The BLB Blog

The official blog of Blue Letter Bible

Spurgeon: The How, What, and Why of Preaching the Gospel

Posted on Posted by

“The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost”
(1 Timothy 1:15)

Paul had just described his ordination in 1 Timothy 1:12. He then went on to speak of the grace manifested in the call of such a person to the ministry (verse 13), and of the further grace by which he was sustained in that ministry.

Incidentally he was led to mention the message of his ministry. We may profitably use the text of this occasion. Paul’s words help us see how to preach the gospel, what is the gospel we preach, and why we preach this gospel.

How We Preach the Gospel

We preach the gospel with unapologetic certainty. Notice that Paul considers the gospel message to be a “trustworthy saying” (verse 15). In other words, there is no reason to doubt the truth of our message. We can be sure because it is a revelation of God, it is attested by miracles, it bears its witness within itself, and it has already proved its own power upon our hearts.

We also preach the gospel as an everyday truth. Paul calls it a “saying” or proverb. The gospel affects not just at the point of salvation but at home, in business, in sickness, in health, in life, in death. The gospel is for all of life—everyday.

We also preach the gospel as a common bearing. In other words, this “saying” is to be heard by all kinds of people. Every person is a sinner in need of God’s saving love.

We also preach the gospel in a way that claims our attention. Paul says it is “deserving of full acceptance” (verse 15). We must believe it to be true and worthy of acceptance!

What Gospel Do We Preach?

First, we preach the good news—gospel—of a person. This person is “Christ Jesus”, the anointed of God, the Savior of men, who once died but now lives forever.

We also preach the gospel of divine visitation and holy condescension. “Christ Jesus came into the world” by His birth as a man, his mingling with men, and his bearing our sorrows and sins for us.

We preach a gospel for sinners. Jesus “came into the world to save sinners.” For this salvation, Jesus labored, lived, and died. He died to make atonement for our sin; yet He is now risen on high and pleads for us in heaven (Romans 8:34).

We preach a gospel of a finished work. Jesus finished his saving work before He left the world, and that work is complete to this day. God is ready to apply this saving work through Jesus Christ to all who would come to Him in faith.

We preach a gospel of effectual deliverance. It was God’s desire “to save sinners.” Not to half save them, not to make them salvable, not to help them save themselves… but to save them wholly and effectually from their sins.

Why Do We Preach It?

Of course, we preach the gospel to others because we ourselves have been saved by it! Furthermore, I love Paul’s attitude toward his own sin; he says he is the “foremost” of sinners. If we consider ourselves the chief sinner among men, we would be all the more zealous to preach the good news that saved us to them. It should be something that you desire and cannot help. The saving work of Jesus creates an inward impulse that compels us to tell others of the miracle of mercy that God wrought upon us.

Praise be to God!

Comments

  1. Thank-you very much for sharing the word of God, and helping me know how to spread Salvation better.

    • Sister, Thank you.
      It was Break time and I was taking a walk
      around the lot when I saw a Spreader, fertilizer spreader
      in the dumpster. I examined it and found it in good condition,
      took it to my car and put it in my boot. It was a Burning Bush for me! God was there telling me, “Be not slothful… but SPREAD.”
      Recently I found, spotted, a Teacher gloriously dressed, in the nearby school. I wanted to find out her church. I tried once, but I could not meet her….’glory’ & ‘shame’ are used contrastively in the scripture. Simplicity,,(2Cor.11:3), minimalism..Amen.
      Grace be with you all.
      Poor and needy one,
      mathew

      • With all due respect, Matthew, just because a person is dressed well does not automatically mean that he or she is somehow shameful. James 2:2-4 goes both ways.

        • Sister, you are right. It goes both ways always. It is universal. Our WELLNESS PLAN
          is God’s, The God of Glory, glorious wellness plan (Jer.29:11). Amen.
          Grace be with you all.
          Poor and needy one,
          mathew

          • This is my favorite bible verse. When all my plans lead to frustration, and I feel like I’m failing, I remember that it is GOD’s plans for me, not mine, that will flourish and his plans are infinitely better.

