7 Great Gospel Words
Most of this section is Paul’s preaching to the Jews in Pisdia. Luke enjoys writing about houses and sermons, and we are glad because through his work we can hear our ancients brothers and sisters speak.
Good News
The gospel literally means good news. It’s good news to be known by God, be forgiven of sin, and to experience life in abundance.
Paul’s good news sermon contains many points, I am outlining only 7.
V. 16
Listen
The word in greek means not deaf—as in not deaf to the God, the Holy Spirit or the Word of God. Paul is preaching to an audience familiar with biblical teaching and wants them to listen to the good news.
V.21-23
Heart
David is fascinating man for Paul to use as an illustration because he was often flawed. God wanted a man after his own heart and someone who would do his will, and that is definitely David but not the way most think. What makes David a man after God’s own heart was David’s repentance and faith after failure, not his shining man made successes. David wept over sin, even begging God to not take away the Holy Spirit from him.
David sweetened his heart before God through repentance, and it is that repentance that made David a man after God’s own heart.
v. 23
Promised
God promised David a divine legacy for his throne, and that promise was a thousand years away from fulfillment, Paul highlights it to explain that God never forgets his promises.
There are 3 parts to a promise, the announcement, waiting, and then fulfillment. Most love either the announcement phase or fulfillment, the middle step, the waiting is often frustrating and not pleasant. But the middle phase is arguably the most important, here character is formed and shaped, new habits birthed, and belief is altered and enhanced. The middle phase is the building of the promise phase and it is necessary for great blessing.
During the message I referenced an old Hebrew word called “panem.” The word is Hebrew for presence, as in God’s presence, and panem is what God offers to us during the middle phase in order to assure us.
v.30
Raised
Paul preaches the resurrection by mentioning Jesus was raised from the dead. I love how he started in v.26 by mentioning “brothers, son of the family of Abraham,” only a Jew can appreciate the sweetness of that phraseology. Paul quickly explains all the wrong done to Jesus, and details Jesus dying on the cross and placed in a tomb only to be raise from the dead. Take note of the following words of Paul where he Jesus hanging around for many days after the resurrection. I have illustrated at length at other times so I will not further the point here.
YHWH is the unspoken word of God. When we pronounce it we insert the letter “e” so that is looks like this—YAHWEH.
What the word sounds like when spoken in the original format is like a breathe of fresh air—YHWH. God’s most sacred name is an illustration of breathe, as in every breathe taken comes from him, and only someone with the power over breath can raise people from the dead.
Jesus Christ In All Scripture
In Paul’s sermon he references 5 O.T. passages, here they are:
- v.33…Psalm 2. God needed to become humans to save humans
- v.34…Isaiah 55:3. David’s blessing is for everybody.
- v.35…Psalm 16:10. Jesus did not see corruption.
- v.41…Habakkuk 1:5. Don’t miss God’s warning signs
- v.47…Isaiah 49:6. God wants to be a light to the nations
v.36
Generation
David raised up a generation to love and serve God and each other. Today the Lord is looking for people who will raise up a new godly generation.
v.38-39
Freed
The word in greek is “justified” found often in Romans. God justly takes away sin by placing it on cross. Through the cross the debt of sin is paid in full.
v.42-52
Filled
The last section follows Paul and Barnabas as they witness for Jesus and see much fruit along with equal hostility. Many came to faith, and the disciples were filled with joy.
