 22:14.
A. Those Who Obey are Blessed.
1. Obedient have a right to the tree of life,
Rev. 22:1-5 (Rev.
2:7, 5).
2. Obedient are cleansed of sin and enter eternal city,
Rev. 22:14-15;
21:2,
26-27.
3. Obedience to the gospel is necessary to be eternally saved,
Matt. 7:21; Heb.
5:9; 1 Pet. 4:17-18.
-In view of the blessings of obedience, we urgently invite and
implore sinners to believe and obey the gospel.
IV. THE GOSPEL INVITATION WARNS SINNERS OF THEIR ETERNAL DOOM, Rev. 22:15.
A. A Day
of Wrath and Righteous Judgment,
Rom. 2:2-5.
B. Eternal Punishment, 2 Thess. 1:8-9.
(hell)
-In view of the eternal punishment of sin, we urgently invite and
implore sinners to believe and obey the gospel.
V. THE GOSPEL INVITATION MUST ALWAYS BE OFFERED BECAUSE SALVATION IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE, Rev. 22:17.
A. God and
His Saints Appeal to Sinners to “Come,”
Col. 1:28.
B. All Who Thirst for Salvation Will Come and
Be Saved, Jno. 7:37-38; cf.
Rom. 10:13, 16-17.
-In view of the constant availability of salvation, we urgently invite and implore sinners to believe and obey the gospel.
Conclusion
1. The
apostles handed down the tradition of inviting and imploring sinners to
reconciled to God, 2 Cor. 5:20. We follow
their tradition by doing the same today. By doing so we establish no new church
of Christ tradition.
2. We must always offer the Lord’s invitation whenever we teach the gospel,
Rom. 10:13-14.
3. Having heard the gospel, we invite you to come to Jesus and be saved,
Matt. 11:28; Rev.
22:17.
By: Joe R. Price
Posted: October 7, 2019