The sermon focuses on the gospel as the only means of revealing Christ and saving grace. It emphasizes the necessary work of the Holy Spirit for the conversion of sinners. The dangers of turning to other gospels are warned against. The importance of holding firmly to the preached gospel is highlighted. God's mercy and grace are described as the basis of salvation, which is not earned but received through faith.

Our reading today from the Second London Baptist Confession again comes from chapter 20 of the gospel and of the extent of the grace thereof, paragraph 4. Although the gospel be the only outward means of revealing Christ and saving grace and is, as such, abundantly sufficient thereunto, yet that men who are dead in trespasses may be born again, quickened, or regenerated. There is moreover necessary and effectual, insupportable work of the Holy Spirit upon the whole soul for the producing in them a new spiritual life without which no other means will affect their conversion unto God. This is our final week of looking at chapter 20 of the gospel. Our paragraph today focuses on the gospel as the only outward means of revealing Christ and saving grace.

Furthermore, it stresses the necessary work of the Holy Spirit in the conversion of sinners. We've spoken a number of times before that through general revelation, through looking at creation or nature, we cannot discover Christ. We cannot recognize his redeeming work. We cannot understand anything about salvation. It is only through the special revelation from God, through His holy word, and more specifically through the gospel, that we learn about Christ and saving grace.

We read, for the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword Hebrews 412. And all scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training and righteousness, so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3, 16 and 17. It is from Scripture that we see who Christ is and His work. John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." John 1, 29. It is from scripture that we learn why Christ has come to us.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3.16. It is from scripture that we learn of the gospel, beginning back in Genesis 3.15, then throughout the Old Testament, and into the New Testament. Paul speaks it clearly in his letter to the church in Corinth. Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day according to the scriptures, 1 Corinthians 15, 1 and 4. Paul further declares, For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith, as it is written, the just shall live by faith. Romans 1, 16, and 17. By this gospel we are saved. It is the only outward means of revealing Christ and saving grace, and as such it is abundantly sufficient. Yet Paul warns us of the dangers of turning to other gospels in his letter to the Church of Galatia.

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel. Not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed." Galatians 1, 6-9. He also warns the Colossians, beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

Colossians 2-8. We must be careful not to fall to worldly wisdom, or to be swayed by false teachers, or to dabble in dark spiritual forces found in this world. Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world?

Hath not God made the foolish the wisdom of the world? 1st Corinthians 1 20. There is salvation in no one else for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." Acts 412. It is by this gospel that you are saved. If you hold firmly to the word I preach to you, otherwise you have believed in vain.

1 Corinthians 15 2. But God's word is not enough. There are many out there who read the scriptures and are yet not saved. For the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him. Neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned.

1 Corinthians 2 14. No man can come to me except the Father which hath sent me draw him, and I will raise him up at the last day. John 6, 44. For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving diverse lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But after the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared not by works of righteousness which we have done but according to his mercy he saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost Titus 3 3 through 5 is not by anything that we have done or anything that we have earned or anything we deserve.

We are dead in our sins. We have no inclination towards God. It is by grace you have been saved through faith and this faith not from yourselves. It is the gift of God." Ephesians 2, 9. It is of God.

It is God who pours out His mercy on those whom He has chosen before the foundation of the world, redeeming them by the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh and I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes and ye shall keep my judgments and do them." Ezekiel 36, 26, and 27. What a merciful God we have. Dr.

Sproul further comments here, but the Holy Spirit in bringing us to faith does not only affect a change in our status before God from that of a condemned sinner to that of a person clothed in Jesus's righteousness, He also brings inward renewal, empowering us to do good and gratitude for the great salvation bestowed on us. And when the Spirit gives us a new heart and the gift of faith, we are empowered to offer ourselves our whole lives as an expression of thanksgiving for our redemption. And as such, we should be looking for ways to thank the Lord in word and in deed. So how do we respond? Are you looking for ways to thank the Lord?

You can thank him by obeying his commands. You can thank him by putting away all the idols that have taken his rightful place in your life. You can thank Him by honoring the Sabbath. You can thank Him by honoring your mother and father. You can thank Him by loving your neighbor as yourself.

Amen.