Peter Tan-Chi - Do Not Distort The Gospel
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Summary
This sermon launches a new series on Galatians, titled «No Other Gospel,» emphasizing that the true gospel is the gospel of grace—salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. The preacher warns against distorting the gospel by adding works, rituals, or human efforts, using Paul’s strong defense in Galatians 1. Key points: The gospel cannot be changed (it’s from God, not man), it has transforming power, and distorting it leads to severe consequences (anathema). The core gospel is Christ’s death for sins, burial, and resurrection. Evidence of experiencing the true gospel is a transformed life that eagerly shares it without shame.
New Series: No Other Gospel — Study on Galatians
Today we will start a new series. The new series is No other gospel, study on the book of Galatians. Why is the book of Galatians so important? The book of Galatians has 6 chapters. It’s really called the Gospel of Grace and the main idea is the Gospel of grace is something so important that you need to understand. So for the first 4 chapters, 1 2, 3, 4, it deals with doctrine. You need to know doctrine so that you will know your duty. Chapter 5 and 6.
The book of Galatians is very important because it will tell you what is the true gospel and what is false gospel. It’s foundational. Why is doctrine important? Let me tell you why it’s important. Remember, what you believe will impact your behavior. For example, what do you believe about God? When I ask you what enters your mind when you think of God? Tell me, are you thinking? You see, you are a theologian whether you like it or not. The only problem is, are you a good theologian or a bad theologian?
What do I mean? You all believe about God, about something about God. For example, an atheist is a theologian. Why? He does not believe in God. All of you believe something about God. Either you don’t believe Him or some of you, You believe in a God that is personal. He loves you, the biblical God. Or you may believe a God that is man made. God is too busy, He has no time for me. But you all believe something about God.
Think about it. What you believe will impact your behavior. So ladies and gentlemen, I want us to discuss the book of Galatians in such a way that it will impact your life. Are you ready? Yes. Alright. Title today is this, Don’t distort the gospel. Tell your neighbor, Don’t distort the gospel. Alright. What’s the message today? Don’t distort the gospel. Assumption, the gospel will be distorted. People will try to distort the gospel. And 2nd, you will not know if the gospel is distorted, if you don’t know the gospel. Are we clear? Yes.
Paul’s Introduction and Authority
Alright, let’s look at the Bible. Paul began by introducing his authority. Let’s read together, Paul, an apostle not sent from men, nor through the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead. Let me explain. Paul described himself as an apostle, not sent from men nor through the agency of man, and to all the brethren who are with me, everybody. To the churches of Galatia, I like you to know this is plural. So this letter is not just to one church. It’s to many churches, including CCF. Are you aware of that? We are part because it is to the churches. At that time it was Galatia, but now the church is all over the world, so this is relevant.
Paul is just introducing the letter of Galatia, and this is what he said. Okay, everybody read. Who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father. Notice, Paul summarizes the good news. He introduced to us who is Jesus. Let’s review. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Now who is the Lord Jesus Christ? who, everybody read. who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according the will of our God and Father.
Following observations, #1, Jesus gave Himself. You are all familiar with John 3:16, For God so loved the world that He gave, but this verse tells us not only did the Father give us Jesus, Jesus Himself, Jesus gave Himself for you and for me. Why did Jesus give Himself for you and for me? Notice this verse, Why? So that He might save us from this present evil age. You see, the Bible does not deny that this present time is evil. So ladies and gentlemen, don’t be shocked, don’t be surprised when you see evil all around us. You are to be light, you are to be salt and to be different. But this world today is evil. Don’t get shocked when you see graft and corruption, when you see people stealing. This place is sinful, but we have good news. The good news is Jesus came to save us from this present evil age.
Do you realize one day, one day, all sin will be abolished? Are you aware of that? Yes. Are you aware that one day, all the corrupt officials or the dishonest people all sinners will be judged? Are you aware of that? Are you aware that everybody who took advantage of you, who hurt you and you are not to take revenge, God will take revenge, they will pay their just penalty. Are you aware of that, Yes or no? Alright, so what must you do now? May I suggest, be the best example of Christ you can be and tell people how to repent. Tell them about Jesus.
