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WHAT IS THE GOSPEL?
In simple terms the word gospel means "good news." Although good news is seldom what we discover in reading the paper it truly permeates God's revelation in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament. It can be summarized on three general headings:
I. GOD'S CHARACTER
The gospel message is a glorious story which begins with God our creator. Although there could be an endless list of qualities that describe our creator, there are a couple foundation points:
GOD IS A LOVING CREATOR
Exodus 34:6-7a - "The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin,"
According to His own good pleasure and freedom, God lovingly created us in His image. He actively sustains us and desires that we reflect, worship and honor him as we are totally dependent upon Him.
GOD IS A HOLY JUDGE
Exodus 34:7b - "?but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation."
God is light, which symbolizes His pure radiance and holiness. As the Holy Judge over His creation, God sets the standard for how we should live and serves as the just judge our hearts and actions.
II. HUMAN CONDITION
Although all humans are created in God's image, we all have rebelled against God and invited the punishment of our creator and judge.
ALL HUMANS ARE SINNERS
Romans 3:23 - "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"
Sin is failing to trust in God and obey what He commands.
We try to play God - by running our own lives as if we were self-sufficient and self-made individuals. Furthermore, we try to fight God - by ignoring and violating his law as we try to judge what is best.
SIN'S CONSEQUENCES
Romans 6:23 - "For the wages of sin is death?"
Sin holds a severe penalty, we face the problem of guilt, as we are responsible for our wrongdoing and deserve physical and spiritual death - a separation from God.
John 8:34 - "Jesus replied, ?I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.'"
Sin has tremendous power, we face the problem of corruption as sin has not only impaired our relationship with God, it has polluted our nature. We are not able to rid ourselves from sin's bondage.
III. CHRIST'S WORK
The gospel message does not leave us with despair and destruction, it also highlights the violent love of God in sending His Son Jesus Christ to die for our sin. The Apostle Paul makes clear in Romans 8:5 - "God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Among many things, Christ alone is our:
RIGHTEOUS REDEEMER
2 Corinthians 5:21 - "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."
God demands perfection, something no human has achieved, except Jesus Christ. When Christ died for his people, he became a sacrifice to satisfy the judgment of God the Father we deserved. As a result, we are able to be credited with Christ perfect life. He alone has the power to deliver his people from the penalty and power of sin.
REIGNING LORD
Philippians 2:9-11 - "Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Christ is the Lord of the universe and holds all authority. After his death, Christ rose from the dead, conquering the power of sin and death. Christ ascended into heaven, where he reigns until he return and brings all things under his rule and reverses the curse of sin.
HOW DO I RESPOND TO THE GOSPEL?
Not everyone experiences the power, love and freedom found in the gospel - only those who are united to Christ. The proper response to the gospel and our need to be in union with Christ, is captured by the Lord himself when he proclaims, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."
1. REPENT
The concept of repentance is when we as individuals, acknowledge our sinful ways, ask forgiveness, and turn from sin and self-reliance.
2. BELIEVE
The call to "believe" in Christ is much greater than a mental assent - for even the demons hold this type belief. To truly "believe" is to turn from our self-reliance and sin then place our trust in Jesus Christ alone - this is the essence of "faith". Faith is like placing our lives under the care of a surgeon when there is nothing we can do to cure a fatal illness. You must trust the doctors as they put you to sleep prior to surgery, you must have complete trust for after this point there is no changing your mind. With our fatal condition of sinfulness - we must trust Christ alone to be the Lord and Savior over our lives. The Bible is clear on this point as the Apostle Paul explains in Romans 4:5: "?And to the one who does not work but trusts him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness"
*** If you have more questions about the gospel or desire to make this true in your own life personally, please contact Pastor Andy Lewis at alewis@mrpca.org.
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