Gospel

I would like to ask you to turn to Ephesians chapter 1, please. Ephesians chapter 1. And we will read at verse 6. Now this is in the middle of a sentence. But I just want you to get the expression that's here.

What God has done for those of us that are saved. Paul says in verse 6, is to the praise of the glory of his grace. Wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

In whom we have redemption through his blood. The forgiveness of sins according to the riches of his grace. Now over to chapter 2, verse 4. But God, who is rich in mercy.

For his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins. Hath quickened us together with Christ by grace. Ye are saved.

And hath raised us up together. And made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace.

And his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith. And that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.

Not of works, lest any man should hope. Now those of us who have been here during the day today. And who know the Lord Jesus as our Savior.

I think I'm safe in saying on behalf of all. Have been thrilled with the great subject of God's grace. And I am reminded that when the writer of this letter.

Preached the gospel, he preached the gospel of the grace of God. And as a recipient of such wonderful grace. I'd just like to be able to somehow convey to you tonight.

The wonder of God's amazing grace. Amazing grace. How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.

I'm looking at some of the folks in the gathering tonight. And I remember when their son was in school. And as part of his course work for graphic arts.

He had to do a collection of pictures of one subject. And so he chose as the subject our nephew. And he took various poses of our nephew.

And each pose was to show some different aspect. That when the whole thing was all tied together. It showed him with enthusiasm with his cuteness.

Don't tell him I said that. And with his athletic prowess. And with all just various pictures.

That just embraced in totality. At least the objective was. Setting forth of this young man.

I want to give you four photographs tonight. God would help me. Four photographs and in the photographs.

I just want to point out to you his grace. This is God's grace. The riches of his grace.

The exceeding riches of his grace. God's kindness. Unreserved.

Abundant. Grace. I want you to just think with me of this picture of a man.

Of a sinless man. Surrounded by sinners. Now that may not seem as such a startling thing to you.

Until I tell you that this sinless man is God. Who has existed happily eternally. He has forever been the full expression of all that God is.

When there was a creation that was spoken into existence. It was all for him. When there were angels that sprang into full being.

I think it's safe to say the very first thing they did. Was worship and praise him. Unceasing in their praise.

And those that weren't praising were obeying him. To speak to do his commandments. All the hosts of angelic beings.

One day. Shepherds were startled by a light. A message from heaven.

Unto you is born this day in the city of David a savior which is Christ the Lord. And when they went to see that little baby. Newborn.

In an outside place. Cradled in a manger. Cared for by a tender mother.

They did not know. They were looking at God. The great, the eternal, the immeasurable.

The incomprehensible. God of eternity. The baby.

A true human child. With one grand difference between him and every other child that had ever been born. There was no trace of sin in him.

Adam came into this world without sin but he had the capability of sinning. Everyone from Adam on down to that moment had come into the world a sinner. With a bent toward sin.

Religious sin. There came into humanity one unique person. Holy.

In his birth. Holy in his conception. Holy in his life.

Not only was there no sin that he ever would commit. He was incapable of sinning. He is holy.

He is God incarnate. And you would think. If you have any interest in what is beautiful and what is attractive in the human family.

You would think that a man like this would be most welcome in this world. All the problems of this world. There are people problems.

I think that's safe to say. There are awkward people to deal with. You met him.

You surely met him. And the difficulties of society are because there are imperfect people. Sinners.

Like ourselves. Wouldn't it be wonderful. To have at least one person.

In that kind of society. That was absolutely perfect. I mean humble was the perfection.

Not condescending towering over others. Humble. Perfect.

The law was given by Moses. Grace. And truth.

Came. From Jesus Christ. There was a man in this world.

And no matter what was presented before him. It never caused a sinful thought. Not for a moment.

In order to express himself. He never had to use exaggeration. There was not the slightest shade of untruth in anything he ever said.

As far as his motivation was concerned. And I'll tell you. I'll tell you what.

The longer I live. The more I come to recognize. That there is something faulted in my motivation.

Totally. I have never. Had a pure motive.

I'm not trying to be. Humble and tell you something about myself. It's not true.

It's a shame to me to recognize. The more I have ever. Tried to analyze my motivation.

The more I have been convinced. It was not perfect. There was always something for David in it.

And in his motivation. There was nothing but what was for the glory of God. A perfect man.

Surrounded by sinners. And what's the climax of that life? How did men respond to him? Could I tell you that the greatest evidence. Of the depravity of the human family.

Is this. This is the condemnation. That light was committed to the world.

And men loved darkness. Rather than light. In fact let me just take you to one moment.

To prove the point. Here he is. He is a robber.

He's a murderer. He's an insurrectionist. His name is Barabbas.