        • Esther.2:15 TLB.
          2Pet.1:6 TLB.
          1John.2:16 TLB.
          All TLB please.
          Thanks.
          Grace be with you all.
          Poor and needy one,
          mathew

    • Brother Chris : Shabbat Shalom ( Sabbath of Peace ! ) Excellant Post from Charles Spurgeon … to feed the sheep … !!! I Like the Part of Paul stating that he is the Chief of Sinners ??? Here is Why ; as Jesus Said ” He Who Sins Much , Loves Much ” ??? !!! Because he Knows how much the Lord has Forgiven him or her 🙂 !!! And Is gratefull to God for the mercy and love that has transformed the sinner into a child of God !!! To seek God*s will and not our own will !!! blessings from Mount Zion to all !!! Praise God for all things amen shalom !!!

  2. one called like Aaron (Heb.5:4).
    Wholesome gospel (1Tim.6:3).
    Preach, Teach, Warn (Col.1:28)

    By the way,Yale Scholars have stumbled upon
    Magic Mushroom that eats up Plastics!
    We must change our strategy and call, rebrand SIN
    as ‘Corruption’ and market the Gospel, the blood of Jesus as the Mushroom that eats up CORRUPTION. Look at Pharaoh’s dream the leanness eating up the fatness (Gen.41:20; Eze.34:20). Leanness is eating up the fatness, blessings of liberty, of America!
    Surely, it will be a boon to countries like, miry Afghanistan, Pakistan, Hindustan….too. Let us reinvent our marketing strategy. The cross of the Christ of God was/IS a judgment between the fat cattle and the lean cattle. Amen.
    Green grace be with you all.
    Poor and needy one,
    mathew

  3. ” WHAT IS TRUTH?”, asked the jesting Pilate.

    Truth is:
    honest – y
    just
    pure – purity
    lovely – He is altogether lovely!
    good report (cf.Isa.53:1; evil report- ers Num.13:32.)
    virtue _ ( it flows, goes out- exosmosis!)
    praise – is comely, not corrupt.
    Is Paul defining Truth here (Phi.4:8)?
    Grace be with you all.
    Poor and needy one,
    mathew

  4. Acts 20:26&27
    Wherefore I take you to record this day that I am pure from the blood of all men
    (27) For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of GOD

    Hebrews 10:38&39
    Now the just shall live by faith but if any man draw back My soul shall have no pleasure in him
    (39) But we are not of them who draw back into perdition
    but of them that believe to the saving of the soul

    John 7:38
    He that believeth on ME as the scripture hath said out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water

    1 Thessalonians 2:13
    For this cause also thank we GOD without ceasing because
    when we received the word of GOD which you heard of us
    you received it not as the word of men but as it is in truth
    THE WORD OF GOD
    which effectually worketh also in you that believe

    Psalm 119:155
    SALVATION IS FAR FROM THE WICKED FOR THEY SEEK NOT THY STATUTES

    John14:15
    If you love ME keep MY commandments

    John 15:9&10
    As the FATHER hath loved ME so have I loved you continue ye
    in MY love
    (10) IF YOU KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS you shall abide in MY love even as I have kept MY FATHERS commandments and abide in HIS love

    1 Timothy 4:12
    Let no man despise thy youth but be thou an example of the believers IN WORD IN CONVERSATION IN CHARITY IN SPIRIT IN FAITH IN PURITY

    1 CORINTHIANS 11:1 KJV
    BE YE FOLLOWERS OF ME EVEN AS I ALSO AM OF CHRIST

    1 CORINTHIANS 11;1 NIV
    FOLLOW MY EXAMPLE AS I FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE OF CHRIST

    MATTHEW 4:4
    BUT HE ANSWERED AND SAID IT IS WRITTEN MAN SHALL NOTLIVE
    ON BREAD ALONE
    BUT BY EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDETH OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD

    ACTS 20:30
    ALSO OF YOUR OWN SELVES SHALL MEN ARISE
    SPEAKING PERVERSE THINGS
    TO DRAW AWAY DISCIPLES AFTER THEMSELVES

    JUDE 1:5
    I WILL THEREFORE PUT YOU IN REMEMBRANCE THOUGH YOU ONCE KNEW THIS HOW THAT THE LORD HAVING SAVED THE PEOPLE OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT
    AFTERWARD DESTROYED THEM THAT BELIEVED NOT

    ACTS 3:22&23
    FOR MOSES TRULY SAID UNTO THE FATHERS A PROPHET SHALL THE LORD YOUR GOD RAISE UP UNTO YOU OF YOUR BRETHREN LIKE UNTO ME HIM SHALL YOU HEAR IN ALL THINGS WHATSOEVER HE SHALL SAY UNTO YOU
    (23) AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS THAT EVERY SOUL WHICH WILL NOT HEAR THAT PROPHET SHALL BE DESTROYED FROM AMONG THE PEOPLE

    LOVING THE LORD JESUS

    • Brother, thank you for the precious culling.
      Based on the last portion can we say that the Father is the King, the Son the Prophet and the Holy Spirit the Priest, even though all the 3 apply to Jesus as well?

