”Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” | Philippians 4: 8

Finally brethren, last but not least, give yourselves to meditate on these things of the gospel of Jesus Christ. As Paul says in other scripture, ”Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.” (1 Timothy 4: 15)

Take note of these eight words that describe the gospel.

1). The gospel of Christ is unquestionably true. In the word of the gospel we have the truth declared about sin ”What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;” (Romans 3: 9); the truth declared about salvation ”Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,” (2 Timothy 1: 9); the truth declared about God ”God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.” (Romans 3: 4). Our Lord said it is the truth that sets sinners free ”And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8: 32).

”Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4: 12)

”Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me. Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” (Isaiah 45: 21-22)

2). The gospel of Christ is indisputably honest or honorable. When God justifies a sinner through the blood atonement of Jesus Christ ”Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” (1 John 4: 10), God always justifies the ungodly in His described way that honors His holy law and satisfies His righteous justice ”The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness’ sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable.” (Isaiah 42: 21).

”Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,” (1 Peter 1: 18-20)

3). The gospel of Christ is undeniably just or righteous. The question of all questions is, how can God be just and justify the ungodly? The only right answer is found in the gospel of grace ”Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” (Romans 3: 24-26). It is only revealed in the gospel how God can show mercy not at the expense of His holy justice. ”Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.” (Psalm 85: 10)

”Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save. Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me. Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” (Isaiah 45: 20-22)

4). The gospel of Christ is irrefutably pure or perfect. Nothing but the blood of Christ can cleanse us from all sin ”But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (1 John 1: 7). Jesus Christ alone, by Himself purged us from our all our sin ”Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;” (Hebrews 1: 3)

5). The gospel of Christ is incontestably lovely. To you who believe Jesus Christ is most precious ”Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,” (1 Peter 2: 7); He is altogether lovely ”His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.” (Song of Solomon 5: 16) We love Him only because He first loved us ”We love him, because he first loved us.” (1 John 4: 19).

6). The gospel of Christ is obviously a good report, or good news. The gospel is the power of God unto salvation to every one that will believe it ”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.” (Romans 1: 16) Christ died for the ungodly ”For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” (Romans 5: 6) God justifies the ungodly ”But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” (Romans 4: 5) Jesus Christ came to save sinners ”But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Matthew 9: 13)

7). The gospel of Christ is definitely a virtue or excellent. Christ completely provides for all His church everything that God demands ”But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4: 19)

”For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:” (Colossians 2: 9-10)

8). The gospel of Christ is absolutely worthy of all our praise and glory to God alone. ”And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.” (Revelation 5: 9-14)

”Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake.” (Psalm 115: 1)

”But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” (Galatians 6: 14)

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “Honey Out Of The Rock” (42:22 minutes)

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Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.

Zebulon Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 24 April, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky