REFORMATION SUNDY – October 31, 2021 – Rev. 14:6,7
“THE ETERNAL GOSPEL”
Introduction: Grace be to you and peace, from God our Father, and from our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Our text is the First Lesson just read, from Revelation 14. We begin with prayer.
Dear fellow disciples of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ:
- There are lots of things we take for granted, and don’t believe would ever go away. Landlines for phone communication would be an example. Big stereo equipment would be another. Gas automobiles may be joining that list soon.
- The same is true when it comes to the church, the Gospel itself, and many things we associate with church. Historically, as the church grew in power and prestige, it lost sight of its purpose to preach the gospel and it became enamored with wealth and power. In fact, the gospel itself became lost in the theology of the church, as unregenerate men followed the legalistic impulses of their sinful hearts and taught others the same. Of course, this enhanced their ability to coerce and manipulate people.
- In our own time there are also threats to the church. Some congregations haven’t had an organist for some time. Organists are hard to come by these days. Other congregations have changed their organizational and power structure by having an “Executive Committee” that manages everything. This, sadly, because the members of the congregation didn’t care enough to do their duty, and let their privileges go.
- As the government puts the squeeze on those who follow the biblical principles regarding abortion, heterosexual immorality, homosexuality, and gender identity issues, congregations may have to face difficult choices. We could lose tax exempt status which would mean that we could not afford to own this property. Or we might chose to keep the building but lose the biblical teachings. And of course, this would only be the beginning of theological apostasy in the congregation.
- It is true that Jesus continues to build His church, in keeping with His promise – regardless of the unfaithfulness of men. Different places and times and peoples have their opportunity. But as they reject the gospel, return to immorality and unbelief, God moves on to another part of the world. In our time we have seen the loss of Christianity in Europe, and severe erosion of Christianity in America. If this continues, our churches will become as lonely and forlorn as the European churches.
- In the days of the Reformation, “THE ETERNAL GOSPEL” was restored to the Western and European church. It resulted in one of the greatest flurries of Christian growth in human history. Now that growth has moved to Africa, and to a degree South America. But of this we are certain, THE GOSPEL is ETERNAL. It was given to Adam and Eve immediately after the fall into sin, and Scripture assures us that even prior to the creation of the world and mankind God had planned this redemption.
Eph. 1:4 “Even as God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him.”
Rev. 13:8 “those whose names have not been written in the Book of Life, of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”
But this gospel of God’s free gift of salvation and eternal life, to be received solely by faith in Jesus, the Lamb of God, so clearly set forth in the Epistle reading and everywhere else in Holy Scripture can be lost to a pastor, to a congregation, to a church body, to an entire people. Thankfully, God can and does intervene in human history, and:
I. The Eternal Gospel Was Restored To Humanity By A Messenger From God
Text: “I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth.”
II. This Eternal Gospel Is Directed To All People – Preached And Proclaimed
Text: “ I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people.”
Statement: Most protestants identify this “angel” as the sainted Dr. Martin Luther. We may think of angels as heavenly beings who are perfect. However, the word “angel” simply means “messenger.” The name Malachi, the last book of the Old Testament, means “My messenger.” All prophets, all faithful priests, all apostles, all faithful pastors and teachers are “messengers” of God. Despite his real humanness, Dr. Luther faithfully proclaimed and restored the knowledge of “THE ETERNAL GOSPEL” to the Christian Church. And it has gone out into all the world.
Application: Lutheran groups have been translating the Bible into languages for decades. Lutheran missionaries have gone throughout the world to proclaim “THE ETERNAL GOSPEL” to all people. The church growing in Africa is to a large part due to the teaching of our seminaries and our pastors who have gone to teach in the African seminaries.
Yet, this ETERNAL GOSPEL may be lost to us as well. Perhaps our theologians and pastors will pervert it – though this is unlikely. More likely, it seems, is that it will be lost because the members of our churches just don’t care enough. Budgets shrink, attendance shrinks, participation in leadership shrinks. We are all smart enough to know where this leads. We can look around at congregations even today, in our own area, which are closing down or headed that way.