      Also “draw back”, “draw away”, seducing forces,
      centrifugal forces vs centripetal forces, decisions, alliances… Lord help us today. Amen.
      Grace be with you all.
      Poor and needy one,
      mathew

    • Amen and Amen Steve. We are children of the living God. We walk by faith. Faith comes by accepting without seeing that our Hope is in Christ Jesus. The texts you have given here show this in a mighty way. Nancy

  5. “Furthermore, I love Paul’s attitude toward his own sin; he says he is the “foremost” of sinners. If we consider ourselves the chief sinner among men, we would be all the more zealous to preach the good news that saved us to them.”

    This statement spoke to me…the correlation of humility and love. If I see myself accurately, through humble eyes, I’ll see others through a lens of love, unaffected by any illusion that I’m better than them (in any way/for any reason). Our nature is to think more highly of ourselves, and how that must hinder the work of spreading the Gospel!

  7. “I pray that the faith you share with us may deepen your understanding of every blessing that belongs to you in Christ.” Philemon1:6

    Something happens whenever we share our faith with an unbeliever. There is a “deepening” of our own blessed assurance. We don’t share for our own glorification, yet like many spiritual disciplines the fruit created externally also takes place internally. Can this be yet one more reason to share our faith with humility? So that we become stronger in His grace? 2 Peter3:18

    Love & Grace to all,
    Paul

    • EXERCISE

      IT IS PART OF OUR OWN FITNESS PROGRAM.
      Exercise rather unto godliness.
      I have often wished, wondered
      if I could open a 24/7 Spiritual Gymnasium
      alongside the common place fitness centers in our market places. ” Senses EXCERCISED to discern both good and evil.”Heb. If Physical & Spiritual growth
      do not go hand in hand, we beget Morons. Listen to Paul!!!
      Grace, VIGOROUS & VERDANT, be with you all.
      Poor and needy one,
      mathew

      • To be frank,
        i noted down the phone number from the For Leasing sign and called the guy, but i was brutally rebuffed!
        Somehow we have to speak the truth in love and compassion to the ramblers, revellers; for life is short but precious. IN GOD WE TRUST, God help us. Amen.
        Poor and needy one,
        mathew

  8. Just as we calculate IQ from Chronological & Mental Age
    can we estimate Spiritual IQ, call it REPENTANCE QUOTIENT too?
    Good topic for a Ph.D!!!
    I was a babe, brute, boor, brat. But today’s brutes are tomorrow’s brides!
    November 14 is Nehru’s bd and it is celebrated as Children’s Day in India.
    So we celebrate the children, “babes”,
    BUT at the same time leave no stone unturned
    to spur them on to perfection (Eph.4:13).

    In one church they sing a Song of…
    ” I am not perfect, I am just forgiven…” (Heb.10:14)
    They are enemies of the cross of Christ.
    But today’s enemies are tomorrow’s Amy, amiable(Ps.84:1) Amies!!
    So, E X C E R C I S E – work out (Phi.2:12).
    Grace be with you all.
    Poor and needy one,
    mathew

    • Ps.2:4
      Eph.2:6
      Eph.1:3
      Judges.9:51-
      THEREFORE, we too can have the last laugh at
      the abridged gospel, Nehushtan 2Kings.18:4 !!!
      Halle…lujah, Amen.
      Grace be with you all.
      Poor and needy one,
      mathew

  9. 53, 54, 55..Steve Jobs at fifty three, Thomas Kinkade at fifty four..
    Send not to know
    For whom the bell tolls,
    It tolls for thee.
    It is appointed (Heb.9:27-28)
    R U Ready?
    Consider the Number Line.
    Just as there is Negative Infinity & Positive Infinity
    on either side Hell and Heaven are real.
    Atheists, agnostics..may throw stones at you. But be of good courage. Good success is ours.

