The Gospel - Good News
Dr James Dobson – founder of Focus on the Family related a story of small boy alone in bed in the dark and trying to sleep. He called out from his room and yelled “Dad I am scared.” The father said do not be afraid son, close your eyes and go to sleep - you know that God is in there with you.” Yes, I know, but can He send someone with SKIN ON?”
The Gospel of Good News is that God himself (Emanuel – God with us) in Jesus Christ came in the Flesh ‘with Skin on” to meet all our desires needs and save us!
Gods Declaration – Our Witness
John the Baptist preached: “I have good news and bad news for you; the good news is that the Messiah is coming, and the bad news that Jesus would come to be a judge AND a Savior. That it was indeed good for the long-awaited Messiah to come. It was bad news to hear that he would have the authority to point out the darkness and sinfulness of every person of every generation, but it was wonderful news to know that he would judge us “not guilty.” It was amazing news that he would offer grace to all those sinners as a gift, unmerited and free, and that everyone who believed this promise would live forever. That is the ultimate Good News of Christ’s coming.
The literal definition of gospel is good news. But part of telling people the good news of the gospel is making them aware of the bad news. That means telling people they are sinners. Of course, people do not like to hear that. I am a what? I am not a sinner! I am a good person!
We must define what it means to be a sinner, because the Bible says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Yet there are preachers today who do not want to tell people they are sinners. They claim that most people know they are doing wrong. But do they? I think a lot of people believe everything is fine if they try to live a good life.
We must break the bad news: “I am sorry to tell you this, friend, but you are a sinner. You have broken God’s commands. You have fallen short of His standards, and there is nothing you can do to make this right. But God loved you so much that He sent Jesus to die on the cross for you, and if you will turn from that sin and put your faith in Christ, you can be forgiven.”
The bad news helps us fully appreciate the good news. Anything less than this is a false gospel that will give false assurance.
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last,[e] just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” (Romans 1:16).
Gods Design - His Creation – Our Destiny
We were created and designed to Worship our creator. 15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the father is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the father but from the world. (1 John 2:15).
We were created and designed to Know and be Known- We desire to know and be known – I Corinthians 13 – For we know in part and we Prophesy in Part – But when completeness comes – that which is in part Disappears - I shall know as I am known – We see thru a glass Darkly – but then Face to Face I shall know as I am known.
We were created and designed to love and be loved, so we desire to love and be loved. Only two kinds of Love are mentioned in the Bible- - Agape – Unconditional love and Brotherly or Familial love. The Greeks and Romans expanded this to earthly physical desires. When you Love Sacrificially and Unconditionally – True love can be found on every level.
We were created to pursue Humility. The Romans and the Greeks saw this as a sign of weakness – Reputation and Celebrity over humility. Jesus Changed all of that! When asked “who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven? Jesus said, “The greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven is the Servant of all.” Jesus Came to Serve rather than be served. (Philippians 2:4-8).
We were created for a Heavenly Father – we desire a relationship with one who leads and guides and cares. Jesus never stopped mentioning his Father in heaven whom he wanted to please - See the first words of the Lord’s Prayer – “Our Father “. Jesus in the Temple as a young boy said I must be about my father’s work. We thrive on this earth when we experience an earthly father leading us back to Heavenly Father God. (Galatians 4:6)
We were created and designed for immortality – and we desire immortality because we were created in the image of God. Jesus Overcame Death – He faced death and said let not your heart be troubled – for in my Father’s house there are many mansions and I go to Prepare a place for you that where I am you may be also. (John 14).
Our Desires – His Promises
· Wisdom- (Proverbs 4:5-9)
· Grace and Truth – Mercy and Justice. Grace – Grace is Getting Something we do not deserve, and Mercy is Notgetting what we Absolutely do not deserve. (Luke 6:31)
· Freedom – Jesus began his public ministry with a quote from Isaiah 61 – I come to bind up the broken hearted and set the captives free.
· Truth and Justice - Whatsoever things are True, honest, Just, Pure Lovely – If there be any virtue if there be any praise, think on these things. - (Phil. 4: 8)
· Rest –There remains a rest for the People of God (Hebrews 4:9)
· Contentment -He satisfies – Godliness with contentment is great gain. (1 Tim. 6:6)
· True friendship – Jesus is a friend closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24)
· Meaningful work and usefulness - To find our gift and purpose (1Thes.4:11)
· Unafraid of Death – “Oh Death where is thy Sting, oh Grave where is thy Victory – But thanks be to God who Gives us the Victory thru our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 15)
· Courage to face daily Trials – CS Lewis said that Courage is the form of Every Virtue at the Testing Point – (Joshua 1:9) Have I not commanded you be strong and courageous.
· To be Forgiven and the freedom from Guilt as Jesus was a Guilt offering – Living in a world of blame, shame, and misunderstanding. (1 John 1:9)
· To Achieve – The Gospel teaches self-discipline and self-control. (2 Peter 1:5-6)
· Freedom – Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is Liberty (2 Corinthians 3:17)
· Peace – My Peace, I give you not as the world gives. (John 14:27)
· Hope – not wishing but Faith in what we do not see. (Hebrews 11)
· Rescued from the perils around us – Physical Mental Spiritual (Psalm 34 :22)
The Gospel is the Good News and CURE for every problem, need and desire we have. It is also the CURE for every kind of evil we experience by others and ourselves. The Gospel Describes our Problem – Works of the Flesh- Pride, Envy, immorality, idolatry, Sorcery, Strife, Jealousy, anger, envy, dissentions, divisions, etc. The Gospel is the cure - Love joy - peace Patience Kindness goodness faithfulness, gentleness self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5).
J. Warner Wallace, a Cold case Detective said something about dealing with crime daily– “On this job we see every kind of Stupid. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is our blessed hope, and He will cure “Every Kind of Stupid” here in this life and for all eternity- Beginning with me!
There Is One Gospel - Song by “CityAlight”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GZuSivURPk
~ Steve Byers and his wife Debbie have lived in the Charlotte area since 2017 and have been attending LIFE Fellowship for five years. Steve is a musician and songwriter and sings in the Oxygen Choir. Steve and Debbie, have one son, Josh and a daughter-in-law, Avery. They are grand parents to Jaxon and Grayson.