Carl Trueman has a great blog post on why the gospel message is not sufficient for the continuation of the gospel to future generations. He’s right. (HT: JT)
I learned this a lot at Capitol Hill Baptist Church. God gives us not only the message, but the structure in which to preserve, propagate, and portray that message.
That’s why two of Mark Dever’s books are titled, A Display of God’s Glory (free pdf here) and The Church: The Gospel Made Visible. You can see my reflections on A Display of God’s Glory here.
I commend Carl Trueman’s post, Mark Dever’s books, and the content on the 9marks.org website to you to think about these things.
PJ's personal blog. For articles see gospelize.me 
I’m having a hard time supposing that the gospel is not sufficient because of a narrow frame of time during the reformation and a bit of Paul’s instruction to Timothy. Doesn’t the gospel necessitate ecclesiology and not the other way around? Tim Keller states that the key to renewal and revival is the continual rediscovery of the gospel. What do you think Pastor PJ? Hope you and your family are well! 🙂
Chris,
I can understand the hard time anyone can have when we say the gospel is not sufficient. We have to qualify what it is sufficient for or what it is not sufficient for. It is sufficient for salvation (as my friend Matt points out below in his reference to Romans 1:16). It’s not sufficient for being the pillar and buttress (as Matt points out with 1 Tim. 3:15). It’s just like saying the Bible is sufficient. It is and it isn’t. It depends what we mean it’s sufficient FOR.
I’m not sure what you mean by the phrase, “a narrow frame of time during the reformation and a bit of Paul’s instruction to Timothy.”
I agree that the gospel necessitates ecclesiology. I think that makes the point of the gospel not being sufficient for its own propagation. It needs the church FOR its propagation. I also agree that “the key to renewal and revival is the continual rediscovery of the gospel.” That is central but not comprehensive. To say the gospel is the key to church renewal and revival is another way to say that ecclesiology necessitates the gospel. So I guess it works both ways in different senses.
In Christ,
PJ
I suppose that’s the balance between the gospel being the power of God for salvation (Rom 1:16) and the church being a pillar and buttress of the truth (1 Tim 3:15). Both are necessary for the propagation of the good news.
I agree Matt. I don’t know if I’d use the word, “balance” but I agree with the thrust of what you’re saying. Thanks for chiming in and stating clearly two key biblical references.
To say the gospel is not sufficient is to preach another gospel.
This insufficient gospel is contrary to the gospel that Paul preached. Paul says if anyone should preach another gospel, let them be cursed.