Romans 10: 16-17
16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (ESV)
Titles for the Christian Faith:
- Good News.
The Gospel tells us of the great achievements of God’s love. He has delivered us from ignorance and guilt and from bondage to sin through His Son Jesus Christ by His coming into the world, becoming our Teacher, the Lamb of God and our Mighty Protector. - Our Message.
Paul quoted Isaiah who prophesied the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ (Is. 53), speaking 700 years BC and is still speaking.
Our message is the only message in which God says: ‘No-one comes to the Father but through Me [Christ speaking].’ - The Word of Christ.
The Apostle Paul received revelation directly from Christ Himself – not second hand from other Disciples, e.g. the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 11:23-26).
We have the words of Christ – learn them and live them in this confused world.
The Fullness of God’s message:
Genesis 1-2: The one true and living God created everything and men and women in His image and likeness to live as such in His presence.
Gen. 3-4: We messed it up when Adam and Eve sinned. Like them, people hide from God.
Gen. 4 to Malachi: The age of the prophets in which God explained to people what He requires from them, saying that He would send the Messiah – reflected in the sacrificial system that He instituted.
Matthew to John: The message that the Messiah has appeared to take away the sins of God’s people – God becoming Man to give His life as a ransom for their redemption.
Acts to Jude: God gathering His people into congregations under appointed leaders. The message is taken from the congregations into the world. It is the only solution – stop looking elsewhere for it.
Revelation: The risen, ruling Lamb establishing His purpose to establish a new heaven and earth, confounding the Devil and all God’s enemies for all eternity!
The message of the Bible shall endure forever.
If we believe God’s Word we are saved, if we don’t then we are not.
There’s a reason why people hate the Church – it is God’s institution. The main problem with the world is that people are not receiving and obeying the Gospel.