Here he is. He is God incarnate. Miracle worker.

With benevolence in all that he did. Kindness in all. Welcoming to all that were disenfranchised.

All that were sinners. God says. Who will be that I release unto you? And they say.

Barabbas. Men loved darkness. Rather than light.

There is something in the human nature. That rejects the beauty. Of a perfect life.

There is something in human nature. That resists. The kind of character that God is.

Because this man. In the midst of a world of sinners. In every way manifested.

God is. If I have words to express it. This is the word.

The full expression. Of all that God is. Every breathing of his heart.

Every word of his mouth. All that he did. All that he said.

Is the expression. Of the beauty. Of the perfect.

The whole character of God. And what did men respond. How did men respond.

It was no surprise to God. And it was no surprise to Jesus Christ. His son.

That when he came into this world. It would be said. He would say.

They hated. Hated. They hated me.

Without a cause. Christians sing sometimes. Holy Father.

Who with yearning of eternal love. Did see hatred. In my bosom burning.

That it give thy son for me. And me. Could I tell you tonight.

That your heart. My heart. Is far more wicked.

Than you know. The heart is deceitful. Above all things.

And incurably wicked. Said the ancient prophet. And then he asked the question.

On behalf of God. Who can know it. And the answer from God is.

Would you kindly accept this from me tonight. You may think. That if you had the opportunity.

To have lived when the Lord Jesus was here. You would have gladly embraced him. And welcomed him.

I remember a woman convincing us. Trying to convince us. Repeatedly trying to convince us.

If I had been at that cross. And Pilate cried. Whom will you that I release unto you.

I would have stood by Jesus. She did not know her heart. And the God who knows our hearts.

Tells us this. That the mind of the flesh. Is enmity against God.

It is not subject to the law of God. Neither indeed can be. Here is grace.

That God sent his son. Into this world. That God became man.

The world became flesh. And in a world. In which he lives sinlessly.

With every grace and beauty. That could ever be displayed. In a human being.

We do not want it. He does not suit our taste. Let the planet be rid of him forever.

Your heart. And my heart. Grace.

In that sinless man. Picture number two. I want you to have.

In your mind at the moment. The picture of a suffering man. Surrounded by scoffing.

At Calvary. For ye know. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

And though he was rich. Eternally rich. Essentially rich.

All that is worth anything. Is in him. Though he was rich.

Yet for your sakes he became poor. That ye through his poverty. Might be made rich.

And I want you to see. The marvelous grace of God. At a place called Calvary.

Because Calvary was not some accident. Some good plan gone awry. Calvary.

Was what the Lord Jesus knew. Awaited him when he came into this world. Voluntarily he came.

And he knew what Calvary would mean. There on that cross. Heaven's jewel.

Impaled to the cross by nails. A thief on one side. And a thief on the other.

And surrounding him. Were men who scoffed him. Who mocked.

Who ridiculed him. Who belittled him. They were the same.

As had crowned him with thorns. And bowed and worshipped him. And rose up and spat at his face.

They were the same. As those that had scourged him. As cruelly as hardened men could do.

And bring down a lash upon his back. To somehow or other evoke from him. Some confession of wrong.

Impossible to do. But they bent their every effort. To somehow or other.

Reduce him. To a shameful. Sobbing confession.

Calvary is the darkest hour of man's guilt. There could be no greater testimony. To man's guilt.

Than that man has taken his God. And not merely put him to death. But put him to death with all the abuse.

That wicked hearts can conceive. Calvary. Is the brightest light of divine grace.

God's grace could never shine more brightly. Than it shone on Calvary. Because through the worst that men did.

God accomplished the best that God could do. I don't want to just use words tonight. I want to convey to you.

That on that cross there was a man who was there. Suffering all the shame of men. Suffering the agony of crucifixion.

He was there because he loved sinners. And there was no other way. That sinners could be brought into eternal blessing.

There was no other way. That God could open his heart to men and women. And provide for them.

And assure to them. The greatest of blessings that the heart of God could ever conceive. All tonight.

That I could convey to you. That the gospel message would melt your heart. And you would see that Calvary's cross.

And the sufferings of that savior at Calvary. Reaching out to the hearts of men and women. And providing in matchless love.

And boundless grace. A salvation. That would meet your need exactly.

And I've only told you the smaller part of the story. If I could tell you tonight what he suffered at Calvary. It would be more than nails.

And more than thorns. And more than scorn. Here is grace.

That the heavens opened at Calvary. They had opened. In his lifetime.

To express approval and delight. The heavens opened at Calvary. And poured out all the wrath of God.

That sin deserves. And it was all poured out. On that lone sufferer at Calvary.

