THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL

"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. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith" (Romans 1:16-17).

Devotion 24 of 27

GOD IS PLEASED TO SAVE THROUGH PREACHING

"For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe" (1 Cor 1:21).

This is not simply a technical point! "God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe" (vs 21, NASB). When you read of God being "well pleased," you are being confronted with something vital to the fulfillment of His "eternal purpose." The Father is "well pleased" with His Son, Jesus Christ (Matt 3:17; 12:18; 17:5; 2 Pet 1:17).

In our text, He is declared to be "well pleased" by saving those who believe, through the preached Gospel. Here the word "preaching" is used to denote the message proclaimed by the preaching. It is the same kind of use found in God's commission to Jonah. "Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee" (Jonah 3:2). "Preaching" is more than a set of words, it is the message that is declared, announced, or made known publicly.

In the Word of God, preaching is never considered to be mere speaking or oratory--never. In its varied forms, "preach, " "preacher," and "preaching" are used sixty-four times in the New Testament. John the Baptist "preached" (Mk 1:7). Jesus "preached" (Mk 1:39). Jesus commanded His disciples to "preach" (Mk 16:15; Lk 24:47). the Apostle's "preached" (Acts 4:2). Philip "preached" (Acts 8:5,35,40). Paul "preached" (Acts 9:20). Jesus "came and preached peace" (Eph 2:17). When scattered by persecution, early believers "went everywhere preaching the Word" (Acts 8:4).

God has sanctified this word, associating it with His Son, His Gospel, His Kingdom, and His Word. When God speaks of preaching, a message is always assumed--a message that is made known primarily through declaration, or announcement. That is precisely what the Word says. "In hope of eternal life which God, Who cannot lie, promised before time began, but has in due time manifested His word THROUGH PREACHING" (Tit 1:2-3).

The act of preaching itself is not sufficient to save--but preaching is never represented in Scripture as a mere act--never! By saying God is "pleased" to save believing ones through preaching, He declares the poverty of any other approach. Preaching is the appointed vehicle, and the Gospel is what is brought by that vehicle. The Word of God declares that faith "comes by hearing" (Rom 10:17). The Spirit further interrogates us on the matter. "How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!'" (Rom 10:14-15). The one who brings "glad tidings of good things" is the "preacher," and "the Gospel of peace" is the news he heralds. That arrangement pleases God. Those who disagree with it, disagree with God.

It takes power, Divine power, to save a person! That power works exclusively through the Gospel of Jesus Christ--the proclamation of His Person and accomplishments. Note, those who BELIEVE are saved by this preaching! As long as we are in the land of jeopardy--as long as we require salvation--we need the Gospel--the Gospel preached! When God wants to save someone, He sends a "preacher," a proclaimer, an announcer, a herald of the good news. He followed this procedure on Pentecost, in Samaria, to the Ethiopian eunuch, Lydia, and the Philippian jailor. The Lord sent someone to announce what had been accomplished in Christ Jesus to you also.

Throughout history, every group and every period marked by a reduction of Gospel preaching has become powerless. In that condition, men soon were alienated from God, and the devil gained the upper hand! In spite of this remarkable consistency, men still choose to preach other gospels, relegating the Savior to the background of theological thought. They that do such things have judged themselves unworthy to speak for the Lord.

PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You through Christ for sanctifying the work of declaration--for providing a message that can be announced with joy and confidence, and believed unto salvation.

-- Tomorrow: CHRIST'S RESURRECTION AND GREAT GRACE--