the gospel of the glory of Christ
William MacDonald passionately proclaims the gospel as the good news of the glorified Christ, exalted at God's right hand, calling sinners to repentance and faith in Him alone for salvation.
In this powerful sermon, William MacDonald emphasizes the gospel as the good news of the glorified Christ, exalted at God's right hand. He challenges common misconceptions by presenting Jesus not merely as a humble servant but as the reigning Lord of all. MacDonald calls sinners to repentance and faith, highlighting the necessity of recognizing Christ’s glory and authority for true salvation. This message inspires believers to boldly proclaim the gospel and live in the light of Christ’s exaltation.
Text
“…the gospel of the glory of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:4)
We should never forget that the gospel is the good news of the glory of Christ. True, it concerns the One who was crucified and who was buried. But He is no longer on the Cross, no longer in the Tomb. He has risen, has ascended to heaven, and is the glorified Man at God’s right hand.
We do not present Him as the humble Carpenter of Nazareth, the suffering Servant or the Stranger of Galilee. Neither do we present Him as the effeminate do-gooder of modern religious art.
We preach the Lord of life and glory. He is the One whom God has highly exalted and given a Name which is above every name. At His Name every knee shall bow and every tongue confess Him Lord to the glory of God the Father. He is crowned with glory and honor, a Prince and a Savior.
Too often we dishonor Him by the message we preach. We exalt man with his talents and create the impression that God would be lucky to have such a man to serve Him. We make it sound as if man were doing a colossal favor to the Lord by trusting Him. That isn’t the Gospel which the Apostles preached. They said, in effect, “You are the guilty murderers of the Lord Jesus Christ. You took Him and with wicked hands nailed Him to the tree. But God raised Him from the dead and glorified Him at His own right hand in heaven. He is there today, in a glorified body of flesh and bones. His nail-scarred hand holds the sceptre of universal dominion. He is coming back again to judge the world in righteousness. And you’d better REPENT and turn to Him in FAITH. There is no other way of salvation. There is no other name under heaven, given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
O, for a fresh vision of the Man in the glory! And for a tongue to tell forth the myriad glories that crown His brow! Surely then, as at Pentecost, sinners would tremble before Him and cry out, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
Sermon Outline
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I
- The gospel is the good news of the glory of Christ
- Christ is no longer on the cross or in the tomb but glorified
- We must present Christ as the exalted Lord, not merely the humble servant
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II
- The true gospel confronts sin and calls for repentance
- Man is guilty of crucifying Christ and must recognize his need for salvation
- Salvation is only through faith in the glorified Christ
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III
- Christ reigns with nail-scarred hands holding universal dominion
- He will return to judge the world in righteousness
- Believers must have a fresh vision of Christ’s glory and proclaim it boldly
Key Quotes
“We preach the Lord of life and glory. He is the One whom God has highly exalted and given a Name which is above every name.” — William MacDonald
“You are the guilty murderers of the Lord Jesus Christ. You took Him and with wicked hands nailed Him to the tree.” — William MacDonald
“O, for a fresh vision of the Man in the glory! And for a tongue to tell forth the myriad glories that crown His brow!” — William MacDonald
Application Points
- Remember to proclaim Christ as the glorified Lord, not just the humble servant.
- Repent and place your faith solely in the exalted Christ for salvation.
- Seek a fresh vision of Christ’s glory to empower your witness to others.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main message of the gospel according to this sermon?
The gospel is the good news of the glory of Christ, who is exalted and reigning at God's right hand.
Why does William MacDonald emphasize Christ’s glory?
Because many present Christ only as a humble servant, but the true gospel proclaims Him as the glorified Lord with all authority.
What is required for salvation according to the sermon?
Repentance and faith in the glorified Christ are the only way to be saved.
How should believers respond to the gospel message?
Believers should have a fresh vision of Christ’s glory and boldly proclaim His name to others.
What warning does the sermon give about man’s role in salvation?
It warns against exalting man’s talents or suggesting that trusting Christ is a favor to God, emphasizing that salvation is entirely God’s work.