Our Glorious Gospel

Answers For Today ^ | Chuck Smith

[P-Marlowe]

 

 

18. Our Glorious Gospel

When Jesus began His public ministry, He went into the synagogue in His hometown of Nazareth. He was handed the Scriptures. He turned to the Book of Isaiah and read this portion to them:

The spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord (Isaiah 61:1-2a).

After reading it, Jesus closed the book and said, "This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears" (Luke 4:16-21).

Jesus closed the book after the reading, but Isaiah's prophecy doesn't stop there. Let's read on.

And the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, that garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified (v. 2b-3).

The glorious "good tidings" that we proclaim to you today is God's glorious message to man. In a world filled with so much misery, strife, and trouble, it's good to hear some good news for a change.

Message for the Meek

Reading the newspapers or watching the news on TV gives a sad commentary upon man's existence. Oh, how ready we are for some good news! The Gospel is good news, but who is it for?

In reading from Isaiah, Jesus declared, "The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach good tidings," the Gospel "unto the meek." The Gospel is for the meek, those who are conscious of their inadequacies and needs and are reaching out for help. The best way to understand the word "meek" is to separate it: me...ek. When I realize how "eeky" I am, I know what meek is all about. The Gospel is for those who recognize their need for something more, who are dissatisfied with their current status, who desire a better life.

Many people today are very satisfied with their lives. They're satisfied with their possessions and situations. The Gospel isn't for them. Other people today are extremely proud of themselves. The Gospel isn't for them, either.

The Gospel Message

What does the Gospel do? First, it is meant "to bind up the brokenhearted." We've seen Valentine's Day cards that show broken hearts. Sometimes the heart is broken through the middle and sometimes it is totally fractured. Our hearts often break because of unreciprocated love. We have a deep love for another, but it's not received and accepted. This causes our hearts to break. I wonder how many times God's heart is broken over us.

Our hearts often break over our own failures and weaknesses. We promise ourselves that we'll do certain things, but we don't seem to be capable of achieving them. So, we experience heartbreak over our inadequacies. Our desire to be what we apparently can't be and to achieve what apparently is beyond our capacity causes personal heartbreak.

The Gospel has come to bind up the brokenhearted, to let us know that we can be what God would have us to be. The good news is that we can achieve, attain, and experience a love that flows and flows and doesn't quit. The second thing that the Gospel does is "to proclaim liberty to the captives." Paul spoke of those who had fallen in the snares of the devil and had been taken captive by the devil against their will (II Timothy 2:26). Many people today have fallen into the snare of the devil and have been taken captive by the devil against their own will. In another passage Paul referred to those "who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage" (Hebrews 2:15).

We often use the term "free moral agent," but it's almost a misnomer. To say that a man is a free moral agent when he cannot help but do the things he does is a contradiction. If some compelling force is driving you to do things even when you don't want to do them, you're not free. You're a captive.

Sin often comes to you with a sugar-coated covering. You taste it and "Wow!" you plunge right into it. After the sugar is gone, you taste the bitter portion and try to spit it out. But now it's lodged in your throat and you can't get rid of it. If you're controlled by a cigarette habit or if you've got to have a drink, don't tell me you're a free moral agent. You're a captive - and the bitterness is just pouring into your system.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ has come to set free those who are captive. He can break every snare and deliver men from all the bondage of corruption that has held them in its power.

The third thing the Gospel does is "the opening of the prison to them that are bound." Today the Gospel will open the prison that you find yourself in.

When we were in Ecuador, the missionaries told us that if we get involved in a car accident, even if it's not our fault, the best thing to do is to go immediately to the airport and catch the next plane out of the country. When you're involved in an accident down there, guilty or innocent, you'll land in jail. You have to stay in jail until you can prove you're innocent, but you may not get a court date for five years. And in Ecuador they don't feed the prisoners. Someone on the outside has to feed you or you'll starve to death. And that's one of the nicer things about the jails.

