The Whole Gospel and Nothing But The Gospel

Recently I have saturated my mind with some very old sermons written by some awesome gentlemen. They are probably all part of that "great cloud of witnesses" now. VERY old sermons. They proclaim the gospel in ways that I never hear today. "Sin" is a well worn word on their lips. The cross is the central theme of every proclamation. And it's not a "mamby pamby" Christianity. It's an overcoming, conquering faith that inspires belief and hope.

It's not a partial gospel either. It is as if in a 20 minute sermon, the whole gospel and nothing but the gospel rings forth, like a bell sounding a warning, yet bells of celebration. I read a particular sermon from John 3, Nicodemus' encounter with Jesus. I got all "christmasy". No, really! I did.

Seems as a christian, when someone mentions John 3:16, there's an inner moan; a heart betrayal that says it's so simple, it's trite. But here is the thing: it's in the context of verse 10. "Jesus answered and said to him, 'Are you the teacher of Israel and do not understand these things?'" We're so smart, we're stupid. Our so-called maturity blinds us to the fullness of the gospel.

I read through the chapter and thought about the sermon. There's an acknowledgement of God being greater than us.
There's an ultimatum: No kingdom unless you are born again.
And not just any kind of birth, but birth in the Spirit.
Listen to this cool statement (this is why I got all christmasy). "No one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven: the Son of Man." And so the King of all Kings condescends to become a baby. As sure as His birth, was His death. "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up." Why? LOVE. For God so loved... And as sure as His birth and His death, was His ascension. A resurrection of power that shook hell and opened heaven for those who believe. And a glorious ascension back to the right hand of the Father.

So for those who believe, the Holy Spirit condescends to live in us, the residence of the gospel of His grace. I find irony in Nicodemus' name. As the wise men who came to Jesus at his birth with gifts of frankincense and myrrh, we see the wise man Nicodemus bringing myrrh in preparation for Jesus' burial. Kind of hint that Nicodemus believed. Truly jolly ole Saint Nic. :)


Copyright 2008 Sharon Denise Dorminy