Do We Need a New Gospel?

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Do We Need a New Gospel?

Sermon by  Thomas Thornhill Jr

Passage: Galatians 1:6


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It is no secret that we are living in unprecedented times when it comes to our lives.  Over the past century or so we have seen advancements in every aspect of our lives.  We communicate instantly around the world, travel to destinations sometimes at hundreds of miles per hour, send rockets millions of miles away and communicate with them, etc.  Knowledge is available at our fingertips unlike anytime in history.  We have access to constant entertainment and social interactions.  Advances in science and medicine can prolong lives and improve the quality of our lives.  Add to this that the philosophies of man have developed through the centuries and with that more and more are dismissing their need for God and His word.

When trying to share your faith with others, one of the arguments that might be made is to say that the gospel (or the Bible) is outdated.  They might point to progressive attitudes in our society toward moral and social issues – such as the role of women, abortion, racism, homosexuality, tolerance, etc. – have changed as we have become more enlightened.  Thus, they might say that in times past the Bible might have been relevant, but “we need a new gospel.”

And this is also true in the religious world.  Many churches and religious communities are trying to make the gospel “more relevant” for today.  This is done with evolving worship patterns toward entertainment, tolerance and acceptance of previously considered immoral practices, greater emphasis on social issues and LESS emphasis on sin and sanctification.  Rather than following the established teachings of Jesus, man tries to fit Him into their mold. Seeing these things, some might say, the gospel is outdated and needs to be revised.

So I ask, Do we need a new gospel? That is the question I would like to address in this lesson.