Don’t Distort the Gospel
Anyway, what’s the topic today? Don’t distort the gospel. And I will tell you from chapter 1, you will notice why you should not distort the gospel. Number 1 reason, the true gospel cannot be changed. You cannot improve it. You cannot amend it. The true gospel cannot be changed. Number 2, the true gospel is from God, not from men. Number 3, the true gospel has the power to transform. And that’s why, what’s the topic today? Everybody, Don’t distort the gospel. Can you turn to your neighbor, tell your neighbor, Don’t distort the gospel. You know what your neighbor will be telling you, How am I distorting? I don’t even know the gospel.
All right, let me share with you what the Bible is saying. I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of God for a different gospel. You know what Paul is saying in tagalog? I am amazed, ako ay nagugulat, ako ay namamangha. ano pa? O tama na. Paul is saying, I am shocked. You know why Paul was shocked? Remember, this book was written around 48 AD, Jesus died 33 AD. In less than 20 years, people are already distorting the gospel. Think about it. If it is only in the 1st 20 years, people are already changing the gospel, what about today? Today is 2000 years after the death of Christ. Do you think people are trying to change the gospel? Yeah, Of course. And that’s why this book is very relevant especially for you, for us, especially in the Philippines, because in the Philippines, people talk about the gospel, except they do not know what is the true gospel.
Remember, in the 1st century, people are already distorting the gospel. We are now 2000 years later. So how will you know what is the true gospel? And I praise God for the book of Galatians. The book of Galatians was written because there was a problem, and the problem was they were distorting the gospel. And that book of Galatians was written to defend the gospel. You want to know the gospel? You’ve got to read the Bible. And that’s why we study the Bible. Without the written Scriptures, you will not know what is the true gospel.
So Paul is telling us, I am amazed you are so quickly deserting Jesus. You see, when you believe another gospel, you are deserting Jesus because the gospel comes from Jesus, who called you by the grace of Christ. It’s the grace of Christ, that’s the gospel. God’s love for you, for a different gospel which is really not another, only some are disturbing you who wants to distort the gospel of Christ. In other words, Satan is alive and active in trying to tell people to confuse you. That’s what the Bible is saying. People are confusing you.
The Gospel Cannot Be Changed
So what can we learn about the gospel? The gospel cannot be changed. The gospel is timeless. It has no expiration date. The gospel does not need improvement. The Bible tells us even if we, or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached, he is to be accursed. Do you know the meaning of this word accursed? From the Greek word Anathema, anathema is condemned to hell. Very serious. Don’t try to amend the gospel, don’t try to change the gospel and don’t believe the wrong gospel because it is anathema, condemned to hell. Even if we, Who is this we? Apostles. No apostles can adjust or change the gospel. You will see that in chapter 2. Or an angel from heaven.
I want you to imagine, an angel today, appearing. Ok, appearing. Can you use your imagination? Yeah. So the angel appears and the angel said, this is the new way to go to heaven. Okay, believe in ABC whatever. If you are here watching the angel, will you believe what the angel is saying? Yes or no? Yes, if you don’t know the Bible because you’ll be impressed. Wow, Wow. This angel and the angel will perform miracles and then the angel will say this is the way to heaven, you must believe in— example, ok? Will you believe yes or no? Of course you will believe because you don’t know the truth. You see, you are so gullible. I am so gullible. Any miracle convinced people it’s from God.
Do you know why people go to this statue? Why they go to this religion? Why they go to a religion? It’s all about miracle. E may miracle eh. Excuse me. Just because there’s a miracle does not mean it is from God. Ignorance of the Bible is no excuse. You got to know the truth. The problem is, most of us do not know the Bible. That’s why when you come to any CCF satellites, we ask you, please read the Bible. Unlike other churches, they don’t want you to read the Bible. They say, only we can interpret the Bible for you, but you don’t read. That is absolutely wrong. I am not afraid to tell you, study the Bible. Learn how to read the Bible like what I’m doing now, chapter by chapter. It’s hard to go wrong if you read the Bible on context based on chapter by chapter.
Now, look at this verse. Let’s read together. Ready go. But even if we, any apostle or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to what you have— to what we have preached to you. In other words, the gospel has been preached, but you cannot revise it. The Bible is repetitive. Look at the next verse. As we have said before, sinabi ko na sa inyo. As I’ve said before, I say again, everybody. If any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be condemned to hell. Very serious. And that’s why the book of Galatians was written.