I've also heard about the Mexican jails. If you get thrown in, your influence in the United States doesn't mean anything to the judge. They say the best thing is to stay out, because once you're in, you're really in. I don't know how true that is, but I don't want to experiment to find out.

Let's say that you're in jail in Mexico. You've tried every way to get out. You've written to the Mexican government, the American consulate, the UN. You've done everything, and you've finally concluded that you're not going to get out. So now you want to escape. Someone comes along and says, "I have a friend who can get you out."

"How can your friend get me out? Man, I've tried everything."

"He can."

"What makes you so sure?"

"He's freed thousands of others." Really! What do I have to do?"

"Just trust him." "But how's he going to do it?"

"I don't know. He has his own ways. But I know he can."

"But if I don't know how he does it, I'm not sure I want to trust him."

"It's your choice, friend. Either rot in jail or take a chance."

We find ourselves in the prison of our own lust and sin. The good news comes that there's One who can deliver us, set us free, open the doors of the prison and liberate us. But we've got to put our trust in Him completely. We've got to commit ourselves totally into His hands, trusting that He can do what He has promised. We can be assured that He's already delivered thousands out of that same jail. He has set multitudes free from the bondage of sin. He can set you free today from your prison, if you'll give Him a chance.

There is an urgency in this Gospel of Jesus Christ. "...To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." Though the Lord is offering you this freedom today, His offer is subject to withdrawal at any time. You see, Jesus Christ is under no obligation to save you at all. He doesn't owe you anything. His offer comes to you strictly because He is so good and loving that He hates to see you in a mess. So He offers to set you free.

However, this offer will be withdrawn - just when, we don't know. God told Noah, "My spirit shall not always strive with man" (Genesis 6:3). If you reject His offer today, you can't be sure whether the offer will be good tomorrow. "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation" (II Corinthians 6:2). "Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near" (Isaiah 55:6). "Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them" (Ecclesiastes 12:1).

We proclaim to you "the acceptable year of the Lord." "Now is the accepted time." Now is the time for you to receive this glorious Gospel. Now is the time for you to be set free.

There is coming a "day of vengeance of our God" (Isaiah 61:2). His offer will then be withdrawn and men shall experience nothing but what they justly deserve for their sins: the "day of vengeance of our God."

The Gospel Power

What will the Gospel do for you? Verse 3 reads: "to give unto them beauty for ashes..." I love the power of the Gospel! I've seen the effects of the Gospel, and I've seen it bring beauty for ashes. Some people are burned out, wasted, and destroyed. I've seen the Spirit of God take those burned-out lives and remake, remold, and reshape them into new and beautiful men and women.

I think of Mike MacIntosh, the pastor of our church in San Diego. When Mike first came to church, he was totally burned-out. He had taken so much acid and speed that he thought a bag was over his head and a .45 pistol was going off inside his brain. He would hear the explosion over and over. As I watched this handsome but totally burned-out young man, I wondered if he would ever recover from the damage done to his brain cells. I saw God take these ashes and begin to work with them - mold, shape, and change. I saw God restore Mike's wife and children. I saw God restore all that he had lost through his own folly.

Today, I see that beautiful young man standing before a glorious congregation in San Diego, with the glow of Jesus on his face and the love of Christ radiating from his life. I realize the power of the Gospel gives "beauty for ashes."

"The oil of joy for mourning" (Isaiah 61:3). Many people today find themselves in deep depression and sorrow of heart, grieved not only over themselves and their inadequacies, failures, and inabilities to cope, but with all of society. Our glorious Gospel gives "the oil of joy for mourning." It will lift your life from depression, sorrow, despair, and despondency to joy and hope.

The Gospel will also give you "the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness" (Isaiah 61:3). Jesus said, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy leaden..." (Matthew 11:28). If the burden you're carrying is heavier than you can bear, if you feel pressed down by life and by your circumstances, our glorious Gospel will fill your heart and life with praises unto God. How glorious to see people who once wallowed in the dejection and hopelessness of this world now walk with a spring in their steps, a smile on their faces, and the garment of praise covering their lives. That's the elect of this glorious Gospel.

