God's Greatest Gift-The Gospel

October 12, 2025
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:1–4
Preacher: Ichiro Okiebisu, Calgary Japanese Gospel Church

Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 2:1–4 (ESV)

1 For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain.
2 But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict.
3 For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive,
4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.

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Introduction

Imagine meeting a very wealthy person who says to you,

“If you keep believing in what is written in this one book for the rest of your life, I will give you five hundred million yen. But if you stop believing, you must return what is left.”

What would you do?
All you need to do is believe in the contents of that book until the end of your life.
Some of the things written in it may go against the common sense and values of the world, yet if you keep believing, you could live securely for the rest of your life.

Let’s say you bought a house for one hundred million yen and placed the rest in the bank at two percent interest — that would bring about eight million yen per year. You could live very comfortably.

But in truth, this is not a fantasy; in a sense, it is reality.
The wealthy giver is God, the Creator of the universe,
and that one book is the Bible.
Five hundred million yen represents the wealth of a long lifetime, but the gospel promises something infinitely greater — eternal life, where every need is met forever.

This is the Good News, the gospel — truly the greatest and most generous offer in all the world.
Today, as we reflect on this gospel, let us give thanks together for the immeasurable grace of God.

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1. Paul’s Gospel Was Not in Vain

Paul begins this chapter by saying,

“Our coming to you was not in vain.” (v.1)

This means that the people of Thessalonica received the message of the gospel that Paul preached.
Sometimes, missionaries travel to new places and no one believes.
Yet God’s work is never measured only by visible results.
The fruit may come years, even decades, later.

Missionaries in the past who went deep into the jungles were martyred, but years later, many in those same regions came to Christ.
In Africa today, many strong and growing churches exist because of those who faithfully sowed the gospel generations ago.

Therefore, when Paul says his coming was “not in vain,” he reminds us that nothing done faithfully for God is ever wasted.

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2. The Gospel Preached Through Suffering

Paul writes,

“We had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi.” (v.2)

He was imprisoned and beaten there.
Although he went to Philippi in obedience to God’s vision, what awaited him was hardship.
Likewise, in our own lives, even when we follow God’s will, we may still encounter trials and suffering.
Jesus Himself walked a road full of pain and rejection.

We often think that God’s blessing means health, wealth, or family happiness.
But in the New Covenant, blessing means something much deeper.
In the Old Testament, obedience brought prosperity and disobedience brought loss.
Yet in the New Testament, the promise is new — those who believe in Jesus Christ are made children of God through faith.

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3. Entrusted with the Gospel (v.4)

Paul continues,

“We have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel.”

After Jesus ascended to heaven, the gospel message was entrusted to the apostles.
Through the power of the Holy Spirit, they were called to proclaim it faithfully and truthfully.

The gospel is not something that can be fully understood by human wisdom alone.
Even the disciples who spent three years with Jesus did not completely grasp its meaning until after His resurrection.

Jesus said,

“New wine is put into fresh wineskins.”
If we cling to old ways of thinking or worldly values, we cannot receive the new gospel.

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The Unique Nature of the Gospel

The word gospel literally means “good news.”
In the Old Testament, people were accepted by God through their deeds.
But in the New Testament, people are accepted by faith.

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I. The Privilege of Becoming Children of God

John 1:12 (ESV)

“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”

The most secure and intimate relationship on earth is that of parent and child.
Other human relationships are often transactional — based on benefit or obligation — but the parent-child relationship is unconditional.

Why can a child live in a house the parents bought, receive education paid for by them, and even inherit their property? Because of relationship, not merit.
If the Old Covenant was like a contractual relationship between God and people, the New Covenant is a family relationship — we live as beloved children of God.

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II. Understanding Through the Holy Spirit

In the Old Testament era, very few people could read or understand God’s Word directly.
Ordinary people had to rely on priests, scribes, or prophets.
As a result, when Israel’s leaders turned away from God, the people followed into idolatry and corruption.
Eventually, the northern kingdom fell to Assyria, and the southern kingdom to Babylon — they lost their nation.

But God’s plan did not end there.
He promised, through prophets like Jeremiah and Ezekiel, that one day He would give His Spirit to those who believe.
Instead of words written only on stone tablets, God would write His law on human hearts through the Holy Spirit.

Hebrews 10:16 (ESV)

“This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord:
I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds.”

Through the Holy Spirit, we can now know God personally.
He comforts us when we are sorrowful, strengthens us when we are lonely, and gives us assurance through His Word.
This is the second great blessing of the gospel — the indwelling Spirit.

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III. The Absolute Love of God

Romans 8:39 (ESV)

“Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Salvation is not achieved by human effort but guaranteed by God’s unchanging love.
The Christian life is not about striving in our own power, but about growing by grace.
If salvation depended on our ability or faithfulness, none of us could be saved.
But God’s grace sustains us even in weakness.

False religions often demand extreme devotion or strict performance to earn divine favor.
The gospel, however, is based on grace, not merit.
Living by grace means walking daily with the Holy Spirit, listening to His voice, turning from sin, and trusting God through every circumstance.
He comforts us in sorrow and speaks to us through His Word.

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4. The Difference Between Old and New Covenant Blessings

In the Old Testament, obedience brought earthly prosperity.
But in the New Testament, those who follow God receive spiritual blessings, often through trials.

Philippians 3:12 (ESV)

“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.”

Spiritual blessings include:
1. The awareness of our sin and the joy of salvation.
2. A deep understanding of God’s love and a personal relationship with Him.
3. A heart that loves and obeys God out of love, not fear.

In modern times, especially in America, a message known as the Prosperity Gospel spread widely — the idea that “if you believe, you will succeed.”
But this is not the gospel of the Bible.
The true blessings God promises are heavenly treasures, not worldly riches.

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5. Conclusion — Giving Thanks for Eternal Blessings

As I said at the beginning, the gospel is the greatest gift — God’s ultimate “good deal.”
No earthly wealth can compare to it.
The only condition is this: to keep trusting in the Word of God.
Even when doubts or trials come, if we remain faithful to the end, we will receive blessings far greater than five hundred million yen — we will inherit eternal life.

In the parable of the prodigal son, it was the younger son who truly came to understand the father’s love.
The older son obeyed outwardly but never grasped his father’s heart.
God desires not only our obedience but our love — that we live as His children who know His heart.

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Summary
• The gospel is God’s greatest gift to humankind.
• Through Christ, we receive what the Old Testament never offered — the privilege of becoming God’s children and the indwelling guidance of the Holy Spirit.
• God’s love never changes and sustains us to the end.
• True blessing is not earthly prosperity but spiritual and eternal grace.
• Those who walk in faith to the end will receive eternal reward from God.

As we enter this season of thanksgiving, let us once again remember the wonder of the gospel.
It is truly God’s eternal gift — a life lived in His love forever.