The Glorious Gospel
I Timothy 1:11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
Intro: The Gospel of Jesus Christ is referred to no less than 98 times in the Bible.
The word “gospel” means “the good news.”
The context of this verse is found in a warning and a charge.
The Apostle Paul was making a charge concerning:
A. Deceptive Teachers – vs. 3, 7
B. Distracting Tendencies – vs. 4, 6
C. Desirable Testimony – vs. 5
D. Disobedient Transgressors – vs. 9-10
The Apostle Paul referred to the gospel as “glorious” on several occasions.
The word “glorious” means majestic, magnificent, excellent, worthy of praise, honour, and glory
I would like to point out just how glorious the Gospel of Jesus Christ is.
I. Glorious in its Revelation
- 2 Corinthians 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
A. It is Revealed through the Manuscript of God’s Word
God in His sovereignty chose to capture the power of the Gospel in written form.
The Word of God was given to men to write under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
The GLORIOUS GOSPEL has been hidden within the pages of God’s written Word.
- 1 Peter 1:25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
B. It is Revealed through the Message of God’s Man
The first time we find the word GOSPEL in the Bible is in Matthew.
And the first time the word GOSPEL is used, it is being PREACHED.
- Matthew 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
- Acts 15:7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
- See also Romans 10:13-15
- See also I Corinthians 1:17: 2:1-5
C. It is Revealed through the Moving of God’s Spirit
- Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
- See also I Corinthians 2:6-13
- 1 Thessalonians 1:5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
II. Glorious in its Regeneration
The transformation that takes place in a person that has heard the gospel is glorious!
There’s no other word to describe it.
- REGENERATION: new birth, reproduction, renewal, recreation, regeneration, hence renovation, regeneration, the production of a new life consecrated to God, a radical change of mind for the better. The word often used to denote the restoration of a thing to its pristine state, its renovation, as a renewal or restoration of life after death
Paul was astounded at the regenerating power of the Gospel.
I Timothy 1
- 12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
- 13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
- 14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
- 15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
- 16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
Paul was a pattern of the REGENERATING POWER of the Gospel.
God transformed his life from being a blasphemer and a persecutor to being put into the ministry as an example.
Only the Gospel can bring about an unimaginable change in a person.
ILLUSTRATION: John Newton was a slave trader that became a preacher and abolitionists.
III. Glorious in its Representation
- Philippians 1:27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
BECOMETH: suitably, worthily, in a manner worthy of
The glorious gospel can be hindered.
- 1 Corinthians 9:12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.
HINDER: a cutting made in a road to impede an enemy in pursuit – literally a ditch into which one following can fall
- Vs. 23 – this I do for the gospel’s sake
- Vs. 27 – lest I should be a castaway
A glorious gospel should produce a glorious church.
- Ephesians 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
A glorious gospel should produce a glorious change.
Philippians 3
- 17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
- 20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
- 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.