My Sunday Skl

Have you ever thought about the promise of eternal life that God made before the world began? As you read this, open your heart and mind to the profound truths we’ll uncover together. 

Paul’s Apostleship

“Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ to further the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness— 2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, 3 and which now at his appointed season he has brought to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior,” (Titus 1:1-3 NLT)

It may surprise you, but in a series on “The Gospel” we are actually going to start by focussing on Paul. See, the apostle Paul called himself a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which is in accordance with godliness. In other words, Paul’s ministry was about proclaiming godliness and the integrity of God. He points out that his apostleship concerns “the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the world began” (Titus 1:2). Before humanity ever had a chance to mess things up, God already had a plan – the promise of eternal life.

Notice the weight behind Paul’s words. He is not manufacturing this message himself; it predates him, the other apostles, and even the very beginning of the world. This truth about eternal life comes directly from God Himself, who “does not lie” (Titus 1:2). God was not forced or manipulated into this promise. As the all-powerful, all-knowing Creator, He willingly made this eternal covenant. And because He does not lie, you can trust that He will faithfully keep His word. This is going to be very key throughout this series.

Manifesting the Promise Through Preaching

“but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior;” (Titus 1:3 NKJV)

How has God made this ancient promise known? Paul tells us, “in due time [He] manifested His word through preaching” (Titus 1:3). Let that sink in – the eternal Word of God, the very promise of everlasting life, has been manifested and made clear through the preaching of the gospel message.

When you hear faithful preaching and teaching from the Scriptures, you are encountering the revelation of God’s eternal plan for you. The words you read and hear are not mere human philosophies but the very manifestation of the promise God made before time began.

The Act vs. The Content

I want you to consider what it truly means to preach the gospel. You may have preconceived notions about preaching – perhaps you envision someone standing behind a pulpit, speaking passionately and projecting their voice. However, the apostle Paul reveals a deeper essence of biblical preaching.

When you witness someone proclaiming truth from the Scriptures, you are observing two components: the act of communication and the content being communicated. The act involves the outward expression – the tone, volume, and delivery style of the speaker. But as Paul clarifies, true preaching transcends the mere act itself.

He states in Titus 1:3 that God has “manifested His word through preaching.” The Greek word used here for “preaching” refers not to the outward act but to the very content, message, and meaning being conveyed. The focus is on the substance of what is said, not merely the saying of it.

Notice how Paul frames his role: “Which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Savior” (Titus 1:3). He recognizes that as a preacher, his voice is meant to amplify and represent God’s content accurately. The words he speaks are not his own but are borrowed from the unchanging truth of the One who cannot lie.

What does this then tell us? When we proclaim the gospel or expound on God’s Word, we are not sharing our personal philosophies or opinions. Instead, we are messengers representing the very words of the eternal God who made an unbreakable promise before the world began.

So what truly distinguishes a servant of God, an apostle of Jesus Christ, or a messenger of the gospel? It is not the outward act of speaking, shouting, or delivering a message in a particular style. Many can engage in such acts, whether in stadiums, train stations, or public forums.

The defining mark, as Paul emphasizes, is the content – the actual message being conveyed. When you faithfully represent God’s committed truth from His Word, you demonstrate that you are a true preacher of the gospel, regardless of your outward manner or setting.

The Sacred Content of the Gospel

So we have talked about the importance of preaching the true gospel. I want you to also remember that God did not merely have a plan for eternal life. He also predetermined the very words meant to communicate that plan. This sacred content was not left open to human invention or creativity.

As a servant, Paul recognized that it was not his role to choose what to say or how to represent God. You can say that he was an “errand boy” for Jesus, commissioned to expressly represent the One who sent him.

The message Paul was to convey was the very promise God made before the world began (Titus 1:2-3). This was not a matter of personal style, theatrics, or rhetorical flair. Rather, Paul’s charge was to bring to humanity’s attention the ancient words spoken by God Himself long ago.

As modern-day believers tasked with sharing the gospel, we must exercise great care in handling this sacred content. The Christian message is not an opportunity for personal embellishment, novel ideas, or creative adaptations. God has already “packaged” what He wants proclaimed, and your role is to be a faithful steward of that divine truth.

There is a “sacredness to the act of speaking the gospel” because the very content belongs to God. Tampering with or distorting that content constitutes a grievous offense against the God who cannot lie (Titus 1:2).

Remember, the greatest danger a preacher or believer can face is compromising the sacred content entrusted to us. It matters not how eloquent or persuasive one might be if the substance of their message deviates from God’s predetermined truth.

Your task is not to invent novel revelations or philosophies but to diligently locate the ancient truths spoken by God “before the world began” (Titus 1:2). What you are to proclaim has already been declared – your responsibility is to represent it accurately and completely, without addition or subtraction.

