In today’s episode of the International Gospel Hour, we explore the profound question: How different would our world be if Christ had not come? With insights from Jeff Archie, we revisit the narratives of ancient scriptures, examining how Jesus’ coming fulfilled the law, facilitated atonement, and laid the foundation for a gospel that transcends time and space. Highlighting key biblical passages, we discuss the civilizational impacts of his teachings, the universal invitation extended through his message, and the comfort found in the promise of a prepared place for believers. Reflect with us on the immeasurable gratitude we share for
00:00:01 Introduction: The Impact of Christ’s Birth
What if Christ had never come to earth? Is that not a horrible thought? But let’s consider that today, and don’t worry. At the end, we will be grateful He did. Please stay with our study today from the International Gospel Hour.
SPEAKER 03 :
Hi, this is Jay Webb for International Gospel Hour. We’re so glad you’ve decided to listen to our program today. In a world of challenges, we need God’s Word to help us face those challenges. Thank you for joining us in this period of Bible study with our speaker, Jeff Archie of International Gospel Hour, a broadcast of the Churches of Christ. So let’s listen today.
SPEAKER 02 :
Here’s Jeff. Well, thank you always to our J-Web, and greetings to all of you, and thank you for being with us once again for our studies from the International Gospel Hour. A little bit of detail about us. Our toll-free number is 855-444-6988. You can call us at any time, leave a message, request material, whatever you wish. Please know our toll-free number is available, 855-444-6988. Our website is internationalgospelhour.com. That’s internationalgospelhour.com. Please peruse our website. See the resource tab. See the former shows or past shows, if you will. And you can find out all you want to know about International Gospel Hour. And also, P.O. Box 118 Fayetteville, Tennessee 37334 is our physical address. That’s P.O. Box 118 Fayetteville, Tennessee 37334. We love to hear from our listeners and thank you again for tuning in. In John 15 and verse 22, Jesus said, If I had not come and spoken to them, They would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. I want us to note the words of Jesus, If I had not come. And friends, while thankful He did, let us consider in a few moments the horrors had Jesus not come. But first, here is one of our always free offers just for you.
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Our popular free booklet, Something is Wrong, But the Bible is Right, is available once again. There is just too much confusion in the religious world, and this brief, concise study reminds us that the Bible is always right. Call us toll free at 855-444-6988. And leave your name and address and just say Bible Tract. That’s it. You may also go to our website at internationalgospelhour.com. Click on the contact tab and leave us the same information. Name, address and type Bible Tract in the message box. You’ll receive it very soon from your friends at International Gospel Hour.
SPEAKER 02 :
Friends, if Christ had not come, number one, the law would not have been fulfilled. Jesus came not to destroy the law, but to fulfill it, Matthew 5 and verse 17. And he did fulfill the law, and he nailed it to his cross. In Galatians 3 and verse 19, the Bible says, What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions till the seed should come to whom the promise was made, and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator. And again in Colossians 2 and verse 14, He took it out of the way and nailed it to His cross. Friends, if Christ had not come, the law would not have been fulfilled. Second, there would have been no atonement. 1 Peter 2.24 said of Jesus, who himself bore our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness, by whose stripes you were healed. The words of Jesus in John 15, 13, Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. And in 2 Corinthians 8 and verse 9, For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you, through his poverty, might become rich. Third, if Christ did not come, there would have been no redeeming gospel. In 2 Timothy 1 and verse 10, the Bible says, But has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. In Mark 16, 15 and 16, Jesus said, Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believes and is baptized shall be saved. He that believes not will be condemned. We know of the horror of those that have not prepared to obey the gospel of Christ when Jesus returns. In flaming fire he will take vengeance on them. 2 Thessalonians 1 and verse 8. If Christ had not come, friends, there would have been no universal invitation. For Jesus in Matthew 11, 28 said, Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest for your souls, for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. In Revelation 3 and verse 20, the constant reminder that He stands at the door and He knocks, and we must answer. We think of that beautiful portrait of Jesus standing at the door and knocking, and you notice there is no doorknob nor handle on the outside of that door. It must be answered by us. And there would have been no universal invitation of Christ had He not come. Consider with me also, had Christ not come, there would have been no golden rule. Think about Matthew 7 and verse 12. Therefore whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the