A Church That Preaches The Gospel - Part 1 - South Union Baptist Church

South Union Baptist Church

A Church That Preaches The Gospel - Part 1

July 14, 2024 • Pastor Chad Thompson • Mark 16:15, Mark 16:20, John 3:16, 2 Corinthians 5:21

Bottom line: People need to know the bad news of sin so that they can fully appreciate the good news of salvation. Therefore, we must strive to be a church that preaches the gospel.

Do we want the good news or bad news first? Spiritually, there is both good news (salvation) and bad news (sin and its effects). No one gets excited about a solution to a problem he doesn't see. Our hearts will not be open to the good news of the gospel until we truly know that bad news of sin and its effects on us.

We are born sinners. We're sinners by nature and choice. The result of our sin is death. The bad news is there is nothing we can do to save ourselves from sin and death. However, the good news is God can save us, and He saves us by grace through faith in Jesus' finished work of the cross. Jesus became our sin satisfying sacrifice. He died in our place. When we put our faith in Him, we are made righteous by grace.

A Church That Prospers By The Power Of God

August 4, 2024 • Pastor Chad Thompson • Acts 1:8

Bottom line: A church known for being prospered by God's power is a church that preaches, prays, and praises. The early church turned the world upside in less than a generation. How? By the power of God. Jesus promised the power before He ascended, and He sent the power in the person of the Holy Spirit. What God said to Zerubbabel He could say to us, "Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD." Every great thing that happens for the kingdom happens as a result of God's power. How do we see the power of God practically displayed in and through the church? We preach the Word/Gospel; we pray as a "house of prayer;" and we praise the One who inhabits our praises, for where God's presence resides His power abides.

A Church That Preaches The Word

July 28, 2024 • Pastor Chad Thompson • 2 Timothy 4:1–5

Bottom line: To fulfill the ministry God has given to us we must be known for preaching the Word. The early church in Acts 8:1, 4 went every where preaching the Word. The world stands in need of a steady voice consistently speaking truth. Paul would encourage us today in the same we he encouraged Timothy - preach the Word and do it faithfully. As we do this, we fulfill the ministry God has given to us.

A Church That Preaches The Gospel - Part 2

July 21, 2024 • Pastor Chad Thompson • Galatians 2:11–21

Bottom line: Identification with the gospel's purpose brings a demonstration of the gospel's power. Paul confronted Peter in Galatians 2 because Peter was not living in accordance to the truth of gospel. He wasn't living out his identity with the gospel. When we find our identity in anything other than the gospel, then we lose out on the power available to us through Jesus and His good news. But, when we live out our identity with the gospel, then the life of Jesus is demonstrated through us. This demonstration of Jesus' life is a mighty witness to those who are lost.