27. What is the Gospel?

Introduction

The ACT/SAT/MCAT/GRE or some college entrance exam… Did you ever play eenie-meenie-miny-moe with the multiple choice answers? Imagine that someone came along and said, “You can’t pass the test. But don’t worry. someone else passed the test for you. You have a full-ride scholarship at any university in the world.”

We often think the gospel is about passing the test so you can go to heaven when you die… You can’t hope to pass the test. But Jesus aced it for you. If you believe that’s true, then you’ll go to heaven when you die and live forever!

Some of those things are true… but there are problems with equating them with the gospel.

How you live doesn’t matter.

Life has no point—especially when we suffer.

God is in heaven. Heaven is the place I go when I die. Therefore, I never even interact with God until I’m dead… But what about right now while I’m living?

The Bible actually reveals that the gospel is much bigger than a test.

Subject: What is the gospel? What is the good news? (Mark 1:1, 14-15)

Body

The time is fulfilled. The wait is over.

Exposition (Mark 1:14-15) “The time is fulfilled…”

The wait for what? The wait for Jesus.

Mark 1:1…

Jesus = “YHWH is salvation”

Christ = “anointed one” or “messiah”

Son of God (Mark 1:2-13)

Isaiah prophesied: “I’ll send a messenger to the wilderness to prepare the way.” John came in the wilderness preparing the way.

John said, “Someone is coming after me who will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” Jesus came, and the Holy Spirit came with him.

Jesus is the ANSWER we’ve all been looking for. He’s the point of the story.

Illustration: Last summer we drove home from Tennessee, over 13 hours crammed in our minivan with a 10-month-old baby… When we got home at 3 AM, we all said, “FINALLY! We’re here!”

Application

Searching for an answer, waiting for God to move, thousands of years of bondage to sin… finally: Good news. The wait is over. The Son of God has come.

Am I still looking for the answer? Or have I found it in Jesus? … Do I live as though Jesus is my answer?

The kingdom of God is at hand. God’s rule and reign is here.

Exposition (Mark 1:14-15) “and the kingdom of God is at hand…”

Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world…” (John 18:36). The kingdom is not a place but is God’s rule and reign. It is everywhere God’s will is lived out.

The kingdom is life with God, and Jesus says it is “at hand.” In other words, we don’t have to wait until we die to go to heaven and be with God. We can be with God right now.

Illustration: Imagine you’re walking through the tunnel at the Packers stadium… Lambeau field is “at hand.” It’s right there. All you have to do is step onto the field.

Application: We can live in God’s kingdom now.

We embody the kingdom when we gather in king’s name. This is why we gather to worship, and this is why we have Gospel Communities.

Do I live as though God’s kingdom is a present reality? Or am I just playing eenie-meenie-miny-moe with the multiple-choice questions on the test?

Repent and believe in the gospel. Turn around and come on in.

Exposition (Mark 1:14-15) “repent and believe in the gospel.”

Repent = “turn around” or “change your mind”

“I’m right behind you. Turn around and find me!”

It’s not just saying you’re sorry for all the bad things you’ve done, but turning away from death to embrace life. You can’t see God if you’re back is to him.

Believe

It’s not just, “Believe these religious claims,” but, “Accept the truth of what I’m saying and live by it.”

To believe is to put your trust in, to have faith in, to put your hope in, to build your life on. It’s living under the rule and reign of God. It’s not just acknowledging that Jesus is King, it’s accepting Jesus as your King. It’s not just acknowledging that Jesus is God, it’s accepting Jesus as your God.

To believe in the biblical sense of the word means to be changed by your belief. If your belief has had no impact in your life, it’s not really belief according to what the Bible means by the word belief. Believing in a biblical sense will change who you are, how you think, what you value, and how you live.

Illustration: Playing a game with a blindfold… If you believe your friend, you’ll take a step to the right and avoid stubbing your toe.

Application: Is my faith a set of religious beliefs or the way I live my life?

Conclusion

The Son of God has come. The kingdom of God is at hand. You can be part of it.

Will you follow Jesus today?