Historical Context: Adding to the Gospel
You know how they were trying to change the gospel? Would you like to know the context? I’ll give you advance. You will learn that in chapter 2, 3, 4, 5. Ok, but I’ll give you advance. History tells us in Acts 15. This is how they tried to distort the gospel. In the time of Jesus, some men came down from Judea and began teaching. Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved. You see, they are telling them it is not enough to believe in Jesus, you must join our religion, Judaism. Be circumcised then you go to heaven. Some of the Pharisees who had believed stood up. They believed in Jesus, they got converted, but then they want to add, it is necessary to circumcise them and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses. You see the background? It is not enough to believe in Jesus, you must add something.
Anybody who tells you that the way to go to heaven is to believe in Jesus plus join, example plus something join our church, join this group, that is adding, that is not the gospel. So be careful. You better know the gospel. And the Bible, Galatians chapter 2, I will give you advance OK, advance study. Look at how Paul explained the gospel. Everybody read. Nevertheless, knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law. Since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified.
Notice the word justified is repeated 3 times. What is the meaning of the word justified? It is a legal word. It’s a legal term. You are declared not guilty, as if you have not sinned. The Bible says we are sinners, but when you put your faith in Jesus, God is saying, I declare you what, no longer guilty because your sins have been forgiven. That is the meaning of the word justification. How are you justified? Not by the works of the law. It’s very clear. We may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law. The works of the law simply means by the 10 Commandments.
Now, don’t be confused. I am saved so that I will have the power to obey the 10 Commandments. But I am not saved because I obey the 10 Commandments. Let me repeat, Jesus saved me so that I will obey the law, but I am not obeying the law in order to be saved, because by obeying the law, no one can be saved. Why? Because you and I are totally incapable of obeying the 10 Commandments. Because the Bible says you fail in 1 commandment, you are guilty of all. Just the 1st commandment, You shall have no other gods before Me. God tells us to love Him with all your heart, soul and mind. Now let me ask you, how many of you have no idols in your life? That you love God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your might? Sabit na eh. There are many commandments. Do not commit adultery, do not lie, do not steal.
Now let me ask you, Have you lied? Have you stolen? Oh! Welcome to the club. We are all sinners, Amen. So tell your neighbor, you are a sinner. You need the gospel. So you know what? You need Jesus. No wonder Paul tells us I do not nullify the grace of God, if righteousness comes through the Law, Christ died needlessly. You know what the Bible is saying, If you can go to heaven by obeying the law, then Jesus Christ died uselessly. Not only useless, needlessly, useless. If you can go to heaven by means of religion, by obeying the law, why do you need Christ? That’s why the gospel is important. Do not distort the gospel. I do not nullify the grace of God, if righteousness comes through the Law, Christ died needlessly.
The Gospel is From God, Not Man
So my friend, do you understand the gospel? Yes or no? I will explain some more. Why should we not distort the gospel? Why? What’s the topic today? Don’t distort the gospel. Tell your neighbor, look at them in the eyes. Don’t distort the gospel. Why? #1, The gospel cannot be changed. I’m telling you, the gospel cannot be changed. The true gospel is from God, and the true gospel has power. But just remember 1 big idea. Do not distort the gospel.
You know, Paul continues. He says, Am I now seeking the favor of men or of God? Am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ. Paul is saying, why will I defend the gospel? If I want to make everybody happy, I will not defend the gospel. Believe what you want to believe, But Paul says, I am a servant of Christ. I will defend the gospel. How did he defend the gospel? Remember, the gospel cannot be changed. He says, I am very, very serious about trying to please God because the gospel is from God, not from men.
Let’s read. I would have you know, brethren, everybody, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it. I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. Paul is very explicit, Paul is very clear. Paul is saying that the gospel— By the way, what is the gospel? The word gospel is from the Greek word evangelion, from the root word «Eu angelion» Eu, Eulogy. So when you have eulogy, Eu, EU means good evangelio, Good news. What is the good news? Jesus died for your sins to save us. Is that good news? Yes. Alright. He’s saying that good news did not come from man. In other words, God wants you to know something, the gospel which you are now listening to was never a result of a board meeting composed of intelligent people, let us come up with a new religion. And what will be the best religion? Let us invent that somebody will be born of a virgin, and that somebody will be representing God. God becoming man and that He will suffer and He will die, and He will rise again on the 3rd day. That my friend, is not man’s invention, because it is too impossible to believe.