    One fine Sunday morning, dressed up for church, complete with my Bible, sat briefly on the couch in front of a Thomas Kinkade wall hanging, just looking at it blankly. It was the painting of a beautiful mansion just across the river, or stream with an arched bridge constructed with beautiful river stones, one stone at a time!
    Then, as if the Master Artist was whispering to me the MEANING,” make no mistake, people will throw stones at you, but you adroitly catch every one of them and build your bridge to that luminous mansion, one stone by one.” “Blessed be…teacheth my hands to catch ( the little foxes ? Song.2:15) and my fingers to build….Send thy meaning from above.. give sense..man is like unto vanity, vapour.. but thou remainest. Thank you Kinkade, thank you Wonderful Counsellor. Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom (Pro.8; Ps.144). Whoso findeth me findeth meaning, sense,life. As for me & my house, we have found the Messiah, MEANING(John.1:41) Amen.
    Grace be with you all.
    Poor and needy one,
    mathew

  10. 1 Peter 4:17&18
    For the time is come that judgement must begin at the house of GOD
    and if it first begin at us what shall the end be of of them that obey not the gospel of GOD
    (18) AND IF THE RIGHTEOUS SCARCELY BE SAVED WHERE SHALL THE UNGODLY AND THE SINNER APPEAR (KJV)

    1 Peter 4:18
    AND IF IT IS HARD FOR THE RIGHTEOUS TO BE SAVED
    WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE UNGODLY AND THE SINNER (NIV)

    Help me LORD JESUS to suffer that which needs to be suffered
    that I would be done with sin HELP US ALL LORD HELP US ALL
    IN YOUR NAME LORD

    1 Peter 4:1&2
    For as much then as CHRIST hath suffered for us in the flesh
    arm yourselves likewise with the same mind for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin
    (2) That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men
    BUT TO THE WILL OF GOD

    Romans 12:1
    I beseech you therefore brethren by the mercies of GOD that you present your bodies a living sacrifice
    holy acceptable unto GOD
    which is your reasonable service

    Hebrews 13:15&16
    By HIM therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to GOD
    continually that is the fruit of our lips giving thanks to HIS name
    (16)But to do good and to communicate forget not
    for with such sacrifices GOD is well pleased

    Deuteronomy 32:4
    HE is the rock HIS work is perfect
    For all HIS ways are judgement
    A GOD of truth and without iniquity
    Just and right is HE

    LOVING THE LORD

    • Praise the Lord, Brother! I was somewhat left dumbfounded, punching the keys aloud and louder still to break the stillness, wondering whether the RAPTURE has happened and I am the only one left behind! Thank you.
      Fulness of bread,
      Abundance of idleness
      American pride, even GPF!
      Who in the world needs a God of Truth,
      When falsehood, vanity is having a hey day?
      Who cares for “intel inside” worship (Rom.12:1)
      When ear tickling , eye dazzling, HD worship is having a field day?
      Lord, visit us, turn our captivity again, this Lord’s day, when John was In the Spirit;
      Shift our gears too O, dynamic Driver (Mark.1:12)
      All for your glory, O, God of Glory. IN GOD WE TRUST. Praise ye the Lord.
      Amen.
      Poor and needy one,
      mathew

  11. So this passage was from the notes of Charles Spurgeon?

    I plan on memorizing this…I want to be more sharp for the kingdom!

    Thank you for this!

    Jessica

  13. Acts 5:30-32
    The GOD of our fathers raised up JESUS
    whom you slew and hanged on a tree

    Acts 5:31
    HIM hath GOD exalted with HIS right hand to be a prince and a saviour
    For to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins

    Acts 5:32
    And we are HIS witnesses of these things
    And so is the holy spirit
    Whom GOD hath GIVEN to them that OBEY HIM

    1 Corinthians 4:6 And these things brthren I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for you sakes
    THAT YOU MIGHT LEARN in us not to think of men above that which is written
    THAT NO ONE OF YOU be puffed up for one against another

    LOVING THE LORD JESUS

  14. Well done! All souls are defaulted toward Hell unless they are individually snatched from the fire. Jude 1:23 Therefore, may God compell us by His saving love and power to rob Hell and fill Heaven! Let us share the Gospel. Praise the Lord! The Bible is true…it’s all true. Faith is choosing to live as though the Bible is true regardless of circumstances, emotions, or cultural trends. Blessings to you this very day!