Genesis: Abraham, Covenant, and Promise

There They Preached the Gospel

Transcript: AI Transcript

Professor: John Weaver

Subject: Old Testament Studies

Genre: Sermon

Dictation Name:

Date: 2012-02-01

Synopsis: Pastor John Weaver explains that the gospel is not merely facts about Christ but Christ Himself—the entirety of God's Word centered on Jesus. He corrects the common misuse of 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 as 'the gospel in a nutshell' and 1 Corinthians 2:2 as a reason to avoid preaching the whole counsel of God. Using Acts 14:7 as a springboard, he demonstrates that Paul and the early disciples preached the gospel wherever they were, regardless of persecution, prison, or prosperity. The sermon emphasizes that every believer is called to herald the whole Word of God in whatever situation God has placed them, trusting God for the results.

[John Weaver] You know, I have an interesting practice, and I hope you have the same practice, but I read the scriptures every day. And I try to study every day, but I also just simply read through my Bible time after time. And it's usually when I'm just reading for my own personal benefit that so many subjects pop out that I end up preaching on, because after I read and I begin to think, then I begin to study, and usually a message comes out of it. The same thing happened as I was reading through the book of Acts recently. And if you look at verse 7 in Acts chapter 14, the Bible says, and there they preached the gospel. And there they preached the gospel. As I read through the book of Acts, that statement just simply jumped out at me.

[John Weaver] This statement is so simple, it is so plain, it is so direct, it must be easily understood. And yet, the scripture says in there they preached the gospel. I can assure you that most professing Christians think that they really understand what it means to preach the gospel. Yet the truth is, and it should be very evident, after visiting most churches and listening to most TV and radio preachers, most folks really have no idea as to what the gospel really and truly is.

[John Weaver] I want to ask you this question. Don't answer out loud, but what is the gospel? Now I want you to think about that just for a moment. As you hold Acts 14, I'm certainly coming back there, But I want you to look in 1 Corinthians chapter 15, and let's begin reading there with verse 1. 1 Corinthians chapter 15, and let's read the first four verses, because usually when we talk about the gospel, this passage normally comes up. Notice if you would, 1 Corinthians chapter 15 verse 1, Paul writes, Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also you have received, and wherein you stand. By which also you are saved, if you keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless you have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you, first of all, that which also received.

[John Weaver] How that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures. And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.

[John Weaver] Now, the important thing is, as you look at 1 Corinthians 15, especially verses 3 and 4, I have heard preachers say, and probably you have as well, that 1 Corinthians 15 verses 3 and 4 is the gospel in a nutshell. What they mean by that statement is this. It is the smallest bit of information that you could possibly obtain and yet it still be called the gospel.

[John Weaver] But are they correct in that assumption? Now, let me tell you, I confess and I acknowledge that Jesus Christ did indeed die according to the scriptures. And I confess and acknowledge that Jesus Christ was indeed raised from the dead bodily according to the scriptures. But here's my questions. First of all, was not Christ also born according to the scriptures? And did not Jesus Christ live according to the scriptures?

[John Weaver] So are not His birth and His life equally the gospel as well as His death and as well as His resurrection? And the answer would be yes. So I want you to note something. Look in verse 1 of 1 Corinthians 15. He says, Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached unto you. So Paul now is saying, look, I have preached the gospel unto you. Then if you'll skip down to verse 2, he says, by which also you're saved if you keep in memory what I preached unto you. So again, he's talking about the fact that he's preached unto them. And then he says in verse 3, for I delivered to you first of all that which also received. Now, the interesting thing is, in verses 3 and 4, Paul is emphasizing mainly the death, burial, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. So my question is, is that all that Paul preached? If not, why is it that he's emphasizing in this passage just the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ?

[John Weaver] Well, if you'll skip over in your Bibles to 1 Corinthians 15, beginning there in verse 12, you will see why Paul is singling out that aspect of the work of Jesus Christ. Look in 1 Corinthians 15 verse 12. He says, Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? Ah! I want you to understand that there were people in the Corinthian church who were denying the bodily resurrection of the dead. So he says, Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen? And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain?

[John Weaver] Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He raised not up. If so, be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised? And if Christ be not raised, your faith it is in vain, and you are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.

[John Weaver] In other words, Paul is saying, look, I'm correcting some bad theology that you folks have. And what you are denying is the bodily resurrection of Christ. In fact, the rest of 1 Corinthians 15 goes on to prove the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ.

[John Weaver] Now, let me show you something. So the apostle Paul is saying then in 1 Corinthians 15 verses 3 and 4 that he is emphasizing that part of the gospel that was being denied by some who were in the Corinthian church. Now, here's the error in saying that 1 Corinthians 15 verses 3 and 4 is the gospel in a nutshell. Listen carefully. Paul said, I deliver unto you first of all that which also preached. How that Christ died according to our sins, Christ died for our sins according to the gospel, according to the scriptures, and that he was raised the third day according to the scriptures. Now, if you say that 1 Corinthians 15 verses 3 and 4 is the gospel in a nutshell, then the error is this, that you're suggesting that the gospel is simply facts about Christ. Listen carefully. Is it a fact that Jesus Christ died? Yes. Is it a fact that he was buried? Yes. Is it a fact that He was raised from the dead? The answer is yes. But the gospel is not facts about Christ.

[John Weaver] The gospel is Christ. Everything about Jesus Christ is the gospel, for He is the gospel. The word gospel, which I will point out before I close, literally means good tidings or glad tidings, of salvation through Jesus Christ. Everything about Christ is the gospel because Christ is the gospel. Now when you read the word gospel in the Bible, in the New Testament, the word gospel never simply means a book or facts about Christ. It is the truth concerning Christ But everything about Christ, we refer to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John as the four Gospels, not because they are books, but because they are histories about the person and work of Jesus Christ. So the Gospel then is not just simply facts. The Gospel is not simply books. Jesus Christ is the Gospel.

[John Weaver] He is the subject of it. He is the object of it. He is the life of it. Christ preached the gospel, the apostles preached the gospel, the evangelists preached the gospel. Usually when we use the word gospel we're using it in a very collective sense indicating the doctrines that revolve around Christ and we're talking about preaching the gospel which includes not only proclaiming the good news that Jesus Christ is salvation and that Jesus Christ alone is salvation, but it also is a declaration of all the promises, all the precepts, and even the threatenings that are found in the Word of God.

[John Weaver] Now, when you talk about the Gospel, it's interesting just to look through the New Testament and find the terms that refer to the Gospel. Let me just give these to you very quickly. First of all, it is called the Gospel of God. in Romans 1 in verse 1. It is called the gospel of the grace of God in Acts 20 in verse 24. It is called the gospel of the kingdom in Matthew 4.23. It's called the gospel of Christ in Romans 1.16. It's called the gospel of peace in Ephesians 6.15. It's called the glorious gospel in 2 Corinthians 4 in verse 4. It's called the everlasting gospel in Revelation 14 in verse 6. And it's called the gospel of our salvation in Ephesians 1 in verse 3. Now we're talking about preaching the gospel.

[John Weaver] The word preach is from the Greek word karuso which literally means I herald. So preaching the gospel is basically heralding the message of Jesus Christ. The whole message of Jesus Christ. It's important that you remember that I've just said that Jesus Christ is the gospel. I want you to look in your Bibles, if you would, to 2 Timothy chapter 4 and verse 2. Notice if you would what the Apostle Paul tells Timothy. 2 Timothy chapter 2, or chapter 4 it is, and verse 2. In fact, let's read verse 1 just so you can see it in the context. He says, I charge thee therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing in his kingdom, preach the word.

[John Weaver] Be instant in season, out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. Now I want you to notice something about preaching or heralding the word. He says preach the word, herald the word, and notice if you would please that preaching or heralding the word includes reproof. rebuke, exhortation. So in other words, when you herald the gospel, sometimes you are proclaiming, sometimes you are rebuking, sometimes you are reproving, sometimes you are exhorting. So let's me ask the question, since the Apostle Paul, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, commands us to preach the word, We've got to ask a question. Is the entirety of the Word of God the gospel?

[John Weaver] And the answer is yes. Is not the whole Word of God good news? Is not the entirety of God's Word the glad tidings to those that hear and heed and obey the Word of God? When you consider the Old Testament, You have to ask yourself this question. Does not the Old Testament speak and teach about Jesus Christ? Does it not speak about reconciliation and about salvation, about deliverance, about justification, about sanctification? Does it not teach about repentance and judgment? Does it not also teach condemnation upon those who refuse to bow to God's salvation? And the answer is yes. Now let me ask you. If we are commanded to preach the entirety of the Word of God, and if we understand that the entirety of the Word of God is indeed the Gospel, why is it then that most preachers limit their preaching and their teaching simply to the New Testament? Now, if you confess that the entirety of the Bible is indeed the Word of God, here's my next question. Why then do we not preach the Word of God in its entirety?

[John Weaver] I want you to turn in your Bibles, if you would, just go ahead and turn to the book of Acts chapter 20. And as you turn there, get ready for me to show you a passage. And since I'm dealing with this fact of teaching and preaching the entirety of the Word of God, have you ever heard of blood guiltiness? If you've never heard of it, You should have. And if you've heard of it, you should have wondered concerning it. Now let me show you what I'm about to declare.

[John Weaver] You see, when I started preaching 40 something years ago, and as a young Christian, I was told that I was responsible to witness to every person that I saw. And if I did not witness to them, Their blood was going to be on my hands. I want you to think for a moment. What greater way is there to control a people and to manipulate a people except through guilt? If I can make you feel guilty, I can control you. Rush Dooney wrote a very important book years ago the politics of guilt and pity. You want to know why there's so much guilt being forced upon the American people? To control us. To manipulate us. If we can be made to feel guilty about slavery, something that happened 200 years ago or that still is happening today.

[John Weaver] I mean, man, we can be controlled. If we can be made to feel guilty that somewhere somebody doesn't have enough food to eat and somewhere some child is being abused and I'm certainly not for child abuse but I'm just saying I am not responsible for what someone else does. I'm responsible for what I do. But you see if you can make somebody feel guilty then you can manipulate them. Arminian theology seeks to control and manipulate Christians by making them feel guilty because they proclaim, basically, that it is our responsibility to witness to every person that we see, that is, we must follow their bidding, we must follow their program, we must follow their interpretation of scripture, and if we do not follow it, then we are guilty. Now, such theology is not only not biblical, it is certainly not Practical. If I'm responsible to witness to every person that I see, or else their blood is on my hands, here's my question. How can I work? How can I play?

[John Weaver] How can I have a family? How can I do anything else? For instance, let's suppose Alice asked me to go downtown to buy some milk and bread that she needs for supper. And she says, you bring me back the milk and bread and then we'll have supper. But now, wait a minute, I'm convinced that I have to witness to everyone that I see. So I stop at the store and I see a man walking into the store and I say, whoa, sir, let me tell you about Jesus Christ.

[John Weaver] And before he can walk off, there's passes. Wait right here just a moment. I want to tell you about Jesus Christ. And you sir, you stand right there because I want to talk to you too. Would I ever get into the store? If I got into the store, there's more people. Once I begin witnessing to them, will I ever get out of the store? Because more keep coming in. Would I ever get home in time for supper? Would I ever have supper? Would I ever return home? When would it stop? You follow me?

[John Weaver] Now there is such a thing as blood guiltiness. I'm going to show it to you from the Bible. But I want you to look, please, in Acts chapter 20 beginning there of verse 17. Because the apostle Paul now sends from Miletus to the Ephesian elders and tell them to meet him there. And notice if you would, verse 17, Acts chapter 20, And from Miletus he said to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.

[John Weaver] And when they were come to him, he said unto them, You know from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons. Notice, serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears and temptations, which befell me by the lying weight of the Jews. How I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you. But have showed you and taught you publicly and from house to house."

[John Weaver] Now let me stop there just for a moment. Look in verse 20 again. How I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you. But have showed you and have taught you publicly and from house to house. Do you remember 2 Timothy 3 and verse 16? Let me quote it for you. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for correction, for reproof, for instruction in righteousness.

[John Weaver] Now what did he say? All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable.

[John Weaver] Now if you look back in verse 20 of Acts 20, and I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you. Now let me ask you, if all scripture is profitable, and Paul kept back nothing that was profitable, what did Paul do? He preached all of it. He preached the entirety of the Word of God. Now watch. He says in verse 21, testifying both to the Jews and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

[John Weaver] And now behold, I go bound in the Spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there. say that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide in me, but none of those things move me, neither count I my life dear to myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify of the gospel of the grace of God.

[John Weaver] Now watch, and now behold, I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. Watch, wherefore I take you to record this day, that I'm pure from the blood of all men." Whoa, whoa, stop there. Paul, did you witness to every man that you saw? No, he didn't. How can he say that he's pure from the blood of all men?

[John Weaver] Well, look at verse 26 again. Wherefore, I take you to record. In other words, I'm pointing this out. I take you to record this day that I'm pure from the blood of all men. Here's why. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. You know what brings blood guiltiness upon a preacher or blood guiltiness upon anyone? Failure to preach and teach the whole counsel of God. How did Paul escape blood guiltiness?

[John Weaver] Not by witnessing everyone that he saw, but by declaring and preaching and teaching the entirety of God's Word. Now, what is going to happen when you start preaching the entirety of God's Word? Well, the truth is, you maybe run off. There are a lot of people who do not want truth. I think I probably told you, but I was asked to go down to Florida and was offered a huge ministry. I mean, my goodness. Here was a building.

[John Weaver] Just the auditorium was millions. And they had a gym. And they had a Christian school. They were also about $10 million in debt. And they asked me to come and be their pastor. I said, you don't really want me. Oh, yes we do. I said, no, you just think you want me. Because when I start preaching, within the first six months, I'm going to thin the congregation down to at least by 50%. And you know what's going to happen? Since you won't have the money come in to pay your sinking fund, then you're going to have to get rid of me. I said, you know, it would be best if you call somebody else. You really don't want me. Why? Because so many people do not want the truth. You might get run off. You might get persecuted. You might, you know, you might be hated and despised. But let me tell you, truth is truth.

[John Weaver] And we are responsible to preach and teach the totality of God's Word. That is one reason I like you folks. I love you folks. You know why? Because I can open the Bible and just preach. I don't have to say, wow, I wonder if Ron's going to like this one. Truth is, I don't really care whether he likes it or not. And the truth of the matter is, I believe, I know Him well enough, if it's from the Word of God, He's going to like it. And anybody who loves the Scripture is going to love the truth. But you see, the Gospel is not just facts about Christ. The Gospel is Jesus Christ.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to turn to 1 Corinthians chapter 2 because here's another passage that so many quote. Look in 1 Corinthians chapter 2. And notice if you would, what the Apostle Paul says, 1 Corinthians chapter 2 and verse 2. I've heard preachers use this verse very piously. 1 Corinthians 2 and verse 2. The Apostle Paul says, For I determined not to know anything among you save Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

[John Weaver] I don't worry about all these people and their sins, and I don't worry about what's happening in the world, and I don't worry about the corruption in politics, and I don't worry about... I just preach the gospel. I just preach Christ and Him crucified. That sounds good, doesn't it? Well, let's look at the context. Look in 1 Corinthians 2 and verse 1. He said, And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with the excellency of speech or wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, Him crucified.

[John Weaver] And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the spirit and of power, that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God."

[John Weaver] Now what in the world is Paul saying when he says, For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, Him crucified. Here's what he's saying. I'm not depending upon my oratory. I'm not depending upon my sermon outlines. I'm not depending upon my illustrations. I'm not depending upon gags and gimmicks and programs. I'm not depending upon emotionalism. I'm not depending upon tricks and gimmicks. No, no, no. He said the only thing I'm depending upon is Christ and His power in my preaching.

[John Weaver] and in the conversion of sinners, so that when people are genuinely convicted and converted, they are genuine Christians. That's what he's saying. You know why so many churches put so much emphasis upon their soul winning programs? Because they have to keep bringing people in to replace those that are leaving. One year, I preached in a church down in Florida and they had about 300 people in that congregation. The next year, I went back and preached to the same church.

[John Weaver] There were only three or four families that I recognized. Within a year, practically 90% of the church had changed.

