Sermons on The Free Offer of the Gospel
Genesis 19:30-38
In Genesis 19:30-38 is a strange passage for several reasons. First, the passage is about things which naturally make us uncomfortable: Lot has an incestuous relationship with his daughters that causes the ancestors of the Moabites and Ammonites to be born. Second, this is the last time we see Lot in Genesis. Why leave us on such a negative note? Ultimately, we are to recognize that Lot’s salvation, like Noah’s, points to another which is greater. Lot did not receive…
Genesis 19:23-29
In Genesis 19:23-29 Sodom and Gomorrah are destroyed. Just as God destroyed the world with water in the flood, so too he destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah by fire. Though this was a unique event, it foreshadows the future judgment to come on the last day and is a warning to repent before the day comes. The passage teaches that what is needed is an intercessor like Abraham. This is what we have in Christ.
Genesis 19:12-22
In Genesis 19:12-22 the angels promise judgment will fall upon Sodom. Many, however, are unwilling to leave. Lot’s future sons-in-law think it is a joke. Lot himself must be dragged out of the city. How difficult it is to leave the city of destruction! Many grow to love the world of sin found there and will be unwilling to leave even as they hear of the sure judgment to come.
Isaiah 56:1-8
The gospel often comes to those who are overlooked in society. Isaiah, prophesying of the days of Christ, speaks of the inclusion of the eunuch and the foreigner in the kingdom of God. This is fulfilled pointedly with the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8.
1 Samuel 12:1-25
In 1 Samuel 12:1-25 Samuel gives a final exhortation to the people highlighting the sinfulness of their request for a king once again. Judgment, however, is not the final word. Samuel affirms that God will be with His people if they are faithful to Him. Ultimately, both the people and the king need God and must be faithful to Him.
Proverbs 9:13-18
In the gospel eternal life is offered. Wisdom has set a great feast, and yet, many refuse. Why is this the case? Many reasons can be given, but one significant reason is that there is another offer to go to another feast, and many choose this one over Wisdom’s. This is the feast of folly, built on the foundation of sin. Ultimately, it leads to death. Those who are foolish content themselves with this feast that leads to death.
Proverbs 9:1-12
In Proverbs 9:1-12 Wisdom sets a table with a great feast and invites all to come. This is the offer of the gospel that goes out to all. The beginning of wisdom is to accept the invitation offered. Those who do so will feast with Christ on the last day at the wedding feast of the Lamb. The question is, will you be there?
Proverbs 8:32-36
In Proverbs 8:32-36 the final appeal of Wisdom is made. In light of Wisdom’s call, her greatness as seen in the rule of kings, her righteousness, her glory in creation and eternity, there is tremendous blessing for turning to Wisdom. Great blessings are offered to those who turn, as well as great curses for those who fail to heed the call.
Proverbs 8:1-11
In Proverbs 8:1-11 Solomon records the call of Wisdom, the eternal Son of God, which is contrasted with the call of the adulteress in the previous chapter. This call has gone out to all the earth in the preaching of the gospel. The words of Christ are pure, true, and righteous, and those who are wise find them to be so. Do not neglect Wisdom’s call.
Proverbs 1:20-33
In Proverbs 1:20-33, Solomon describes the call of the enigmatic figure, Wisdom. Who is this Wisdom who appears again in chapters 8 and 9? In this text we learn that Wisdom will pour out the Spirit and make the one who heeds her know the Word. These are the actions of God, making Wisdom equal to God and, as is clear from the passage in chapter 8, the Son of God. Solomon makes it clear that attaining to Wisdom means…
Matthew 11:28-30
In Matthew 11:28-30 Christ offers rest for the weary, for those who are experiencing the miseries of sin. Misery and wearisome toil is a result of the fall, and the promise of the Gospel is that Christ gives rest. Do not remain in the miseries of this world but come to Christ, whose yoke is easy and whose burden is light.