“For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.” (2 Peter 1:16-18 NKJV)

The apostle Peter reinforces this principle in 2 Peter 1:16-18. He declares that the apostles did not follow “cunningly devised fables” but were eyewitnesses of the majesty and glory of Jesus Christ, hearing the very voice of God affirming His beloved Son.

Like the apostles, you are not called to manufacture fanciful tales or market the gospel through human trickery. Rather, you are a modern-day eyewitness to the unchanging truth revealed in God’s Word – truth that predates the world itself.

More Sure Than Miracles

“And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts;” (2 Peter 1:19 NKJV)

As incredible as their firsthand experiences were, Peter declares that there is something “more sure” than even the miracles they witnessed. He states, “We have the prophetic word more confirmed” (2 Peter 1:19).

Can you imagine? The apostles witnessed astounding miracles, heard the audible voice of God, and beheld the transfigured glory of Christ. Still, Peter highlights that the prophetic word – the Scriptures – provides an even more reliable foundation for our faith.

While miracles and supernatural encounters have their place, the unshakable certainty of the Christian life rests upon the “more sure word of prophecy” found in the Bible (2 Peter 1:19). This divine revelation supersedes even the most extraordinary miracles or experiences.

“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” (2 Peter 1:20-21 KJV)

Peter leaves no room for doubt about the origin of this prophetic word. He states emphatically, “No prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation” (2 Peter 1:20). In other words, the Scriptures did not arise from human ingenuity, imagination, or personal interpretations.

Instead, the Bible’s authors “spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21). The words you read in Scripture are not mere human philosophies but the very breathed-out utterances of the Almighty God Himself.

The Miracle Within

You may already know that as a believer,, you can anticipate and experience the miraculous in your lives. The indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, the forgiveness of sins, and the promise of resurrection life – these are all profound miracles that reside within you.

You may witness blind eyes opening, the lame walking, and even the dead being raised. Such supernatural occurrences are part of the believer’s experience and should be embraced.

These things can all happen. But the basis of your certainty and the foundation of your faith should not rest solely upon these miracles. Your unwavering confidence lies in the “more sure word of prophecy” – the divinely inspired Scriptures that unveil the eternal truth of God Himself.

This is what should be the foundation. So as you go forth proclaiming the gospel, remember that your message is not rooted in human philosophies, fables, or gimmicks. It’s not even rooted in making the blind see, and making the deaf hear. It finds its ultimate authority in the inerrant, infallible Word of God – a “more sure word” than any miracle or experience.

This is the unshakable foundation upon which you stand as a messenger of the gospel.

Christ’s Suffering Foretold

It would be hard for us to discuss the Gospel and not speak about the suffering of Christ.

In Acts 3:18, Peter declares, “But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled.” Do you see the connection? The suffering of Christ, which the apostles witnessed firsthand, was not a random event but the fulfillment of prophecies spoken long ago by God’s anointed messengers.

The Old Testament prophets, moved by the Holy Spirit, revealed that the promised Messiah would endure suffering – a truth now realized in the crucifixion of Jesus. Peter and the other apostles were not mere spectators but participants in the unfolding of God’s eternal plan, foreshadowed by the prophetic Scriptures.

The Prophetic Witness of Moses

Peter singles out one of these prophetic voices, that of Moses himself. He quotes the ancient lawgiver’s words: “The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren. Him you shall hear” (Acts 3:22).

Moses, the man through whom God delivered the foundational revelation of the Pentateuch, bore witness to the coming of a greater Prophet – one who would speak with ultimate authority and demand unwavering obedience. This promise found its realization in Jesus Christ, the embodiment of God’s final and complete revelation to humanity.

Significantly, Peter affirms that the prophecies originally spoken “by the mouth of all His holy prophets” were subsequently committed to writing (Acts 3:21). These divine utterances did not remain mere oral traditions but were faithfully recorded as Scripture, preserved for generations to come.

The prophets, moved by the Holy Spirit, transcribed the very words entrusted to them by God (2 Peter 1:21). Their writings became the enduring testimony of God’s unfolding plan, a “more sure word of prophecy” illuminating the path until the dawning of the prophesied Messiah (2 Peter 1:19).

Fulfillment in Christ

In this incredible tapestry of prophecy, Jesus Christ stands as the central figure, the culmination of all that was foretold. When Peter proclaims, “He shall send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before” (Acts 3:20), he affirms that the long-awaited Messiah has indeed come, fulfilling the words spoken and recorded by the prophets of old.

The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus are not mere historical events but the realization of God’s eternal purpose, foreshadowed in the sacred Scriptures. As you embrace this truth, the “morning star” rises in your heart, confirming the divine origin and trustworthiness of the prophetic word (2 Peter 1:19).