[John Weaver] Now let me tell you something, folks. There is something seriously wrong with evangelism when the converts do not stick. You know, it seems to me like there's a passage in 1 John 2, 19 that says this, they went out from us because they were not of us. For had they been of us, no doubt they would have continued with us. The proof that a man is ever genuinely converted is that he continues in the faith and in the things of Christ. And all Paul is saying in 1 Corinthians chapter 2, whatever converts I get, I want to be God's converts. It's kind of like Billy Sunday. You remember Billy Sunday, the Presbyterian evangelist.

[John Weaver] He died, I think, in the 30s. But Billy Sunday was walking down the street one day and met a drunk man. And the man said, in his drunken stupor, Mr. Sunday, Mr. Sunday, don't you know me? And Billy suddenly said, I'm sorry, I don't know you. Well, he said, you ought to, I'm one of your converts. Billy said, blessed God you must be, you're certainly not one of God's.

[John Weaver] Now, you see, that's all Paul is saying. Paul is saying, I want anyone who's convicted and converted to have been convicted and converted by the power of Christ. By the power of His ministry. Paul certainly preached the gospel. But let me ask you a question. If we're going to preach Christ and Him crucified, is not Christ The Creator? Yes, He is. Creation is ascribed to God the Son.

[John Weaver] All things were made by Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made. So if you're going to preach about Christ, that means you've got to preach about creation. You've got to preach about the book of Genesis. Was not Christ the true seed of Abraham? Well, of course. Did not Christ come of the tribe of Judah? Well, of course. Is not Christ the central focus in the Old Testament as He is in the New Testament?

[John Weaver] And the answer is yes. Therefore, if you're going to preach Christ, you must preach then the entirety of the Word of God. Because Christ is the central theme and focus in the Old Testament as well as the New Testament.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to go back to Acts 14. All that was introduction. Because I still have not even attempted to explain Acts 14 verse 7. I'm just trying to show you that so many today who think they know what the gospel is really and truly do not know what the gospel is. Do you realize that preaching that Christ is the creator or that Christ is the true seed of Abraham is just as much the gospel as preaching the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, because Jesus Christ is the gospel. If you're preaching Christ, you're preaching the gospel. If you are preaching the threatenings that Christ made toward those who will not receive Him, you're still preaching the gospel, because you're preaching Christ. Now, look if you would please, Acts 14 verse 7, and there they preach the gospel. And there, they preach the gospel.

[John Weaver] What is significant about that statement? Well, in order to understand it, we've got to read Acts 14, verses 1 through 6. Look at it. And it came to pass in Iconium, as they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude, both of Jews and also of the Greeks, believed. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and made their minds evil, affected against the brethren.

[John Weaver] Long time, therefore, bowed they, speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony to the word of his grace and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands. But the multitude of the city was divided, part held with the Jews, part held with the apostles. And when there was an assault made, both of the Gentiles and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully and to stone them.

[John Weaver] Then they were aware of it and fled unto Lystra and Derby cities of Lycania and onto the region that lies round about. And there they preach the gospel.

[John Weaver] Now, interestingly, as they were at Iconium, they were preaching in great multitudes evidently were believing. Do you realize it's easy to preach And it's easy to teach, as long as you have smooth sailing, balmy breezes, and plenty of sunshine. And boy, at first, they had it. And then all of a sudden, the unbelieving Jews got together, raised a ruckus, tried to stone them and kill them. And when they knew what was going to happen, they fled to Lystra and Derbe. When they got to Lystra and Derbe, it is said, and there they preached the gospel. Now wait a minute.

[John Weaver] Let's go back to Acts 13 and begin with verse 49. Watch carefully. And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region, but the Jews stood up the devout and honorable women and the chief men of the city and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas and expelled them out of their coasts. But they shook off the dust of their feet against them and came to Iconium, and the disciples were filled with joy in the Holy Ghost, and it could be said, and there they preach the gospel.

[John Weaver] Do you see what is happening? It doesn't matter where they are driven, there they preach the gospel. Look at Acts chapter 14 beginning there in verse 8. And there sat a certain man, at least impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked. The same heard Paul speak, who steadfastly beholding him and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped up and walked. And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lachaniah, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. And they called Barnabas Jupiter and Paul Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garland into the gates and would have done sacrifice with the people. Which when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they rent their clothes and ran in among the people crying out and saying, Sirs, why do you these things?

[John Weaver] We also are men of like passions with you and preach unto you that you should turn from these vanities unto the living God who made heaven and earth and seen all things therein, who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. Nevertheless, He left not himself without witnessing that he did good and gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness."

[John Weaver] Now watch, and with these sayings, scarce restrained by the people that they had not done sacrifice unto them. Now hold on. You would think that all of a sudden, Paul and Barnabas are going to have smooth sailing. I mean, my goodness, they've healed this man. Everybody's tried to proclaim them as gods. They were going to do sacrifice to them. They were going to honor them. Surely, surely Paul and Barnabas can sail on this honor for some time, getting good mileage out of it, being able to really and truly preach the Word of God to these people.

[John Weaver] Well, look in verse 19. And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. Howbeit his disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city, and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. And when they had preached the gospel to that city, they taught many, they returned again to Lestrand, Iconium, and Antioch." Isn't that amazing? Now, some say that Paul was actually killed. I don't know whether he was or not, but they at least thought he was dead.

[John Weaver] But God sovereignly and powerfully raised him up. Skip down to verse 24. Watch what happens. And after they had passed through throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Italia. It doesn't matter where they were. It doesn't matter what happened. It doesn't matter the circumstances or the situations. Nothing deterred the Apostle Paul and the others from preaching the gospel.

[John Weaver] Now let me ask you a question. Was Paul superhuman? When you read about the Apostle Paul and you read about the Apostle Peter and all these other men that God used, oh my goodness, you somehow tend to think that these were super saints. They were super pious. They were superhuman. Was Paul superhuman? No. None of them were. Each one of them were sinners. Each one of them were nothing more than mere men. And it might surprise you to learn that even the mighty Apostle Paul at times was afraid. You know, even in 1 Corinthians 2 and verse 3, we read it earlier.

[John Weaver] You don't have to go back there. He said it. I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. But I want you to look in Acts chapter 18 since you're right there. Let me show you. In Acts chapter 18, the Apostle Paul goes on to Corinth. And I hope you remember that Corinth was an exceedingly wicked city. You know Jacksonville has a seaport.

[John Weaver] A lot of other cities have seaports and usually when you have seaports you've got a bunch of wickedness because you've got a bunch of sailors. You've heard the expression of a drunken sailor and a cuss like a sailor. Corinth had three seaports. Corinth was so pagan, they had all these pagan temples. One pagan temple had a thousand prostitutes in it for the free use of visitors to that pagan temple. The Apostle Paul goes to Corinth to preach.

[John Weaver] Look in Acts chapter 18, and by the way, let me tell you, in Bible times, If you wanted to cut a man down verbally, you know what you called him? A Corinthian. Or if you said someone was acting like a Corinthian, that was a slam, that was a put down. That's like calling a white man white trash. I mean, it's a put down. Because the Corinthians were so foul and so wicked. But look in Acts chapter 18, beginning there verse 9, Paul now is in Corinth, then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision.

[John Weaver] Here's what God told him. Be not afraid, but speak and hold not thy peace. For I am with thee and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee, for I am much people in this city. Isn't that amazing? Paul was fearful and God had to comfort him and say, Paul, don't be afraid. I'm going to protect you. No one is going to harm you. Look in verse 11. And he continued there a year and six months teaching the word of God among them.

[John Weaver] And there he preached the gospel. Didn't matter where he was. Didn't matter about the circumstances. There he preached the gospel. Persecution, resentment, bitterness, hatred, ill will, fear and suffering. did not deter the Apostle Paul or the other disciples from preaching and teaching the Word of God. The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 2 and verse 2, let me just quote it for you. He said, but even after that we have suffered before and were shamefully entreated, as you know at Philippi, we are bold in our God to speak the gospel of God with much contention. He said, it didn't matter that people hated us. It didn't matter they persecuted us. It didn't matter that we were so resented. We were still bold in our God to preach the Gospel to you. That's true, folks. There are many who refuse to hear the Word of God. There are many who reject it. What happened in the New Testament with the Apostle Paul, the other disciples, when people hated and rejected and refused the Word of God?

[John Weaver] Did Paul and the other apostles stand there and beg them, please listen, please listen. No, no, no. They shook the dust off their feet and said, the very dust be a witness against you. And they went to somewhere else. In other words, rejection did not hinder them from preaching the word of God. You know what God often does? to get us to preach and teach, he sends persecution.

[John Weaver] Look back to Acts chapter 8. Acts chapter 8. You will remember that in Acts chapter 7, Stephen, the first martyr, was stolen to death. Well, look in verse one, and Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was great persecution against the church, which was at Jerusalem. And they were all scattered abroad throughout the region of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles and devout men carried Stephen to his burial and made great lamentation over him. As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering into every house and hailing men and women, committing them to prison. Therefore, Therefore, they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word." Isn't that interesting? Persecution drove them out of Jerusalem. And wherever they went, they went preaching. Look in Acts chapter 11, beginning there of verse 19. Acts 11 verse 19, here it is again. Acts 11 verse 19, Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecutions that arose about Stephen traveled as far as Phoenix, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.

[John Weaver] And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus, and the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord." Notice, if you would, verse 19,"...now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose around Stephen." What got these folks scattered out preaching persecution?

[John Weaver] I want you to turn in your Bibles to Matthew 28. Here's a passage that Practically everyone in this room can quote. If you can't quote it all, you can at least quote part of it. It's very familiar. It's known as the Great Commission. Notice in Matthew 28, and let's read there verses 19 and 20. Matthew 28 verse 19, Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.

[John Weaver] And lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

[John Weaver] Now, I've heard, as you have heard, many pastors say that we have a divine command to go. Go ye. That's a command. Go ye. It's an imperative. Usually the folks who say that have not really done very much studying. Because go is not an imperative in the Greek. It's a participle. What's that mean? Here's what verse 19 says literally. As you are going, You want to know where the imperative is? You want to know where the command is? It's the word teach. That's the imperative. As you're going, teach. As you're going, preach. In other words, wherever you are, that's where you're commanded to preach and to teach. As you're going somewhere.

[John Weaver] Did God in His all-wise providence place you in a situation where there are some who are open to the gospel? If so, they are a preach. Did God in His all-wise providence place you in a situation where there are ignorant, apathetic, stubborn, and rebellious people? If so, they are a preach. It doesn't matter where you are. You say, now wait a minute, Brother Weaver. I would really like to be in a position where people really want the Word of God and really respond. Wouldn't everyone?

[John Weaver] But God doesn't always put us in those positions. Noah did not have any converts. What about Jeremiah? Nobody listened to him either. How about Isaiah? Very few. I'm just simply pointing out the fact, wherever God sent His people there, they preached.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to turn in your Bibles to Romans chapter 1 and the book of Philippians, okay? Let me show you. Romans chapter 1, Hobie's been dealing with this passage, but I want to just point out about these Roman believers. Turn if you would to Philippians 4, just find it, we're going to look in Romans chapter 1 first, then we're going to the book of Philippians. So look in Romans 1 and verse 6. Romans 1 verse 6, the Apostle Paul says, Are you also the called of Jesus Christ? To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints, grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." So now Paul is writing to these Roman Christians. Has it ever entered in your mind to ask the question, how did Paul get to preach to these Romans and why is Paul writing to them? Look in the book of Philippians chapter 4 and notice verse 22, he writes this, All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household.

[John Weaver] What? You mean there were people in Caesar's palace that were believers? Well, of course. Well, how did people in Caesar's palace And how do people in Rome get to be believers? Well, look in Philippians chapter 1, beginning there, verse 12. Some of you know that the Apostle Paul had several vacations from his preaching tours. I would say federal, but they were not federal. They were Roman. The Apostle Paul was thrown in prison numerous times. And look in Philippians chapter 1 verse 12.

[John Weaver] Here he is in prison, and he says, But I would, you should understand, brethren, that the things which happen unto me, that is his imprisonment, have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel, so that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the, what? Palace, and in all other places. And many of the brethren in the Lord watching, confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear." Notice, Paul was in prison! And it was in the palace where he's in prison, it was in the palace prison that he preached. It was in the palace prison that they of Caesar's household were converted. It was in the palace prison that he was able to reach even some that were outside of the prison. Do you remember in Acts chapter 16, don't turn there, but you remember Acts 16, Paul and Silas had cast a demon out of a girl. And the men who owned the girl complained and the magistrates threw them into prison after they had beaten them.

[John Weaver] And the Bible says at midnight, Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises unto God, and the prisoners heard them. And you know how God sent the earthquake, loosed all the prisoners, the jailer coming in about to kill himself. Paul said, do thyself no harm, we're all here. What did Paul do when he went to prison? He preached, he prayed, he praised. Look in Acts 24. You know that Paul was wrongly condemned. He was also wrongly convicted. He was also wrongly accused. He was accused by the Jews of being in the temple with a Macedonian, which of course he was not, but that did not bother them. So Paul then is sent down to face Festus and then Felix. But notice in Acts 24, after Paul has been wrongly accused now, in Acts 24 and verse 27, the Bible says this, But after two years, Porcius Festus came into Felix's room, and Felix, willing to show the Jews pleasure, left Paul bound. Now you remember Felix was the one who trembled at the preaching of Paul.

[John Weaver] For two years now, Paul is held in prison. When Festus came in, Paul preached to him as well, as well as to Agrippa and his wife. And it was Agrippa who cried out, almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. All this time he's in prison. And then if you'll look in your Bibles, Acts 28. Acts 28, notice verses 30 and 31. So we know he's there a minimum of two years. He's probably there longer under Festus. But in Acts 28, after he is sent to Rome in verses 30 and 31, and Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, still under guard, and received all that came in unto him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

[John Weaver] So the point I'm trying to make is this. Persecution could not stop him. Prison could not silence him. Prosperity did not deter him. Privations only made him stronger. For Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 12 and verse 10, listen, Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake, for when I am weak, then I am strong." Do you realize the only thing that could silence the Apostle Paul was death? The only thing that could silence most of these people was death.

[John Weaver] It did not matter where they were, It did not matter the situation or the circumstances, there they preached the gospel. And you know what the Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 11 and verse 1? Here's what he said, Be ye followers of me, even as I am of Christ. You follow me, as I follow Christ. And if we follow the Apostle Paul, We're going to be doing an awful lot of preaching wherever we are.

[John Weaver] Now, let me make some applications and try to tie everything together. The first one is this. Do you remember the story of Esther? And of course you do. There's a whole book about her. But you remember how she got to be queen and Mordecai told her that God had brought her to the kingdom for such a time as this. Have you ever stopped to think that God in his all wise providence has placed you exactly where you are for such a time as this?

[John Weaver] It doesn't matter if you are at home, it doesn't matter if you're traveling, it doesn't matter if you're in prison, Doesn't matter if you're in the hospital. There, preach the gospel. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 7, let me just read it, verses 21 and 22. Aren't thou called being a servant? Care not for it. But, he said, if thou mayest be free, use it rather. And then he explains it. For he that is called in the Lord being a servant is the Lord's free man. Likewise, he that is called being free is the Lord's servant.

[John Weaver] Now the word servant is the Greek word doulos, which literally means slave or bond slave. It means one in servile condition. So he says, look, are you called being a slave? If you are, it doesn't matter. He said, if you can be free, use it rather. But if you can't be free, that doesn't matter. You preach the gospel being a slave. He said, if you're a free man and you belong to Christ, you're still a slave. You preach the gospel. So it really doesn't matter whether we're bond or free, whether we're in prison or out of prison. He says there, preach the gospel, live for him, honor him. Here's a second application. I want you to turn, please, to second Corinthians chapter two, second Corinthians chapter two. And look, if you would, at the scripture.

[John Weaver] Listen carefully, because I'm going to make an application, some of you You may not understand, I hope that you shall, but here it is. Do not become excited if you do not see fruit immediately in your witnessing or preaching or teaching. Hey, you say, brother, I'm not a pastor. That doesn't matter. I've never been to college. That doesn't matter. Never been to Bible school. That doesn't matter.