  1. The problem is not new
    1. Jeremiah 6:16-17 – Thus says the LORD: “Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ Also, I set watchmen over you, saying, ‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’ But they said, ‘We will not listen.’
    2. Isaiah 30:9-10 – That this is a rebellious people, Lying children, Children who will not hear the law of the LORD; Who say to the seers, “Do not see,” And to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us right things; Speak to us smooth things, prophesy deceits.
    3. Matthew 15:3-9 – the Jewish culture of the 1st century had corrupted the Law of Moses and made their own.
    4. Galatians 1:6-9 – Paul expressed concerns because even within a few years after the gospel was first preached, some were wanting to change it. That letter focuses on why they did NOT need “another gospel.”   AND neither do we!
    5. Acts 17:21 – Paul in Athens speaking to philosophers always seeking something new.
    6. And you find it with the foundation of every new religion – from Catholicism with devolved over 500 years, to various denominations whose leaders established followings based upon teaching “something new.” And while some had good intentions, the idea of the reformation movement was NOT to restore the NT church, but only reform egregious corruptions within Catholicism.
    7. And then there are those who have created other gospels such as the Muslims and Mormons.
  2. Some things have not changed
    1. The world has not changed – it still works as it has done throughout recorded history.
      1. Genesis 1 records the creation of this world. God spoke it into existence and sustains it by the same word even today (2 Peter 3:4-7).
      2. The world still has 24 hours a day, seasons, and lunar cycles, etc. Nature still works with such precision that we can put a man on the moon.   And while the flood brought some changes to the earth, God promised that after the flood – Genesis 8:20-22 – things would not change physically.
      3. Have you ever wondered why the general theory of evolution takes you back millions and billions of years BEFORE man began recording history? Evolution relies on “accidents” and “mutations” for changes that have NOT been observed since recorded history. Yet in the next breath they rely on the consistency of scientific laws.
    2. Man has not changed – he is still flesh and spirit.
      1. “The evolution of man” again goes back before recorded history. This conflicts with the Biblical account of creation.
      2. However, since the Bible was written (within the last 4000 years), we have had the same traits of humanity since God created us in His own image (Genesis 1:26-27). We need the same things to survive – food, clothing, shelter.  We conduct commerce and see the value of work and the folly of laziness.
      3. The nature of man has not changed. Romans 3:23 says that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”  He still struggles with the same lusts and emotions. That is why the same behaviors that the Bible warns about still apply – 1 John 2:15-17.
      4. Genesis 6:5 records the conduct of man before the flood – Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. This has not changed and describes today.
      5. The conscience we read about in the Old Testament (guilt, remorse, etc.) still works the same way today as it did when the Bible was written.
      6. Some men behave badly while others work to live honorably. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 describes the sinful character of so many even to this day, even though it was written ~2000 years ago.
    3. Sin is still the malady –
      1. When a disease or sickness changes in a person, the remedy is often modified to combat that ailment.
      2. But the disease of sin has NOT changed and neither has the remedy. Since sin was introduced into the world with Adam and Eve (Genesis 3), its character has not changed, nor has it been eradicated.  The outward appearance adapts to the times, but at the heart of sin we find the same motives and attitudes.
      3. Sin affects man today the same way it did when the Bible was being written and with Adam and Eve. Genesis 3 finds Eve giving into the same 3 avenues of lust that John spoke of.
        1. Romans 6:23 tells us that the wages of sin is death.
        2. It will still separate you from God – Isaiah 59:1-3, Colossians 1:21
        3. It does NOT produce positive results in our behaviors.
        4. Ultimately, it will lead to eternal condemnation – Galatians 5:19-21, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, etc.
      4. The solution for sin is still the same – Romans 6:23, Acts 22:16, etc. This IS the gospel!
    4. Satan has not changed –
      1. Satan is as evil and manipulative today as he was toward Eve and Adam and throughout Biblical history.
      2. 1 Peter 5:8 – he still walks about seeking to devour man. He uses the same tactics to entice man today as in Bible times.
      3. Matthew 7:15, 1 John 4:1 – he still uses his disciples.
      4. 1 John 5:19 – the world still lies under his sway.
      5. He still disguises himself – 2 Corinthians 11:13-15.
      6. And the fate of his followers has not changed – Matthew 15:13-14.
      7. James 4:7 – he can still be resisted and will flee when you do.
  3. God’s word has always remained constant.
    1. Biblical history shows the timeless wisdom of God.
      1. Jesus used God’s word to answer temptations – while on earth, Jesus appealed to the writings of Moses – some 1500 years earlier. This describes the enduring nature of God’s word and the gospel – Psalm 119:160, The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.  1 Peter 1:24-25. because “All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, And its flower falls away, But the word of the LORD endures forever.” Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.
      2. Josiah – 2 Kings 22 introduces us to Josiah, Judah’s final righteous king. He saw the moral corruption that was in Judah.  He sought to reform them.  What did he do?  He went back to the Book of the Law (of YHWH) given by Moses some 800 years earlier.  RESTORATION meant returning to the ways of the original documents.  This delayed God’s judgment of Judah.
      3. The point of such examples shows how wisdom from God IS timeless!
    2. The gospel saved men in the first century – Acts 2:38-41ff – on the day of Pentecost some 3000 souls obeyed the gospel. The book of Acts gives many examples of conversion.
    3. The gospel in the first century was transforming – It changed lives! From the apostles to valiant men like Stephen, to Paul who made a complete transition, the gospel worked. Romans 6:17-18 – from slaves of sin to slaves of righteousness; 1 Corinthians 6:11 – such were some of you…
  4. The gospel is still the answer today – Romans 1:16-17.
    1. The Gospel addresses what has not changed. It addresses the nature of the world and man.  It identifies what sin is. IT warns us about Satan.  AND it gives us the ANSWER to dealing with them.
    2. The gospel is the account of what God has done to redeem mankind from his fall – John 3:16, Romans 5:6-9. 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 describes Jesus as the foundation of the gospel – His life, death, burial and resurrection.
    3. The gospel gives us the solution to our sin problem – Romans 10:9-10, Acts 2:38, 22:16. It still saves today by the SAME PATTERN today.  NOTE: What they were told to do 2000 years ago can still be done today!
    4. Its moral principals are still needed to day
      1. Love is still the best course for how we treat others. It is still the “more excellent way” – 1 Corinthians 12:31 – 13:8a.
      2. Godly attitudes are still what is desperately needed today – Galatians 5:22-23, James 3:17, etc.
      3. Principles related to our actions still apply – Galatians 6:7-8- you reap what you sow. The books of proverbs and Ecclesiastes are timeless! (written nearly 3000 years ago).
    5. The same gospel can transform lives today. The gospel has always been about change.  Romans 6:3-4, 2 Corinthians 5:17 – a new creation. Romans 12:1- calls for us to be transformed. Even today, when someone surrenders completely to our Lord and resolves to follow Him – it WILL change him for the better.  Hearts, actions, words and attitudes are all affected and will manifest themselves in time.

So considering that we live in this modern age of technology and advancements in every area of life, why should we appeal to an “ancient document” for moral direction?  The answer is because the Bible doesn’t deal specifically with TikTok, cell phones, and automobiles, airplanes and satellites, or any other specifics related to our advancing world.  BUT it does deal with that part of us that has not changed.   The timeless principles of man dealing with one another and our purpose are found within its pages.  The truth is, IF man behaved the way God tells us to in that “ancient document”, the world WOULD be a better place.   And that is why it is still THE gospel we need today.   The question is: Are you willing to consider it?  Think about it!

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