The grace of God which bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men (Tit. 2:11; quote 2:11–14).
Such an occasion calls for a royal text. This you will find in the creed of the Apostle Paul. Here he addresses a young man as dear to Paul’s heart as his own son. The text shows the substance of what a young man should proclaim and the hearers believe. The creed of the Apostle Paul
I. Begins with the Mercy of God in the Past. With his orderly mind the apostle here puts the first thing first. In our holy faith everything flows from the attractive goodness of God. He has shown all men how they can be saved from sin and death and hell. Saved to holiness and abundant life, all to issue in heaven’s glory.
II. Includes the Duties of Believers Today. Here is Christian “truth in order to goodness.” The doctrine calls for daily self-denial, and that with joy. Also, for godly living, so as ever to be right with God, with others, and with self, after the likeness of our Lord.
III. Leads up to the Return of Our Lord in the Future. Among all the hopes of believing hearts the most wondrous have to do with the Final Return. In the Early Church the saints rejoiced in His Final Appearing more than in all things else to come. And so today the glory of the Christian faith lies chiefly beyond the grave.
IV. Centers in the Death of Our Redeemer, Once for All. What an unexpected order! What a queer climax! Evidently, guided by the Holy Spirit, the apostle would have everyone today center both thinking and hope in Christ and the cross.
He died that we might be forgiven,
He died to make us good,
That we might go at last to heaven,
Saved by His precious blood.
Young friend, God has called you to the highest, the holiest, the hardest, and the happiest work in the world. He wishes you to proclaim the creed of the Apostle Paul, preferably with one aspect in a sermon. If you lead the lay friends, one by one, to accept this truth and adorn this doctrine, God will send a blessed revival soon.
