1. WELCOME TO THE JACKSON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST PLEASE TURN OFF CELL PHONES

2. 1 Cor. 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, [2] by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you--unless you believed in vain. [3] For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, [4] and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,

4. WHAT TO DO WITH THE GOSPEL

5. THE GOSPEL A.The gospel is the good news that Jesus came to this earth and died on the cross to redeem us from our sins and bring salvation to mankind through his resurrection from the dead. B.1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, (2) by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you--unless you believed in vain. (3) For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, (4) and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,

6. THE GOSPEL C.We are called by the gospel - 2 Thes 2:13-14 But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, [14] to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. D.For something so important as the gospel it is extremely important that we handle it appropriately. E.2 Cor. 4:2 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. F.2 Timothy 2:15 (ASV) Give diligence to present yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth.

7. I. HOW TO HANDLE IT A. Obey it 1.Obedience purifies our soul - 1 Pet 1:22 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, 2.Obey regardless of the cost - Mark 10:28–31 Then Peter began to say to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You.” [29] So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, [30] who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life. [31] But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

8. I. HOW TO HANDLE IT B. Defend it 1.Defend it and confirm it - Philip. 1:7 just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace. 2.Defend it to death - Mark 8:35 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it.

9. I. HOW TO HANDLE IT C. Hold Fast To It - 1 Cor. 15:1-2 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, [2] by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you--unless you believed in vain.

10. I. HOW TO HANDLE IT D. Live It 1. Phil 1:27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, 2. Titus 2:10 not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.

11. I. HOW TO HANDLE IT E. Teach It 1.To the poor - Matthew 11:2-6 2 And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples [3] and said to Him, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?" [4] Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: [5] The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. [6] And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me." 2.To everyone - Mark 16:15-16 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. [16] He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 3.A compulsion - 1 Cor. 9:16 For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!

12. II. HOW NOT TO HANDLE IT A.Don’t reject it 1.Rejection = judging self unworthy of salvation - Acts 13:46 Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, "It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. 2.Vengeance on those who do - 2 Thes. 1:8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

13. II. HOW NOT TO HANDLE IT B.Don’t be ashamed of it - Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. C.Don’t pervert it - Galatians 1:6-8 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, [7] which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. [8] But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.

14. HOW ARE YOU HANDLING THE GOSPEL A.Have you obeyed the gospel, B.Are you defending it, C.Holding fast to it, D.Living it E.Teaching it? F.Have you rejected the gospel? G.Are you ashamed of it H.Have you perverted it?

16. TONIGHT’S SERMON STAND FAST IN THE LORD