219. 2CO 4:4. THE GLORIOUS GOSPEL
2Co_4:4. The Glorious Gospel
"The glorious Gospel of Christ"’972Co_4:4.
All the works of God are glorious Wherever we look abroad, we see
"The wonders of his hands,
Or impress of his feet"
The earth displays his greatness, goodness, and power. The heavens display his glory, and the firmament showeth his handy-work. Who can lift his eyes upwards to the expanded skies, and behold the star-bestudded heavens, without exclaiming, "How manifold and glorious are all thy works, O Lord God Almighty!"
There is a scene still more delightful more glorious, and more sublime to man than any of these; a subject much more closely connected with his well being; not of secondary, but of the most momentous consequence to him, both in time and in eternity. And that is, the subject of the text, "The glorious Gospel of Christ."
Consider, I. The Gospel of Christ, and, II. Its Glory.
I. The Gospel of Christ.
Notice,
1. The Gospel; or, the glad tidings of salvation.
We have several beautiful and express summaries of it in the Divine word. The angels said, "We bring you good tidings of great joy," &c.; Luk_2:10. Paul also says, "The Gospel I preached unto you, which you also received, and wherein you stand," &c. "That Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures." 1Co_15:1, &c. Also when he says, "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation," &c. 1Ti_1:15. The Gospel is the revelation of a Saviour to a guilty world.
Hence,
2. It is designated the Gospel of Christ.
Sometimes called the "Gospel of God." Rom_1:1. "Gospel of the grace of God." Act_20:24. "Gospel of the kingdom." Mat_24:14. "Gospel of peace." "Gospel of salvation." "Everlasting gospel," &c. Eph_6:15,Eph_1:13; Rev_14:6. Oftentimes, however, it is represented as in the text, "The Gospel of Christ." See Rom_1:16, xv. 29; 1Co_9:18; 2Co_9:13; Gal_1:7. It is emphatically the Gospel of Christ.
(1) As Christ is its author. It was doubtless the eternal Word that made known the first edition of the Gospel to our first parents, and afterwards to Abraham, Jacob, David, the prophets, &c.; and finally, he personally introduced it, and published it to the world, and thus brought life, &c.
(2) He is the subject of the Gospel. The Gospel is a system of which Christ is the sun and centre. All its light and glory is derived from him. Jesus is the Alpha and Omega, the essence and life of the Gospel. His person, offices, work, and benefits, are the great essential themes of the Gospel.
(3) He is the great end of the Gospel. The Gospel is designed to make known Christ’97to exalt Christ’97to attract souls to Christ’97to establish the kingdom’97diffuse the glory, and subject the world to Christ.
Let us then consider,
II. Its Glory.
"The glorious Gospel of Christ."
The term glorious sometimes signifies that which is splendid and luminous: so the sun is glorious. Now the Gospel is full of celestial splendor, &c. The term signifies that which is great in opposition to what is small. Oak the glory of the forest’97cedar, glory of Lebanon, &c. The Gospel is a great and mighty system of truth, and love, and mercy. Sometimes the term signifies that which is rich and magnificent. Hence the temple of Solomon, &c. Now the Gospel is full of the magnificent treasures of both the wisdom and goodness of God. "Unsearchable riches of grace."
The Gospel is glorious,
1. In the discoveries it reveals.
Reveals the misery and helplessness of man. Also the remedy for all his ills and woes. Makes known its efficacy, fulness, freeness, extent, and mode of application. Reveals salvation for this life, and opens before us a glorious prospect of eternal felicity. A heaven of blessedness. An eternity of dignity and bliss.
It is glorious,
2. In the benefits it confers.
Freedom to the slave. Raiment to the naked. Bread of life to the starving. Health to the sick. Pardon to the guilty. Adoption for aliens. Life to the dead. Salvation to the lost. And heaven to brands justly doomed to everlasting burnings. It confers all man needs, either in this world or in the world to come.
3. It is glorious in the influence which it imparts.
Gospel possesses amazing influence and power.
(1) A holy influence. Changes the heart. Renews the mind. Great instrument of sanctification. Joh_17:17; 1Ti_4:5.
(2) A happy influence. Word of peace and consolation.
(3) An exalting influence. Elevates the mind to God, and heaven, and eternal things.
(4) A supporting influence. Our staff on which we lean. Our celestial telescope. The bread of the soul. The cordial of life. Supports in temptation, afflictions, and death
4. It is glorious on account of the discoveries which it unfolds.
It reveals To the spiritual tempest-tossed mariner a glorious haven. To the pilgrim a glorious city of habitation. To the warrior a glorious crown. To the laborer a glorious rest. To the believer a glorious world of celestial vision, where he shall see God. It unfolds a glorious resurrection, and ensures an eternity of bliss, utterly unspeakable and full of glory.
Application
This glorious Gospel is,
1. The great theme of evangelical preaching.
2. The only hope of the guilty sinner.
3. And the joy and transport of the humble believer.
4. He who believeth it shall be saved’97the unbeliever will most certainly perish.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS