The Gospel “The gospel is the good news that God became man in Jesus Christ; that He lived the life we should have lived and died the death we should have died because of our sin on the cross in our place. Three days later, He rose from the dead, just as He said, proving that He is the Son of God and offering the gift of the forgiveness of sins and eternal life (salvation) to all who, by faith, repent of their sins and receive Jesus Christ as both Lord and Savior.”

The Gospel Why do we need to know the gospel? “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” The Apostle Paul - to Timothy (2 Timothy 2:15)

The Gospel Why do we need to know the gospel? Two reasons: We need to be sure that we have heard and responded to the true gospel, lest we have a false hope concerning a salvation that we think we have. Jesus told us to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel…” (Mark 16:15).

The Gospel How can we distinguish false gospels from the real gospel? “Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.” The Apostle Paul - to Timothy (1 Timothy 4:16)

Galatians 1:6-8 “6 I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; 7 which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!”

The Gospel How can we distinguish false gospels from the real gospel? The Watered-Down Gospel It offers God's forgiveness, telling you that all you must do is believe, without any mention of repentance from sin and obedience to Christ. It presents Jesus Christ as though He were some mere additive to make one's life a little better. It tells you about heaven, but leaves out the message of hell.

The Gospel How can we distinguish false gospels from the real gospel? The Legalist (rule-ladenned) Gospel It strips the true gospel of its simplicity and power. It comes laden with rules and regulations that we must keep to find forgiveness. It is so complex that no one can unravel it.

The Gospel What are the essential elements of the Gospel? We all stand as sinners before God “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” (Romans 3:23) Romans 5:6-8 “6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

The Gospel What are the essential elements of the Gospel? Jesus Christ is the only way to the Father Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6). 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 “18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.”

Jesus is “the” Way Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6). The apostle Peter said, “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). The apostle Paul said, “For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus…” (1 Timothy 1:15).

2 Corinthians 5:21 “[God] made [Jesus] who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in [Jesus].”

The Gospel What are the essential elements of the Gospel? The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ “Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, ‘It is finished!’ And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit” (John 19:30). “It is finished” can mean: “It is made an end of.” “It is paid.” “It is performed.” “It is accomplished.”

“It is finished!” What was made an end of? What was paid? Our sin and the guilt that accompanied them (Hebrews 9:26)   What was paid? The price of redemption – the blood of Christ (Ephesians 1:7) What was performed? The righteous requirements of demanded by God’s law for sin (Romans 10:4) What was accomplished? The work that God had given Jesus to do (John 17:4) What was finished? Sin and Satan's stronghold on humanity (Colossians 2:14–15).

The Gospel A Summation of the Gospel “that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures…” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) The gospel is the message of good news that although we are all separated from God because of our sin which results in an emptiness, an ever-present guilt, and a certain fear of death; yet because God loved us, in spite of our rebellion, He sent His own Son to die in our place, to prove His power over death by rising again on the third day, and thus bridging the gap between God and ourselves.

The Gospel How does one enter into that relationship with God? 28 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

Three Truths of Matthew 11:28-30 We must come to Him All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out (John 6:37).   We must take up His yoke We must accept Jesus’ terms Believe (Acts 16:31) Repent (Acts 2:38) Learn of Christ (2 Peter 3:18)

Romans 10:14-15 “14 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? 15 How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, "HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!"”