Recently I preached on this subject for Unity Missionary Baptist Church, and am excerpting it for you who have visited the new website. Here are some of my thoughts: The outline in brief:

1. The PREACHER of the Gospel, Paul.
2. The PERSON of the Gospel, Jesus
3. The POWER of the Gospel, God
4. The PURPOSE of the Gospel, Salvation
5. The PEOPLE of the Gospel, Believers

It seems that many have decided that the simple gospel message has become tiresome and bothersome. Perhaps that is contributing to the drought in evangelistic fervor that is being seen in many places. It's hard to crack the shell on sin-hardened hearts without the power of the gospel. There are all sorts of Bible subjects from which we may draw strength for service, but salvation must precede service. If the gospel message is preempted by loads of deep theological and well-meaning topics, where is the power? God's glorious gospel is one subject that must never grow too old and out-dated.

Now, let's briefly think about the PREACHER who is penning the Book of Romans...the Apostle Paul. When we first meet this person he is not Paul...he is Saul. Saul, the sinner became Paul, the preacher. What a change! This dedicated Pharisee is using his position in the Jewish hierarchy to imprison and punish believers of the gospel. It takes a head-on collision with Jesus to change this fire-breathing persecutor into a fire-brand of the gospel. Again, what a change! Take a small trip through the New Testament to note the books by this converted man...one of the most-used men ever in the spreading of the gospel. Really, I didn't start this message to glorify a preacher, so let's think about the PERSON of the gospel...Jesus! The Bible is clear in letting us know who is important when it comes to the matter of salvation, and it is exclusive in attributing every facet of the saving process to Jesus. There is no other name, under heaven or among men, that can honor your salvation request but the signature of Jesus.

Jesus said that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life, and that NO MAN comes to the Father but by Him. There are folks preaching that there are a million ways to Jesus...ain't but ONE way! Who died on the cross, was buried and overcame death? Jesus! No one else! He is the only mediator between God and man! No preacher, priest or potentate...no one else! Please give Him the credit...He died for us! And...He ever lives to make intercession for us! Praise HIS holy name! Thank you, Jesus!

Let's not forget the POWER back of the gospel...the all-powerful God of heaven. When the gospel is preached, God is brought into the matter of salvation. He will honor a draw on the gospel store when the name of Jesus is on the endorser line. Read slowly and prayerfully the 3rd chapter of the Book of John. Meditate and ruminate over the 14th through the 16th verse...God SO loved the world. That's not talking about hills and dales, oceans and nations...it's talking about human beings...we are the world, and God went to a world of expense and heart-break to allow His only begotten Son to be the sacrifice to allow the Father to show mercy to penitent sinners. Thank God for mercy rather than justice!

One more thing...the PEOPLE of the gospel...Believers! Oh, let's go to the last page of the Bible for God's invitation to salvation. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Rev. 22.17.

See, this God's Glorious Gospel!