[John Weaver] If you've been saved by the grace of God, You know the truth and you can share the truth. But don't become excited if folks reject the truth and hate it. You know, I remember when God first saved me, I thought this thing is so wonderful. I can't wait to tell everyone, especially members of my family. And guess what? All of a sudden, some of those members of my family did not want to associate with me anymore. Well, you've gone off on the deep end. You're a nut. All you want to talk about is Christ and read the Bible. Let me show you what the Bible says.

[John Weaver] Look in 2 Corinthians 2. Now listen, here's what I'm trying to tell you. God does not give everyone a ministry of reconciliation. He didn't give that to Noah. He didn't give that to Jeremiah. He didn't give that to Isaiah. He didn't give it to a lot of people. To some people, He gives a ministry of condemnation. Look what He said, 2 Corinthians 2 verse 14.

[John Weaver] Now, thanks be unto God who always causes us to triumph in Christ and make it manifest the savor of His knowledge by us in every place. Now watch carefully. For we are unto God a sweet savor of Christ in them that are saved and in them that perish, to the one we're the saver of death unto death, and to the other the saver of life unto life, and who is sufficient for these things."

[John Weaver] Now, let me explain it. You remember in the Old Testament, they had those offerings, and they were sweet saver offerings. It's just like when you walk by and your neighbor is grilling a steak outside. That's a sweet saver. I mean, you like it. Or barbecue and chicken. You like it. Here's what God says. God says, when my son is preached, and people repent and believe, He says, that's a sweet smell, I love it. My son is preached. But when his son is preached, and men hate him, and reject him, and deny him, God says, That's a sweet smell. My Son is preached. To the one, we're the saver of life unto life, and to the other, the saver of death unto death. But if Christ is preached, whether men repent or do not repent is immaterial. We honor God by preaching Jesus Christ. Here's the last application. Listen carefully.

[John Weaver] We get our English word, evangelize, an evangelist, from the Greek word euangelion, which is the word for gospel. To evangelize is to preach the gospel. Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 4 and verse 5 to do the work of an evangelist. But let me tell you, you don't have to be a pastor, you don't have to be a preacher to carry the Word of God. If you are a Christian, you're obligated to carry the Word of God as you are traveling, as God opened doors for you, as God gives you people to speak to. Listen, I've tried to speak to some people and they don't want to talk to me. Others? I don't particularly want to talk to them, but they want to talk to me. And they want me to tell them about the gospel, and I'm willing to.

[John Weaver] You know, this thing is so strange. I could sit here and tell you story after story, but I remember one man. He would, I tried to witness to him, I tried to share the word of God with him. He would see me coming, he would turn around and go the other way. on the sidewalk and he saw me in time. He'd cross the street just so he wouldn't have to speak to me. I'd always speak to him though. You know what God did? God in his grace and mercy saved that fellow. And I remember at midnight on numerous occasions saying, Gary, would you please get up and go home? I've got to get some rest. I've got to get some sleep. When after God said, I couldn't drive him away. He wanted the truth. He wanted everything. You see what I'm saying? You don't have to be a pastor to share the Word of God. Now, listen carefully.

[John Weaver] We're living in dangerous times. Troublesome times. Much like the New Testament era. And I don't know what's coming down the pike after this year. I surely do not. But I know this, folks. I don't care if you're talking about corrupt government. I don't care if you're talking about corrupt politicians. I don't care if you're talking about persecutions. I don't care if you're talking about privations. I don't care if you're talking about depression. I don't care if you're talking about economics.

[John Weaver] I want to tell you, Jesus Christ is our answer in the totality of His Word. And we are obligated to declare that truth whether people hear it or not! Whether they believe it or not! Well, I'm going to tell you, if we will be faithful, God will honor the preaching and teaching of His Word. I hope you read about the leaven. You know that leaven works silently? Secretly. You can't see it.

[John Weaver] But all of a sudden the whole loaf is leavened. That's the power of God. We can't see everything that's going on in this land. We don't know. We tend to think that it's us four and no more. That woe is us, we're all alone. If we just had... I've got news for you folks. There are more believers and more people that think the way we think than you can ever imagine.

[John Weaver] And I find them all over this country. We need to make up our minds. We're going to be faithful at wherever God places us. There, preach the gospel. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we bow to Thee. We thank You. We praise You, Lord. for all of your goodness and kindness and love and mercy. We are thankful, Father, for every opportunity that you give us, for every open door. Help us, Lord, to be faithful in preaching the gospel and talking about the entirety of the Word of God, for the entirety of the Word of God is focused upon Jesus Christ. Thank you, Lord, for each one here today.

[John Weaver] We ask your blessing upon them. And, Father, we pray that you would help us deliver thee in Christ's name, amen.

There They Preached the Gospel

John Weaver | YouTube

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	YouTube
Media ID	waGQcIjVlTg
Subject	Old Testament Studies
Course	Genesis: Abraham, Covenant, and Promise
Genre	Sermon
Date	2012-02-01
Dictation Name
Book	Book 075: Genesis — Chapter 2
Source Timed Segments	91

Formatted Transcript

Introduction: The Simple Statement That Jumped Out

Weaver shares how reading Acts 14:7—'And there they preached the gospel'—prompted him to study what the gospel truly is, noting that most professing Christians misunderstand it.

You know, I have an interesting practice, and I hope you have the same practice, but I read the Scriptures every day. And I try to study every day, but I also just simply read through my Bible time after time. And it's usually when I'm just reading for my own personal benefit that so many subjects pop out that I end up preaching on, because after I read and I begin to think, then I begin to study, and usually a message comes out of it. The same thing happened as I was reading through the book of Acts recently. And if you look at verse 7 in Acts chapter 14, the Bible says,

Scripture Reading — Acts 14:7

"And there they preached the gospel."

And there they preached the gospel. As I read through the book of Acts, that statement just simply jumped out at me.

This statement is so simple, it is so plain, it is so direct, it must be easily understood. And yet, the Scripture says, "And there they preached the gospel." I can assure you that most professing Christians think that they really understand what it means to preach the gospel. Yet the truth is, and it should be very evident, after visiting most churches and listening to most TV and radio preachers, most folks really have no idea as to what the gospel really and truly is.

What Is the Gospel? Correcting Misconceptions

Examining 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Weaver argues that the gospel is not merely facts about Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, but Christ Himself—the whole truth concerning Him.

I want to ask you this question. Don't answer out loud, but what is the gospel? Now I want you to think about that just for a moment. As you hold Acts 14, I'm certainly coming back there, but I want you to look in 1 Corinthians chapter 15, and let's begin reading there with verse 1. 1 Corinthians chapter 15, and let's read the first four verses, because usually when we talk about the gospel, this passage normally comes up. Notice if you would, 1 Corinthians chapter 15 verse 1, Paul writes,

Scripture Reading — 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also you have received, and wherein you stand; by which also you are saved, if you keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless you have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received." "How that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures."

Now, the important thing is, as you look at 1 Corinthians 15, especially verses 3 and 4, I have heard preachers say, and probably you have as well, that 1 Corinthians 15 verses 3 and 4 is the gospel in a nutshell. What they mean by that statement is this: it is the smallest bit of information that you could possibly obtain and yet it still be called the gospel. But are they correct in that assumption? Now, let me tell you, I confess and I acknowledge that Jesus Christ did indeed die according to the Scriptures. And I confess and acknowledge that Jesus Christ was indeed raised from the dead bodily according to the Scriptures. But here's my questions. First of all, was not Christ also born according to the Scriptures? And did not Jesus Christ live according to the Scriptures?

So are not His birth and His life equally the gospel as well as His death and as well as His resurrection? And the answer would be yes. So I want you to note something. Look in verse 1 of 1 Corinthians 15. He says, "Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached unto you." So Paul now is saying, look, I have preached the gospel unto you. Then if you'll skip down to verse 2, he says, "by which also you're saved if you keep in memory what I preached unto you." So again, he's talking about the fact that he's preached unto them. And then he says in verse 3, "For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received." Now, the interesting thing is, in verses 3 and 4, Paul is emphasizing mainly the death, burial, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. So my question is, is that all that Paul preached? If not, why is it that he's emphasizing in this passage just the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ?

Well, if you'll skip over in your Bibles to 1 Corinthians 15, beginning there in verse 12, you will see why Paul is singling out that aspect of the work of Jesus Christ. Look in 1 Corinthians 15 verse 12. He says,

Scripture Reading — 1 Corinthians 15:12-18

"Now if Christ be preached that He rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?"

Ah! I want you to understand that there were people in the Corinthian church who were denying the bodily resurrection of the dead. So he says,

Scripture Reading — 1 Corinthians 15:12-18

"Now if Christ be preached that He rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen? And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain."

"Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised? And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; you are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished." In other words, Paul is saying, look, I'm correcting some bad theology that you folks have. And what you are denying is the bodily resurrection of Christ. In fact, the rest of 1 Corinthians 15 goes on to prove the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Now, let me show you something. So the apostle Paul is saying then in 1 Corinthians 15 verses 3 and 4 that he is emphasizing that part of the gospel that was being denied by some who were in the Corinthian church. Now, here's the error in saying that 1 Corinthians 15 verses 3 and 4 is the gospel in a nutshell. Listen carefully. Paul said, "I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received: how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures." Now, if you say that 1 Corinthians 15 verses 3 and 4 is the gospel in a nutshell, then the error is this, that you're suggesting that the gospel is simply facts about Christ. Listen carefully. Is it a fact that Jesus Christ died? Yes. Is it a fact that He was buried? Yes. Is it a fact that He was raised from the dead? The answer is yes. But the gospel is not facts about Christ.

The gospel is Christ. Everything about Jesus Christ is the gospel, for He is the gospel. The word gospel, which I will point out before I close, literally means good tidings or glad tidings of salvation through Jesus Christ. Everything about Christ is the gospel because Christ is the gospel. Now when you read the word gospel in the Bible, in the New Testament, the word gospel never simply means a book or facts about Christ. It is the truth concerning Christ. But everything about Christ, we refer to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John as the four Gospels, not because they are books, but because they are histories about the person and work of Jesus Christ. So the gospel then is not just simply facts. The gospel is not simply books. Jesus Christ is the gospel.

The Gospel Is the Entirety of God's Word

Weaver shows that preaching the word (2 Timothy 4:2) includes reproof, rebuke, and exhortation, and that all Scripture is profitable; therefore, the whole Bible is the gospel.

Now, when you talk about the gospel, it's interesting just to look through the New Testament and find the terms that refer to the gospel. Let me just give these to you very quickly. First of all, it is called the gospel of God in Romans 1:1. It is called the gospel of the grace of God in Acts 20:24. It is called the gospel of the kingdom in Matthew 4:23. It's called the gospel of Christ in Romans 1:16. It's called the gospel of peace in Ephesians 6:15. It's called the glorious gospel in 2 Corinthians 4:4. It's called the everlasting gospel in Revelation 14:6. And it's called the gospel of our salvation in Ephesians 1:13. Now we're talking about preaching the gospel.

The word preach is from the Greek word kerusso which literally means "I herald." So preaching the gospel is basically heralding the message of Jesus Christ. The whole message of Jesus Christ. It's important that you remember that I've just said that Jesus Christ is the gospel. I want you to look in your Bibles, if you would, to 2 Timothy chapter 4 and verse 2. Notice if you would what the Apostle Paul tells Timothy. 2 Timothy chapter 4, and verse 2. In fact, let's read verse 1 just so you can see it in the context. He says,

Scripture Reading — 2 Timothy 4:1-2

"I charge thee therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word."

"Be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine." Now I want you to notice something about preaching or heralding the word. He says preach the word, herald the word, and notice if you would please that preaching or heralding the word includes reproof, rebuke, exhortation. So in other words, when you herald the gospel, sometimes you are proclaiming, sometimes you are rebuking, sometimes you are reproving, sometimes you are exhorting. So let's ask the question, since the Apostle Paul, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, commands us to preach the word, we've got to ask a question. Is the entirety of the Word of God the gospel? And the answer is yes. Is not the whole Word of God good news? Is not the entirety of God's Word the glad tidings to those that hear and heed and obey the Word of God? When you consider the Old Testament, you have to ask yourself this question. Does not the Old Testament speak and teach about Jesus Christ? Does it not speak about reconciliation and about salvation, about deliverance, about justification, about sanctification? Does it not teach about repentance and judgment? Does it not also teach condemnation upon those who refuse to bow to God's salvation? And the answer is yes. Now let me ask you. If we are commanded to preach the entirety of the Word of God, and if we understand that the entirety of the Word of God is indeed the gospel, why is it then that most preachers limit their preaching and their teaching simply to the New Testament? Now, if you confess that the entirety of the Bible is indeed the Word of God, here's my next question. Why then do we not preach the Word of God in its entirety?

Blood Guiltiness and the Whole Counsel of God

Using Acts 20:17-27, Weaver explains that blood guiltiness comes from failing to declare the whole counsel of God, not from failing to witness to every individual.

I want you to turn in your Bibles, if you would, just go ahead and turn to the book of Acts chapter 20. And as you turn there, get ready for me to show you a passage. And since I'm dealing with this fact of teaching and preaching the entirety of the Word of God, have you ever heard of blood guiltiness? If you've never heard of it, you should have. And if you've heard of it, you should have wondered concerning it. Now let me show you what I'm about to declare. You see, when I started preaching 40-something years ago, and as a young Christian, I was told that I was responsible to witness to every person that I saw. And if I did not witness to them, their blood was going to be on my hands. I want you to think for a moment. What greater way is there to control a people and to manipulate a people except through guilt? If I can make you feel guilty, I can control you. Rushdoony wrote a very important book years ago, The Politics of Guilt and Pity. You want to know why there's so much guilt being forced upon the American people? To control us. To manipulate us. If we can be made to feel guilty about slavery, something that happened 200 years ago or that still is happening today.

I mean, man, we can be controlled. If we can be made to feel guilty that somewhere somebody doesn't have enough food to eat and somewhere some child is being abused—and I'm certainly not for child abuse—but I'm just saying I am not responsible for what someone else does. I'm responsible for what I do. But you see, if you can make somebody feel guilty, then you can manipulate them. Arminian theology seeks to control and manipulate Christians by making them feel guilty because they proclaim, basically, that it is our responsibility to witness to every person that we see, that is, we must follow their bidding, we must follow their program, we must follow their interpretation of Scripture, and if we do not follow it, then we are guilty. Now, such theology is not only not biblical, it is certainly not practical. If I'm responsible to witness to every person that I see, or else their blood is on my hands, here's my question. How can I work? How can I play?

How can I have a family? How can I do anything else? For instance, let's suppose Alice asked me to go downtown to buy some milk and bread that she needs for supper. And she says, "You bring me back the milk and bread and then we'll have supper." But now, wait a minute, I'm convinced that I have to witness to everyone that I see. So I stop at the store and I see a man walking into the store and I say, "Whoa, sir, let me tell you about Jesus Christ." And before he can walk off, there's passes. "Wait right here just a moment. I want to tell you about Jesus Christ. And you sir, you stand right there because I want to talk to you too." Would I ever get into the store? If I got into the store, there's more people. Once I begin witnessing to them, will I ever get out of the store? Because more keep coming in. Would I ever get home in time for supper? Would I ever have supper? Would I ever return home? When would it stop? You follow me?

Now there is such a thing as blood guiltiness. I'm going to show it to you from the Bible. But I want you to look, please, in Acts chapter 20 beginning there at verse 17. Because the apostle Paul now sends from Miletus to the Ephesian elders and tells them to meet him there. And notice if you would, verse 17, Acts chapter 20,

Scripture Reading — Acts 20:17-27

"And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church." "And when they were come to him, he said unto them, 'You know from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you and taught you publicly and from house to house.'"

Now let me stop there just for a moment. Look in verse 20 again. "How I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you and have taught you publicly and from house to house." Do you remember 2 Timothy 3:16? Let me quote it for you. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."

Now what did he say? "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable." Now if you look back in verse 20 of Acts 20,

Scripture Reading — Acts 20:17-27

"I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you."

Now let me ask you, if all Scripture is profitable, and Paul kept back nothing that was profitable, what did Paul do? He preached all of it. He preached the entirety of the Word of God. Now watch. He says in verse 21,

Scripture Reading — Acts 20:17-27

"testifying both to the Jews and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ."

"And now behold, I go bound in the Spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide in me. But none of those things move me, neither count I my life dear to myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify of the gospel of the grace of God." Now watch, "And now behold, I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men." Whoa, whoa, stop there. Paul, did you witness to every man that you saw? No, he didn't. How can he say that he's pure from the blood of all men?

Well, look at verse 26 again. "Wherefore I take you to record." In other words, I'm pointing this out. "I take you to record this day that I am pure from the blood of all men." Here's why. "For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God." You know what brings blood guiltiness upon a preacher or blood guiltiness upon anyone? Failure to preach and teach the whole counsel of God. How did Paul escape blood guiltiness? Not by witnessing to everyone that he saw, but by declaring and preaching and teaching the entirety of God's Word. Now, what is going to happen when you start preaching the entirety of God's Word? Well, the truth is, you may be run off. There are a lot of people who do not want truth. I think I probably told you, but I was asked to go down to Florida and was offered a huge ministry. I mean, my goodness. Here was a building.

Preaching Christ Means Preaching the Whole Bible

Weaver clarifies 1 Corinthians 2:2 in context, showing Paul depended on Christ's power, not human wisdom, and that preaching Christ includes creation, the Old Testament, and all Scripture.

Now, I want you to turn to 1 Corinthians chapter 2 because here's another passage that so many quote. Look in 1 Corinthians chapter 2. And notice if you would, what the Apostle Paul says, 1 Corinthians chapter 2 and verse 2. I've heard preachers use this verse very piously. 1 Corinthians 2:2, the Apostle Paul says,

Scripture Reading — 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

"For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ and Him crucified."

I don't worry about all these people and their sins, and I don't worry about what's happening in the world, and I don't worry about the corruption in politics, and I don't worry about... I just preach the gospel. I just preach Christ and Him crucified. That sounds good, doesn't it? Well, let's look at the context. Look in 1 Corinthians 2:1. He said,

Scripture Reading — 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

"And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified."

"And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." Now what in the world is Paul saying when he says, "For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified"? Here's what he's saying. I'm not depending upon my oratory. I'm not depending upon my sermon outlines. I'm not depending upon my illustrations. I'm not depending upon gags and gimmicks and programs. I'm not depending upon emotionalism. I'm not depending upon tricks and gimmicks. No, no, no. He said the only thing I'm depending upon is Christ and His power in my preaching.

and in the conversion of sinners, so that when people are genuinely convicted and converted, they are genuine Christians. That's what he's saying. You know why so many churches put so much emphasis upon their soul-winning programs? Because they have to keep bringing people in to replace those that are leaving. One year, I preached in a church down in Florida and they had about 300 people in that congregation. The next year, I went back and preached to the same church.

There were only three or four families that I recognized. Within a year, practically 90% of the church had changed. Now let me tell you something, folks. There is something seriously wrong with evangelism when the converts do not stick. You know, it seems to me like there's a passage in 1 John 2:19 that says this, "They went out from us because they were not of us. For had they been of us, no doubt they would have continued with us." The proof that a man is ever genuinely converted is that he continues in the faith and in the things of Christ. And all Paul is saying in 1 Corinthians chapter 2, whatever converts I get, I want to be God's converts. It's kind of like Billy Sunday. You remember Billy Sunday, the Presbyterian evangelist.

He died, I think, in the 30s. But Billy Sunday was walking down the street one day and met a drunk man. And the man said, in his drunken stupor, "Mr. Sunday, Mr. Sunday, don't you know me?" And Billy Sunday said, "I'm sorry, I don't know you." Well, he said, "You ought to, I'm one of your converts." Billy said, "Blessed God you must be, you're certainly not one of God's."

Now, you see, that's all Paul is saying. Paul is saying, I want anyone who's convicted and converted to have been convicted and converted by the power of Christ. By the power of His ministry. Paul certainly preached the gospel. But let me ask you a question. If we're going to preach Christ and Him crucified, is not Christ the Creator? Yes, He is. Creation is ascribed to God the Son.

"All things were made by Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made." So if you're going to preach about Christ, that means you've got to preach about creation. You've got to preach about the book of Genesis. Was not Christ the true seed of Abraham? Well, of course. Did not Christ come of the tribe of Judah? Well, of course. Is not Christ the central focus in the Old Testament as He is in the New Testament?

And the answer is yes. Therefore, if you're going to preach Christ, you must preach then the entirety of the Word of God. Because Christ is the central theme and focus in the Old Testament as well as the New Testament. Now, I want you to go back to Acts 14. All that was introduction. Because I still have not even attempted to explain Acts 14:7. I'm just trying to show you that so many today who think they know what the gospel is really and truly do not know what the gospel is. Do you realize that preaching that Christ is the Creator or that Christ is the true seed of Abraham is just as much the gospel as preaching the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, because Jesus Christ is the gospel. If you're preaching Christ, you're preaching the gospel. If you are preaching the threatenings that Christ made toward those who will not receive Him, you're still preaching the gospel, because you're preaching Christ. Now, look if you would please, Acts 14:7, "And there they preached the gospel." And there, they preached the gospel.

There They Preached the Gospel: The Example of Paul and Barnabas

Tracing Acts 13-14, Weaver highlights how persecution, stoning, and rejection did not stop Paul and Barnabas from preaching the gospel wherever they went.

What is significant about that statement? Well, in order to understand it, we've got to read Acts 14, verses 1 through 6. Look at it.

Scripture Reading — Acts 14:1-6

"And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren." "Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of His grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands. But the multitude of the city was divided: part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles. And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them."

"They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about: and there they preached the gospel." Now, interestingly, as they were at Iconium, they were preaching and great multitudes evidently were believing. Do you realize it's easy to preach and it's easy to teach, as long as you have smooth sailing, balmy breezes, and plenty of sunshine. And boy, at first, they had it. And then all of a sudden, the unbelieving Jews got together, raised a ruckus, tried to stone them and kill them. And when they knew what was going to happen, they fled to Lystra and Derbe. When they got to Lystra and Derbe, it is said, "And there they preached the gospel." Now wait a minute.

Let's go back to Acts 13 and begin with verse 49. Watch carefully. "And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region. But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts. But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost." And it could be said, "And there they preached the gospel." Do you see what is happening? It doesn't matter where they are driven, there they preach the gospel. Look at Acts chapter 14 beginning there in verse 8. "And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked: the same heard Paul speak: who steadfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, said with a loud voice, 'Stand upright on thy feet.' And he leaped and walked. And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, 'The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.' And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people. Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, and saying, 'Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. Nevertheless He left not Himself without witness, in that He did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.'"

Now watch, "And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them." Now hold on. You would think that all of a sudden, Paul and Barnabas are going to have smooth sailing. I mean, my goodness, they've healed this man. Everybody's tried to proclaim them as gods. They were going to do sacrifice to them. They were going to honor them. Surely, surely Paul and Barnabas can sail on this honor for some time, getting good mileage out of it, being able to really and truly preach the Word of God to these people.

Well, look in verse 19. "And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch." Isn't that amazing? Now, some say that Paul was actually killed. I don't know whether he was or not, but they at least thought he was dead.

But God sovereignly and powerfully raised him up. Skip down to verse 24. Watch what happens. "And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia." It doesn't matter where they were. It doesn't matter what happened. It doesn't matter the circumstances or the situations. Nothing deterred the Apostle Paul and the others from preaching the gospel.

Paul's Humanity and God's Encouragement

Weaver notes Paul's fear in Corinth (Acts 18:9-11) and God's comfort, emphasizing that even the apostle was not superhuman but was faithful to preach despite fear.

Now let me ask you a question. Was Paul superhuman? When you read about the Apostle Paul and you read about the Apostle Peter and all these other men that God used, oh my goodness, you somehow tend to think that these were super saints. They were super pious. They were superhuman. Was Paul superhuman? No. None of them were. Each one of them were sinners. Each one of them were nothing more than mere men. And it might surprise you to learn that even the mighty Apostle Paul at times was afraid. You know, even in 1 Corinthians 2:3, we read it earlier.

You don't have to go back there. He said it. "I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling." But I want you to look in Acts chapter 18 since you're right there. Let me show you. In Acts chapter 18, the Apostle Paul goes on to Corinth. And I hope you remember that Corinth was an exceedingly wicked city. You know Jacksonville has a seaport.

A lot of other cities have seaports and usually when you have seaports you've got a bunch of wickedness because you've got a bunch of sailors. You've heard the expression of a drunken sailor and a cuss like a sailor. Corinth had three seaports. Corinth was so pagan, they had all these pagan temples. One pagan temple had a thousand prostitutes in it for the free use of visitors to that pagan temple. The Apostle Paul goes to Corinth to preach. Look in Acts chapter 18, and by the way, let me tell you, in Bible times, if you wanted to cut a man down verbally, you know what you called him? A Corinthian. Or if you said someone was acting like a Corinthian, that was a slam, that was a put down. That's like calling a white man white trash. I mean, it's a put down. Because the Corinthians were so foul and so wicked. But look in Acts chapter 18, beginning there verse 9, Paul now is in Corinth,

Scripture Reading — Acts 18:9-11

"Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision."

Here's what God told him. "Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: for I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city." Isn't that amazing? Paul was fearful and God had to comfort him and say, "Paul, don't be afraid. I'm going to protect you. No one is going to harm you." Look in verse 11. "And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them." And there he preached the gospel. Didn't matter where he was. Didn't matter about the circumstances. There he preached the gospel. Persecution, resentment, bitterness, hatred, ill will, fear and suffering did not deter the Apostle Paul or the other disciples from preaching and teaching the Word of God. The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 2:2, let me just quote it for you. He said, "But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention." He said, it didn't matter that people hated us. It didn't matter they persecuted us. It didn't matter that we were so resented. We were still bold in our God to preach the gospel to you. That's true, folks. There are many who refuse to hear the Word of God. There are many who reject it. What happened in the New Testament with the Apostle Paul, the other disciples, when people hated and rejected and refused the Word of God?

Persecution Scatters Preachers

From Acts 8 and 11, Weaver shows that persecution after Stephen's death scattered believers who went everywhere preaching the word.

Look back to Acts chapter 8. Acts chapter 8. You will remember that in Acts chapter 7, Stephen, the first martyr, was stoned to death. Well, look in verse 1,

Scripture Reading — Acts 8:1-4

"And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word."

Isn't that interesting? Persecution drove them out of Jerusalem. And wherever they went, they went preaching. Look in Acts chapter 11, beginning there at verse 19. Acts 11:19, here it is again. "Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only."

"And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord." Notice, if you would, verse 19, "Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen." What got these folks scattered out preaching? Persecution.

The Great Commission: As You Are Going, Preach

Weaver explains that 'go' in Matthew 28:19 is a participle, not an imperative; the command is to teach/preach wherever you are.

I want you to turn in your Bibles to Matthew 28. Here's a passage that practically everyone in this room can quote. If you can't quote it all, you can at least quote part of it. It's very familiar. It's known as the Great Commission. Notice in Matthew 28, and let's read there verses 19 and 20. Matthew 28:19,

Scripture Reading — Matthew 28:19-20

"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you."

"And, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." Now, I've heard, as you have heard, many pastors say that we have a divine command to go. "Go ye." That's a command. "Go ye." It's an imperative. Usually the folks who say that have not really done very much studying. Because "go" is not an imperative in the Greek. It's a participle. What's that mean? Here's what verse 19 says literally. "As you are going." You want to know where the imperative is? You want to know where the command is? It's the word "teach." That's the imperative. As you're going, teach. As you're going, preach. In other words, wherever you are, that's where you're commanded to preach and to teach. As you're going somewhere.

Did God in His all-wise providence place you in a situation where there are some who are open to the gospel? If so, there preach. Did God in His all-wise providence place you in a situation where there are ignorant, apathetic, stubborn, and rebellious people? If so, there preach. It doesn't matter where you are. You say, "Now wait a minute, Brother Weaver. I would really like to be in a position where people really want the Word of God and really respond." Wouldn't everyone?

Prison and Palace: Preaching in All Circumstances

Weaver recounts Paul's imprisonment in Philippi, Caesarea, and Rome, showing that prison did not silence him; he preached to jailers, governors, and Caesar's household.

What? You mean there were people in Caesar's palace that were believers? Well, of course. Well, how did people in Caesar's palace and how do people in Rome get to be believers? Well, look in Philippians chapter 1, beginning there, verse 12. Some of you know that the Apostle Paul had several vacations from his preaching tours. I would say federal, but they were not federal. They were Roman. The Apostle Paul was thrown in prison numerous times. And look in Philippians chapter 1 verse 12.

Here he is in prison, and he says, "But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; so that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; and many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear." Notice, Paul was in prison! And it was in the palace where he's in prison, it was in the palace prison that he preached. It was in the palace prison that they of Caesar's household were converted. It was in the palace prison that he was able to reach even some that were outside of the prison. Do you remember in Acts chapter 16, don't turn there, but you remember Acts 16, Paul and Silas had cast a demon out of a girl. And the men who owned the girl complained and the magistrates threw them into prison after they had beaten them.

And the Bible says at midnight, Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises unto God, and the prisoners heard them. And you know how God sent the earthquake, loosed all the prisoners, the jailer coming in about to kill himself. Paul said, "Do thyself no harm, we're all here." What did Paul do when he went to prison? He preached, he prayed, he praised. Look in Acts 24. You know that Paul was wrongly condemned. He was also wrongly convicted. He was also wrongly accused. He was accused by the Jews of being in the temple with a Macedonian, which of course he was not, but that did not bother them. So Paul then is sent down to face Festus and then Felix. But notice in Acts 24, after Paul has been wrongly accused now, in Acts 24:27, the Bible says this, "But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound." Now you remember Felix was the one who trembled at the preaching of Paul.

Scripture Reading — Acts 24:27

For two years now, Paul is held in prison. When Festus came in, Paul preached to him as well, as well as to Agrippa and his wife. And it was Agrippa who cried out, "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." All this time he's in prison. And then if you'll look in your Bibles, Acts 28. Acts 28, notice verses 30 and 31. So we know he's there a minimum of two years. He's probably there longer under Festus. But in Acts 28, after he is sent to Rome in verses 30 and 31, "And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him."

So the point I'm trying to make is this. Persecution could not stop him. Prison could not silence him. Prosperity did not deter him. Privations only made him stronger. For Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 12:10, listen, "Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." Do you realize the only thing that could silence the Apostle Paul was death? The only thing that could silence most of these people was death.

Applications: Faithfulness Where God Places You

Weaver applies the message: God has placed each believer exactly where they are for such a time as this; do not be discouraged by lack of visible fruit; every Christian is called to share the whole Word of God.

Now, let me make some applications and try to tie everything together. The first one is this. Do you remember the story of Esther? And of course you do. There's a whole book about her. But you remember how she got to be queen and Mordecai told her that God had brought her to the kingdom for such a time as this. Have you ever stopped to think that God in His all-wise providence has placed you exactly where you are for such a time as this?

It doesn't matter if you are at home, it doesn't matter if you're traveling, it doesn't matter if you're in prison, doesn't matter if you're in the hospital. There, preach the gospel. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 7, let me just read it, verses 21 and 22. "Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant."

Now the word servant is the Greek word doulos, which literally means slave or bond slave. It means one in servile condition. So he says, look, are you called being a slave? If you are, it doesn't matter. He said, if you can be free, use it rather. But if you can't be free, that doesn't matter. You preach the gospel being a slave. He said, if you're a free man and you belong to Christ, you're still a slave. You preach the gospel. So it really doesn't matter whether we're bond or free, whether we're in prison or out of prison. He says there, preach the gospel, live for Him, honor Him. Here's a second application. I want you to turn, please, to 2 Corinthians chapter 2, 2 Corinthians chapter 2. And look, if you would, at the Scripture.

