The gospel is the most important message to spread. My journey brought me back to a gospel message focus, realizing that it is the most important of all messages. Why? Romans 10:14-17 answers that: “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!’ But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, ‘Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?’ So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”
Simply put, people need to hear the gospel message in order to ever be saved in the first place. It is a message that can have eternal consequences. People can’t have faith in someone or something they don’t know.
What is the Gospel?
There are several definitions and assumptions about what the gospel is today.
For example, there is a prevalence of thinking that doing good works or joining causes for social justice – the “social gospel” is the definition of the gospel. No. If our acts of kindness or “changing the world” missions are not coupled with sharing the Gospel message, they are temporary fixes that could be done by anyone.
There are emerging ideas that fighting for rights: issues of racism, issues of sexuality, women’s rights, etc. are somehow the gospel or the way to model or live out the gospel. No. As believers, we need to allow the Bible to inform and shape our worldview on these things. However, these worldviews and “rights” are not the gospel.
As Christians, our mission is the Great Commission to share the Gospel. We need to not only model a Christian life, but to share with people. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.
The Gospel is the good news of Jesus Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. Here’s the good news:
Adam and Eve’s sin tainted and is passed on throughout the whole human race. It broke the intimate communion they (and the rest of us would have) had with God. But God, in His awesome love and mercy, had a plan on how to restore that relationship with humanity. At His appointed time in history, God the Father sent His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world through the virgin Mary, to live the perfect, sinless life that no human could ever live. He was crucified, died, and buried in a tomb. But His death was a sacrifice, offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice to atone for the sins of those humans who would choose to believe. He took God’s wrath and judgement in our place. God also imputes Jesus’ righteousness, via the perfect life He lived, to those who believe. On the third day, Jesus was raised from the dead, His body gone out of the tomb, appeared to some of His disciples, and then ascended into heaven where He is currently seated at the right hand of God. Jesus is our Prophet, Priest, and King – the Mediator between God and man. Jesus will come back one day to judge the living and the dead. Non-believers will suffer God’s wrath in hell. But between the time of Jesus’ ascension and coming again in judgement, God has sent the Holy Spirit to help believers spread the gospel, and to be a Helper, Teacher, Comforter, Counselor, Advocate, and Seal for us. God gives us eternal life with Him on a new, perfected earth and heavens to come. To God be the glory! Amen!
Below are some links to follow to read about what that means.
What is the Gospel? by Matt Slick
What are the Essentials of the Gospel Message? by GotQuestions
It is important to note that even believers need to hear the Gospel message over and over. It isn’t just something you heard once and “got saved,” and then have no use for. As we hear it again and again, it works in our hearts, encourages our faith, and solidifies in our minds, allowing us to share the message easier and be a better witness.
If you have questions or want to chat about the Gospel, please contact me: InAweWonderPodcast@gmail.com.
In Awe & Wonder 