The External Proclamation of the Gospel is Necessary

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“Of which you previously heard in the word of Truth, the gospel, which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth.” Colossians 1:5-6

Why is the external proclamation of the gospel necessary? This is a very good question and an excellent question, one that is essential to understanding salvation. The Bible says, “Whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13) The Bible also says to, “Repent and believe.” (Mark 1:15) After reading these two passages, we are faced with several questions.

How can anyone call upon a Lord of whom they have not heard?

How can anyone believe in whom they have not heard? (Romans 10:14)

Thankfully, God’s word answers those questions!

The External Call of the Preacher

We can look around us and observe the sky, moon, stars, trees, grass… which all speak of the glory of God. Because God makes Himself known through the natural world, it is enough to hold all mankind guilty before Him.  But, because of the blindness of our hearts and sinfulness of our nature man exchanges the truth of God for a lie. He worships the creation, including himself, instead of God. Man is held accountable by God, but nature cannot bring anyone to saving faith in Christ Jesus. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. (Romans 10:17) It is necessary that preachers be sent to proclaim the gospel.

“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring glad tidings of good things.” Romans 10:15

What Does the Preacher Preach?

Since the external call is essential to the salvation of sinners, what does the preacher preach? He preaches the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth. But what is the truth? To answer that question we are going to look at three principles which must be included in the proclamation of the gospel to make it a true doctrine. If these three principles or details are not included in the presentation of the gospel, it is not a right gospel message. But, before we unpack these three principles, we need to explore one other question.

Where is the Fear of God?

If you put your ear to most preaching and teaching today, the focus is more on “not offending people” than it is on offending God. The Bible calls this man-pleasing. If the message preached is striving to please men or trying to find their approval, it is not the true gospel. Galatians 1:10  says, the one who does this is not a servant of Christ.

Right before the apostle, Paul made the above statement he said that if anyone, himself, or an angel should preach a gospel contrary to what he taught, they are to be accursed. (Galatians 1:8-9)

Where is the fear of God? Jesus says in Matthew 10:28, not to fear those who kill the body, but fear Him who is able to destroy both body and soul in hell. Our life as believers and our presentation of the gospel must first start with a reverent fear of God.

Principles of a True Gospel Presentation:#1

I mentioned earlier there must be at least three principles for there to be a true and accurate presentation of the gospel message. The gospel preacher must include and explain facts about the holiness of God, man’s own sinfulness, and the work of Christ in accomplishing redemption.

The Holiness of God:

The first question in the Westminster Shorter Catechism asks, ” What is the chief end of man? The answer, “Mans chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. God is the creator of all things and man as His creation is accountable to Him. Matthew 5:48 teaches God is perfect, He is perfectly Holy. In that same verse, we see that man is commanded to be perfect, holy, just as God is perfectly holy. But the Scriptures declare that all people have sinned and fall short of glorifying God. Romans 3:23.

Man’s Sinfulness

Because God is holy and righteous and He is the essence of all that is good, He cannot fellowship with anyone who is a sinner. The Scriptures clearly teach God has pronounced all men unrighteous. (Romans 3:10.) His just sentence calls for death and punishment. (Genesis 2:16-17 2 Thessalonians 1:6-11)

But God and the Work of Christ

In spite of our sinful estate God intervenes with His Sovereign grace. He sends His Son into the world (Matthew 1:18-25) to live a perfectly sinless life (Hebrews 4:15) Jesus came to die a death in place of his people. (Romans 5:6-8) He took God’s wrath and punishment for sin upon Himself. (Isaiah 53:6) After His punishment and death, He was buried and on the third day rose from the dead having triumphed over sin and death, (Acts 2:24, 1 Corinthians 15:4) and has ascended to the right hand of the Father. (Ephesians 1:20)

Principles of a True Gospel Presentation #2

Believing these facts about the gospel are still not sufficient for salvation. The demons believe, and they shutter. (James 2:19) There must be a response to these facts. Jesus came proclaiming the gospel of God. In Mark 1:14-15, He proclaims, “repent and believe the gospel.”

Mans response must include confession, believing what God said about sin is true. That he is indeed a sinner in great need of a Saviour.  Before God, he must repent and asks for forgiveness, the remission of his sin. (Luke 3:3) He must believe in and put his trust in Christ alone for his salvation. (Romans 10:4-9) Principle number 2, the preacher must call for the sinner to repent and believe.

Principles of a True Gospel Presentation #3

The preacher must preach the holiness, justice, goodness, kindness, and faithfulness of God. Those who put their faith and trust in Christ for salvation must also be taught that He is faithful and true to His word. God is a promise keeper. What He says, He will do. Jesus, promises that those who believe will not perish but will have eternal life. (John 3:16) There is a promise of forgiveness of our sins, past, present, and future. ( Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9) There is a promise of being held and sealed until the day of redemption. (Ephesians 1:13, John 10:28)

The real gospel presentation is a God-centered presentation. It starts with God, and it ends with God. The preacher preaching to the masses, you and I preaching and teaching our children and our neighbors the gospel, must know and understand, God uses the true gospel presentation, to issue an internal call of regeneration to His elect. We must be faithful with the gospel message and know God is faithful to His promise of salvation to all who call upon Him will be saved.

It is my prayer that you and I have an accurate understanding of the gospel. Many are preaching a doctrine that the Bible says is really not a gospel. (Galatians 1:7) Let us not be guilty! Let’s love those who are unrighteous with the true loving gospel!

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