The Gospel - The "Good News"
.jpg)
The word “gospel” in the Greek is euangelion. This literally means “good news”. Indeed, the gospel is good news from God. How so?
Jesus was sent by God to pay a penalty once and for all (1) - a penalty man deserved to pay (2). This penalty was death and eternal condemnation. Why do we deserve to pay this penalty?
All humans are born into sin (3). This sinful condition separates man from a perfect and holy God (4). God has given man His standard through His Law (5). Yet, as man pursued the Law, it revealed sin prevented man from perfectly following the Law (6). As a result of man’s disobedience, man is subject to God’s just wrath (7). So, how is man rid of sin?
Sin must be atoned for through the shedding of blood (8). The Jews, under the instruction of the Law, made payment for sin through animal sacrifice. Yet, this sacrificial system was not sufficient. Why? First, animals are not divine beings and could only offer temporary satisfaction of God’s wrath (9). Second, man will continue to sin so continual sacrifice was necessary for that sin (10) So, why the sacrificial system? What is the purpose of the Law?
God’s Law, the sacrificial system and the Old Testament accounts of God’s people Israel all point forward to the ultimate solution (11). There is One that could perfectly keep the Law (12). There is One that could be the perfect sacrifice for sinful man (13) - man's atonement. There is One that fulfills all that the Old Testament pointed to in judgment and redemption. Jesus. Watch a really helpful video here on better understanding this concept of sacrifice and atonement.
Jesus, God’s Son physically born of a virgin (14), is God (15). He was a man, yet without sin (16). Jesus is everything man could not be - the perfect Lawkeeper (12); the perfect Sacrifice (13); the perfect Man and many other roles man could never be.
Jesus suffered and died on behalf of man’s sin. He paid a penalty man deserved to pay. Three days following His death, the tomb He was buried in was found empty (17). Jesus not only made atonement for man’s sin, He defeated death through His glorious resurrection from the dead (18). It’s through this life, man too, can have new life (19). He made a way for man to be reconciled, no longer separated from God (20).
He has offered salvation. Man has the opportunity to be saved through believing in this remarkable truth. One cannot obtain salvation through works (21). Man’s works are as good as none, because of sin (22). Man simply must believe in Jesus has done for him and repent of his sin (23). This truth is solely based on the grace of God (21). Man deserves hell, punishment and eternal separation from God (24). Yet, God loves man - even sinful man (20). This was perfectly displayed through the sending of His only Son to be a satisfaction of God’s wrath (25). Do you believe in this truth?
.jpg)
Do you struggle with purpose? Are you discontent with the pursuit of vein, temporary goals that when even achieved still leave an unexplainable void in your life? Are you tired of simply going to church because you view it as the right thing to do, but you’ve never surrendered your heart to the Lord?
God has created man with eternity in his heart (26). This means God has created an eternal longing for something bigger than this world - Jesus. He is enough (27). He is man’s ultimate purpose and joy (28). If you desire to believe upon this truth today, please let our family know. Follow the information on the “Contact Us” tab above. We would be happy to guide you further and share with you some next steps so you can begin a growing relationship with the Lord. God bless you and keep you.
(1) Heb. 9:26-27; (2) Gen. 2:15-17, Rom. 6:23; (3) Rom. 5:12; (4) Gen. 3:14-19; (5) Exod. 20:1-17; (6) Rom. 7:7, Gal. 3:24-25; (7) Rom. 3:23, 6:23; (8) Lev. 17:11, Heb. 9:22; (9) Ps. 51:16-17, Heb. 9:11-14; (10) Rom. 7:15; (11) Gal. 3:21-29; (12) Matt. 5:17; (13) Heb. 10:1-10; (14) Lk. 2:34-35; (15) Jn. 1:1-14, Phil. 2:1-11; (16) Heb. 4:14-15; (17) Matt. 28:6 (18) 1 Cor. 15:1-4; (19) 2 Cor. 5:17, Rom. 8:1; (20) Rom. 5:6-11; (21) Gal. 2:16, Eph. 2:8-9; (22) Is. 64:6; (23) Jn. 3:16, Acts 2:38; (24) Lk.16:19-31, Jn. 3:18, Rev. 20:11-15; (25) Rom. 3:23-26, 1 Jn. 2:2; (26) Eccl. 3:11; (27) Phil. 3:7-11, 2 Cor. 12:9 (28) Ps. 34:8, Rom. 8:28-31.