The Gospel Is for All

Songbook Hymn Sermons

The Gospel Is for All
A Sermon based on the hymn by J.M. McCaleb

Introduction
“The Gospel Is for All” is a stirring hymn that affirms one of the most essential truths of Christianity: the message of salvation through Jesus Christ is meant for every person in every nation. Written by J.M. McCaleb, a missionary and member of the church of Christ, this hymn is rooted in the Great Commission of Jesus, found in Matthew 28:19–20 and Mark 16:15–16. These passages emphasize that the gospel is not limited to a race, a country, a social class, or a time period—but is the universal invitation of God to a lost and dying world.

The hymn calls us to awaken to our duty to proclaim this good news. It rebukes any complacency or prejudice that would hinder evangelism and instead points us back to the example of Christ and the teaching of the apostles. The gospel’s reach must match its power: “to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16). As Christians, we do not hoard the gospel—we herald it. This hymn teaches that the gospel is global, powerful, and simple: Jesus died for all, and all must hear. Let us now walk through each stanza and explore its scriptural roots and practical lessons.

Stanza 1
Of one the Lord has made the race,
Thro’ one has come the fall;
Where sin has gone must go His grace—
The gospel is for all.

This stanza begins with the unity of mankind. Acts 17:26 says, “He hath made of one blood all nations of men.” Though all have sinned (Romans 3:23) and fallen in Adam (Romans 5:12), God’s grace must go wherever sin has gone. This stanza reminds us that since sin touches every human heart, the gospel must reach every human soul. It is not a Western message, nor an Eastern one—it is the message of God for all people.

Stanza 2
Say not the heathen are at home,
Beyond we have no call;
For why should we be blest alone?
The gospel is for all.

Here the hymn rebukes indifference. The gospel was never meant to stay in our comfort zones. Jonah resisted preaching to Nineveh, but God sent him anyway. Paul crossed continents for the sake of the cross. Romans 10:14–15 asks, “How shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?” To hold the gospel back from others is to forget the mercy we ourselves received.

Stanza 3
Received ye freely, freely give,
From every land they call;
Unless they hear, they cannot live—
The gospel is for all.

This stanza echoes Matthew 10:8—“Freely ye have received, freely give.” We did nothing to earn the gospel; we received it by grace. Therefore, we are obligated to share it. This aligns with Paul’s declaration in 1 Corinthians 9:16: “Woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!” Eternal life depends on the message being preached. As Romans 1:16 teaches, the gospel is “the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.” The world is calling—are we answering?

Chorus
The blessed gospel is for all,
The gospel is for all;
Where sin has gone must go His grace—
The gospel is for all.

The chorus reinforces the song’s central message: wherever sin has gone, grace must follow. Just as sin knows no borders, neither should the gospel. This is not merely a song—it’s a mission statement for every believer. Our charge is to carry the gospel into every home, every heart, every place.

The Gospel Is for All Sermon Outline:

Introduction

• Key message: The gospel is universal and must be shared

• Matthew 28:19–20; Mark 16:15–16 – The Great Commission

Stanza 1 – The Unity of Mankind and Universal Need

• Acts 17:26 – One blood, all nations

• Romans 5:12 – Through one, sin entered

• Romans 3:23 – All have sinned

• Romans 1:16 – The gospel is God’s power for all

Stanza 2 – Rejecting Complacency and Prejudice

• Jonah 1–4 – A prophet’s resistance to foreign souls

• Romans 10:14–15 – How shall they hear without a preacher?

Stanza 3 – Our Responsibility to Share

• Matthew 10:8 – Freely give

• 1 Corinthians 9:16 – Necessity laid upon us to preach

• Romans 1:16 – The gospel saves all who believe

Chorus – Repeating the Truth

• The gospel must follow the path of sin

• Titus 2:11 – The grace of God has appeared to all men

Call to Action
We must not keep the gospel to ourselves. We are its messengers—whether across oceans or across the street. If the gospel is truly for all, then it must be shared with all. Let us rise to our calling and joyfully declare: Jesus died for every soul, and salvation is within reach!

Scripture Reference List:

• Acts 17:26 – God made all nations from one blood

• Romans 3:23 – All have sinned and fall short of God’s glory

• Romans 5:12 – Sin entered the world through one man

• Romans 1:16 – The gospel is God’s power to save all who believe

• Jonah 1–4 – God sends Jonah to a foreign people

• Romans 10:14–15 – How shall they believe unless they hear?

• Matthew 10:8 – Freely ye have received, freely give

• 1 Corinthians 9:16 – Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel

• Titus 2:11 – Grace has appeared to all men

• Matthew 28:19–20; Mark 16:15–16 – Preach the gospel to every creature

Song History
J.M. McCaleb was a missionary and evangelist associated with the churches of Christ who served in Japan for many years. He believed deeply in the global reach of the gospel, and his hymn “The Gospel Is for All” became a rallying cry for evangelism. Written in the early 20th century, it continues to inspire congregations to share the saving message of Christ with every soul.

Prepared by David Hersey of the church of Christ at Granby, MO

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