Monday, October 1, 2007
Monday, September 10, 2007
So, What Is The Gospel?
Why make such a big deal about the gospel? Why is it essential that we clearly communicate the gospel when we have a chance to share it with someone?
Well, there are various reasons, for one, there are so many fake gospels out there, so many counterfeits, so many false religions as the devil tries to steal the truth from the ears of the lost.
God encourages us to be students of His Word, this means that we should always do our best to share His truth as clearly as we can! "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the Word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15
The gospel is the means God uses to call people to repentance, it is the good news! This is why we need to make sure it is communicated effectively in a clear manner! And the better you have the essentials memorized the more comfortable you will be when sharing it with someone. Most people don't share the gospel simply because they don't know it.
Another thing that needs to be realized is that the gospel is meant to be verbally shared! You can't share it without words unless you have it written down on a bill board or communicate it through sign language, but you can't share the gospel by living right! There's this trendy mantra going around amongst Christians who say that telling someone the gospel is not effective, they would rather be silent and live right. I'm sorry but I have a hard time with that, especially since the Bible asks "How will they hear without a preacher?" Romans 10:14. Also a few verses down it says that "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" Romans 10:17. Or to use the NET translation to make it more plain "Consequently faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the preached word of Christ.".
So, as you can see, the gospel has to be preached, you can't just "live" it without sharing it. Now, don't think that I don't advocate living right! Don't think that I advocate double standards! It's all about glorifying God with our lives, it's all about showing acts of mercy to other people, by reaching out to them, feeding them, clothing them, and helping them in any way that we can... but that won't get them saved. So, hand in hand they make a great team, living and preaching the gospel!
So, then what exactly does the gospel consist of, what exactly should we be sharing with the lost? What are the essential ingredients of the conversation? Before we start, lets get over one more hurdle and understand that God does not need our help! It is a privilege to be used by Him to share the plan of salvation with someone. We don't have to dumb it down and we don't have to spice it up, we simply need to share His truth and let Him worry about the results. God tells us in 1 Corinthians 1:23 that the gospel would be offensive, to expect any other reaction from those who we share with would be foolish on our part. To not share the gospel or to detract from it because you don't want to offend anyone would be an attempt to try to help God out and futile since He already said that it would be offensive. Now, WE DON'T need to be offensive to people, in our speech, conduct or approach. We should become all things to all people that by all means we might save some 1 Corinthians 9:22. We do our part, without compromising what we stand for and share the gospel which may be offensive and trust God that He will do His work in the hearts of those whom we share with. Ask God for compassion for the lost and He will give it to you! Jesus had compassion for the crowds - Matthew 9:36.
Now that we have that squared away, on to the gospel! The essentials are:
The invitation for the response if found in Matthew 11:28-30 where Jesus says: "Come to Me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take me yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Jesus is the one asking the person you just shared the gospel with to come to Him, this is a genuine personal invitation from Jesus.
Rev. 3:20 says: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me."
Rev. 22:17 says: "And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely."
John 1:12 says: "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name...".
The idea is that you accept the truth, repent, believe and receive salvation! Turn away from sin and run toward God and don't look back!
There you have it, the gospel, the good news that God provided a sacrifice for us so we did not have to pay the price of our sin. Praise God, Hallelujah!
(1) Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology, Leicester England: Inter-Varsity Press 1994 pp. 694
Well, there are various reasons, for one, there are so many fake gospels out there, so many counterfeits, so many false religions as the devil tries to steal the truth from the ears of the lost.
God encourages us to be students of His Word, this means that we should always do our best to share His truth as clearly as we can! "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the Word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15
The gospel is the means God uses to call people to repentance, it is the good news! This is why we need to make sure it is communicated effectively in a clear manner! And the better you have the essentials memorized the more comfortable you will be when sharing it with someone. Most people don't share the gospel simply because they don't know it.
Another thing that needs to be realized is that the gospel is meant to be verbally shared! You can't share it without words unless you have it written down on a bill board or communicate it through sign language, but you can't share the gospel by living right! There's this trendy mantra going around amongst Christians who say that telling someone the gospel is not effective, they would rather be silent and live right. I'm sorry but I have a hard time with that, especially since the Bible asks "How will they hear without a preacher?" Romans 10:14. Also a few verses down it says that "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" Romans 10:17. Or to use the NET translation to make it more plain "Consequently faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the preached word of Christ.".
So, as you can see, the gospel has to be preached, you can't just "live" it without sharing it. Now, don't think that I don't advocate living right! Don't think that I advocate double standards! It's all about glorifying God with our lives, it's all about showing acts of mercy to other people, by reaching out to them, feeding them, clothing them, and helping them in any way that we can... but that won't get them saved. So, hand in hand they make a great team, living and preaching the gospel!
So, then what exactly does the gospel consist of, what exactly should we be sharing with the lost? What are the essential ingredients of the conversation? Before we start, lets get over one more hurdle and understand that God does not need our help! It is a privilege to be used by Him to share the plan of salvation with someone. We don't have to dumb it down and we don't have to spice it up, we simply need to share His truth and let Him worry about the results. God tells us in 1 Corinthians 1:23 that the gospel would be offensive, to expect any other reaction from those who we share with would be foolish on our part. To not share the gospel or to detract from it because you don't want to offend anyone would be an attempt to try to help God out and futile since He already said that it would be offensive. Now, WE DON'T need to be offensive to people, in our speech, conduct or approach. We should become all things to all people that by all means we might save some 1 Corinthians 9:22. We do our part, without compromising what we stand for and share the gospel which may be offensive and trust God that He will do His work in the hearts of those whom we share with. Ask God for compassion for the lost and He will give it to you! Jesus had compassion for the crowds - Matthew 9:36.
Now that we have that squared away, on to the gospel! The essentials are:
- That all people have sinned | Romans 3:23 says: "For all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God". (which would include the person(s) you are sharing with, as well as yourself).
- That the penalty for our sin is death | Romans 6:23 says: "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life IN Christ Jesus our Lord". (emphasis mine).
- Jesus Christ died to pay the penalty for our sins | Romans 5:8 says: "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us".
The invitation for the response if found in Matthew 11:28-30 where Jesus says: "Come to Me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take me yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Jesus is the one asking the person you just shared the gospel with to come to Him, this is a genuine personal invitation from Jesus.
Rev. 3:20 says: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me."
Rev. 22:17 says: "And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely."
John 1:12 says: "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name...".
The idea is that you accept the truth, repent, believe and receive salvation! Turn away from sin and run toward God and don't look back!
There you have it, the gospel, the good news that God provided a sacrifice for us so we did not have to pay the price of our sin. Praise God, Hallelujah!
(1) Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology, Leicester England: Inter-Varsity Press 1994 pp. 694
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