What is the gospel

What is the gospel? I do not believe there is a word in the English Language so little understood as the gospel.

We have heard it all of our lives but to explain what it means.

Paul says in Romans: Romans 1:16 (KJV)

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

It shows us the power of the Gospel but does not tell us what it is.

1 Timothy 1:11 (KJV)

11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.

shows us the glory of the Gospel but does not tell us what it is.

Galatians 1:8-9 (KJV)

8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

This shows us there is only one gospel but does not tell us what it is.

But Paul being Paul does not leave us ignorant. He tells us plainly what the gospel is.

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 (KJV)

1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

So the gospel is God's Good News concerning the death, burial, and resurrection of His Son Jesus.

It is good news for every man because every man is a sinner by birth and by choice and deserves to face the judgment of God, but Christ paid the price for our sins.

He took our place, He wept our tears, He died our death, He faced our judgment, Is there any better news than that?

Thank God for the gospel. what would we do without it?

Only the gospel can take a drunkard and make him sober.

Only the gospel can put love in your heart where there was once hate.

Only the gospel can take a sinner and make him a saint of God.

Thank God for the Gospel!!!!

Paul preached this good news everywhere he went...to beggars and kings he told this story.

At Lystra he preached the gospel and was stoned.

At Philippi he preached and was thrown into jail.

At Corinth he said: 1 Corinthians 2:2 (KJV)

2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

And finally he gave his life for the gospel.

Paul's life was filled with many heartaches and many tears, but he was always rejoicing, Why? How?

Romans 8:34 (KJV)

34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

He rejoiced in the gospel.

I: He rejoiced in the fact that Christ died:

How could anyone rejoice in that awful scene at Jerusalem?

Jesus was arrested in the garden of Gethsemane, taken before Caiaphas the high priest, then in turn before Pilate, and Herod, and back to Pilate. After releasing the murderer Barabbas, Pilate turned Jesus over to be crucified.

Jesus was beaten until His back was raw meat, a solid mass of torn flesh. A purple robe put on Him, and a crown of thorns pressed down upon His head until blood ran down upon His cheeks.

Then the soldiers mocked Him, cursed Him, slapped Him, and spit in His face.

No man ever suffered as Jesus suffered, and the amazing thing is He did it all for you and me.

Finally they took Him to Mount Calvary and nailed Him to a cross. There He hangs as time passes on. He speaks one last time and says Father into thy hands I commend my spirit.

Can you tell me why He died? H edied that you and I might have eternal life.

There had to be a substitute for sin and Jesus was our substitute.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (KJV)

21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

So paul rejoices not in the death of a man but the death of a God-Man. In the death of Jesus Christ He saw eternal life for all who believe.

34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

II. He rejoiced in the Resurrection of Christ:

to make sure he was dead a soldier ran a spear into our Savior's side. Then the soldier fell in line and marched back to the barracks.

Jospeh and Nicodemus took the body of Christ and laid it in Joseph's new tomb. Cleaned and anointed for burial. They laid it there and with one last look a great stone was rolled in front of the door.

And on the first day of the week Jesus rose from the dead! By so doing He proved every claim He ever made was true.

The grave had no power over Him!

Death could not hold Him!

He conquered death, Hell and the Grave.

Thank God for a living Savior. It take a living Savior to save us when we are lost,

to comfort us when we are sad,

to give us strength when we are weak,

And to take us home to Heaven when we die!

Paul rejoiced in the fact that Jesus died and rose again. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

III. He rejoiced in the exaltation of Christ:

34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

As Satan sees us stumble and fall...he accuses us before the Father.

Jesus stands, lifts His blessed hands, and shaows the nail prints, Father charge that to my account.

And all the saints in Heaven began to cry Worthy is the lamb that was slain.

So i can say with Paul Accuse me if you will, Satan, sure I am unworthy! Sure I deserve Hell! But: 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

The Gospel of Jesus Chru=ist is the greatest news to have fallen on human ears!

It is God's good news that Jesus Christ canceled the sin debt on the cross of calvary. He took our place. He suffered out pain, He died our death. He assured our resurrection. He is coming again to take us Home.

That is the gospel of Jesus Christ.

ILL. One time a man out in Washington State who was dying of Leukemia was going to a certain doctor for treatments. While in the office he would witness to patients and nurses and even the doctors. After a while he became known as the religious man.

The doctor he was seeing died and he was transferred to another doctor in the same building. upon the first visit there a nurse ask him if he was the one they called the religious man. Yes he said. We have a young man dying of Leukemia in the back and was wondering if you would take to him. When he saw this 14 year old nothing but skins stretched over bones. They began to talk about leukemia and pain then he began to tell the young man about the gospel. The young man for the first time in a while seemed exited and the man asked if he wanted to be saved yes said the young man.

But the boy said sir would you mind holding me while we pray...The man picked up the frail boy and they prayed together. As soon as they finished praying the boy began hemorrhaging. and within an hour he was dead. The last thing he done on this side...The last thing that brought him delight was the gospe.

let me ask you

do you fear life? in Christ is peace

do you fear death? In Christ is life

do you fear judgment? In Christ is pardon

Thank God for the good news that points us to Calvary and says LOOK AND LIVE