Sermons of John Newton - M - Booklet Fourteen 31. The Gospel Message, Glad Tidings and 32. The Progress of the Gospel

Extract

Sermons of John Newton
Booklet Fourteen

31. The Gospel Message, Glad Tidings and
32. The Progress of the Gospel

31. The Gospel Message, Glad Tidings “[As it is written] How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the Gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” Romans 10:15.
The account which the Apostle Paul gives of his first reception among the Galatians (Galatians 4:15), exemplifies the truth of this passage. He found them in a state of ignorance and misery; alienated from God, and enslaved to the blind and comfortless superstitions of idolatry. His preaching, accompanied with the power of the Holy Spirit, had a great and marvellous effect. His principal subject was the death of Jesus, who had lately suffered as a malefactor at Jerusalem. Though the transaction was past, and the scene at a considerable distance, yet by the manner of his representation, the fact was realized to their minds [the fact became real to them]; and they could have been no more affected, had they been actually upon the spot, at the time. Jesus Christ was exhibited to them, as crucified before their eyes (Galatians 3:1). By the same divine energy they were instructed in the knowledge of His character, who He was, and why He suffered; and likewise, understood their own need of such a Saviour. Thus they hearkened to him, not with the indifference of the Athenians, but with the application to themselves of all that he had said. They heard, they believed, and they rejoiced. The Apostle reminds them, that they had not received a cold speculative doctrine, but such a one as imparted blessedness to them. Indeed, many of them lost this afterwards, when they were unhappily seduced by false teachers. But for a time the knowledge of a Saviour, so exactly suited to their circumstances, made them happy. And while they were so, they felt very strong emotions of gratitude and esteem for the messenger who brought them these glad tidings. Though he was by many accounted and treated as the off-scouring and filth of all things, the Galatians …