Why are we struggling with these issues? Many, many other things are more important to us that serving the church, the cause of the gospel, and our fellow Christians. This is truly sad – given the time, leisure, resources, and prerogatives that we have today! But, “THE ETERNAL GOSPEL” goes on even today. And we also are called.
III. We Are To Fear God And Give Him Glory
Text: “Fear God and give Him glory because the hour of His judgment has come.”
A. We Are To Be Repenting Of Our Sins, Including Our Sins Of Not Caring About The Church
Mark 1:14,15 “After John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’”
Luke 13:3 “No, I tell you, but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”
Rev. 3:15-17 “I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.”
B. We Are To Be Believing The Gospel, The Good News Of The Grace, Mercy, Forgiveness, And Love Of God
Psalm 130:3,4 “If You, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with You there is forgiveness, therefore You are feared.”
1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Eph. 1:7 “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.”
Statement: The only way human beings can “fear God and give Him glory” is to recognize our sin and to repent of it. Then, to recognize and rejoice in the wondrous mercy and kindness of God in giving us salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ, our dear Savior! We have reverent awe for Him in this love, and surely we give Him our eternal thanks and glory!
Application: And in the warmth of His love and salvation we can be moved from being lukewarm to being heated up for Him and for His kingdom! And this is part of repentance and faith – to move us to caring for Christ and His church!
We are saved by grace – not in any respect by our works. But that grace should move us to a flurry and abundance of works. Our problem with “lukewarmness” is one of focus and perspective. We are stuck in thinking that the really good things in life are possessions, toys, play time, vacations, travel, our own homes, etc. Church is an afterthought – and as such, we never get around to it. We are too busy with the other things. But I can assure you that these other things are not eternal. The church is eternal – where people truly believe in Jesus and care enough to nurture and cultivate the church. “THE ETERNAL GOSPEL” assures us that all who believe have eternal life. This is what matters most, NOT all the other things. Our perspective must change or we will remain “lukewarm,” and Jesus assures us that He will spit out and repudiate unbelievers. So we are encouraged to:
IV. Know God As God, Our Savior, Our Creator, And Our Judge
Text: “Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come, and worship Him Who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.”
Statement: Yes, it is also a matter of respecting God for Who He is. It is not I, pastor Rhode, who bids you change your perspective! It is God Himself! So, if we chose to dismiss this sermon, and the things urged in it, we are rejecting the will and counsel of God Himself. And there will be no evading His judgment because we are too busy having a good time!
Application: So again, the call to repent of our sins, including our sins of not caring. Again, the call to see and appreciate “THE ETERNAL GOSPEL” of God’s gracious mercy, forgiveness, and eternal love. Again, the call to see things as they truly are, and to embrace with zeal the gifts God has given us in the church. This, so that we never allow the church to die, or suffer the proclamation of the Gospel to die.
Conclusion: Things can go away and be lost. It is time to consider that this can also happen to our congregation, to our church body, one of the few that still honors “THE ETERNAL GOSPEL” and cherishes the whole Word of God, the Scripture.
What a shame it would be if the demise of the church took place while we were busily enjoying a myriad of pleasures. We look back and the church is gone. Why? Because too few valued it enough to prioritize it in their offerings. Because too few valued it enough to care for its property. Because too few cared enough about it to provide leadership. Because too few cared enough to teach and instruct the children.
If the church loses its property by action of an immoral and unjust government, it will still flourish in smaller “house” churches, like it did in the early years under Roman persecution. But if it loses its fire and zeal for the gospel and the church, it will lose building, faith, and eternal life.
“THE ETERNAL GOSPEL” remains eternal. Our sins are forgiven! We have eternal life. May this gospel move each of us to eternal zeal for God and His church. Amen.
Votum: And the peace of God, which surpasses all human understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds in the true faith, which is in Christ Jesus, even unto life everlasting, Amen.