The Gospel: What it Means for You

 

God's Word tells us what the Gospel is:

"I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you. . . By which also ye are saved. . .For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" (I Corinthians 15:1-3)

'Gospel' means 'good news'. It is the Good News that Jesus Christ died on the cross, was buried, and resurrected. Why is this Good News? It applies to all of us. . .

 

1. Realize Who God is:

Creator - "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth" (Genesis 1:1)

Perfect & Just - "He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he." (Deuteronomy 32:4)

Holy - "holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts" (Isaiah 6:1)

The Almighty - "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty" (Revelation 1:8)

 

2. Realize what man is:                                                  The Bad News!

A Sinner - "for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23)

Lost -"all we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way" (Isaiah 53:6)

Condemned - "he that believeth not is condemned already" (John 3:18)

Destined to die - "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23)

Bound for Hell - "Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matthew 25:41)

 

3. Realize what cannot save:

Good works - "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us" (Titus 3:5)

Keeping the commandments - "But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God" (Galatians 3:11)

Church ordinances/sacraments - "And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins" (Hebrews 10:11)

 

4. Realize Who can save:                                            The Good News!

Jesus Christ is the Son of God -"And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:16)

Jesus Christ is Lord - "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord" (Philippians 2:10-11)

Jesus Christ is the Savior - "for God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16)

 

5. What does all this mean?

God loves you -"God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)

Everlasting life is a gift -"the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23)

Jesus paid the penalty for ALL our sins-past, present and future! -"we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. . . he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever. . .For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified" (Hebrews 10:10-14)

You must turn from your sin and accept this gift by faith - "the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel" (Mark 1:15)

Anyone can come to Christ for salvation - "for whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:13)

 

 

Would you like to ask Jesus Christ to save you?

If you realize you are a sinner who needs Christ, but you don't know how to call on Him for salvation, pray something like this to God with all your heart:

 

Dear God,

          I see You for Who You are, and I see myself as a sinner. I deserve Hell. But I believe in Jesus Christ, that He died for me and rose from the grave. The best way I know how, I turn from my sin and myself to trust you, Lord Jesus, as my Savior. Thank you for taking the punishment of all my past, present, and future sins. Thank you for eternal life and help me to live for You. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

 

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8,9)

 

"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also" (John 14:1-3)