The Gospel Glory

What is the purpose of the Gospel? That we "might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified" (Isaiah 61:3). God has done His work so that we might glorify Him. "To God be the glory, great things He hath done." As we see lives change - men and women set free and remade through the power of Jesus Christ, born again by the Spirit of God - we give glory to God for His work. These hopeless lives are now "trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord." The changes are God's work wrought in them, and there is no other explanation for it.

So often a man who has fought against alcoholism has been defeated by it. His life is burned out, and he's now an outcast. You see him in the street in his pitiful condition. He has cried out for help. His family has tried to help him. But finally everyone has given up, and we call him a bum. As the power of the Gospel touches the ashes of his life and begins to turn him around, it changes and sets him free. The Gospel liberates him from that prison and makes of him a glorious person, beautiful to behold, a tower of strength within the community.

Only the Gospel can do that, and only God can be glorified for it. That's the purpose of the Gospel.

The Gospel Truth

You ask, "Just what is the Gospel, the good news?" Just this: Though you have failed and sinned, God loves you. God loves you so much that He sent His Son to set you free from your prison. If you'll put your trust completely in Him, He'll free you today, change your life, and make you what God wants you to be.

We have a glorious Gospel, but there's only one difficulty. To be effective it has to be applied. A fellow once asked a minister, "If your Gospel is so great, why isn't everyone a Christian?" The pastor responded, "If soap is so good, why isn't everyone clean?" Does the fact of dirty people testify against the value of soap? No. It works, but you have to apply it.

Have you?

 

 

[Corin Stormhands]

Perhaps now would be a good time for you to go back and rethink your doctrine.

Actually Woody, I do that a lot. And perhaps I often speculate outloud. It's a tried and true method that has worked for centuries..."What about this?"..."No?"..."Then what about this?"

But you, rather than wanting to talk through a particular concept just have to be a smartass about all of it.

How many times have I said it before? You guys could have these conversations without being jerks. I know you could.

But you won't.

So don't bother. Go wash yourself of the "Arminian stench"...no wait.

You can't do that either.

[P-Marlowe]

I am washed in Christ.

How do you know?

Objectively, how can I know that you have met whatever requirements there are to be elect?

On what basis do you claim to have been washed in Christ?

[CCWoody]

The pastor responded, "If soap is so good, why isn't everyone clean?" Does the fact of dirty people testify against the value of soap? No. It works, but you have to apply it.. ~ cite from article

Ok, we need to clarify for Corin why his understanding of this verse is wrong.

But who may abide the day of his comming? and who shall endure, when he appeareth? for he is like a purging fire, and like fullers sope. And he shall sit downe to trye and fine the siluer: he shall euen fine the sonnes of Leui and purifie them as golde and siluer, that they may bring offerings vnto the Lord in righteousnesse.
(Mal 3:2-3 GB)

First of all, the LORD Himself claims to be the one to "purify them" so this "you have to apply it" is nothing but fantasy land theology.

Secondly, the refiner fire is a rather sobering analogy of what a silversmith does to remove the filth from the silver. Please note that this is not making an analogy to lost people in need of salvation. This is nothing less than an analogy of the visible Church, which contains both silver and dross. The LORD himself claims that he will purge His church by removing the dross with fire.

Third, the beginning of the verse makes it clear that this is a reference to the coming of the Lord with fire. Well, from the New Testament, we know that the Parousia will be with a purging fire that will utterly destroy the Lord's own enemies.

There is simply no way that this verse can be used to support the Arminian contention that "you have to apply [the soap]" yourself. It is nothing less than the Arminian projecting his doctrinal manure onto the Scriptures and forcing them to say what he thinks they ought to say.

The "soap" clearly is good enough to clean everyone. The Arminian is just so anthroprocentric in his user friendly diety that he can't see that there are some whom the Lord fully intends to burn. They were actually created to this end. See Proberbs 16:4 for starters.