Listen carefully, because I'm going to make an application, some of you you may not understand, I hope that you shall, but here it is. Do not become excited if you do not see fruit immediately in your witnessing or preaching or teaching. Hey, you say, "Brother, I'm not a pastor." That doesn't matter. "I've never been to college." That doesn't matter. "Never been to Bible school." That doesn't matter. If you've been saved by the grace of God, you know the truth and you can share the truth. But don't become excited if folks reject the truth and hate it. You know, I remember when God first saved me, I thought this thing is so wonderful. I can't wait to tell everyone, especially members of my family. And guess what? All of a sudden, some of those members of my family did not want to associate with me anymore. "Well, you've gone off on the deep end. You're a nut. All you want to talk about is Christ and read the Bible." Let me show you what the Bible says.

Look in 2 Corinthians 2. Now listen, here's what I'm trying to tell you. God does not give everyone a ministry of reconciliation. He didn't give that to Noah. He didn't give that to Jeremiah. He didn't give that to Isaiah. He didn't give it to a lot of people. To some people, He gives a ministry of condemnation. Look what He said, 2 Corinthians 2:14.

"Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of His knowledge by us in every place." Now watch carefully. "For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: to the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?" Now, let me explain it. You remember in the Old Testament, they had those offerings, and they were sweet savour offerings. It's just like when you walk by and your neighbor is grilling a steak outside. That's a sweet savour. I mean, you like it. Or barbecue and chicken. You like it. Here's what God says. God says, when my Son is preached, and people repent and believe, He says, that's a sweet smell, I love it. My Son is preached. But when His Son is preached, and men hate Him, and reject Him, and deny Him, God says, that's a sweet smell. My Son is preached. To the one, we're the savour of life unto life, and to the other, the savour of death unto death. But if Christ is preached, whether men repent or do not repent is immaterial. We honor God by preaching Jesus Christ. Here's the last application. Listen carefully.

We get our English word, evangelize, an evangelist, from the Greek word euangelion, which is the word for gospel. To evangelize is to preach the gospel. Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:5 to do the work of an evangelist. But let me tell you, you don't have to be a pastor, you don't have to be a preacher to carry the Word of God. If you are a Christian, you're obligated to carry the Word of God as you are traveling, as God opens doors for you, as God gives you people to speak to. Listen, I've tried to speak to some people and they don't want to talk to me. Others? I don't particularly want to talk to them, but they want to talk to me. And they want me to tell them about the gospel, and I'm willing to.

You know, this thing is so strange. I could sit here and tell you story after story, but I remember one man. He would, I tried to witness to him, I tried to share the word of God with him. He would see me coming, he would turn around and go the other way. On the sidewalk and he saw me in time. He'd cross the street just so he wouldn't have to speak to me. I'd always speak to him though. You know what God did? God in His grace and mercy saved that fellow. And I remember at midnight on numerous occasions saying, "Gary, would you please get up and go home? I've got to get some rest. I've got to get some sleep." When after God saved him, I couldn't drive him away. He wanted the truth. He wanted everything. You see what I'm saying? You don't have to be a pastor to share the Word of God. Now, listen carefully.

We're living in dangerous times. Troublesome times. Much like the New Testament era. And I don't know what's coming down the pike after this year. I surely do not. But I know this, folks. I don't care if you're talking about corrupt government. I don't care if you're talking about corrupt politicians. I don't care if you're talking about persecutions. I don't care if you're talking about privations. I don't care if you're talking about depression. I don't care if you're talking about economics.

I want to tell you, Jesus Christ is our answer in the totality of His Word. And we are obligated to declare that truth whether people hear it or not! Whether they believe it or not! Well, I'm going to tell you, if we will be faithful, God will honor the preaching and teaching of His Word. I hope you read about the leaven. You know that leaven works silently? Secretly. You can't see it.

But all of a sudden the whole loaf is leavened. That's the power of God. We can't see everything that's going on in this land. We don't know. We tend to think that it's us four and no more. That woe is us, we're all alone. If we just had... I've got news for you folks. There are more believers and more people that think the way we think than you can ever imagine.

And I find them all over this country. We need to make up our minds. We're going to be faithful at wherever God places us. There, preach the gospel. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we bow to Thee. We thank You. We praise You, Lord, for all of Your goodness and kindness and love and mercy. We are thankful, Father, for every opportunity that You give us, for every open door. Help us, Lord, to be faithful in preaching the gospel and talking about the entirety of the Word of God, for the entirety of the Word of God is focused upon Jesus Christ. Thank You, Lord, for each one here today.

Study Guide

Major Themes

The Gospel Is Christ Himself, Not Merely Facts

Summary: The gospel is the person and work of Jesus Christ in its entirety, not a minimal set of facts about His death and resurrection.

Evidence: Weaver states, 'The gospel is Christ. Everything about Jesus Christ is the gospel, for He is the gospel.' He argues that 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 is not 'the gospel in a nutshell' but an emphasis on the resurrection due to Corinthian error.

The Whole Bible Is the Gospel

Summary: Since all Scripture is profitable and Christ is the central theme of both Testaments, preaching the gospel requires preaching the entirety of God's Word.

Evidence: Weaver connects 2 Timothy 3:16 ('All Scripture is profitable') with Acts 20:20 ('I kept back nothing that was profitable') to argue Paul preached the whole counsel of God.

Faithfulness in Preaching Despite Circumstances

Summary: Persecution, prison, fear, and rejection did not stop Paul and the early disciples from preaching the gospel wherever they were.

Evidence: Weaver traces Paul's journeys in Acts 13-14, 16, 18, 24, and 28, showing that 'there they preached the gospel' in every situation, including after being stoned and imprisoned.

Blood Guiltiness Comes from Withholding God's Whole Counsel

Summary: The biblical concept of blood guiltiness applies to preachers and teachers who fail to declare the full counsel of God, not to those who fail to witness to every individual.

Evidence: Weaver cites Acts 20:26-27: 'I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.'

Every Believer Is Called to Preach the Word Where They Are

Summary: The Great Commission commands teaching/preaching as you go; every Christian, not just pastors, is obligated to share the whole Word of God in their God-appointed place.

Evidence: Weaver explains Matthew 28:19-20, emphasizing that 'teach' is the imperative, and applies 1 Corinthians 7:21-22 to show that bond or free, all are to preach.

God Uses Persecution to Spread the Gospel

Summary: Persecution often serves God's purpose to scatter believers and spread the preaching of the word to new regions.

Evidence: Weaver points to Acts 8:1-4 and Acts 11:19-21, where persecution after Stephen's death led to believers preaching everywhere they went.

Do Not Be Discouraged by Lack of Visible Fruit

Summary: God does not give everyone a ministry of reconciliation; some are given a ministry of condemnation, but preaching Christ is a sweet savor to God whether men believe or reject.

Evidence: Weaver cites 2 Corinthians 2:14-16, explaining that to some the gospel is a savor of death unto death, but God is honored when Christ is preached regardless of response.

Key Arguments

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 Is Not the Gospel in a Nutshell

Summary: Paul emphasized Christ's death and resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15 because some in Corinth denied the bodily resurrection; the gospel is the whole truth about Christ, not a minimal set of facts.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'If you say that 1 Corinthians 15 verses 3 and 4 is the gospel in a nutshell, then the error is this, that you're suggesting that the gospel is simply facts about Christ.' He points to verses 12ff to show Paul was correcting resurrection denial.

Preaching Christ Requires Preaching the Whole Bible

Summary: Since Christ is Creator, the seed of Abraham, and the central focus of the Old Testament, preaching Christ necessarily includes preaching Genesis, the Law, and the Prophets.

Evidence: Weaver argues, 'If you're going to preach about Christ, that means you've got to preach about creation. You've got to preach about the book of Genesis.'

Paul's 'Determined Not to Know Anything' Was About Dependence on Christ's Power

Summary: 1 Corinthians 2:2 does not mean Paul only preached Christ's crucifixion to the exclusion of other doctrines; it means he relied on Christ's power rather than human oratory or wisdom.

Evidence: Weaver explains, 'He said the only thing I'm depending upon is Christ and His power in my preaching and in the conversion of sinners.'

The Great Commission Commands Teaching, Not Going

Summary: In Matthew 28:19, 'go' is a participle ('as you are going'), while 'teach' is the imperative; the command is to make disciples wherever you are, not necessarily to relocate.

Evidence: Weaver states, 'Go is not an imperative in the Greek. It's a participle... As you're going, teach. As you're going, preach.'

Blood Guiltiness Is About Declaring the Whole Counsel, Not Universal Witnessing

Summary: Paul declared himself pure from the blood of all men because he preached the whole counsel of God, not because he witnessed to every individual he met.

Evidence: Weaver contrasts the common guilt-manipulation with Acts 20:26-27: 'I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.'

God Places Believers Exactly Where They Are for a Purpose

Summary: Like Esther, every believer is placed by God's providence in their specific circumstances 'for such a time as this' to preach the gospel there.

Evidence: Weaver applies the story of Esther: 'God in His all-wise providence has placed you exactly where you are for such a time as this.'

Preaching Christ Is a Sweet Savor to God Regardless of Human Response

Summary: Whether people believe unto life or reject unto death, the preaching of Christ is a pleasing aroma to God; we honor Him by preaching, not by producing results.

Evidence: Weaver explains 2 Corinthians 2:14-16: 'If Christ is preached, whether men repent or do not repent is immaterial. We honor God by preaching Jesus Christ.'

Scripture References

Acts 14:7

Context: The key verse of the sermon: 'And there they preached the gospel.' Weaver uses it to show that Paul and Barnabas preached wherever they went.

1 Corinthians 15:1-4

Context: Often called 'the gospel in a nutshell,' but Weaver argues Paul emphasized death and resurrection to correct Corinthian denial of bodily resurrection.

1 Corinthians 15:12-18

Context: Shows why Paul singled out the resurrection: some in Corinth denied the resurrection of the dead.

2 Timothy 4:1-2

Context: Paul charges Timothy to 'preach the word' with reproof, rebuke, and exhortation, indicating preaching includes the whole counsel of God.

Acts 20:17-27

Context: Paul declares he is pure from the blood of all men because he declared the whole counsel of God, not because he witnessed to every individual.

2 Timothy 3:16

Context: All Scripture is profitable; Weaver connects this to Acts 20:20 to argue Paul preached all Scripture.

1 Corinthians 2:1-5

Context: Paul determined to know nothing but Christ crucified, meaning he relied on Christ's power, not human wisdom, in his preaching.

Acts 14:1-6

Context: Paul and Barnabas preached in Iconium, faced persecution, and fled to Lystra and Derbe, where they continued preaching.

Acts 13:49-52

Context: After being expelled from Antioch, Paul and Barnabas went to Iconium, preaching the gospel there.

Acts 14:8-20

Context: In Lystra, Paul healed a cripple, was mistaken for a god, then was stoned and left for dead, but rose and continued preaching.

Acts 18:9-11

Context: God encouraged fearful Paul in Corinth, promising protection and many people; Paul stayed 18 months teaching the word.

1 Thessalonians 2:2

Context: Paul preached the gospel with boldness despite suffering and shameful treatment at Philippi.

Acts 8:1-4

Context: Persecution after Stephen's death scattered believers, who went everywhere preaching the word.

Acts 11:19-21

Context: Those scattered by persecution preached to Jews and Greeks; a great number believed.

Matthew 28:19-20

Context: The Great Commission; 'go' is a participle, 'teach' is the imperative—believers are to make disciples wherever they are.

Philippians 4:22

Context: Saints in Caesar's household; evidence that Paul's imprisonment led to conversions in the palace.

Philippians 1:12-14

Context: Paul's imprisonment furthered the gospel; his chains became known throughout the palace, emboldening others.

Acts 24:27

Context: Paul was kept bound for two years under Felix, during which he preached to governors and kings.

Acts 28:30-31

Context: Paul spent two years in Rome under house arrest, preaching the kingdom and teaching about Jesus with all confidence.

2 Corinthians 2:14-16

Context: Believers are a sweet savor of Christ to God, whether the gospel results in life or death to hearers.

Historical References

Billy Sunday (Presbyterian evangelist, died 1930s)

Context: Weaver tells an anecdote about Billy Sunday meeting a drunk man who claimed to be one of his converts; Sunday replied, 'Blessed God you must be, you're certainly not one of God's.'

Rushdoony's book 'The Politics of Guilt and Pity'

Context: Weaver references Rushdoony's work to illustrate how guilt is used to manipulate and control people, contrasting it with biblical blood guiltiness.

Corinth's pagan temples and immorality

Context: Weaver describes Corinth as having three seaports and a pagan temple with a thousand prostitutes, illustrating the wickedness of the city where Paul preached.

Important Quotes

The gospel is Christ. Everything about Jesus Christ is the gospel, for He is the gospel.

Significance: Central thesis of the sermon: the gospel is not a set of facts but the person of Christ Himself.

If you say that 1 Corinthians 15 verses 3 and 4 is the gospel in a nutshell, then the error is this, that you're suggesting that the gospel is simply facts about Christ.

Significance: Corrects a common misunderstanding of the gospel as minimal doctrinal content.

As you're going, teach. As you're going, preach. In other words, wherever you are, that's where you're commanded to preach and to teach.

Significance: Explains the Great Commission's emphasis on teaching wherever God places you, not on relocation.

If Christ is preached, whether men repent or do not repent is immaterial. We honor God by preaching Jesus Christ.

Significance: Emphasizes that faithfulness in preaching, not visible results, is what honors God.

God in His all-wise providence has placed you exactly where you are for such a time as this.

Significance: Application of Esther's story to every believer's current circumstances as a divine appointment for gospel witness.

The only thing that could silence the Apostle Paul was death.

Significance: Highlights Paul's unwavering commitment to preach despite all opposition.

Discussion Questions

How does defining the gospel as 'Christ Himself' rather than a set of facts change the way we share our faith?

Context: Weaver argues that the gospel is the person of Christ, not merely facts about His death and resurrection.

In what ways might we be tempted to limit our preaching or teaching to 'safe' parts of Scripture, and how can we overcome that?

Context: Weaver challenges the tendency to preach only the New Testament and calls for declaring the whole counsel of God.

How does the biblical concept of blood guiltiness (Acts 20:26-27) differ from the guilt-manipulation often used in evangelism?

Context: Weaver contrasts Paul's declaration of innocence with the pressure to witness to every person.

What fears or obstacles keep you from preaching the gospel in your current circumstances, and how does God's encouragement to Paul in Acts 18 speak to those fears?

Context: Weaver notes Paul's fear in Corinth and God's command, 'Be not afraid.'

How can we cultivate a mindset of 'as you are going, preach' in our daily routines?

Context: Weaver explains the Great Commission's emphasis on teaching wherever we are.

Why is it important to remember that Paul was not superhuman but experienced fear and weakness?

Context: Weaver emphasizes Paul's humanity to encourage believers that God uses ordinary, fearful people.

How does the truth that preaching Christ is a sweet savor to God regardless of human response free us from discouragement?

Context: Weaver explains 2 Corinthians 2:14-16, showing that God is pleased when Christ is preached, whether people believe or reject.

Applications

Recognize Your Divine Placement

Summary: God has placed you exactly where you are—at home, work, or in difficult circumstances—for the purpose of preaching the gospel there.

Evidence: Weaver applies Esther's story: 'God in His all-wise providence has placed you exactly where you are for such a time as this.'

Preach the Whole Counsel of God

Summary: Faithfulness requires declaring the entirety of God's Word, not just popular or comfortable portions, because all Scripture is profitable and centered on Christ.

Evidence: Weaver states, 'We are responsible to preach and teach the totality of God's Word.'

Do Not Be Discouraged by Rejection or Lack of Fruit

Summary: God does not give everyone a ministry of reconciliation; some are called to a ministry of condemnation, but preaching Christ honors God regardless of response.

Evidence: Weaver cites 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 and says, 'If Christ is preached, whether men repent or do not repent is immaterial.'

Rely on Christ's Power, Not Human Techniques

Summary: Effective gospel ministry depends on the power of Christ, not on oratory, programs, or emotional manipulation.

Evidence: Weaver explains 1 Corinthians 2:1-5: 'The only thing I'm depending upon is Christ and His power in my preaching.'

Be Faithful in Every Circumstance

Summary: Whether in prosperity or persecution, prison or freedom, believers are called to preach the gospel wherever they are.

Evidence: Weaver summarizes Paul's example: 'Persecution could not stop him. Prison could not silence him. Prosperity did not deter him.'

