THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST
Module 3 defines the “gospel.”
The learner should be able to articulate the message of the gospel.
How does the gospel apply to your life and my life?
Jesus proclaimed the gospel with His disciples.
Starting with this Module, you have a reading assignment in the Bible. Before you start reading, click on the blue Bible Project link for an overview.
When you complete Module 12, you will have read the entire Gospel according to John
Module Bible Reading Assignment
John - Chapters 1 & 2
Gospel means “good news”
Why is the story about Jesus Christ (His life, His death, His burial and His resurrection) good news?
This Module seeks to define the essential elements of the gospel message.
The Gospel of John
Chapter 3: 16-19
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. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.
John MacArthur
The Nonnegotiable Gospel
57 minutes
Here’s a methodology to present the gospel using your hand.
Ephesians 2: 8-9
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and [a]that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Romans 5: 8
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
1 Corinthians 15: 3-4
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
Titus 3: 5
not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit
The offer of salvation is available, but not automatic.
You must intentionally choose to accept this free gift.
Revelation 3: 20
Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.
You’re the only one with the door knob ……. Will you respond to Jesus knocking on the door?
Basic content of a Gospel presentation:
All have sinned (Romans 3: 10 & 3: 23)
People cannot earn entrance into heaven by their own goodness. (Ephesians 2: 8-9; Acts 13: 39 & Romans 6: 23)
Christ’s death on the cross paid for each person’s sins. (1 John 2:2)
Christ’s resurrection provides life everlasting for those who believe in Him. (John 3: 16)
God desires all to be saved. He offers a free gift of salvation to everyone. (1 Timothy 2: 3-5)
Salvation is available to all, but not automatic. (Matthew 7: 21)
Ann Wilson sings a song that shares the essence of the gospel.
My Jesus
4 minutes
Make no mistake, the gospel is actually a command.
Mark 1: 14-15
Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
REPENTANCE
The word repentance in the Bible literally means “the act of changing one’s mind.” True biblical repentance goes beyond remorse, regret, or feeling bad about one’s sin. It involves more than merely turning away from sin. Eerdmans Bible Dictionary includes this definition of repentance: “In its fullest sense it is a term for a complete change of orientation involving a judgment upon the past and a deliberate redirection for the future.”
TAKEN FROM GOTQUESTIONS.ORG
To repent is to turn and go the other direction. Repentance has three very important components:
Actions - a lasting change in one’s actions. Going a different direction and being characterized by staying on the path. You march to the beat of a different drum.
Remorse - a powerful realization that one’s sin has directly and negatively impacted yourself. You have rebelled against a loving a holy God. Your sin has separated you from God.
Regret - a dramatic understanding that one’s sin has directly and negatively affected others. We are commanded to love God and love our neighbor. Your actions and sinful thoughts adversely affects others.
A true believer receives the gift …….
A gift is not earned.
John 17: 3 “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”
“Christ is worth all, or he is worth nothing”
George Whitfield
The Gospel of Mark
Chapter 1: 14 & 15
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
Consider the essential elements to maintain life for your physical body. What are they?
Light, Water, Food and Air
What are the essential elements for your spiritual body?
Think about how Jesus defines himself.
Romans 6: 23 says, “The wages of sin is death,; but, the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
You can’t unearn what you didn’t earn.
A gift is not compulsory. Gifts are voluntarily from a heart of love and affection or from an act of kindness. The gift must be received / accepted to have ownership of the gift.
Wages are earned as a result of work.
The Gospel of the Kingdom
the Bible Project
6 minutes
What does it mean to “believe”?
What are the elements of “BELIEF”?
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Communication (Information transfer)
Content is shared and understanding exists..
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Intellectual Processing (Assent - Dissent)
A person may “agree” or “disagree” with the message.
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Internalize the message (Action follows)
The content of some information may demand action.
Consider a situation where you are watching a television program. Someone suddenly enters the room and yells, “Fire!”
Your subsequent actions are an indicator of your belief in the message.
Some information demands actions. The gospel demands an action.
James 2: 18
“But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”
Faith and Good works …………. Does a person have to “work” their way into heaven?
Believers don’t “perform good works” to get into heaven. They “perform good works” because we are already saved. “Good works” are the result of changed life.
James said that faith without works is no faith at all. Consider his statement, “even the demons believe and tremble.” (James 2: 19) Demons will not be residents in heaven.
The Gospel according to the Apostle Paul
I Corinthians 15: 3-8
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.
Counterfeit Christianity
Counterfeit money is VERY similar to the genuine; however, there are always subtle differences. The same is true with the Gospel. The Bible warns of false teachers and false gospels ………
1 Timothy 6: 3-5
We should compare ANY teaching to the Word of God (without any addition or subtraction).
OLD TESTAMENT LAW
According to Scripture, “[the real function of] the Law is to make men recognize and be conscious of sin [not mere
perception, but an acquaintance with sin which works toward repentance . . . ].” Romans 3: 20 - Amplified Version
“A man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ...; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.” Galatians 2: 16
Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.
The Law’s (10 Commandments) rightful purpose is simply to act as a mirror to show man that he is a sinner. It introduces him to the need for cleansing. Those who seek to be justified by the Law (being a “good person”) are taking the mirror off the wall and trying to wash themselves with it.
Scripture makes clear that it is the perfect Law of God that actually converts the soul: “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.” Psalm 19: 7
When you understand your “true condition” before a just and Holy God, the gospel becomes VERY good news!
A person can’t save themself …….
D. L. Moody said, “The Law can only chase a man to Calvary, no further.”
The Law (10 Commandments, for example) provides an objective standard of measure to assess moral behavior. The law helps us understand that we are sinners. It has no saving power …..
5 essential milestone in the Life of Jesus
Incarnation - Birth
Life & Crucifixion
Resurrection - Proof
Ascension
Second Coming
