What is the Gospel?
The Gospel is the good news of what God has done in Jesus Christ, supremely in his death and resurrection (Rom. 3:21-26).
I want to live a gospel-centered life in my ministry, church, and relationships. I want to grow in godliness and grace by applying the work of Jesus Christ to my life. He has made atonement for my sins and I am declared righteous before God the Father through faith in his work.
1. The Gospel shows me that I am an idolator (Rom:1-18-3:21)
I have sinned against God by loving created things more than the Creator. I am sinful by nature and my heart is naturally inclined to evil (Matt). I have rebelled against the Creator and deserve judgment and death.
2. The Gospel shows me that God gave His Son on my behalf (Rom. 3:24-25)
The Lord Jesus Christ came to this earth, born of a virgin, lived a perfectly righteous life, was condemned as a criminal on a bloody cross, was buried, rose again on the third day, and is coming back again to bring the final salvation of all those who believe and bring judgment and wrath on all those who do not believe.
3. The Gospel shows me that God is just (Rom.3:26)
God does not tolerate idolatry and sin. He does not sweep my evil deeds under the rug. Every single sin will be punished. The Lord Jesus Christ bore my wrath to show that God is just.
4. The Gospel shows me that God is merciful (Rom. 3:26)
God is not only just, but merciful. He justifies the wicked and ungodly by the death of his Son. Because His Son was my substitute, I go free from sin, condemnation, and death. I have eternal life because God the Son became my substitute. It was not because of the deeds I have done in my righteousness, but all because of his gracious provision of Christ’s righteousness on my behalf.
5. The Gospel shows me that faith alone is necessary for salvation
I just embrace and receive this message by simple trust. I believe that Jesus loves me and gave his life for me. I believe that I can approach the throne of grace bodly because Jesus has made a way for me to approach God through his death. The curtain was torn in two to symbolize access to the very presence of God to me through Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the supreme revelation of God.
The Gospel and Pastoral Ministry
1. The Gospel needs to be preached (2 Timothy 4)
Preach the Gospel in every sermon
The Storyline of the Bible is awaiting the announcement of what God is supremely going to do in Jesus Christ.
John 3:1-21, Rom. 3:21-26, 2 Cor. 5:18-21, 1 Cor. 1:18-2-2
2. The Gospel needs to be defended (Jude 3, 2 Cor. 10:3-5, 1 Peter 3:15)
How can I create a gospel ministry and gospel culture in my own life?
Personal
Read and Listen to Gospel-Centered authors: Tim Keller, John Stott, D.A. Carson, Charles Spurgeon, John Piper, Elise Fitzpatrick, Tim Chester, Mark Driscoll
Preach the gospel to myself everyday (Gal 2): My old sinful nature was crucified with Christ and I live a new life with the Resurrected Christ as a joint-heir and child of God.
Sunday School
Begin Teaching Gospel Christianity 101 by Tim Keller
Sermons
Preach Gospel Centered Texts and Christ in Every Sermon (See Ed Clowney/ T4TG Material)
Preach the Atonement and how everything flows from the penal substitionary death of Jesus Christ.
Conferences
Attend Gospel-focused conferences (The Gospel Coalition)
Small Groups
Think about how the Gospel affects daily life in community.
Create a culture of gospel people
1 on 1 Discipleship
Read Understanding the Gospel Handout
Read Greg Gilbert’s book: What is the Gospel?
Ask the question to everyone I see: What is the Gospel?
Train people to know the Gospel.
Train people to propagate the Gospel
Youth Group
Pray for them
Preach the Gospel in every Bible Study
Ask one another about the Gospel
