There is only one gospel.

It is the gospel of Jesus Christ - which He came to proclaim to the world. (Mark 1:1).

We read where Jesus came ‘preaching the gospel of the kingdom’ in Matt. 4:23 and 9:35. Jesus Himself specified “THIS gospel ...of the kingdom will be preached in all the world” (Matt. 24:14). But make no mistake about it: it is the ‘gospel of Christ’ (2 Cor. 2:12).

It can also be said that not only was this gospel intended to be ‘believed’ in (Mark 1:15), but it was also written down and delivered to us to be ‘obeyed’ (Rom. 10:16; 2 Thess.1:8; 1 Pet. 4:17).

I know; lots of people have a problem with that ‘obey’ part and it takes some time and effort to work through a lot of diluted teachings (Heb. 5:9; Acts 6:7; Luke 6:46; Matt. 7:21). But we were warned that there would be plenty of counterfeit ‘gospels’ that would arise over time, to which Paul instructed that anyone who did bring such corrupt or perverted versions... were to be ‘accursed’ (Gal. 1:6-9)

Paul expressed great concern that many would be ‘led astray as Eve was’ and end up receiving ‘another gospel’, and even ‘another spirit’ that would lead to following ‘another Jesus’ (2 Cor. 11:3-4). And if all that confuses you, maybe even discourages you from desiring to pursue ‘truth’... don’t let it. Give God a chance to ‘lead you into all truth’ by the power of His Holy Spirit (John 16:33)); that is...if you hunger and desire to know ‘truth’. Not everyone does. (John 3:19-20; 2 Thess. 2:10-12)

In yesterday’s message, I challenged you to give some thought to what the gospel Jesus came to proclaim might have contained, possibly differing with the version we tend to offer up today when we share it. I just wanted to get you thinking along these lines because it’s highly unlikely that Jesus went about inviting people to ‘accept Him as their personal Savior’ and then believe in their hearts that He died on a cross for their sins but was raised up three days later. He was out ‘preaching the gospel of the kingdom’ well before there was any ‘death, burial, and resurrection’. Ever think about that?

As always...I simply want to lay some scripture before you to read and examine on your own.

The apostle Paul makes it a point to differentiate the gospel of Christ by making it clear...this gospel was accompanied by a supernatural ‘power’. This gospel Paul preached was not camouflaged with the ‘enticing words of men’s intellect and wisdom.., but in...’ (1 Cor. 2:4-5). He reminds the Thessalonians that this gospel did not come to them in ‘word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit’ (1 Thess. 1:5).

Paul also wanted those in Rome to know that he was “not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it was the ‘power’ of God to salvation to everyone who believes...” (Rom. 1:16) And how can we overlook the fact that whenever Jesus went about into all the cities, towns, and synagogues...’preaching the gospel of the kingdom...that in most cases it was followed up, (or accompanied by) with Him ‘healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people’, not to mention ‘casting out demons’ left and right. (Matt. 4:23-24; 9:35).

Did I mention that Jesus would then empower all those who believed in Him...to go and do the same thing, promising that He would ‘go with them...even to the end of the age...working with them and confirming the word with accompanying signs’? (Matt. 28:20; Mark 16:20; John 14:12; Matt. 10:17-8). But you’ve probably heard, or been taught, that God doesn’t work like that anymore. “Who told you that?” (Gen. 3:11)

Now let’s go back and read Paul’s statement in Romans 1:16...how this ‘gospel...is the power of God for salvation...’. The Amplified version interjects what this ‘salvation’ includes- being ‘saved from God’s wrath and punishment’’. That dovetails in nicely with Paul’s later statement how it is the ‘wrath of God’ that we are ‘saved from’, in Romans 5:9.

Pay close attention here because this is where the path of truth deviates and branches off into other paths that ‘many’ have taken; a path I might add...that is wide and well-traveled, not to mention it leads to destruction (Matt. 7:13-14).

Exactly ‘how’...are we ‘saved from the wrath of God’? Let me tell you that 'salvation' was not some ‘cloak of immunity’ where you are given a free ‘get out of jail card’ by Jesus that exempts you from the penalty of sin. The wages of sin has ALWAYS...been ‘death’ (Rom. 6:23; Ezek. 18:20; Gen. 2:17; Rom. 8:13; John 5:14).

“Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience” (Eph. 5:6). And let it also be known that it is the desire of God’s heart for “ALL men to be saved...and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Tim. 2:4). So what exactly is this ‘knowledge of truth’ He wants us to come to?

Yes, God’s abundant mercy is readily available to forgive us of all our sins, which are many. But it was not His plan to just keep ‘turning a blind eye’ as we continued to keep on sinning (Acts 17:30). “How shall we who died to sin live in it any longer’? (Rom. 6:2)

Would you please turn to and read Ps.103:2-4. We are encouraged to ‘bless the Lord’...and to remember ‘all His benefits’ which includes ‘forgiving us of all of our iniquities...and healing us of ALL our diseases’. (If He is not healing us of all our diseases, how can we be certain He is forgiving us of all our iniquities’?) And guess what else He does...He ‘redeems our life from destruction’ (4) How do you think Jesus does this? We know who the ‘destroyer’ is (John 10:10). Tomorrow...we will see what was in this ‘gospel message’ that Jesus came to preach to us. I hope you can join me.