Malachi's gospel is that the Lord fully intends to purge His church of the dross. This is also John the Baptist's gospel, which he preached in advance of the coming of the glorious Administration of the Messiah, the kingdom of God:

[The Lord Jesus] hath his fanne in his hand, and wil make cleane his floore, and gather his wheate into his garner, but will burne vp the chaffe with vnquenchable fire.
(Mat 3:12 GB)

When the Lord entered this world, He already had the winnowing fan in His hand. Even now, He is threshing, gathering His wheat into His barn and seperating us from the chaff, which will be burned with "unquenchable fire." This is the glorious gospel John preached. Therefore, he advises: "Repent, for the kingdom is at hand."

Woody.

[Corin Stormhands]

I'm done with you Woody. Not reading anymore of your posts. Stench to you that I am, that should make you happy.

Gamecock has been quite civil in his disagreement. You could learn something.

But we all know you won't.

xzins was right. There's no use talking to you.

Rant on. You have nothing worthwhile to say.

[xzins]

There is no verse that says, "sinful man doesn't know what he needs." At least no one has posted one.

Therefore, it is a derived doctrine, not an explicit one.

It is derived from verses that say man is totally sinful and cannot please God. It does not necessarily follow that "sinful man doesn't know what he needs."

It possibly does, but not of necessity. There is a verse that says that men can "by nature" do the law of God within their hearts. Paul says the law of God is "just, good, and holy."

[xzins]

toljaso...:>)

[RochesterFan]

So, then, are you saying that your definition of total depravity allows that humans can behave with outward morality in accordance with the law?

As far as I'm aware, that's consistent with the historical Calvinist position.

Jude is correct. This is one reason I prefer the term "radical depravity." Natural man is not as bad as he could be. Not all natural men are pedophiles, cannibals. or mass murderers... Most love their wives and children. Yet, every aspect of the natural man's character is affected by sin, including the will and the intellect. Most importantly, the natural man is a rebel who wants to be God. This is one of the reason that the LDS offer of being a god on another planet is attractive to many. It is "Battlestar Galactica" theology... On the series the "spirit beings" told the humans "As you are we once were; as we are you may become." Just what a natural man wants to hear.

[nobdysfool]

If you were blind but then miraculously received eyesight from God, would the seeing be yours or Gods? Would you bitch to God about forcing you to see?

To be logically consistent, they'd have to, if it was obvious (and it would be in this example) that it was God who did it and not man. That's the one question I've never seen any Arminian ever answer. Even if God DID "force" a man to be saved, what would be so bad about that? When you consider the benefits of salvation against the alternative, how could it be a bad thing? But they act like little children, and whine and cry "But I wanted to do it! It's not fair! I wanted to do it! MOMMY!!! God's not being fair! He saved me but I wanted to do it!" (Stamps foot and stalks off in a huff)

[nobdysfool]

Well, Check this post. Not one member of the swarm has denounced it.

Oh, I see...if we don't do a pre-emptive critique of every last thing any Calvinist or Calvinist-friendly writer has ever written, said, or published, then if you happen to find something like this, you automatically assume that we must - defacto - believe it, teach it, and hold to it as inviolable doctrine? Your motivation in posting it is not to gain knowledge, or clear up a misunderstanding, your motivation is to use it as a club to bash Calvinists, no matter how much we may try to clarify or even tell you that we don't hold to that. You won't hear it, because you think you have trumped us with that. What an utterly stupid attitude!

I'm laughing at the "superior" intellect.

And just for the record, I don't know of any other Calvinist who would teach that, because it is inconsistent with Calvinist teaching. One might meditate on his past sins, AFTER he is saved, but never before.

[Corin Stormhands]

Therefore, it is a derived doctrine, not an explicit one.

I am not even sure it's a "doctrine" xzins. But, in spite of the way it's been perverted this afternoon, this is what I'm trying to say:

No man is complete without God.

All sinful (unregenerate, natural) men are incomplete. There is a void within.