Just think. How can you invent a religion that God became man to die for you and to die for me? Such grace is unbelievable, unless it is from God. Amen? So let’s continue reading. I did not receive it from men. Notice the next verse. You have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more zealous for my ancestral traditions. Paul is now giving a simple testimony. Paul says, once upon a time I was very, very involved in Judaism. And what did I do? I persecuted the church of God. I ran after people. I hated Christians. I was advancing in my religion, Judaism. I was being very zealous for my ancestral traditions.
Can I tell you something? Before I came to Christ, I was very fond of my tradition because I joined a religion when I was a young man in this country. All of us have our tradition. I love my tradition. I hated born again Christian because I love my religion. I identify with the Apostle Paul. Paul said I am zealous for my traditions. But then something happened to Paul. You know what happened to him? When God, who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb, called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood. Here is what Paul is saying. Paul is saying, I was very zealous for my tradition, for my religion.
And then something happened. God, who has set me apart even from my mother’s womb. You need to know something about theology. All of you are not a product of chance. All of you has been marked out by God even before you are born. All of you. You are not here by accident, before you are even born, God knew about you. You are never a product of accident. But God did something in the life of Paul. God intervened. On the way to Damascus, God appeared to Paul, a very bright light. It was so bright. The Bible says everybody fell down, including Paul. Then Paul said, Lord, who are You? And then the voice came. The voice said, I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.
And then Paul said, Lord, what do you want me to do? Once Paul met Jesus, he asked the right question. What do you want me to do? And this is exactly what happened to him. God intervened, revealed His Son Jesus to the Apostle Paul. And He told Paul, I want you to preach the gospel. And you know what Paul did? If you read the book of Acts, he obeyed. I did not go to Jerusalem, to those who were apostles before me. I went away to Arabia, returned once more to Damascus. 3 years later I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas. Who is Cephas? Peter. The Greek name of Peter is Cephas or hebrew name. And stayed with him 15 days.
So Paul tells us, when Jesus met him, he went to a private retreat in Arabia, where Jesus taught him the Bible, one on one personal lesson. And then, Paul said, then I went back to Jerusalem to meet with the apostles. Alright. Now when he went to Jerusalem to meet with the apostles, I did not see any other of the apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. People don’t realize when Jesus died and rose again, His brothers never believed Him. Jesus had brothers and sisters, but He met them again. He went to meet James, so James is the brother of Jesus who became a Christian, who wrote the book of James. Paul said, I met the apostles plus the Lord’s brother.
Now in what I am writing, I assure you before God I am not lying. I went to the regions of Syria and Cilicia. So what is Paul saying? Paul is saying the gospel I’m going to tell you right now is 1st hand, it’s from God. But I went to Jerusalem to meet with the apostles, to meet with the Lord’s brother. Can you tell me what they were discussing? Can you use your imagination? When Jesus— I mean when Paul went to Jerusalem to meet with Cephas (Peter) and to meet with the Lord’s brother. Can you guess what they were talking about? How is your imagination? You know, I have wild imagination. You know, if I were Paul I will ask Peter. Peter, did Jesus really break the bread? 5 loaves, 2 fish? Where you there? Peter did you walk on the water? Peter, did Jesus really raise the dead? In other words, I’ll be curious. Then I will talk to James. James, how was Jesus when He was a teenager? Ahh, what did Jesus do? Did you play jolen? I don’t know, but do you understand? But the point is this, Jesus revealed the gospel.
The Core Gospel Message
Now, can I tell you what is the gospel that was revealed to Paul? Are you ready? All right, this is what he wrote in the book of 1st Corinthians. Let’s read together. Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you. So he wants to remind them now the gospel, the true gospel I preached to you, which you received on which you taken your stand. So what is the gospel? By this gospel you are saved. So Paul is saying, this gospel will save you. The question is, what is this gospel? Well before I tell you, let’s continue reading. If you hold firmly to the word preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. So what is the word «Preach»? Read the next verse.
What I received, I passed on to you. What he’s saying, What I received from God, I now pass to you. What did he receive? As of 1st importance, so Paul received many things from God. But I will pass to you the most important, first importance, in the Greek, proto. Protos, the 1st. What is the most important? This is the most important. Everybody read. Christ died for our sins according to the scripture, that is the most important. Christ died for our sins, but no period, not yet. He was buried. He was raised up on the 3rd day, according to the Scriptures. So my friend, what is the gospel? Christ died for our sins, buried to prove He died, and He was raised up. The resurrection is part of the gospel.