Share the Word as a Normal Christian Duty

Summary: Every believer, not just pastors, is obligated to carry and share the Word of God as God opens doors.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'If you are a Christian, you're obligated to carry the Word of God as you are traveling, as God opens doors for you.'

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-06T01:56:31Z

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | weaver_study | 2026-06-06T15:40:08Z

Clean Transcript

There They Preached the Gospel

Clean readable transcript. This view follows the Commentary.net cleaned segment text while preserving timestamps for audio follow-along.

You know, I have an interesting practice, and I hope you have the same practice, but I read the Scriptures every day. And I try to study every day, but I also just simply read through my Bible time after time. And it's usually when I'm just reading for my own personal benefit that so many subjects pop out that I end up preaching on, because after I read and I begin to think, then I begin to study, and usually a message comes out of it. The same thing happened as I was reading through the book of Acts recently. And if you look at verse 7 in Acts chapter 14, the Bible says, "And there they preached the gospel." And there they preached the gospel. As I read through the book of Acts, that statement just simply jumped out at me.
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This statement is so simple, it is so plain, it is so direct, it must be easily understood. And yet, the Scripture says, "And there they preached the gospel." I can assure you that most professing Christians think that they really understand what it means to preach the gospel. Yet the truth is, and it should be very evident, after visiting most churches and listening to most TV and radio preachers, most folks really have no idea as to what the gospel really and truly is.
#2 | 1:16 to 1:56 | cleaned
I want to ask you this question. Don't answer out loud, but what is the gospel? Now I want you to think about that just for a moment. As you hold Acts 14, I'm certainly coming back there, but I want you to look in 1 Corinthians chapter 15, and let's begin reading there with verse 1. 1 Corinthians chapter 15, and let's read the first four verses, because usually when we talk about the gospel, this passage normally comes up. Notice if you would, 1 Corinthians chapter 15 verse 1, Paul writes, "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also you have received, and wherein you stand; by which also you are saved, if you keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless you have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received."
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"How that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures."
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Now, the important thing is, as you look at 1 Corinthians 15, especially verses 3 and 4, I have heard preachers say, and probably you have as well, that 1 Corinthians 15 verses 3 and 4 is the gospel in a nutshell. What they mean by that statement is this: it is the smallest bit of information that you could possibly obtain and yet it still be called the gospel.
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But are they correct in that assumption? Now, let me tell you, I confess and I acknowledge that Jesus Christ did indeed die according to the Scriptures. And I confess and acknowledge that Jesus Christ was indeed raised from the dead bodily according to the Scriptures. But here's my questions. First of all, was not Christ also born according to the Scriptures? And did not Jesus Christ live according to the Scriptures?
#6 | 3:36 to 4:10 | cleaned
So are not His birth and His life equally the gospel as well as His death and as well as His resurrection? And the answer would be yes. So I want you to note something. Look in verse 1 of 1 Corinthians 15. He says, "Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached unto you." So Paul now is saying, look, I have preached the gospel unto you. Then if you'll skip down to verse 2, he says, "by which also you're saved if you keep in memory what I preached unto you." So again, he's talking about the fact that he's preached unto them. And then he says in verse 3, "For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received." Now, the interesting thing is, in verses 3 and 4, Paul is emphasizing mainly the death, burial, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. So my question is, is that all that Paul preached? If not, why is it that he's emphasizing in this passage just the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ?
#7 | 4:11 to 5:20 | cleaned
Well, if you'll skip over in your Bibles to 1 Corinthians 15, beginning there in verse 12, you will see why Paul is singling out that aspect of the work of Jesus Christ. Look in 1 Corinthians 15 verse 12. He says, "Now if Christ be preached that He rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?" Ah! I want you to understand that there were people in the Corinthian church who were denying the bodily resurrection of the dead. So he says, "Now if Christ be preached that He rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen? And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain."
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"Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised? And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; you are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished."
#9 | 6:07 to 6:24 | cleaned
In other words, Paul is saying, look, I'm correcting some bad theology that you folks have. And what you are denying is the bodily resurrection of Christ. In fact, the rest of 1 Corinthians 15 goes on to prove the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ.
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Now, let me show you something. So the apostle Paul is saying then in 1 Corinthians 15 verses 3 and 4 that he is emphasizing that part of the gospel that was being denied by some who were in the Corinthian church. Now, here's the error in saying that 1 Corinthians 15 verses 3 and 4 is the gospel in a nutshell. Listen carefully. Paul said, "I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received: how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures." Now, if you say that 1 Corinthians 15 verses 3 and 4 is the gospel in a nutshell, then the error is this, that you're suggesting that the gospel is simply facts about Christ. Listen carefully. Is it a fact that Jesus Christ died? Yes. Is it a fact that He was buried? Yes. Is it a fact that He was raised from the dead? The answer is yes. But the gospel is not facts about Christ.
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The gospel is Christ. Everything about Jesus Christ is the gospel, for He is the gospel. The word gospel, which I will point out before I close, literally means good tidings or glad tidings of salvation through Jesus Christ. Everything about Christ is the gospel because Christ is the gospel. Now when you read the word gospel in the Bible, in the New Testament, the word gospel never simply means a book or facts about Christ. It is the truth concerning Christ. But everything about Christ, we refer to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John as the four Gospels, not because they are books, but because they are histories about the person and work of Jesus Christ. So the gospel then is not just simply facts. The gospel is not simply books. Jesus Christ is the gospel.
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He is the subject of it. He is the object of it. He is the life of it. Christ preached the gospel, the apostles preached the gospel, the evangelists preached the gospel. Usually when we use the word gospel we're using it in a very collective sense indicating the doctrines that revolve around Christ and we're talking about preaching the gospel which includes not only proclaiming the good news that Jesus Christ is salvation and that Jesus Christ alone is salvation, but it also is a declaration of all the promises, all the precepts, and even the threatenings that are found in the Word of God.
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Now, when you talk about the gospel, it's interesting just to look through the New Testament and find the terms that refer to the gospel. Let me just give these to you very quickly. First of all, it is called the gospel of God in Romans 1:1. It is called the gospel of the grace of God in Acts 20:24. It is called the gospel of the kingdom in Matthew 4:23. It's called the gospel of Christ in Romans 1:16. It's called the gospel of peace in Ephesians 6:15. It's called the glorious gospel in 2 Corinthians 4:4. It's called the everlasting gospel in Revelation 14:6. And it's called the gospel of our salvation in Ephesians 1:13. Now we're talking about preaching the gospel.
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The word preach is from the Greek word kerusso which literally means "I herald." So preaching the gospel is basically heralding the message of Jesus Christ. The whole message of Jesus Christ. It's important that you remember that I've just said that Jesus Christ is the gospel. I want you to look in your Bibles, if you would, to 2 Timothy chapter 4 and verse 2. Notice if you would what the Apostle Paul tells Timothy. 2 Timothy chapter 4, and verse 2. In fact, let's read verse 1 just so you can see it in the context. He says, "I charge thee therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word."
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"Be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine." Now I want you to notice something about preaching or heralding the word. He says preach the word, herald the word, and notice if you would please that preaching or heralding the word includes reproof, rebuke, exhortation. So in other words, when you herald the gospel, sometimes you are proclaiming, sometimes you are rebuking, sometimes you are reproving, sometimes you are exhorting. So let's ask the question, since the Apostle Paul, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, commands us to preach the word, we've got to ask a question. Is the entirety of the Word of God the gospel?
#16 | 11:43 to 12:45 | cleaned
And the answer is yes. Is not the whole Word of God good news? Is not the entirety of God's Word the glad tidings to those that hear and heed and obey the Word of God? When you consider the Old Testament, you have to ask yourself this question. Does not the Old Testament speak and teach about Jesus Christ? Does it not speak about reconciliation and about salvation, about deliverance, about justification, about sanctification? Does it not teach about repentance and judgment? Does it not also teach condemnation upon those who refuse to bow to God's salvation? And the answer is yes. Now let me ask you. If we are commanded to preach the entirety of the Word of God, and if we understand that the entirety of the Word of God is indeed the gospel, why is it then that most preachers limit their preaching and their teaching simply to the New Testament? Now, if you confess that the entirety of the Bible is indeed the Word of God, here's my next question. Why then do we not preach the Word of God in its entirety?
#17 | 12:47 to 14:05 | cleaned
I want you to turn in your Bibles, if you would, just go ahead and turn to the book of Acts chapter 20. And as you turn there, get ready for me to show you a passage. And since I'm dealing with this fact of teaching and preaching the entirety of the Word of God, have you ever heard of blood guiltiness? If you've never heard of it, you should have. And if you've heard of it, you should have wondered concerning it. Now let me show you what I'm about to declare.
#18 | 14:07 to 14:46 | cleaned
You see, when I started preaching 40-something years ago, and as a young Christian, I was told that I was responsible to witness to every person that I saw. And if I did not witness to them, their blood was going to be on my hands. I want you to think for a moment. What greater way is there to control a people and to manipulate a people except through guilt? If I can make you feel guilty, I can control you. Rushdoony wrote a very important book years ago, The Politics of Guilt and Pity. You want to know why there's so much guilt being forced upon the American people? To control us. To manipulate us. If we can be made to feel guilty about slavery, something that happened 200 years ago or that still is happening today.
#19 | 14:47 to 15:58 | cleaned
I mean, man, we can be controlled. If we can be made to feel guilty that somewhere somebody doesn't have enough food to eat and somewhere some child is being abused—and I'm certainly not for child abuse—but I'm just saying I am not responsible for what someone else does. I'm responsible for what I do. But you see, if you can make somebody feel guilty, then you can manipulate them. Arminian theology seeks to control and manipulate Christians by making them feel guilty because they proclaim, basically, that it is our responsibility to witness to every person that we see, that is, we must follow their bidding, we must follow their program, we must follow their interpretation of Scripture, and if we do not follow it, then we are guilty. Now, such theology is not only not biblical, it is certainly not practical. If I'm responsible to witness to every person that I see, or else their blood is on my hands, here's my question. How can I work? How can I play?
#20 | 15:58 to 17:12 | cleaned
How can I have a family? How can I do anything else? For instance, let's suppose Alice asked me to go downtown to buy some milk and bread that she needs for supper. And she says, "You bring me back the milk and bread and then we'll have supper." But now, wait a minute, I'm convinced that I have to witness to everyone that I see. So I stop at the store and I see a man walking into the store and I say, "Whoa, sir, let me tell you about Jesus Christ."
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And before he can walk off, there's passes. "Wait right here just a moment. I want to tell you about Jesus Christ. And you sir, you stand right there because I want to talk to you too." Would I ever get into the store? If I got into the store, there's more people. Once I begin witnessing to them, will I ever get out of the store? Because more keep coming in. Would I ever get home in time for supper? Would I ever have supper? Would I ever return home? When would it stop? You follow me?
#22 | 17:54 to 18:28 | cleaned
Now there is such a thing as blood guiltiness. I'm going to show it to you from the Bible. But I want you to look, please, in Acts chapter 20 beginning there at verse 17. Because the apostle Paul now sends from Miletus to the Ephesian elders and tells them to meet him there. And notice if you would, verse 17, Acts chapter 20, "And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church."
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"And when they were come to him, he said unto them, 'You know from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you and taught you publicly and from house to house.'"
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Now let me stop there just for a moment. Look in verse 20 again. "How I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you and have taught you publicly and from house to house." Do you remember 2 Timothy 3:16? Let me quote it for you. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."
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Now what did he say? "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable."
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Now if you look back in verse 20 of Acts 20, "I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you." Now let me ask you, if all Scripture is profitable, and Paul kept back nothing that was profitable, what did Paul do? He preached all of it. He preached the entirety of the Word of God. Now watch. He says in verse 21, "testifying both to the Jews and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ."
#27 | 20:06 to 20:33 | cleaned
"And now behold, I go bound in the Spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide in me. But none of those things move me, neither count I my life dear to myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify of the gospel of the grace of God."
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Now watch, "And now behold, I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men." Whoa, whoa, stop there. Paul, did you witness to every man that you saw? No, he didn't. How can he say that he's pure from the blood of all men?
#29 | 20:55 to 21:24 | cleaned
Well, look at verse 26 again. "Wherefore I take you to record." In other words, I'm pointing this out. "I take you to record this day that I am pure from the blood of all men." Here's why. "For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God." You know what brings blood guiltiness upon a preacher or blood guiltiness upon anyone? Failure to preach and teach the whole counsel of God. How did Paul escape blood guiltiness?
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Not by witnessing to everyone that he saw, but by declaring and preaching and teaching the entirety of God's Word. Now, what is going to happen when you start preaching the entirety of God's Word? Well, the truth is, you may be run off. There are a lot of people who do not want truth. I think I probably told you, but I was asked to go down to Florida and was offered a huge ministry. I mean, my goodness. Here was a building.
#31 | 22:03 to 22:52 | cleaned
Just the auditorium was millions. And they had a gym. And they had a Christian school. They were also about $10 million in debt. And they asked me to come and be their pastor. I said, "You don't really want me." "Oh, yes we do." I said, "No, you just think you want me. Because when I start preaching, within the first six months, I'm going to thin the congregation down to at least by 50%. And you know what's going to happen? Since you won't have the money come in to pay your sinking fund, then you're going to have to get rid of me." I said, "You know, it would be best if you call somebody else. You really don't want me." Why? Because so many people do not want the truth. You might get run off. You might get persecuted. You might, you know, you might be hated and despised. But let me tell you, truth is truth.
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And we are responsible to preach and teach the totality of God's Word. That is one reason I like you folks. I love you folks. You know why? Because I can open the Bible and just preach. I don't have to say, "Wow, I wonder if Ron's going to like this one." Truth is, I don't really care whether he likes it or not. And the truth of the matter is, I believe, I know him well enough, if it's from the Word of God, he's going to like it. And anybody who loves the Scripture is going to love the truth. But you see, the gospel is not just facts about Christ. The gospel is Jesus Christ.
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Now, I want you to turn to 1 Corinthians chapter 2 because here's another passage that so many quote. Look in 1 Corinthians chapter 2. And notice if you would, what the Apostle Paul says, 1 Corinthians chapter 2 and verse 2. I've heard preachers use this verse very piously. 1 Corinthians 2:2, the Apostle Paul says, "For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ and Him crucified."
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I don't worry about all these people and their sins, and I don't worry about what's happening in the world, and I don't worry about the corruption in politics, and I don't worry about... I just preach the gospel. I just preach Christ and Him crucified. That sounds good, doesn't it? Well, let's look at the context. Look in 1 Corinthians 2:1. He said, "And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified."
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"And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God."
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Now what in the world is Paul saying when he says, "For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified"? Here's what he's saying. I'm not depending upon my oratory. I'm not depending upon my sermon outlines. I'm not depending upon my illustrations. I'm not depending upon gags and gimmicks and programs. I'm not depending upon emotionalism. I'm not depending upon tricks and gimmicks. No, no, no. He said the only thing I'm depending upon is Christ and His power in my preaching.
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and in the conversion of sinners, so that when people are genuinely convicted and converted, they are genuine Christians. That's what he's saying. You know why so many churches put so much emphasis upon their soul-winning programs? Because they have to keep bringing people in to replace those that are leaving. One year, I preached in a church down in Florida and they had about 300 people in that congregation. The next year, I went back and preached to the same church.
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There were only three or four families that I recognized. Within a year, practically 90% of the church had changed.
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Now let me tell you something, folks. There is something seriously wrong with evangelism when the converts do not stick. You know, it seems to me like there's a passage in 1 John 2:19 that says this, "They went out from us because they were not of us. For had they been of us, no doubt they would have continued with us." The proof that a man is ever genuinely converted is that he continues in the faith and in the things of Christ. And all Paul is saying in 1 Corinthians chapter 2, whatever converts I get, I want to be God's converts. It's kind of like Billy Sunday. You remember Billy Sunday, the Presbyterian evangelist.
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He died, I think, in the 30s. But Billy Sunday was walking down the street one day and met a drunk man. And the man said, in his drunken stupor, "Mr. Sunday, Mr. Sunday, don't you know me?" And Billy Sunday said, "I'm sorry, I don't know you." Well, he said, "You ought to, I'm one of your converts." Billy said, "Blessed God you must be, you're certainly not one of God's."
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Now, you see, that's all Paul is saying. Paul is saying, I want anyone who's convicted and converted to have been convicted and converted by the power of Christ. By the power of His ministry. Paul certainly preached the gospel. But let me ask you a question. If we're going to preach Christ and Him crucified, is not Christ the Creator? Yes, He is. Creation is ascribed to God the Son.
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"All things were made by Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made." So if you're going to preach about Christ, that means you've got to preach about creation. You've got to preach about the book of Genesis. Was not Christ the true seed of Abraham? Well, of course. Did not Christ come of the tribe of Judah? Well, of course. Is not Christ the central focus in the Old Testament as He is in the New Testament?
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And the answer is yes. Therefore, if you're going to preach Christ, you must preach then the entirety of the Word of God. Because Christ is the central theme and focus in the Old Testament as well as the New Testament.
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Now, I want you to go back to Acts 14. All that was introduction. Because I still have not even attempted to explain Acts 14:7. I'm just trying to show you that so many today who think they know what the gospel is really and truly do not know what the gospel is. Do you realize that preaching that Christ is the Creator or that Christ is the true seed of Abraham is just as much the gospel as preaching the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, because Jesus Christ is the gospel. If you're preaching Christ, you're preaching the gospel. If you are preaching the threatenings that Christ made toward those who will not receive Him, you're still preaching the gospel, because you're preaching Christ. Now, look if you would please, Acts 14:7, "And there they preached the gospel." And there, they preached the gospel.
