General Conference Bulletin, vol. 6

The Sermon - THE GOSPEL FOR TO-DAY

W. D. MACLAY

May 27, 7:45 P. M.

There are three texts of Scripture which will serve as a basis of my remarks this evening. The first is found in Galatians 1:8: “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” Mark 16:15: “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Matthew 28:19, 20: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” GCB June 1, 1909, page 252.7

Three facts are set forth by these three texts: 1 there is only one gospel; 2 that one gospel is for every creature in the world; and 3 that gospel is to continue unto the end of the world without any change. Seventh-day Adventists are frequently charged with not preaching the gospel. Men often think we could accomplish much more good if we preached the simple gospel, instead of going about preaching concerning the commandments of God, and hanging up charts with wonderful beasts upon them. GCB June 1, 1909, page 252.8

I thought we might consider to-night what the gospel really involves, and what the preaching of the gospel means. GCB June 1, 1909, page 252.9

I will read 2 Peter 2:4, 5, and wish to place alongside of that text, Romans 1:16. We see by this that Noah was a preacher of righteousness. To be a preacher of righteousness is to be a preacher of the gospel. This is further proved in the eleventh chapter of Hebrews. Noah was also a preacher of the righteousness of God by faith. We find in the history of Noah (Genesis 6:13) that while Noah was a preacher of righteousness, his work consisted chiefly in building the ark. So there was something definite which the faith of Noah laid hold upon. We are told to-day by many that all we have to do is to believe. GCB June 1, 1909, page 252.10

In Genesis 12 we have a further illustration of practical faith in the case of Abraham. He had to endure some severe tests, that to him the gospel might be unfolded, and he made able to preach it effectively. When God told Abraham to take his son whom he loved, and offer him up as a sacrifice on Mt. Moriah, that one experience meant more to him than all else, in helping him to understand the gospel and God’s power to save sinners. GCB June 1, 1909, page 252.11

It means something for a man to leave his loved ones, and go into some difficult foreign field, and not see them any more. But that is precisely what Abraham did. I would not give anything for a man that did not love his home, his native land. But Abraham went out, not knowing where he was going. Yet he knew he was obeying God’s command. GCB June 1, 1909, page 252.12

Note another illustration in Lot’s experience. You remember Lot went out with Abraham, and after awhile there was a strife between Lot’s herdsmen and those of Abraham; and when Abraham knew of it, he said to Lot, “Let there be no strife between us; for we be brethren.” How pleasant it would be in this world if we had a lot of men like Abraham! When they separated, though he was the older of the two, Abraham told Lot to take his choice. Lot chose the best pasture, and left the other for Abraham. When we next hear of Lot, he is in Sodom, where he is well situated, having become rich and honored by the Sodomites. But finally Lot was told to leave Sodom, and escape to the mountains, lest he be consumed. And he obeyed. GCB June 1, 1909, page 252.13

Now listen [reading verses 24-26, inclusive]. What was Lot’s wife doing behind him? A wife’s place is by her husband’s side. But her heart was still in Sodom, where her riches and her daughters were. She rather doubted that the Lord would really destroy Sodom, so she wanted to look back, and see if there was any fire, thinking if there was not, she would go back, and let Lot go on, if he wanted to be so foolish. She looked back, and immediately became a pillar of salt. Down through the ages comes the warning, “Remember Lot’s wife.” GCB June 1, 1909, page 252.14

I will now call your attention to some New Testament characters. Paul, in writing to the brethren at Philippi, said [reading Philippians 3:4-7]. Then the preaching of the gospel meant to Paul the loss of his position. GCB June 1, 1909, page 252.15

I turn to Acts 7:59, 60, the account of Stephen’s sacrifice. Noah had to build an ark. Abraham had to leave his native land. Paul had to leave his earthly position. But Stephen gave his life for Christ’s sake. And “all that a man hath will he give for his life.” What is all this world to a man who is losing his life?—It is valueless. Then it means something more to have the gospel than simply to say, “Yes, I believe.” There is something intensely practical connected with the gospel. GCB June 1, 1909, page 252.16

I wish to note briefly a few things which I believe the preaching of the gospel means at this time. In Revelation 14:6 we read: “And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.” This angel is carrying to the world the gospel, and those who preach that this angel is carrying to the world the gospel, are themselves preaching that gospel. The angel is “saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come.” Then I hold it to be true that the message to fear God, and give glory to him, “for the hour of his judgment is come,” is a part of the gospel, and that to leave that out of the story is to leave the gospel out, the very part that God wants impressed upon the people at this time. GCB June 1, 1909, page 252.17

A number of years ago, while preaching in Leeds, a bright young lady said, “Brother Maclay, I want to tell you that there are people besides the Adventists who are preaching the gospel.” She then began to tell me the work another church was accomplishing in the city, and what other churches were accomplishing in other places. I told her I was glad that was so. But I said to her, “Sister, are they telling the people that the ‘hour of God’s judgment is come’?” She said, “No, I never heard them preach that.” Then I told her that they were leaving out the most important part of the gospel, that they were not telling the whole story. GCB June 1, 1909, page 252.18

Those who preach the gospel in this time must also warn the world concerning the beast and his image, and against the reception of his mark. We must set forth the fact of the second coming of Jesus Christ. That is the second point of the gospel. That is the culminating point of all history and the Bible. Without the second coming of Christ our hope is vain, and we are yet in our sins. There is absolutely no hope for us without the second coming of Christ; there is no hope for those who are fallen in death, if there be no resurrection. Then let us spread the news everywhere that Jesus is coming. I know of no theme that so rejoices the heart as does this good news. GCB June 1, 1909, page 252.19

Last of all I want you to notice that GCB June 1, 1909, page 252.20