It was all poured out. On that one who was bringing such honor. To the God eternal.

And yet in the midst of that sacrifice. That devoted sacrifice to the father. There is.

The outpouring. Of all God's thoughts of sin. Against one lone object at Calvary.

He hath made him. To be sin for us. He didn't make him sin.

And he didn't make him defiled. But he poured out on him. All that God required.

Of righteous judgment against sin. Will you understand tonight? Here is grace. A sinless sufferer.

On a cross. Surrounded by scoffers. And no one.

To pity. And no one to help. And the heavens silent.

And here. Is grace. I want to tell you tonight.

There is something of beauty about Calvary. The shamefulness of it all. The awfulness of it.

There is something of beauty about Calvary. That will draw worship from my heart forever. I'll tell you why.

Because on that cross. He was dying. For me.

And I want you to know tonight. That on that cross he was dying for the ungodly. And the grace of God planned Calvary.

To meet your personal need. That you might trust that Savior. And in trusting him.

Received. God's blessing. Maybe that will take you to the third picture.

Because I want you to think of this third picture. Of a sinful man. A sinful man.

Surrounded by spiritual blessings. In Christ. That's what we have read in Ephesians chapter 1. The riches.

Of his grace. Those that have been saved. Will be to the praise.

Of the glory. The uniqueness. I would love to be able to describe to you tonight.

How deep. This grace goes. We were talking about it.

Looking into it from the word of God. This afternoon. Let me just make it personal.

I don't know what sin there may be in your conscience. That comes hauntingly back to you. When you think of God.

I don't know what there may be. But I do know this. There's not a soul in this gospel meeting.

And there's not a soul in Crawford County. And there's not a soul in the world. Too deep.

Died in sin. To be reached by the matchless grace of God. God specializes in saving.

Sinners. That God does not take any delight. In sin.

And God is not somehow or other. In trying to encourage men and women in their sin. But all of us have sinned.

And there's not one soul in the gospel meeting this evening. And not one soul in the human family. Who has ever deserved.

To be in God's heaven. Who has ever deserved for God. To take a second look at us.

There's not one of us. That deserves for God. To somehow or other bestow on us.

The blessing of birth. And the deepest died sinner. Is made welcome by the grace of God.

That was the problem in Luke chapter 15. There were people that thought. You know there are us good people.

And it would be no surprise. If God was good to us good people. But what's this man who claims to speak for God.

What's he doing being good to publicans and sinners. No I want to tell you tonight. If God weren't good to publicans and sinners.

There wouldn't be one of us saved. Not one. This grace goes to the very depth.

Of human depravity. This grace goes to the very depth. Of the worst that man could ever do.

There is tonight. Grace to reach to every. If I said every Hitler.

You'd understand what I mean wouldn't you. A Hitler. If that's the worst specimen of human kind.

Maybe there have been some of the worst additions since Hitler. Of human kind. We'll find a welcome.

Grace of God. How deep does it go. To the depths of human sin and guilt and depravity.

How high does it go. Can't tell you tonight. Oh I wish I could tell you.

This is a wonderful thing to be saved. You can sing the chorus all you want. It's a grand thing to be saved.

And if I ever take the time. If I could possibly do it. So limited I could never do it.

But if I could tell you tonight. To have a relationship with the Lord Jesus. To have an acceptance of the presence of God.

To be able to go to God in the midst of every difficulty of life. And commit the whole thing to him. And know that there's a loving father's hand.

That's over every circumstance of life. And a thousand more blessings. Oh tonight.

Wonderful unspeakably glorious. The very best. To be saved.

Why did I wait until I was 16. When I knew about salvation from the time I could know anything. Why do people.

Who know about salvation. Who know about the blessings of a new life. Who know about the blessings of.

God's great salvation. Why do they close the door. And live without the greatest blessing.

That the grace of God. Could ever bestow. I can only tell you tonight.

Just what the Bible says. I don't know whether it will appeal to you or not. But it thrills me.

That sinner. Has been reached from the depths of hell. To the depths of sin.

And lifted to the heights of all. That God could possibly do. Blessed with all spiritual blessings.

In heavenly places. In Christ. Young man.

Have you ever heard this before. Let me appeal to you tonight. And tell you.

Salvation is too good to have. For you to miss it one more day of life. If I could only tell him.

As I know him. My Redeemer. If I could tell how precious is his presence.

I am sure. That you would make him yours today. I can never tell.

All love divine. I only can entreat you to accept him. You can know him only when you make him mine.

Oh tonight. Would that you realize the tremendous height. To which God blesses men and women.

And lifts men and women. By his rich grace. How wide.

Does grace go. Wide enough to embrace every sinner. Oh no.