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What is significant about that statement? Well, in order to understand it, we've got to read Acts 14, verses 1 through 6. Look at it. "And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren."
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"Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of His grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands. But the multitude of the city was divided: part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles. And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them."
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"They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about: and there they preached the gospel."
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Now, interestingly, as they were at Iconium, they were preaching and great multitudes evidently were believing. Do you realize it's easy to preach and it's easy to teach, as long as you have smooth sailing, balmy breezes, and plenty of sunshine. And boy, at first, they had it. And then all of a sudden, the unbelieving Jews got together, raised a ruckus, tried to stone them and kill them. And when they knew what was going to happen, they fled to Lystra and Derbe. When they got to Lystra and Derbe, it is said, "And there they preached the gospel." Now wait a minute.
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Let's go back to Acts 13 and begin with verse 49. Watch carefully. "And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region. But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts. But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost." And it could be said, "And there they preached the gospel."
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Do you see what is happening? It doesn't matter where they are driven, there they preach the gospel. Look at Acts chapter 14 beginning there in verse 8. "And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked: the same heard Paul speak: who steadfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, said with a loud voice, 'Stand upright on thy feet.' And he leaped and walked. And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, 'The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.' And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people. Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, and saying, 'Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. Nevertheless He left not Himself without witness, in that He did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.'"
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Now watch, "And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them." Now hold on. You would think that all of a sudden, Paul and Barnabas are going to have smooth sailing. I mean, my goodness, they've healed this man. Everybody's tried to proclaim them as gods. They were going to do sacrifice to them. They were going to honor them. Surely, surely Paul and Barnabas can sail on this honor for some time, getting good mileage out of it, being able to really and truly preach the Word of God to these people.
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Well, look in verse 19. "And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch." Isn't that amazing? Now, some say that Paul was actually killed. I don't know whether he was or not, but they at least thought he was dead.
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But God sovereignly and powerfully raised him up. Skip down to verse 24. Watch what happens. "And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia." It doesn't matter where they were. It doesn't matter what happened. It doesn't matter the circumstances or the situations. Nothing deterred the Apostle Paul and the others from preaching the gospel.
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Now let me ask you a question. Was Paul superhuman? When you read about the Apostle Paul and you read about the Apostle Peter and all these other men that God used, oh my goodness, you somehow tend to think that these were super saints. They were super pious. They were superhuman. Was Paul superhuman? No. None of them were. Each one of them were sinners. Each one of them were nothing more than mere men. And it might surprise you to learn that even the mighty Apostle Paul at times was afraid. You know, even in 1 Corinthians 2:3, we read it earlier.
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You don't have to go back there. He said it. "I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling." But I want you to look in Acts chapter 18 since you're right there. Let me show you. In Acts chapter 18, the Apostle Paul goes on to Corinth. And I hope you remember that Corinth was an exceedingly wicked city. You know Jacksonville has a seaport.
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A lot of other cities have seaports and usually when you have seaports you've got a bunch of wickedness because you've got a bunch of sailors. You've heard the expression of a drunken sailor and a cuss like a sailor. Corinth had three seaports. Corinth was so pagan, they had all these pagan temples. One pagan temple had a thousand prostitutes in it for the free use of visitors to that pagan temple. The Apostle Paul goes to Corinth to preach.
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Look in Acts chapter 18, and by the way, let me tell you, in Bible times, if you wanted to cut a man down verbally, you know what you called him? A Corinthian. Or if you said someone was acting like a Corinthian, that was a slam, that was a put down. That's like calling a white man white trash. I mean, it's a put down. Because the Corinthians were so foul and so wicked. But look in Acts chapter 18, beginning there verse 9, Paul now is in Corinth, "Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision."
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Here's what God told him. "Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: for I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city." Isn't that amazing? Paul was fearful and God had to comfort him and say, "Paul, don't be afraid. I'm going to protect you. No one is going to harm you." Look in verse 11. "And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them."
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And there he preached the gospel. Didn't matter where he was. Didn't matter about the circumstances. There he preached the gospel. Persecution, resentment, bitterness, hatred, ill will, fear and suffering did not deter the Apostle Paul or the other disciples from preaching and teaching the Word of God. The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 2:2, let me just quote it for you. He said, "But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention." He said, it didn't matter that people hated us. It didn't matter they persecuted us. It didn't matter that we were so resented. We were still bold in our God to preach the gospel to you. That's true, folks. There are many who refuse to hear the Word of God. There are many who reject it. What happened in the New Testament with the Apostle Paul, the other disciples, when people hated and rejected and refused the Word of God?
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Did Paul and the other apostles stand there and beg them, "Please listen, please listen"? No, no, no. They shook the dust off their feet and said, "The very dust be a witness against you." And they went to somewhere else. In other words, rejection did not hinder them from preaching the word of God. You know what God often does? To get us to preach and teach, He sends persecution.
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Look back to Acts chapter 8. Acts chapter 8. You will remember that in Acts chapter 7, Stephen, the first martyr, was stoned to death. Well, look in verse 1, "And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word." Isn't that interesting? Persecution drove them out of Jerusalem. And wherever they went, they went preaching. Look in Acts chapter 11, beginning there at verse 19. Acts 11:19, here it is again. "Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only."
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"And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord." Notice, if you would, verse 19, "Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen." What got these folks scattered out preaching? Persecution.
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I want you to turn in your Bibles to Matthew 28. Here's a passage that practically everyone in this room can quote. If you can't quote it all, you can at least quote part of it. It's very familiar. It's known as the Great Commission. Notice in Matthew 28, and let's read there verses 19 and 20. Matthew 28:19, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you."
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"And, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."
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Now, I've heard, as you have heard, many pastors say that we have a divine command to go. "Go ye." That's a command. "Go ye." It's an imperative. Usually the folks who say that have not really done very much studying. Because "go" is not an imperative in the Greek. It's a participle. What's that mean? Here's what verse 19 says literally. "As you are going." You want to know where the imperative is? You want to know where the command is? It's the word "teach." That's the imperative. As you're going, teach. As you're going, preach. In other words, wherever you are, that's where you're commanded to preach and to teach. As you're going somewhere.
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Did God in His all-wise providence place you in a situation where there are some who are open to the gospel? If so, there preach. Did God in His all-wise providence place you in a situation where there are ignorant, apathetic, stubborn, and rebellious people? If so, there preach. It doesn't matter where you are. You say, "Now wait a minute, Brother Weaver. I would really like to be in a position where people really want the Word of God and really respond." Wouldn't everyone?
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But God doesn't always put us in those positions. Noah did not have any converts. What about Jeremiah? Nobody listened to him either. How about Isaiah? Very few. I'm just simply pointing out the fact, wherever God sent His people, there they preached.
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Now, I want you to turn in your Bibles to Romans chapter 1 and the book of Philippians, okay? Let me show you. Romans chapter 1, Hobie's been dealing with this passage, but I want to just point out about these Roman believers. Turn if you would to Philippians 4, just find it, we're going to look in Romans chapter 1 first, then we're going to the book of Philippians. So look in Romans 1:6. Romans 1:6, the Apostle Paul says, "Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: to all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ." So now Paul is writing to these Roman Christians. Has it ever entered in your mind to ask the question, how did Paul get to preach to these Romans and why is Paul writing to them? Look in the book of Philippians chapter 4 and notice verse 22, he writes this, "All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household."
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What? You mean there were people in Caesar's palace that were believers? Well, of course. Well, how did people in Caesar's palace and how do people in Rome get to be believers? Well, look in Philippians chapter 1, beginning there, verse 12. Some of you know that the Apostle Paul had several vacations from his preaching tours. I would say federal, but they were not federal. They were Roman. The Apostle Paul was thrown in prison numerous times. And look in Philippians chapter 1 verse 12.
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Here he is in prison, and he says, "But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; so that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; and many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear." Notice, Paul was in prison! And it was in the palace where he's in prison, it was in the palace prison that he preached. It was in the palace prison that they of Caesar's household were converted. It was in the palace prison that he was able to reach even some that were outside of the prison. Do you remember in Acts chapter 16, don't turn there, but you remember Acts 16, Paul and Silas had cast a demon out of a girl. And the men who owned the girl complained and the magistrates threw them into prison after they had beaten them.
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And the Bible says at midnight, Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises unto God, and the prisoners heard them. And you know how God sent the earthquake, loosed all the prisoners, the jailer coming in about to kill himself. Paul said, "Do thyself no harm, we're all here." What did Paul do when he went to prison? He preached, he prayed, he praised. Look in Acts 24. You know that Paul was wrongly condemned. He was also wrongly convicted. He was also wrongly accused. He was accused by the Jews of being in the temple with a Macedonian, which of course he was not, but that did not bother them. So Paul then is sent down to face Festus and then Felix. But notice in Acts 24, after Paul has been wrongly accused now, in Acts 24:27, the Bible says this, "But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound." Now you remember Felix was the one who trembled at the preaching of Paul.
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For two years now, Paul is held in prison. When Festus came in, Paul preached to him as well, as well as to Agrippa and his wife. And it was Agrippa who cried out, "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." All this time he's in prison. And then if you'll look in your Bibles, Acts 28. Acts 28, notice verses 30 and 31. So we know he's there a minimum of two years. He's probably there longer under Festus. But in Acts 28, after he is sent to Rome in verses 30 and 31, "And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him."
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So the point I'm trying to make is this. Persecution could not stop him. Prison could not silence him. Prosperity did not deter him. Privations only made him stronger. For Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 12:10, listen, "Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." Do you realize the only thing that could silence the Apostle Paul was death? The only thing that could silence most of these people was death.
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It did not matter where they were, it did not matter the situation or the circumstances, there they preached the gospel. And you know what the Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 11:1? Here's what he said, "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ." You follow me, as I follow Christ. And if we follow the Apostle Paul, we're going to be doing an awful lot of preaching wherever we are.
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Now, let me make some applications and try to tie everything together. The first one is this. Do you remember the story of Esther? And of course you do. There's a whole book about her. But you remember how she got to be queen and Mordecai told her that God had brought her to the kingdom for such a time as this. Have you ever stopped to think that God in His all-wise providence has placed you exactly where you are for such a time as this?
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It doesn't matter if you are at home, it doesn't matter if you're traveling, it doesn't matter if you're in prison, doesn't matter if you're in the hospital. There, preach the gospel. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 7, let me just read it, verses 21 and 22. "Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant."
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Now the word servant is the Greek word doulos, which literally means slave or bond slave. It means one in servile condition. So he says, look, are you called being a slave? If you are, it doesn't matter. He said, if you can be free, use it rather. But if you can't be free, that doesn't matter. You preach the gospel being a slave. He said, if you're a free man and you belong to Christ, you're still a slave. You preach the gospel. So it really doesn't matter whether we're bond or free, whether we're in prison or out of prison. He says there, preach the gospel, live for Him, honor Him. Here's a second application. I want you to turn, please, to 2 Corinthians chapter 2, 2 Corinthians chapter 2. And look, if you would, at the Scripture.
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Listen carefully, because I'm going to make an application, some of you you may not understand, I hope that you shall, but here it is. Do not become excited if you do not see fruit immediately in your witnessing or preaching or teaching. Hey, you say, "Brother, I'm not a pastor." That doesn't matter. "I've never been to college." That doesn't matter. "Never been to Bible school." That doesn't matter.
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If you've been saved by the grace of God, you know the truth and you can share the truth. But don't become excited if folks reject the truth and hate it. You know, I remember when God first saved me, I thought this thing is so wonderful. I can't wait to tell everyone, especially members of my family. And guess what? All of a sudden, some of those members of my family did not want to associate with me anymore. "Well, you've gone off on the deep end. You're a nut. All you want to talk about is Christ and read the Bible." Let me show you what the Bible says.
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Look in 2 Corinthians 2. Now listen, here's what I'm trying to tell you. God does not give everyone a ministry of reconciliation. He didn't give that to Noah. He didn't give that to Jeremiah. He didn't give that to Isaiah. He didn't give it to a lot of people. To some people, He gives a ministry of condemnation. Look what He said, 2 Corinthians 2:14.
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"Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of His knowledge by us in every place." Now watch carefully. "For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: to the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?"
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Now, let me explain it. You remember in the Old Testament, they had those offerings, and they were sweet savour offerings. It's just like when you walk by and your neighbor is grilling a steak outside. That's a sweet savour. I mean, you like it. Or barbecue and chicken. You like it. Here's what God says. God says, when my Son is preached, and people repent and believe, He says, that's a sweet smell, I love it. My Son is preached. But when His Son is preached, and men hate Him, and reject Him, and deny Him, God says, that's a sweet smell. My Son is preached. To the one, we're the savour of life unto life, and to the other, the savour of death unto death. But if Christ is preached, whether men repent or do not repent is immaterial. We honor God by preaching Jesus Christ. Here's the last application. Listen carefully.
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We get our English word, evangelize, an evangelist, from the Greek word euangelion, which is the word for gospel. To evangelize is to preach the gospel. Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:5 to do the work of an evangelist. But let me tell you, you don't have to be a pastor, you don't have to be a preacher to carry the Word of God. If you are a Christian, you're obligated to carry the Word of God as you are traveling, as God opens doors for you, as God gives you people to speak to. Listen, I've tried to speak to some people and they don't want to talk to me. Others? I don't particularly want to talk to them, but they want to talk to me. And they want me to tell them about the gospel, and I'm willing to.
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You know, this thing is so strange. I could sit here and tell you story after story, but I remember one man. He would, I tried to witness to him, I tried to share the word of God with him. He would see me coming, he would turn around and go the other way. On the sidewalk and he saw me in time. He'd cross the street just so he wouldn't have to speak to me. I'd always speak to him though. You know what God did? God in His grace and mercy saved that fellow. And I remember at midnight on numerous occasions saying, "Gary, would you please get up and go home? I've got to get some rest. I've got to get some sleep." When after God saved him, I couldn't drive him away. He wanted the truth. He wanted everything. You see what I'm saying? You don't have to be a pastor to share the Word of God. Now, listen carefully.
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We're living in dangerous times. Troublesome times. Much like the New Testament era. And I don't know what's coming down the pike after this year. I surely do not. But I know this, folks. I don't care if you're talking about corrupt government. I don't care if you're talking about corrupt politicians. I don't care if you're talking about persecutions. I don't care if you're talking about privations. I don't care if you're talking about depression. I don't care if you're talking about economics.
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I want to tell you, Jesus Christ is our answer in the totality of His Word. And we are obligated to declare that truth whether people hear it or not! Whether they believe it or not! Well, I'm going to tell you, if we will be faithful, God will honor the preaching and teaching of His Word. I hope you read about the leaven. You know that leaven works silently? Secretly. You can't see it.
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But all of a sudden the whole loaf is leavened. That's the power of God. We can't see everything that's going on in this land. We don't know. We tend to think that it's us four and no more. That woe is us, we're all alone. If we just had... I've got news for you folks. There are more believers and more people that think the way we think than you can ever imagine.
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And I find them all over this country. We need to make up our minds. We're going to be faithful at wherever God places us. There, preach the gospel. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we bow to Thee. We thank You. We praise You, Lord, for all of Your goodness and kindness and love and mercy. We are thankful, Father, for every opportunity that You give us, for every open door. Help us, Lord, to be faithful in preaching the gospel and talking about the entirety of the Word of God, for the entirety of the Word of God is focused upon Jesus Christ. Thank You, Lord, for each one here today.
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We ask Your blessing upon them. And, Father, we pray that You would help us deliver us in Christ's name, amen.
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We ask your blessing upon them. And, Father, we pray that you would help us deliver thee in Christ's name, amen.
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deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-06T01:56:31Z

There They Preached the Gospel

John Weaver | Freedom Ministries

Pastor John Weaver explains that the gospel is not merely facts about Christ but Christ Himself—the entirety of God's Word centered on Jesus. He corrects the common misuse of 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 as 'the gospel in a nutshell' and 1 Corinthians 2:2 as a reason to avoid preaching the whole counsel of God. Using Acts 14:7 as a springboard, he demonstrates that Paul and the early disciples preached the gospel wherever they were, regardless of persecution, prison, or prosperity. The sermon emphasizes that every believer is called to herald the whole Word of God in whatever situation God has placed them, trusting God for the results.

