Study No. 32 - Concerning the Gospel

'Gospel' means Good Tidings. It comes from two Anglo-Saxon words, 'god' - good, and 'spel' - news. It is nothing to be ashamed of. It is nothing to apologise for!
Some know the gospel in a nutshell - found in John 3:16 (see Study No. 6). But it is not good news until a person becomes aware of his position before GOD as a guilty sinner. [This of course is the work of the Holy Spirit - this is why we must pray for those with whom we share the gospel.] Neither is the gospel experiential good news until it is appropriated. It must be applied personally.
"The gospel has been around a long time, and there are many it hasn't helped" said an opposer at an open-air meeting. "So has soap" replied the preacher, "but there are still many dirty necks!"

THE FACT OF SIN

Psalm 51:5 -  To what inherent 'disease' does David here refer?
Romans 3:23 -  What conclusion does Paul reach regarding how many have sinned?
We naturally think sinful thoughts, pursue sinful actions and tend to please self first, others next and God last.
Suggestion: Look up and review "The Fall of Man" (Study 10) and "Sin" (Study 11)

Psalm 51:1-3 is as clear a statement on this matter as we shall ever find.

THE FACT OF JUDGEMENT

God has set His laws in motion in His universe just as man has in his world. Without such laws being kept there would be complete chaos. There must be a penalty for those who break His laws just as there must be for those who break the laws of the land.

Genesis 2:17
Notice the words "lest ye", and compare with Romans 6:23 and Ephesians 2:1-6. Spiritual death is of course separation from God.

Hebrews 9:27 -  Notice the certainty of judgement.
2 Thessalonians 1:8 -  Notice the nature of it.

THE FACT OF SALVATION

We now come to the central truth of the gospel:
What the justice of God demanded, the love of God provided: Full and free forgiveness of sins through faith in the crucified and living Lord Jesus Christ.
This is the very heart of the gospel. It is expressed so beautifully in such lines as:
"He died that we might be forgiven"
or to make it more personal:
O 'twas love, 'twas wondrous love,
The love of God to me:
It brought my Saviour from above,
To die on Calvary!
Isaiah 53:6 -  Upon Whom was the iniquity of us all laid?
John 3:16 -  To what purpose did God give His only begotten Son?
Many, the scripture tells us, "see no beauty that we should desire Him" (Isaiah 53:2b), but sometimes the Lord exercises hearts to listen to these great truths.
Let us not fail to make them known.

THE NEED FOR REPENTANCE

Here we come to the response of a believing heart - a willingness to recognise sin, turn from sin and walk in a way that pleases the Lord.

Psalm 51:3 -  Following David's sin, David was moved to repentance.

(Notice what he actually prays - verses 1-10)
Acts 3:19 -  Repentance involves confession (1 John 1:9) and forsaking sin.

--- NOTICE - GOD COMMANDS REPENTANCE ---

THE NEED FOR FAITH

In my booklet CHRISTIAN? I distinguish between saving faith (or heart faith) and what is sometimes called "easy believism", that is, of those who say "I believe in Jesus" whereas in actual fact it is more a head belief than a heart belief.

Faith in Christ is spoken of in many ways in the Holy Scriptures.
Look up the following, for example:

John 1:12
  It is RECEIVING Him
John 5:24
  It is BELIEVING on Him
John 6:37
  It is COMING to Him
John 6:12
  It is FOLLOWING Him
Matthew 10: 32, 33 and Romans 10: 9, 10
Notice that God COMMANDS us to believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and to love one another.

LOVE ONE ANOTHER
LOVE WON ANOTHER

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Last updated Sunday, 9th January, 2000