by Rev. D. A. Ross
It gives me much pleasure to be invited to this large gathering and once more to have the privilege of addressing you on a subject appropriate to this occasion, namely, the sending forth of the gospel.
We will therefore notice a few points in connection with the words you will find in Mark, chapter 16 and verse 15, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”
The Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, commanded his eleven apostles to ‘preach the gospel’. They were His appointed messengers, sent by Him to announce the gospel news.
This commission to preach the gospel continues to all ages. To this end Christ Jesus calls and equips Godfearing men to engage in this work. “And he gave some, apostles; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers . . . for the work of the ministry,” Ephesians 4: 11, 12. It is of course the duty of the Church to teach and train such as are called to preach the gospel.
But what is the gospel? Paul, writing to Timothy, said, “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief,” 1 Timothy 1: 15. By this and other portions of the Word of God, we are assured that the gospel is the good news that Christ Jesus rendered full satisfaction to the Law of God and to the Justice of God, by His obedience, sufferings and death, thereby making atonement for a multitude of mankind sinners so as to save them from eternal damnation.
While the Word of God shows this atonement to be for the sins of a definite number of sinners, that is, the elect, the Word of God also teaches that the gospel is to be preached to all sinners everywhere. This is plain from the text before us: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Consequently it must not be hid from the world nor in any way kept from sinners. While we must not doubt the doctrine of a particular atonement for a definite number of sinners, neither must we doubt that God requires His Church to preach the gospel to all sinners indiscriminately.
This gospel is the only way of salvation. Heathen religions cannot bring about the salvation of one soul. The Pharisees’ religion of good works could not save a soul; and those who today continue labouring to save themselves by good works can never do so. The false doctrine of the Sadducees could not save, nor can any false doctrines of the present time. The iniquitous system of Romanism cannot save one soul of the millions within her fold. No power of man can save a sinner; not even the heights of wisdom attained to by the great philosophers of this world. Only Christ set forth in the gospel can save lost sinners. “Thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins.” Matt. 1: 21.
This is not only the testimony of God in His Word, but of every person saved by grace. They know this in their own experience. Indeed, they have tried other ways of supposed salvation, only to discover that these all fail, and cannot save; but Christ in and by the gospel does save; therefore the gospel “is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth,” Romans 1: 16.
When there is obedience on the part of the church to the command to preach the gospel, we must expect the fruits of the gospel; that is, sinners will come under the power of the gospel. The gospel will no doubt be rejected by many, but also it will be believed by many. By the grace of God they will come to realise that they are sinners who are lost and most certainly on their way to hell. They will know their need of the mercy of God through Christ Jesus who “died for the ungodly”. They will be brought to faith in Christ and to grieve over and forsake their sins. Were this not so, it would be a futile exercise to preach the gospel.
Moreover, we are to wait on God to bring about this fruitfulness to the preaching of the gospel. It is evident from the Word of God that sinful man’s natural response to the gospel will always be that which Christ told the Jews: “Ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.” John 5: 40. But we read of others — “Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power,” Psalm 110: 3, and such will come to Christ for eternal life. Therefore, while the church must preach the gospel it must also wait patiently on the Lord to bless the gospel. It is the Holy Spirit who makes the gospel effectual to the saving of sinful man. It is our work to preach the gospel to every creature, it is the Holy Spirit’s work to bless the gospel to whomsoever He will.
Moreover because the gospel proclaims Christ as the only sure ground of salvation it is to be much valued and prized by the Church. We must also readily defend it against all enemies, against all error, and against the subtleties of any false gospel.
Last of all, is it not because of the gospel that we are gathered here today? Is it not because of the gospel that we seek to make yet another contribution to the spread of the gospel? It is clear from the Scriptures that believers are required to do many things for the spread of the gospel: giving of our material substance is one such work. You will recall from the account of the building of the tabernacle in the wilderness that the people gave of their substance for that work as God required of them. So it is still: God requires that we give of our money for the maintenance of His Cause and for the propagation of His glorious gospel.
On behalf of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland I most heartily thank you for your liberal contributions over the years, and up to this present time. I would also like to assure you that the Free Presbyterian Church could never undertake to do such extensive work in Africa, were it not for your liberality. We have much cause to thank the Most High that He has opened your hearts to willingly and generously give to this glorious work of spreading the gospel. Indeed, we are workers together in our endeavour to carry out this great commission, “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” Thank you.