Gospel (Good News) of Jesus Christ

Rom 3:23-24; 5:8; 6:23; 10:9-13: Salvation Is for All

"23 everyone has sinned and is far away from God's saving presence. 24 But by the free gift of God's grace all are put right with him through Christ Jesus, who sets them free." GNT

"8 But God has shown us how much he loves us — it was while we were still sinners that Christ died for us! GNT

"23 For sin pays its wage, death; but God's free gift is eternal life in union with Christ Jesus our Lord. GNT

"9 If you confess that Jesus is Lord and believe that God raised him from death, you will be saved. 10 For it is by our faith that we are put right with God; it is by our confession that we are saved. 11 The scripture says, "Whoever believes in him will not be disappointed." 12 This includes everyone, because there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles; God is the same Lord of all and richly blesses all who call to him. 13 As the scripture says, "Everyone who calls out to the Lord for help will be saved." GNT

The joyous good news of salvation in Jesus Christ. The Greek word translated as gospel means "a reward for bringing good news" or simply "good news." In Isa 40:9, the prophet proclaimed the "good tidings" that God would rescue His people from captivity. In His first sermon in Nazareth, Jesus used a passage from the Old Testament to characterize the spirit of His ministry:

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor" (Luke 4:18).

The gospel is not a new plan of salvation; it is the fulfillment of God's plan of salvation which was begun in Israel, was completed in Jesus Christ, and is made known by the church.

The gospel is the saving work of God in His Son Jesus Christ and a call to faith in Him (Rom 1:16-17). Jesus is more than a messenger of the gospel; He is the gospel. The good news of God was present in His life, teaching, and atoning death. Therefore, the gospel is both a historical event and a personal relationship.

Faith is more than an intellectual agreement to a theoretical truth. Faith is trust placed in a living person, Jesus Christ. When the apostle Paul warned Christians of the dangers of following "another gospel" (2 Cor 11:4), he was reminding them that any gospel different than the one he preached was no gospel at all.

A gospel is more than a biography intended to provide information about a historical character. It is the presentation of the life of Jesus to show His saving significance for all people and to call them to faith in Him.

"To all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. (John 1:12)

The gospel requires a response of faith in Christ. All who welcome Jesus Christ as Lord of their lives are reborn spiritually, receiving new life from God. Through faith in Christ, this new birth changes us from the inside out -- rearranging our attitudes, desires, and motives. Being born makes you physically alive and places you in your parents' family (John 1:13). Being born of God makes you spiritually alive and puts you in God's family (John 1:12). Have you asked Christ to make you a new person? This fresh start in life is available to all who believe in Christ.

Jesus replied, "People soon become thirsty again after drinking this water. But the water I give them takes away thirst altogether. It becomes a perpetual spring within them, giving them eternal life." (John 4:13-14)

The gospel requires a response of acceptance. The woman mistakenly believed that if she received the water Jesus offered, she would not have to return to the well each day. She was interested in Jesus' message because she thought it could make her life easier. But if that were always the case, people would accept Christ's message for the wrong reasons. Christ did not come to take away challenges, but to change us on the inside and to empower us to deal with problems from God's perspective.

The gospel requires a personal response. Many people will be glad to discuss the gospel with you as long as it doesn't touch their lives too personally. When it does, some will resist or leave. But this is what the gospel is all about -- God's power to change lives. The gospel is not effective until it moves from principles and doctrine into a life-changing dynamic. When someone resists or runs from your witness, you have made the gospel personal.

The gospel requires a life-changing response. The gospel came "with power"; it had a powerful effect on the Thessalonians. Whenever the Bible is heard and obeyed, lives are changed! Christianity is more than a collection of interesting facts; it is the power of God to everyone who believes. What has God's power done in your life since you first believed?

The Holy Spirit changes people when they believe the gospel. When we tell others about Christ, we must depend on the Holy Spirit to open their eyes and convince them that they need salvation. God's power -- not our cleverness or persuasion -- changes people. Without the work of the Holy Spirit, our words are meaningless. The Holy Spirit not only convicts people of sin but also assures them of the truth of the gospel.

Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah must suffer and die and rise again from the dead on the third day. With my authority, take this message of repentance to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: "There is forgiveness of sins for all who turn to me." (Luke 24:46-47)

The gospel is for all people. Luke wrote to the Greek-speaking world. He wanted them to know that Christ's message of God's love and forgiveness should go to all the world. We must never ignore the worldwide scope of Christ's gospel. God wants all the world to hear the Good News of salvation.

Jesus came and told his disciples, "I have been given complete authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit." (Matt 28:18-19)

Jesus commanded us to take the gospel around the world. God gave Jesus authority over heaven and earth. On the basis of that authority, Jesus told his disciples to make more disciples as they preached, baptized, and taught. With this same authority, Jesus still commands us to tell others the Good News and make them disciples for the kingdom.

The gospel speaks to the needs of all people. The gospel had spread to all strata of society, linking people who had no other bond but Christ. Believers today are also linked to others across cultural, economic, and social barriers. Because all believers are brothers and sisters in Christ, let us live like God's true family.

God's message was preached in ever-widening circles. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too. (Acts 6:7)

The gospel should be communicated to one person at a time. The word of God spread like ripples on a pond where, from a single center, each wave touches the next, spreading wider and farther. The gospel still spreads this way today. You don't have to change the world single-handedly -- it is enough just to be part of the wave, touching those around you, who in turn will touch others, until all have felt the movement. Don't ever feel that your part is insignificant or unimportant.

I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes -- Jews first and also Gentiles. (Rom 1:16)

The gospel should be communicated without embarrassment. Paul was not ashamed because his message was the gospel of Christ, the Good News. It was a message of salvation, it had life-changing power, and it was for everyone. When you are tempted to be ashamed, remember what the Good News is all about. If you focus on God and on what God is doing in the world rather than on your own inadequacy, you won't be ashamed or embarrassed.

We reject all shameful and underhanded methods. We do not try to trick anyone, and we do not distort the word of God. We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know that. (2 Cor 4:2)

The gospel should be communicated without distortion. Preachers, teachers, and anyone else who talks about Jesus Christ must remember that they stand in God's presence -- he hears every word. When you tell people about Christ, be careful not to distort the message to please your audience. Proclaim the truth of God's Word.

REPENTANCE DEFINED:

A turning away from sin, disobedience, or rebellion and a turning back to God (Matt 9:13; Luke 5:32). In a more general sense, repentance means a change of mind or a feeling of remorse or regret for past conduct. True repentance is a "godly sorrow" for sin, an act of turning around and going in the opposite direction. This type of repentance leads to a fundamental change in a person's relationship to God.
Repentance is associated with prayer, belief, baptism, and conversion and is accompanied by humility. Repentance is God's will and pleasure, as well as His command. It is a gift of His sovereign love, without which we cannot be saved.

QUESTION: Do you understand what you have read? Why not accept Christ as your Savior right now, be born again, and begin your new life in His service? Satan will attempt to talk you out of it or put it off till later, but you can do it and find real peace for the first time in your life. This peace is a perfect peace as Christ enters your heart. If you are unsure, you can be sure and know you are saved! Do it today, right now and be saved before it is too late. Make this decision now, not later, and pray this prayer of repentance.......

PRAYER OF REPENTANCE

Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God and that you died on a cross for my sins, rose from the dead, and that you are the only way of salvation. I confess and repent of all my sins and ask you to save me. I receive your Holy Spirit to live in my heart and I will serve you and make you Lord of my Life. Thank you for my salvation. In Jesus name I pray..Amen

Congratulations! If you were sincere in your confession and repentance, you are now saved and belong to the family of God! Please find a Bible believing church and tell the Pastor of your decision. He will guide you as you begin your new life in Christ. Your next step should be joining a church, baptism by immersion, and a life of daily prayer and study of the Holy Scripture. Buy a good study Bible (Like the Good News or New Living Translations, New International Version or some other translation of your choice) Also, the Lord commands you to tell others of your decision and what Christ is doing in your life.

If you prayed and received Christ, please EMail me and let me know so I too can share in your rejoicing. Thank you and God Bless You!

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