WHAT IS THE GOSPEL???
The word "gospel" simply means good news. And so then, the gospel of Jesus is the good news of Jesus. You can think through the good news by using four key words: God, Man, Christ, and Response.
God
The New City Catechism says, "God is the creator and sustainer of everyone and everything. He is eternal, infinite, and unchangeable in his power and perfection, goodness and glory, wisdom, justice, and truth. Nothing happens except through him and by his will." God is indescribably good and glorious, righteous and holy.
Because God is the creator of all things and so He gets to set the rules (Psalm 115:3). Because God is indescribably good and glorious we know that all his rules are for the flourishing of His creation (Deuteronomy 10:12-13).
Because God is the creator of all things and so He gets to set the rules (Psalm 115:3). Because God is indescribably good and glorious we know that all his rules are for the flourishing of His creation (Deuteronomy 10:12-13).
Man
We were created to live under the good and benevolent authority of this creator, but instead we rebelled. We have not done thing things He has told us to do and we have done the things He has told us not to do. The Bible calls this sin. We are all sinners (Romans 3:23) and our sin separates us eternally from God (Romans 6:23). To make matters even worse, there's not a single thing we can do about it because we are so wretched in our hearts (Jeremiah 17:9) that even the righteous things we do are as filthiness to such a holy God (Isaiah 64:6).
Christ
In spite of the fact that we are sinners and rebels, God loved us so much that he sent his Son to die in our place (Romans 5:8). Sin always brings death and someone had to die because of our sin (Romans 6:23). Either you have to die, or someone has to die in your place. This is what makes the gospel so incredibly glorious: The very God that we rebelled and sinned against sent His own Son to take the punishment that we deserve. Jesus died for you! He took all of the wrath of God on your behalf!
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:16–17)
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:16–17)
Response
The proper response to the gospel comes in two parts: Repent and belief. Romans 10 puts it like this: “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:9-10, 13)
To confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord means that He is now the Lord (ruler/master) of your life. It is to turn away from and reject your sin and to turn to Jesus. To believe is to put your full faith in Jesus Christ and in Him alone to save you. You can't bring anything to the table for there is nothing that you can offer God...except yourself.
To confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord means that He is now the Lord (ruler/master) of your life. It is to turn away from and reject your sin and to turn to Jesus. To believe is to put your full faith in Jesus Christ and in Him alone to save you. You can't bring anything to the table for there is nothing that you can offer God...except yourself.
Need to talk to someone?
Do you need to talk to someone about this glorious gospel message? Please contact the church by calling (641) 892-4421 or email us at [email protected]. You can also come to one of our services and we would love to chat with you further about you can have eternal life with God forever!