No delight that God has in their sins. But wide enough to reach every sinner. And there is a whosoever will message.

That goes up through the gospel of the grace of God tonight. You could be saved tonight. I don't know how many times you may have wanted to be saved.

I want to tell you tonight. That God in rich grace is ready to save you. Now.

God is not asking you to prepare yourself. He's not asking you to fix yourself up. He's not asking you to somehow or other.

Pray to Him. Say the right prayer. Feel the right feeling.

Go through the right experience. God is ready to save you tonight. By his rich grace.

He's making no conditions. But this. Come.

And in all your giving. And in all your need. And in all your past rebellion.

Whatever it may be. Whosoever will. May come.

There's enough in the death of Christ. Now. I'm so thrilled to be able to preach a gospel.

That doesn't present a process. For men and women to be saved. Well some of us make it a long process.

But that's not God's way. It's our stubborn way that makes it so. God is waiting to welcome every sinner.

Who will recognize his need of grace. No merit on my part. No work that I can do.

Simply clinging to the grace of God. The full provision. Unbearable, undeserved.

Incapable of being produced from myself. The grace of God wide enough. To welcome every sinner.

And the length of the grace of God. Forever. Salvation.

That will save me now. Lift me to the heights of all that God can do. And I hope you'll be able to talk to me in a million years.

Because I hope you'll be with me. In God's wondrous heaven. And the grace of God will still be thrilling my soul.

And it will never, never, never end. And what the grace of God has done. Will never, never end for David Oliver.

And for every soul that's ever trusted Christ. The boundless, eternal reach. Of grace.

The sinner. Surrounded by spiritual blessings. In Christ.

I wish there were one more. By the close of this meeting. Than there was at the beginning of the meeting.

Tonight. Saved. Blessed.

Lifted by grace. Loving the Lord Jesus who died. For my pardon and calvary.

Here is grace. But one more picture. I want you to see in this picture.

A saved sinner. A saved individual. And he is surrounded.

By saints. They're all there. Great company.

I think I see Martin Luther there. I think I see people that died at the stake. Singing when they died at the stake.

God bless them. I think I see great, great Christians. I think I see Christians that have been persecuted for Christ.

I think I see, I think I see Christians. That have lived such stellar lives of devotion to Christ. That their names are revered.

By a generation in which we now live. See them all. Somewhere in that number I see another face.

Would you let me make this personal? The face of David Oliver there. Sometimes I have wondered. That I should ever be numbered among those that are saved.

One day when I'm in heaven. And the saints are singing. Thrilled with the Lord Jesus.

And praising and adoring him. I'll be caught away with the wonder of it all. And I'll be singing.

Somewhere along the line I suppose. Somewhere. I'll stop and think this.

David. How could it be that you're here? David you never deserve this. Because I want to tell you something.

We're not for the grace of God. I will tell you where I would be and should be. I should tonight.

Be lifting up my voice wailing to heaven. You say no are you sure this is not preacher oratory. I want you to know tonight that what I deserve from God.

Was that I should have been cut down in my sins. And never have known the grace of God. I should tonight.

Have been wailing with thirst. Crying out for mercy. Unheard for ages and ages.

And recognizing this. David you're in the midst of a fire. That will never be put out.

And your cry will never be answered. And you'll never be released from the judgment of God. It's what I deserve.

And it's what's one breath away from those. That turn away from the rich and wondrous grace of God. So in the gathering tonight.

Would you not turn from the result of your own sin. Turn from the righteous judgment you deserve. And turn to receive the marvelous grace of God.

One day. Oh one day amidst the splendors of heaven. Gaze on the glorious Christ.

And wonder. And worship. That the grace of God took him.

From this home of splendor and glory. To a cross of shame and suffering. To a grave.

He had died. The grace of God ever took him. That great place.

To save. A sinner. Like me.

Here's grace. This is the message of the grace of God. And grace wakes the night to save you.

To welcome you. To change you. To lift you.

To bless you. And to number you with the redeemed forever. I read the story about my father.

Saved. 17 years of age. Went out to start preaching in the street corners.

That he used to love to sing. Counted in. I never knew what the hymn was.

Until a few years ago. But the wonder of being counted in. Among the redeemed.

Thrilled his soul. Thrilled my soul. Thrills the soul of everyone in this meeting tonight.

I can't read hearts but I think I can read some faces. Thrilled to be counted in. Oh that there might be one more soul tonight.

Counted in. By the rich grace of God. For by this grace.

Are he saved. Through faith. Would you trust Christ tonight? In all your guilt and need.

Would you trust Christ? And be saved. And blessed. And pray to God for his grace.

Forever. May God grant it to be so.