A SLICE OF APOSTOLIC LIFE -- Tomorrow:
"Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord, I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia. Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of His knowledge by us in every place." (2 Cor 2:12-14)
Devotion 6 of 24
TO PREACH CHRIST'S GOSPEL
" . . . when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel . . . "
Other versions read, "when I came to Troas for the Gospel of Christ" (NASB), "I went to Troas to preach the Gospel of Christ" (NIV), "I came to Troas to proclaim the good news of Christ" (NRSV), " I came to Troas for the good news of Christ" (BBE), and "I came to Troas for the publication of the glad tidings of the Christ" (DARBY).
Technically, the word "preach" is not in the text. For those with a knowledge of the Greek text, it reads, "to the good news the Christ. You will note "preach" is italicized in the KJV. Literally, the text reads, "I came to Troas for the good news [of] the Christ." The Gospel is the word of which Jesus Christ is the sum and substance.
The word "Gospel" means "good news" – that is, a good message that is declared, proclaimed, or announced. A Gospel that is not preached is not Gospel at all, for the very word "Gospel" assumes articulation. It is the declaring of it that makes it "Gospel." It is "good news" (Prov 25:25), or "glad tidings" (Rom 10:15). It is what is said, or expressed, that is said to be "Gospel." This is a message that addresses the human dilemma caused by sin, and announces God has resolved it.
The central theme of the Gospel is Christ Jesus. Thus it is "Christ's Gospel," or "the Gospel of Christ" (Rom 1:16). It declares His Person and accomplishments, particularly as they pertain to the reclamation of fallen man. This is the ONLY good news God has for men – the news of full provision in the Person of His Son. This Gospel is the heart and core of sound doctrine, the foundation upon which exposition is made. Any doctrinal emphasis that is not built upon the foundation of "Christ's Gospel" is false. Any teaching that does not obtain its substance and effectiveness from the Gospel is to be rejected. It cannot be true, and thus cannot be effective in the culturing of spiritual life.
A brief consideration of these things will confirm they have staggering implications. The amount of preaching and teaching within the Christian community that is wholly unrelated to the Gospel, and does not depend upon it, is mind-boggling. One is actually hard pressed to find ay significant amount of Christ-centered teaching, preaching, and writing.
This very message – "Christ's Gospel" – is also referred to in other ways – ways that accentuate the necessity of Christ Jesus.
1. Gospel of the Kingdom (Matt 24:14). This is the kingdom that has been given to Christ Jesus (Dan 7:13-14; Eph 5:5).
2. Gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24). This is the grace that comes exclusively through Christ Jesus (John 1:17; Acts 15:11; Rom 16:20).
3. Gospel of God (Rom 1:1). This is the God who is known and expounded only by the Lord Jesus (Matt 11:27
4. Gospel of His Son (Rom 1:9). This is a word that affirms Christ's primary association is
with God Himself (John 3:35; Eph 4:32).
5. Gospel of peace (Rom 10:15). This is the peace that has been "made" by Jesus alone (Col 1:20).
6. Gospel of your salvation (Eph 1:13). This is the salvation that is in Jesus alone (Acts 4:11-12).
7. The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Thess 1:8). The message accentuates Christ's preeminence ("Lord") , humanity ("Jesus" ), and Divine appointment ("Christ" ).
8. The glorious Gospel of the blessed God (1 Tim 1:11). The news proclaims a satisfied and happy God, who is thoroughly pleased with what His Son has accomplished (Isa 53:11
This is the message that Paul came to Troas to preach, declare, announce, proclaim, and publish. It was a message concerning the Person of Christ who sent Him, what was intended by that sending, and what was accomplished by Him. That was the heart and core of his preaching and teaching – all of it. Remove Christ, and nothing was left for Paul to preach or expound.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I tank you for associating all of Your gracious benefits with the Man Christ Jesus – then putting Your people in Him.