Why is the resurrection so important? To show you the emphasis on the resurrection, Paul tells us He appeared to Cephas, then to the 12. The evidence of the resurrection. After that, He appeared to more than 500. At one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep. You know what Paul is saying? If you don’t believe me, check with these 500 people. Many of them are still alive. You check with them, the resurrected Christ. Then He appeared to James, the brother of Jesus. Then to all the apostles, and last of all, to one untimely born. He appeared to me.
Now why is the resurrection so important? Ladies and gentlemen, you need to know why the gospel includes the resurrection. Let me summarize. What is the gospel which will save you? If you believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins, and He rose again from the dead. That my friend, is the good news. Christ died for my sins, and He rose again.
Why is the resurrection important? Number one, it proves Jesus is He who He claims to be. No other religious leaders in the world, including Buddha, Muhammad, you can add many others, ever claim to be the Son of God or claim to be God. Only Jesus. Number 2, only Jesus claimed to forgive your sins. Only Jesus claimed that if you believe Him, you go to heaven. Jesus made many amazing claims. Without the resurrection, you don’t have to believe, everything is a lie. But Jesus said to prove to you, I will die and I will rise again on the 3rd day. Jesus predicted His death, predicted His resurrection. It validates the gospel message. It guarantees our forgiveness. It assures us there is life after death.
The resurrection of Christ tells us death is not the end. There is life after death. It proves our faith is grounded on history and not on myth. Are you excited that Jesus died and rose again? Yes or no? So our gospel is anchored on the very, very proof that Jesus is the Son of God. He died and rose again, and He’s alive today. Amen. All right, my friend, because of the resurrection, can you be sure you’ll go to heaven? Yes. Because of the resurrection, can you believe His promises that He will forgive your sins? Yes or no? Do you know who talked to us the most about heaven? Jesus. Do you want to know who talked to us the most about hell? Jesus. Do you want to know who tells us that someday you will be judged? Jesus.
So don’t take Christianity lightly. You have to take what Jesus said seriously. Why do you think I preach the gospel? Because I take Jesus' words seriously. Can I tell you the gospel in summary? All right, the true gospel. Everybody read. For by grace you have been saved through faith, not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not as a result of works that no one may boast. Let’s analyze. For by grace, Ano po ibig sabihin ng grace? Grace means something you don’t deserve. English, grace. Chinese, 恩典. In Spanish, gracia. In Tagalog, biyaya. Ano pa gusto ninyo? Japanese, ah hindi ko na kaya. Everybody. For by grace, something you do not deserve. Get it to your head right now. You don’t deserve something that’s why it’s called grace.
If you deserve something, it’s called reward. If you deserve something, it’s called salary. It’s called wage. But salvation is by grace. You will not earn it. You can never earn it. You don’t deserve it. I am a sinner, it’s by grace. Through by grace you have been saved. What is you have been saved? What kind of grammar is that? It is something sure. It’s a perfect tense. You are sure. See, some people tell me Peter, you can never be sure you’ll go to heaven. I tell you, you know why you are not sure? You do not know the power of the resurrected Christ. When Jesus died for your sins and He promised you are forgiven, I believe Him. So do you believe in the promise of Jesus? Yes.
Okay, that’s salvation through faith. That’s, that’s the lacking part, you don’t know what is faith. Faith is not a feeling, faith is believing what Jesus promised. That’s faith, not feeling. And that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. Do you know even faith is a gift? Salvation is a gift. Grace is a gift. Everything is a gift. Notice, not as a result of works that no one can boast.
True vs. Distorted Gospel
So my friend, I have 3 equations. You need to choose A, B, C. What is the right formula presented in the Bible how to go to heaven? Number 1, put your faith in Jesus and you are saved. Number 2, put your faith in Jesus plus good works, then you will go to heaven. Number 3, put your faith in Jesus and you are saved, and because you are saved, you will have good works. I am not yet finished.
So how many of you, how many of you will say A? Raise your hand, A. How many of you say, B? Wow. 1, 2. Okay, how many of you say C? Raise your hand. Okay. C? Yeah. You know why? Faith in Jesus is equal to salvation, resulting in, resulting in changed lives, good works. What do we mean by false gospel? False gospel. You have faith in Jesus plus what? Plus circumcision, that’s false gospel. I don’t know what is your addition, I must have faith in Jesus plus— whatever you plus. Remember, Good works does not save you. It is because you are saved, you have good works. So don’t confuse, but salvation without good works is something not found in the Bible. Okay?
