The Gospel Offer Is Free

What is God's attitude towards those who hear the Gospel? Does God desire the salvation of all? In this careful and scholarly work, John Murray (1898 - 1975), formerly Professor of Systematic Theology at Westminster Seminary, surveys the biblical evidence. He shows how the offer of Christ in the gospel demonstrates an ardent desire in the heart of God that all who hear should possess Christ and enjoy the salvation that is in him.

If we believe in God's sovereign predestination, how can we offer Christ to sinners indiscriminately? How could someone who knew that no one can come to Christ unless the Father draws them still plead with them to look to the Saviour? The Bible clearly entreats us to go after the lost, so Donald Macleod tackles the objections raised by those who argue that since there is no universal redemption there should be no universal gospel offer.

The unparalleled and incomprehensible love of God to sinful man, displayed in the wonderful affair of his redemption and salvation, is the great thing celebrated throughout the Scriptures. This work is found in the covenant between the Father and the Son, called in theology, “The Covenant of Redemption.” Willard clearly and biblically explains the Covenant of Redemption dividing the entire treatise into two general heads in order to explain the glorious mystery of this covenant. 1) The provision which God made for our deliverance before time in eternity, and 2) The things which are done in time for its actual accomplishment. From these two main points he covers a right understanding of what a covenant is, how the covenant is found clearly in Scripture, how this covenant was necessary in relationship to man’s salvation, and lastly, what the influence is which the covenant of redemption has to the covenant of grace, which is made with us. His final two chapters cover application by way of exhortation and consolation. This work is not a scan or facsimile, has been carefully transcribed by hand being made easy to read in modern English, and has an active table of contents for electronic versions.

Does God command all sinners to repent and believe? Does God desire the salvation of all sinners? Yes, says the Bible, yes to both questions. But many who love the doctrines of grace are confused. They think God's absolute sovereignty in election, Christ's particular redemption of the elect, and the Holy Spirit's specific application of that redemption to the elect, conflicts with the 'free offer'. It does no such thing! If you doubt it, read this book! The argument is no trifling matter, no splitting of hairs. The 'free offer' is the biblical way of preaching the gospel. Today, we see the grievous consequences of too-little preaching the gospel as it ought to be preached. 'How the gold has become dim!' (Lam. 4:1). Within these pages, therefore, you will come across no apology for the 'free offer', no mere defence of it. Quite the reverse. You will find that the 'free offer' is a vital part of God's free grace, and that a return to the preaching of it in the biblical way is one of the great needs of the hour. A free download of the author reading the book is available on sermonaudio.com

God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6 This book is a cry from the heart of John Piper. He is pleading that God himself, as revealed in Christ's death and resurrection, is the ultimate and greatest gift of the gospel. None of Christ's gospel deeds and none of our gospel blessings are good news except as means of seeing and savoring the glory of Christ. Forgiveness is good news because it opens the way to the enjoyment of God himself. Justification is good news because it wins access to the presence and pleasures of God himself. Eternal life is good news because it becomes the everlasting enjoyment of Christ. All God's gifts are loving only to the degree that they lead us to God himself. That is what God's love is: his commitment to do everything necessary (most painfully the death of his only Son) to enthrall us with what is most deeply and durably satisfying-namely, himself. Saturated with Scripture, centered on the cross, and seriously joyful, this book leads us to satisfaction for the deep hungers of the soul. It touches us at the root of life where practical transformation gets its daily power. It awakens our longing for Christ and opens our eyes to his beauty. Piper writes for the soul-thirsty who have turned away empty and in desperation from the mirage of methodology. He invites us to slow down and drink from a deeper spring. "This is eternal life," Jesus said, "that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." This is what makes the gospel-and this book-good news.

Does God command all sinners to repent and believe? Does God desire the salvation of all sinners? Yes, says the Bible, yes to both questions. But many who love the doctrines of grace are confused. They think God's absolute sovereignty in election, Christ's particular redemption of the elect, and the Holy Spirit's specific application of that redemption to the elect, conflicts with the 'free offer'. It does no such thing! If you doubt it, read this book! The argument is no trifling matter, no splitting of hairs. The 'free offer' is the biblical way of preaching the gospel. Today, we see the grievous consequences of too-little preaching the gospel as it ought to be preached. 'How the gold has become dim!' (Lam. 4:1). Within these pages, therefore, you will come across no apology for the 'free offer', no mere defence of it. Quite the reverse. You will find that the 'free offer' is a vital part of God's free grace, and that a return to the preaching of it in the biblical way is one of the great needs of the hour

Gretchen Wolff Pritchard shows how to offer the gospel imaginatively to children, with practical ideas on children's worship, liturgy, drama, pastoral care, and study of the Bible.