Sinful man seeks to fill that void.

Sinful man does not know ~or admit~ he needs God, so he seeks other things to fill that void ~ sex, drugs, alcohol, stamp collecting, FreeRepublic ~ whatever.

It is human nature to want to be or have something. What that something is varies with each individual.

Some of those things may bring temporal pleasure or fulfillment. But they will never fill the void that is within all men.

Only God can.

So I would say that the chief and highest end of every man is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy him forever.

Not all will.

Is that really such a bizarre concept?

[Corin Stormhands]

Your motivation in posting it is not to gain knowledge, or clear up a misunderstanding, your motivation is to use it as a club to bash Calvinists, no matter how much we may try to clarify or even tell you that we don't hold to that.

Your motivation in posting it is not to gain knowledge, or clear up a misunderstanding, your motivation is to use it as a club to bash Arminians, no matter how much we may try to clarify or even tell you that we don't hold to that.

Not accusing you nbf. But this kinda stuff ought to stop on both sides.

[nobdysfool]

For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and [their] thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) (Rom 2:14-15)

I went ahead and posted the rest of it. If the Law condemns the Jews, and the Gentiles do by nature the things contained in the Law, then the Gentiles, in trying to live up those things, are also condemned. That's the point Paul is trying to make here. Jew or Gentile, Law or natural understanding, ALL are guilty, ALL have sinned, and ALL will be judged accordingly. Why are you trying to turn this into some sort of justification for man? The Law condemns him, Jew or Gentile! That which is written on their hearts is enough to damn them all to Hell! Rather than undermining Total Depravity, this passage affirms it!

[Gamecock]

I've told you before.

But in the Marlownian heresy the only way to salvation is through Chuck Smith.

(Oh I can hear the wailing an gnashing of teeth! I called your doctrine heretical. Never mind that you accuse me of being a reprobate. Go ahead PM (or one of your minions). press the abuse button.)

Anyway, by your standards, I am lost!

Sigh.

I guess at the moment of my judgment I will just have to rely on Christ. </sarcasm>

[P-Marlowe]

(Oh I can hear the wailing an gnashing of teeth! I called your doctrine heretical. Never mind that you accuse me of being a reprobate. Go ahead PM (or one of your minions). press the abuse button.)

I've never accused you of being a reprobate. I've just asked how it is that you know that you have been saved? Have you said the sinners prayer or something like it at any time during your life? I'm not saying that that saying the sinners prayer will save you or that saying the sinners prayer is evidence of your salvation, but I would tend to think that anyone who has not said something like it during their lifetime (i.e., "God be merciful to me a sinner!") or who, because of their peculiar theological bent, absolutely REFUSES to say something like it, has a serious problem.

You say you are saved. Fine. So do the Mormons. So do the JW's. I often see Calvinists question them on how they know they are saved and generally it seems that they give us answers. You may not agree with the answers, but at least they will tell you why they believe they are saved. I think it is fair to ask the non mormons the same question.

I know that I am saved because I repented and believed. I did what scripture required. Now whether that is the reason I was saved or whether it is merely evidence of my election is irrelevant. I repented and believed. That is what was required of me either to be saved or to show evidence of my salvation and election.

Have you repented and believed? If so, then I cannot question your salvation.

Is it heresy to insist that a person must repent and believe in order to believe? If so do you refuse to repent and believe for fear that you are doing a work or that you will somehow be seen as trying to "save yourself"?

[Gamecock]

I've told you on previous threads how I know.

You choose to ignore my posts.

You insist that the only way is to follow your insipid tracts or some other shallow religious stunt.

If so, then I cannot question your salvation.

In light of my previous posts, why do you continue? Only because I do not respect the shallow little tracts and formulas that you continue to post. If you want to cling to a corner of Christianity that is content to exist as spiritual infants, that is your business. I would hope that you would desire to grow in the faith.

But hey, if you want to subsist on the blond theology put forth by Cavalry Chapel so be it. It is your loss.