So what is the true gospel? The true gospel, Salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone. In fact, I can repeat the word alone. Salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Distorted gospel, Salvation by faith in Christ plus good works. Whatever you plus, that’s distortion. Christ’s finished work is sufficient. When Christ died on the cross, all your sins were paid for. Distorted gospel, Christ’s work is not sufficient. You need to add, you need human effort. The true gospel transforms. No transformation. True gospel, centered on Christ. False gospel, distorted gospel, centered on man. Legalism. What is the true gospel? Jesus died on the cross to pay for my sins and He rose again from the dead. Amen.
The Gospel Transforms Lives
All right, last. Don’t distort the gospel. You know why? The true gospel will transform. If you distort it, it loses its power. So don’t distort it. I am not ashamed of the gospel, it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first, to the Greek. Do you know the context of this verse? Paul said, I am not ashamed. Ako ay hindi nahihiya. I am not embarrassed to talk about the gospel. His life was transformed. Ladies and gentlemen, how do I know you have experienced the true gospel? What is the evidence that you understand the true gospel?
Think, whisper to your neighbor. Give me one evidence that you understand and have experienced the true gospel. Whisper. If you say because I go to CCF, sorry, you have many counterfeit coming to CCF. What is the evidence? Here’s the evidence. Look at Paul. I’m under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and the foolish. Paul is saying, I am obligated. For my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. I am not ashamed of the gospel, it is the power of God for salvation.
You know, Paul has 3 attitudes about the gospel. Number one, I’m under obligation to preach the gospel because of his experience. I am obligated to share. Number 2, Paul says, I am eager. I am eager to preach. Not just obligated, I am eager. Honestly, I am always eager to preach the gospel, and lastly, I am not ashamed. What about you? Are you ashamed or you’re not ashamed? Are you eager? That’s the evidence of somebody who has experienced the gospel.
You know, as we close. Paul is telling us I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea. They don’t know me, but only they kept hearing. Everybody read, He who once persecuted us is now preaching the faith which he once tried to destroy. And they were glorifying God because of his life.
My question to you is this, when people look at you, do they honor God? Do they say, Wow, God has changed his life. When people look at you, do they give glory to God? Or do they say, Ano, Kristiyano ba yan? in English, is this guy a Christian? Or will they say, you know this guy, inspired me to follow Jesus. Let me ask you, does your life bring glory to Jesus? That is the evidence of somebody who has encountered the gospel.
Okay, so as we close, what’s the topic today? Don’t distort the gospel. Your problem, you don’t even know the gospel. Now, do you know the gospel? 2nd, have you experienced the gospel? Yes. Changed lives. You know as we close, I like John, do you know who is John Newton? John Newton was the one who composed the music you sang. Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound. By the way, that sounded good huh. That sounded good. That saved a wretch like me. Do you know John Newton was a slave trader? That his business. But then he met Jesus. When he met Jesus, he was transformed. He wrote that song, Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretched man. I once was lost, but now I am found Amazing Grace. I am not what I ought to be, but by the grace of God, I am what I am. That’s my story. I am not yet perfect, but by the grace of God, I am what I am today, but I am no longer what I was once upon a time. Amen. Is that your life?
Closing Prayer
Okay, Would you like to experience the gospel? Okay, Let’s all bow our heads. And to those of you who have never understood the gospel of grace, that God died on the cross for your sins, you have never trusted Him as your Lord and Savior. You have never placed your confidence in Him. You have always placed your confidence in yourself, in your religion. But today, I want you to surrender your faith to the Lord, to transfer your faith. will you, wherever you are, that’s what you want, I’ll pray for you. Pray something like this.
Lord Jesus, I admit I’m a sinner. I invite you today to be my Lord and my Savior. I transfer my faith. I transfer my trust in religion, in my self, in other things. I now completely trust in You alone, Jesus. You died and rose again in my behalf. Thank You for the forgiveness of my sins. I now want to challenge those who have trusted in Christ, I want you to say from this day onward, I will not be ashamed of the gospel, I will share the gospel. Lord Jesus, I pray for everybody here that we will be able to say like what Paul, I am obligated. I’m eager and I’m not ashamed of the gospel. It is Your power to transform. Lord, continue transforming me as I share the gospel to transform others. In Jesus' name we all pray, Amen and amen. God bless you.