law and the prophets. Think about that, friends, how beautiful life would be. In Matthew 5.38, Jesus said, You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. There’s the rule before he came. But Jesus said, Whatever you want men to do to you, first you do also to them. That is the law in the prophets. That if we treat people and we do unto them the way we would want them to do unto us, would not life be better? Friends, would you consider with me that if Christ did not come, that civilization and society would have never reached its present state? I mean, to estimate His influence, consider the countries where the story of Jesus has not gone. And the birth of Christ was the birth of two great divisions of history, B.C. and A.D. I realize that in recent years, the B.C.E. seems to be the more popular one before Common Era. But, friends, we understand, first and foremost, the great divisions of history, B.C. and A.D., knowing that it speaks of Christ. Consider also, if Christ had not come, there would have been no place prepared for us. For in John 14 and verse 1, Let not your heart be troubled, believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions, or many rooms. If it were not so, I would have told you, and I go to prepare a place for you, and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there you may be also. Friends, imagine if Christ had not come, there would have been no place prepared for us to go. And obviously, there would have been no gain in death. You see, by living Christ, death becomes gain. As Paul said in Philippians 1 and verse 21, For me to live is Christ, but to die is gain. Friends, think about these eight things if Christ had not come. The law would not have been fulfilled. There would have been no atonement for you or for me. There would have been no redeeming gospel to hear and obey. There would have been no universal invitation from the Christ who died for all. There would have been no golden rule. And civilization and society would have never reached its present state. Although this world is in a mess in so many ways, think of where it would be without the life of Christ. There would have been no place prepared for us and no gain in death. Let’s think on these things. And friends, as I said at the end, we are thankful that Jesus Christ did come. Because you see, all of these things we do not have to deal with. All of these things have been done for you and for me. And we’re grateful that Jesus Christ came to this earth. Friends, are you walking an obedient life for Jesus Christ? Are you serving Him and His church? Have you obeyed the gospel of Jesus Christ through simple faith and repentance, confession of your faith and baptism in Christ and added simply to His church? Friends, we’d love to help you toward that end. We’d love to help you in your study of the Word of God. And from time to time, and quite often actually, we mention our free Bible study course still available by mail. We have a number of tools that we share with individuals both online and in your mailbox. Well, our Bible study course by mail will allow you to study the Word of God on your own pace, your own time. Here is how you can receive your free Bible study course by mail. Here is our J-Web.
SPEAKER 03 :
Our well-received Bible study course by mail is available to everyone absolutely free. Would you like to try it? All you do is call us toll-free at 855-444-6988 and leave your name, address, and just say, Home Study. That’s it. That’s all you have to do. You may also go to our website at internationalgospelhour.com. Click on the Contact tab and leave us the same information, name, address, and type Home Study in the message box. At your own pace, you can study the Bible in your own home. Again, it’s free. Give it a try. And it’s from your friends here at International Gospel Hour.
SPEAKER 02 :
Well, friends, today we turned back the clock for a wonderful outline and sermon from the late Leroy Brownlow. For those not familiar with Brother Brownlow, he lived from 1914 to 2002. His book, Why I Am a Member of the Church of Christ, has sold over one million copies worldwide. It is a beautiful book written about the church we read of in the New Testament. He was a great preacher, and we are blessed to share his work that is biblically based and faithful to the Word of God. From time to time, friends, you will hear us use outlines of preachers of days gone by, and we hope that you will be as thrilled to hear these simple truths from the Word of God as we are. You see, Brother Brownlow will still speak like Abel of the long ago in Hebrews 11 and verse 4. By it being dead, he still speaks. And we will hear another lesson, another time for Brother Brownlow and others who have gone on to their reward. Again, friends, we appreciate you joining us. Once again, our toll-free number, 855-444-6988. If you wouldn’t mind, just give us a call. You may not want a thing, but just say, Hey, I heard your broadcast on, and tell us where you heard our broadcast today. And we appreciate you studying with us. We’ll do it again at another time. And thank you for joining me today on the International Gospel Hour. I’m Jeff Archie, and friends, keep listening.
SPEAKER 03 :
Thank you for listening today. May this study prompt your search of God’s Word for His will in your life. To assist you in your study or to listen to our other programs, please visit our website at internationalgospelhour.com. To God be the glory.