As a believer, you now stand as a living testament to the fulfillment of prophecy, carrying forth the unbroken chain of God’s redemptive plan. When you preach, teach, or share the gospel, you are not merely imparting information but unveiling the culmination of God’s eternal promise, foretold by the prophets and realized in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

An Unbroken Chain of Witnesses

This pattern of grounding the Christian message in the testimony of the prophets continues throughout the book of Acts. In chapter 3, Peter again cites the authority of “all His prophets” and Moses himself, affirming that the promised Messiah would indeed suffer and be the fulfillment of God’s eternal plan (Acts 3:18, 22).

Like an unbroken chain, the voices of the prophets echo through the ages, each bearing witness to the coming of Christ and the unfolding of God’s redemptive purposes. From Joel to Moses, Isaiah to Malachi, their words converge upon the central figure of Jesus, the culmination of all that was foretold.

He cites not only Joel but also the psalmist David, affirming, “For David says concerning Him…” (Acts 2:25).

In doing so, Peter unveils the central figure upon whom all prophetic utterances converge – Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah. David’s words, though spoken centuries earlier, find their ultimate fulfillment in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

Through the prophetic lens, Peter sheds light on the true meaning of David’s words, which might otherwise be misunderstood. He clarifies that when David proclaimed, “For You will not leave my soul in Hades, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption” (Acts 2:27), he was not speaking of himself but prophesying about the resurrection of Christ.

Peter’s authoritative declaration, “Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day” (Acts 2:29), dispels any notion that David was referring to his own fate. Instead, Peter reveals that David spoke “being a prophet” (Acts 2:30), foreseeing the resurrection of the Messiah from the grave.

In Acts 2:30, Peter unveils the weight of God’s promise to King David: “Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne.”

This oath, sworn by the immutable God Himself, was not a casual vow but a binding commitment of His very integrity. God staked His honor and trustworthiness upon the promise to raise up the Messiah, the anointed King, from David’s lineage.

As you read further, you discover the profound implications of this divine oath. In verse 32, Peter declares with unwavering conviction, “This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses.”

The resurrection of Jesus Christ was not merely a remarkable event but the culmination of God’s predetermined plan, the fulfillment of His sworn oath to David. In raising Jesus from the dead, God demonstrated His absolute faithfulness to His word, upholding His integrity before all creation.

The Exaltation of the Risen Christ

Peter’s exposition continues, unveiling the glorious outcome of Christ’s resurrection: “Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear” (Acts 2:33).

The outpouring of the Holy Spirit, which so perplexed the onlookers, was not a spontaneous occurrence but a direct consequence of God’s unwavering commitment to His oath. By exalting the risen Christ to His right hand, God inaugurated a new era, empowering His people with the promised Spirit as a testament to the fulfillment of His word.

With the weight of prophetic testimony and the undeniable evidence of the outpoured Spirit, Peter concludes with a resounding affirmation: “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36).

This proclamation is not mere rhetoric but the inevitable consequence of God’s faithfulness to His sworn oath. By raising Jesus from the dead and exalting Him as both Lord and Messiah, God has fulfilled His ancient promise, demonstrating His uncompromising commitment to His word.

As you embrace this truth, you stand as a living testament to the culmination of God’s eternal plan, foreshadowed by the prophets and realized in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Your message finds its authority not in human wisdom but in the unbreakable oath of the God who cannot lie, the very foundation upon which your faith rests secure.

The Apostolic Mandate

In 1 Corinthians 15:1, Paul declares, “Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you.” This statement is not a casual remark but a profound affirmation of the apostolic mandate – to faithfully proclaim the gospel entrusted to them.

Paul could confidently recount the content of his preaching because it was not a spontaneous utterance or personal invention. Instead, it was the very message “committed” to him, as he affirms in Titus 1:3: “which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior.”

Now, let’s talk about you. Yes, you. When Paul speaks of the ministry of reconciliation committed to us, he’s not just referring to the clergy or a select few with grand titles. He’s speaking to you, sitting there with this message at your fingertips. You’re called to embrace and transmit this profound truth, not as a bearer of generic good wishes, but as a custodian of a sacred legacy, detailed in the scriptures.

It’s crucial to recognize that as carriers of this message, we don’t have the liberty to freelance with the facts. The gospel we share must mirror the biblical text, reflecting its depth and breadth. When David or Joel spoke of the Christ, they were not crafting clever tales but conveying prophecies that Paul and others would later see fulfilled and declare. Our discussions, teachings, and sermons must be deeply rooted in this scriptural heritage, not derived from our personal interpretations or desires.

Paul describes his identity as “a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God” (Romans 1:1). This isn’t just a role or a job; it’s a fundamental separation from the world to a specific divine purpose. Just as Paul was set apart to live and preach this gospel, so too are you called to focus your life’s narrative around the profound truths of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection.

Continuing the Conversation

Remember, this isn’t just ancient history; it’s a living, breathing reality that influences everything we are and all we do. Let’s continue this conversation, diving deeper into the truths of God’s word, and embracing our role in this divine narrative.