Hear me Marlowe: You are sounding like you are in a cult. (You do know what that is, don't you?) Knock it off.

[CCWoody]

I'm done with you Woody. Not reading anymore of your posts. Stench to you that I am, that should make you happy. ~ CS

Oh, I forgot. You Arminians don't have a doctrine; you are your doctrine. How else can it be explained that my calling your doctrine manure that suddenly I have called you a stench.

I think it is some kind of subconscious need to be right because if you aren't, then your entire Christian confession is false and that might mean that you are one of those self deceived fools which will hear the words "I never knew you."

Oh, well! It is what it is.

Hey, if the Lord has chosen you, then your false doctrinal sins have been Atoned. You may not confess the Calvinist truths of the Bible. But, you will....

Woody.

[nobdysfool]

Not accusing you nbf. But this kinda stuff ought to stop on both sides.

Corin, I would like nothing better. There shouldn't BE "sides". The problem here is we're talking about what should be basic Christianity. How can we ever get beyond that if a proper understanding on this subject cannot be reached? Passions run high on both sides, and for very different reasons. For crying out loud, we can't even agree whether God is the pre-eminent and effectual cause in salvation from start to finish, or whether man has the power or ability to refuse God's salvation, no matter how misdirected such an action would be! We see that as directly connected to and touching on God's Sovereignty, and you see it as directly connected to free will, and touching on your perception of God's Love. We're not even talking from the same perspective!

What we have against Arminians has more to do with the fact that we cannot get more than halfway through trying to explain why we believe as we do, before we're shouted down by Arminians objecting and trying to refute us, BEFORE WE'VE EVEN HAD A CHANCE TO FINISH OUR EXPLANATION! The thing you Arminians seem to forget is that we, for the most part, were once Arminians ourselves. We have good reason for embracing Calvinism, and we want to share it. We're not trying to be exclusive, or hold something amongst ourselves that we don't want to share.

The truth of the matter is that we understand Arminianism, much better than you understand Calvinism. If you would listen, and let us explain, without all the smartass remarks, and the insufferable smugness of some, you might just learn something.

[P-Marlowe]

I've told you on previous threads how I know.

Tell me again. To be honest I don't remember what you said. Further, there are more lurkers than posters on these threads. So, if you don't want to tell me how it is that you know that you are saved, tell them.

Bear your testimony. Preach the gospel. Give an answer to every man that asks. Here's your chance.

[Gamecock]

I will be happy to provide it again via freep mail to all who are interested. Except you your rabble.

If you want it you have to go find it. Hint, I posted it on a GRPL thread.

[connectthedots]

Oh, I see...if we don't do a pre-emptive critique of every last thing any Calvinist or Calvinist-friendly writer has ever written, said, or published, then if you happen to find something like this, you automatically assume that we must - defacto - believe it, teach it, and hold to it as inviolable doctrine?

You mean to tell me there is no inviolable Calvinist Doctrine? Well, which part(s) of TULIP are optional and still be a Calvinist?

Your motivation in posting it is not to gain knowledge, or clear up a misunderstanding, your motivation is to use it as a club to bash Calvinists, no matter how much we may try to clarify or even tell you that we don't hold to that.

My motivation is irrelevant. The truth is the truth. The problems with Calvinism is that there are so many holes that need so much filling, even the Calvinists can't keep their explanations straight.

You won't hear it, because you think you have trumped us with that. What an utterly stupid attitude!

Did I misrepresent Jonathan Edwards? I don't think so. Even you have not accused me of that. Since when is pointing out inconsistencies a 'stupid attitude'? What is stupid is becoming aware of problems and simply ignoring them.

And just for the record, I don't know of any other Calvinist who would teach that, because it is inconsistent with Calvinist teaching. One might meditate on his past sins, AFTER he is saved, but never before.

Weren't raised in a very Calvinistic Church, were you? Where else do you think the destortions of total depravity originate?

And why is the swarm so preoccupied with my IQ. It really is no big deal to me. It is simply a fact.