Introduction: The Simple Statement That Jumped Out

Weaver shares how reading Acts 14:7—'And there they preached the gospel'—prompted him to study what the gospel truly is, noting that most professing Christians misunderstand it.

Scripture Reading — Acts 14:7

"And there they preached the gospel."

And there they preached the gospel. As I read through the book of Acts, that statement just simply jumped out at me.

What Is the Gospel? Correcting Misconceptions

Examining 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Weaver argues that the gospel is not merely facts about Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, but Christ Himself—the whole truth concerning Him.

Scripture Reading — 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also you have received, and wherein you stand; by which also you are saved, if you keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless you have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received." "How that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures."

Scripture Reading — 1 Corinthians 15:12-18

"Now if Christ be preached that He rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?"

Ah! I want you to understand that there were people in the Corinthian church who were denying the bodily resurrection of the dead. So he says,

Scripture Reading — 1 Corinthians 15:12-18

"Now if Christ be preached that He rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen? And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain."

The Gospel Is the Entirety of God's Word

Weaver shows that preaching the word (2 Timothy 4:2) includes reproof, rebuke, and exhortation, and that all Scripture is profitable; therefore, the whole Bible is the gospel.

Scripture Reading — 2 Timothy 4:1-2

"I charge thee therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word."

Blood Guiltiness and the Whole Counsel of God

Using Acts 20:17-27, Weaver explains that blood guiltiness comes from failing to declare the whole counsel of God, not from failing to witness to every individual.

Scripture Reading — Acts 20:17-27

"And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church." "And when they were come to him, he said unto them, 'You know from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you and taught you publicly and from house to house.'"

Now what did he say? "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable." Now if you look back in verse 20 of Acts 20,

Scripture Reading — Acts 20:17-27

"I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you."

Scripture Reading — Acts 20:17-27

"testifying both to the Jews and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ."

Preaching Christ Means Preaching the Whole Bible

Weaver clarifies 1 Corinthians 2:2 in context, showing Paul depended on Christ's power, not human wisdom, and that preaching Christ includes creation, the Old Testament, and all Scripture.

Scripture Reading — 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

"For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ and Him crucified."

Scripture Reading — 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

"And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified."

There They Preached the Gospel: The Example of Paul and Barnabas

Tracing Acts 13-14, Weaver highlights how persecution, stoning, and rejection did not stop Paul and Barnabas from preaching the gospel wherever they went.

What is significant about that statement? Well, in order to understand it, we've got to read Acts 14, verses 1 through 6. Look at it.

Scripture Reading — Acts 14:1-6

"And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren." "Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of His grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands. But the multitude of the city was divided: part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles. And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them."

Paul's Humanity and God's Encouragement

Weaver notes Paul's fear in Corinth (Acts 18:9-11) and God's comfort, emphasizing that even the apostle was not superhuman but was faithful to preach despite fear.

Scripture Reading — Acts 18:9-11

"Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision."

Persecution Scatters Preachers

From Acts 8 and 11, Weaver shows that persecution after Stephen's death scattered believers who went everywhere preaching the word.

Look back to Acts chapter 8. Acts chapter 8. You will remember that in Acts chapter 7, Stephen, the first martyr, was stoned to death. Well, look in verse 1,

Scripture Reading — Acts 8:1-4

"And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word."

The Great Commission: As You Are Going, Preach

Weaver explains that 'go' in Matthew 28:19 is a participle, not an imperative; the command is to teach/preach wherever you are.

Scripture Reading — Matthew 28:19-20

"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you."

Prison and Palace: Preaching in All Circumstances

Weaver recounts Paul's imprisonment in Philippi, Caesarea, and Rome, showing that prison did not silence him; he preached to jailers, governors, and Caesar's household.

Scripture Reading — Acts 24:27

For two years now, Paul is held in prison. When Festus came in, Paul preached to him as well, as well as to Agrippa and his wife. And it was Agrippa who cried out, "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." All this time he's in prison. And then if you'll look in your Bibles, Acts 28. Acts 28, notice verses 30 and 31. So we know he's there a minimum of two years. He's probably there longer under Festus. But in Acts 28, after he is sent to Rome in verses 30 and 31, "And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him."

Applications: Faithfulness Where God Places You

There They Preached the Gospel

John Weaver | YouTube

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	YouTube
Media ID	waGQcIjVlTg
Subject	Old Testament Studies
Course	Genesis: Abraham, Covenant, and Promise
Genre	Sermon
Date	2012-02-01
Dictation Name
Book	Book 075: Genesis — Chapter 2
Source Timed Segments	91

Lecture Guide

Outline

Introduction: The Simple Statement That Jumped Out: Weaver shares how reading Acts 14:7—'And there they preached the gospel'—prompted him to study what the gospel truly is, noting that most professing Christians misunderstand it.
What Is the Gospel? Correcting Misconceptions: Examining 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Weaver argues that the gospel is not merely facts about Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, but Christ Himself—the whole truth concerning Him.
The Gospel Is the Entirety of God's Word: Weaver shows that preaching the word (2 Timothy 4:2) includes reproof, rebuke, and exhortation, and that all Scripture is profitable; therefore, the whole Bible is the gospel.
Blood Guiltiness and the Whole Counsel of God: Using Acts 20:17-27, Weaver explains that blood guiltiness comes from failing to declare the whole counsel of God, not from failing to witness to every individual.
Preaching Christ Means Preaching the Whole Bible: Weaver clarifies 1 Corinthians 2:2 in context, showing Paul depended on Christ's power, not human wisdom, and that preaching Christ includes creation, the Old Testament, and all Scripture.
There They Preached the Gospel: The Example of Paul and Barnabas: Tracing Acts 13-14, Weaver highlights how persecution, stoning, and rejection did not stop Paul and Barnabas from preaching the gospel wherever they went.
Paul's Humanity and God's Encouragement: Weaver notes Paul's fear in Corinth (Acts 18:9-11) and God's comfort, emphasizing that even the apostle was not superhuman but was faithful to preach despite fear.
Persecution Scatters Preachers: From Acts 8 and 11, Weaver shows that persecution after Stephen's death scattered believers who went everywhere preaching the word.
The Great Commission: As You Are Going, Preach: Weaver explains that 'go' in Matthew 28:19 is a participle, not an imperative; the command is to teach/preach wherever you are.
Prison and Palace: Preaching in All Circumstances: Weaver recounts Paul's imprisonment in Philippi, Caesarea, and Rome, showing that prison did not silence him; he preached to jailers, governors, and Caesar's household.
Applications: Faithfulness Where God Places You: Weaver applies the message: God has placed each believer exactly where they are for such a time as this; do not be discouraged by lack of visible fruit; every Christian is called to share the whole Word of God.

Major Themes

Key Arguments

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 Is Not the Gospel in a Nutshell

Paul emphasized Christ's death and resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15 because some in Corinth denied the bodily resurrection; the gospel is the whole truth about Christ, not a minimal set of facts.

Weaver says, 'If you say that 1 Corinthians 15 verses 3 and 4 is the gospel in a nutshell, then the error is this, that you're suggesting that the gospel is simply facts about Christ.' He points to verses 12ff to show Paul was correcting resurrection denial.

Preaching Christ Requires Preaching the Whole Bible

Since Christ is Creator, the seed of Abraham, and the central focus of the Old Testament, preaching Christ necessarily includes preaching Genesis, the Law, and the Prophets.

Weaver argues, 'If you're going to preach about Christ, that means you've got to preach about creation. You've got to preach about the book of Genesis.'

Paul's 'Determined Not to Know Anything' Was About Dependence on Christ's Power

1 Corinthians 2:2 does not mean Paul only preached Christ's crucifixion to the exclusion of other doctrines; it means he relied on Christ's power rather than human oratory or wisdom.

Weaver explains, 'He said the only thing I'm depending upon is Christ and His power in my preaching and in the conversion of sinners.'

The Great Commission Commands Teaching, Not Going

In Matthew 28:19, 'go' is a participle ('as you are going'), while 'teach' is the imperative; the command is to make disciples wherever you are, not necessarily to relocate.

Weaver states, 'Go is not an imperative in the Greek. It's a participle... As you're going, teach. As you're going, preach.'

Blood Guiltiness Is About Declaring the Whole Counsel, Not Universal Witnessing

Paul declared himself pure from the blood of all men because he preached the whole counsel of God, not because he witnessed to every individual he met.

Weaver contrasts the common guilt-manipulation with Acts 20:26-27: 'I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.'

God Places Believers Exactly Where They Are for a Purpose

Like Esther, every believer is placed by God's providence in their specific circumstances 'for such a time as this' to preach the gospel there.

Weaver applies the story of Esther: 'God in His all-wise providence has placed you exactly where you are for such a time as this.'

Preaching Christ Is a Sweet Savor to God Regardless of Human Response

Whether people believe unto life or reject unto death, the preaching of Christ is a pleasing aroma to God; we honor Him by preaching, not by producing results.

Weaver explains 2 Corinthians 2:14-16: 'If Christ is preached, whether men repent or do not repent is immaterial. We honor God by preaching Jesus Christ.'

Scripture References

Acts 14:7: The key verse of the sermon: 'And there they preached the gospel.' Weaver uses it to show that Paul and Barnabas preached wherever they went.
1 Corinthians 15:1-4: Often called 'the gospel in a nutshell,' but Weaver argues Paul emphasized death and resurrection to correct Corinthian denial of bodily resurrection.
1 Corinthians 15:12-18: Shows why Paul singled out the resurrection: some in Corinth denied the resurrection of the dead.
2 Timothy 4:1-2: Paul charges Timothy to 'preach the word' with reproof, rebuke, and exhortation, indicating preaching includes the whole counsel of God.
Acts 20:17-27: Paul declares he is pure from the blood of all men because he declared the whole counsel of God, not because he witnessed to every individual.
2 Timothy 3:16: All Scripture is profitable; Weaver connects this to Acts 20:20 to argue Paul preached all Scripture.
1 Corinthians 2:1-5: Paul determined to know nothing but Christ crucified, meaning he relied on Christ's power, not human wisdom, in his preaching.
Acts 14:1-6: Paul and Barnabas preached in Iconium, faced persecution, and fled to Lystra and Derbe, where they continued preaching.
Acts 13:49-52: After being expelled from Antioch, Paul and Barnabas went to Iconium, preaching the gospel there.
Acts 14:8-20: In Lystra, Paul healed a cripple, was mistaken for a god, then was stoned and left for dead, but rose and continued preaching.
Acts 18:9-11: God encouraged fearful Paul in Corinth, promising protection and many people; Paul stayed 18 months teaching the word.
1 Thessalonians 2:2: Paul preached the gospel with boldness despite suffering and shameful treatment at Philippi.
Acts 8:1-4: Persecution after Stephen's death scattered believers, who went everywhere preaching the word.
Acts 11:19-21: Those scattered by persecution preached to Jews and Greeks; a great number believed.
Matthew 28:19-20: The Great Commission; 'go' is a participle, 'teach' is the imperative—believers are to make disciples wherever they are.
Philippians 4:22: Saints in Caesar's household; evidence that Paul's imprisonment led to conversions in the palace.
Philippians 1:12-14: Paul's imprisonment furthered the gospel; his chains became known throughout the palace, emboldening others.
Acts 24:27: Paul was kept bound for two years under Felix, during which he preached to governors and kings.
Acts 28:30-31: Paul spent two years in Rome under house arrest, preaching the kingdom and teaching about Jesus with all confidence.
2 Corinthians 2:14-16: Believers are a sweet savor of Christ to God, whether the gospel results in life or death to hearers.

Historical References

Billy Sunday (Presbyterian evangelist, died 1930s): Weaver tells an anecdote about Billy Sunday meeting a drunk man who claimed to be one of his converts; Sunday replied, 'Blessed God you must be, you're certainly not one of God's.'
Rushdoony's book 'The Politics of Guilt and Pity': Weaver references Rushdoony's work to illustrate how guilt is used to manipulate and control people, contrasting it with biblical blood guiltiness.
Corinth's pagan temples and immorality: Weaver describes Corinth as having three seaports and a pagan temple with a thousand prostitutes, illustrating the wickedness of the city where Paul preached.

Important Quotes

The gospel is Christ. Everything about Jesus Christ is the gospel, for He is the gospel.

Central thesis of the sermon: the gospel is not a set of facts but the person of Christ Himself.

If you say that 1 Corinthians 15 verses 3 and 4 is the gospel in a nutshell, then the error is this, that you're suggesting that the gospel is simply facts about Christ.

Corrects a common misunderstanding of the gospel as minimal doctrinal content.

As you're going, teach. As you're going, preach. In other words, wherever you are, that's where you're commanded to preach and to teach.

Explains the Great Commission's emphasis on teaching wherever God places you, not on relocation.

If Christ is preached, whether men repent or do not repent is immaterial. We honor God by preaching Jesus Christ.

Emphasizes that faithfulness in preaching, not visible results, is what honors God.

God in His all-wise providence has placed you exactly where you are for such a time as this.

Application of Esther's story to every believer's current circumstances as a divine appointment for gospel witness.

The only thing that could silence the Apostle Paul was death.

Highlights Paul's unwavering commitment to preach despite all opposition.

Discussion Questions

[Question]

How does defining the gospel as 'Christ Himself' rather than a set of facts change the way we share our faith?

[Context]

Weaver argues that the gospel is the person of Christ, not merely facts about His death and resurrection.

[Question]

In what ways might we be tempted to limit our preaching or teaching to 'safe' parts of Scripture, and how can we overcome that?

[Context]

Weaver challenges the tendency to preach only the New Testament and calls for declaring the whole counsel of God.

[Question]

How does the biblical concept of blood guiltiness (Acts 20:26-27) differ from the guilt-manipulation often used in evangelism?

[Context]

Weaver contrasts Paul's declaration of innocence with the pressure to witness to every person.

[Question]

What fears or obstacles keep you from preaching the gospel in your current circumstances, and how does God's encouragement to Paul in Acts 18 speak to those fears?

[Context]

Weaver notes Paul's fear in Corinth and God's command, 'Be not afraid.'

[Question]

How can we cultivate a mindset of 'as you are going, preach' in our daily routines?

[Context]

Weaver explains the Great Commission's emphasis on teaching wherever we are.

[Question]

Why is it important to remember that Paul was not superhuman but experienced fear and weakness?

[Context]

Weaver emphasizes Paul's humanity to encourage believers that God uses ordinary, fearful people.

[Question]

How does the truth that preaching Christ is a sweet savor to God regardless of human response free us from discouragement?

[Context]

Weaver explains 2 Corinthians 2:14-16, showing that God is pleased when Christ is preached, whether people believe or reject.

Applications

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