The Gospel Understood

What is the Gospel?

Last week we completed our study on the ordinances given from the Lord. Which were Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. There are a lot of truth that goes into each of the ordinances. But what I would like to draw out from them if I may are two main ideas. The first main idea would be obedience, we do these ordinances because they are commended by the Lord for us to do. In so doing must obey the Lord, but to take care that we do not make idols out of these two rites, nor are we to make them any less than they are. The second main idea is unity, in baptism we are unified with Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection. We are also unified and welcomed into the church. In the Lord’s Supper we are communing with Christ in remembrance of his atoning work on the Cross, we commune with the Church as we share in this spiritual meal together.

As we are moving forward looking at the Christian life we have a lot of area to cover. As I look at these areas, I desire to put them in an order that is most helpful and instructive. This reminds me of a really bad philosophy Joke:

A horse walks into a bar and the bartender asks the horse, “Don’t you think your in the wrong place?” The horse hesitates for a minute and replies, “I don’t think so”. Poof! The horse suddenly disappears.

Thats it, thats the joke, our philosophy professor has that posted in his classroom. It is a really bad philosophy Joke because it requires that we understood when the 17th century philosopher Rene Descarte, I think therefore I am (Cogito Ergo Sum).(His rational philosophy on reality) So it would have been a funny joke, but to know this before hand would have been be putting Descarte before the horse.

So in order to not put the cart before the horse as the saying goes, I want to take a couple of weeks to look at some “basic” or “fundamentals” of the Christian faith before we continue on our exploration of the Christian life.

A few weeks ago when we were looking at baptism I showed that Jesus indeed commanded us to baptize people, and a great question came out of that lesson. Open your Bibles to Matthew 28:16

Matthew 28:16–20 CSB

The eleven disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped, but some doubted. Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

The question that came out of that passage in addition to seeing Jesus’ command for baptism was this,

“How do we make disciples?”

First I want to ask a question, what is a disciple? (Personal follower of Jesus) *(a student of a teacher, leader)

Jesus tells us how we are to make disciples:

Baptizing

Teaching

Without going into a lengthy review about baptism because we looked at baptism a few weeks ago, and during that lesson we looked at water baptism, but in that study we came across scripture that talked about a baptism of the spirit. I did not go back to speak about that, so next week, I have asked Jim to teach on baptism of the spirit. However, in this passage Jesus is referring to water baptism, which is the one part of disciple-making.

The other part is a little more involved, which is the point of discipleship, that is being involved in the lives of one another as we teach. This goes to our struggle that we uncovered last week as we see that, husbands are to lead our families and parents are to lead their children, teach. This leads to more questions, specifically what are we to teach. Jesus explains we are to teach everything that he has commanded us.

As we looked at why we worship on Sunday and how to celebrate the Lord’s Day as we look at it. We know that we hear a sermon. A good sermon will not be the opinion of the one delivering the sermon but rather it will be focused on the teaching of the Bible, that is the word of God. (Recently there has been a call to deemphasize the importance of sermons or bible teaching during a church service to put more focus on communion or worshiping through music.) We can follow Jesus’ command for the apostles to teach Jesus’ commands, and the New Testament is the record of Jesus and the apostle’s teaching.

So we see that discipleship is baptizing (in the name of the father son and Holy spirit) and teaching to obey Jesus’ commands.

Who’s responsibility is it anyway?

I believe the answer in this will be found in

Ephesians 4:11–13 CSB

And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into maturity with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness.

We all are responsible for the work of ministry.

This is where we understand that we are all called to ministry, however you are not alone in this command but as a body of Christ with some that are given for the equipping of saints. Those who equip are also called, and the bible teaches that they are held to higher accountability.

How do we find students and what is it that we are to teach?

We do this through evangelism

Evangelism is teaching of the gospel either by preaching or public witness for conversion.

I need to share this with you military folks, Evangelism is allowed in the military. (Evangelism is not proselytization defined as unwanted or intrusive attempts to convert) This means that you can share your testimony and talk about your faith. We must be wise as far as how and when we share the gospel in the military. This is not a pass to not share the Gospel.

We understand the commands of Jesus are to be taught, but let me ask would you obey the command of someone who does not have authority or responsibility for you or that you are not under their general military authority to begin with? (i.e. would I follow the command of and officer or directive of any NCO on Fort Bragg as a civilian?) (No because they do not have authority over me or any other civilian as I am outside their general military authority) (Wisdom would dictate that I would be smart to be respectful but remain within my rights when on post)

We would in most places begin our teaching that we fall under the rule or authority of God.

I would say they very first thing that we teach is the Gospel.

“So many people come to church with a genuine desire to hear what we have to say, yet they are always going back home with the uncomfortable feeling that we are making it too difficult for them to come to Jesus.” ― Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship

The Gospel

What is the The Gospel?

Who can share with us what the Gospel is?

Gospel is the “Good News”, the joyful message that from God that leads us to salvation

That is great, but that is that message?!

To help us dive in to understanding the Gospel message : Open your Bibles to 1st Corinthians 15

Last week we looked at the Corinthians and came to understand that although Paul spent about 18 months with them. They seemed to have trouble understanding correct doctrine. In this 15th Chapter Paul needed to remind them of the gospel truth, specifically relating to the resurrection of Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:1–8 CSB

Now I want to make clear for you, brothers and sisters, the gospel I preached to you, which you received, on which you have taken your stand and by which you are being saved, if you hold to the message I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve. Then he appeared to over five hundred brothers and sisters at one time; most of them are still alive, but some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one born at the wrong time, he also appeared to me.

The Gospel is “Christocentric” - Centered around Christ’s death burial and resurrection.

Paul is telling the Corinthians that the gospel message is very important. This Message you recieved (heard), you have taken a stand (believed), and are being saved.

Christ Died for our sins — (According to Scripture)

Even though this passage does not encompass the entirety of the Gospel message. We cannot escape the Gospel message without talking about our sin.

He was buried and raised on the third day - (According to Scripture)

He appeared to many of the apostles (Proof of resurrection)

Paul is ensuring the main component of the Gospel is firmly understood and that they know it is also in according to scripture. (Argument from authority)

The Gospel Outlined

Gospel outline discussed 4 main elements (and a 5th I think is worth looking at):

God

Man

Jesus Christ

Response

Cost

We will look at the elements of our outline to put our Gospel message together

God

God is Holy. (Isaiah 6:1-3)

God is the Creator. (Genesis 1:1, Colossians 1:16)

God is Love. (John 3:16, 1 John 4:7)

God is Wrathful toward sin. (Romans 1:18)

Man

We are created Male and Female in the Image of God. (Genesis 1:27)

We rebelled (sinned) against God. (Genesis 3:6, Isaiah 53:6*)

We are separated from God. (Genesis 3:23 Isaiah 59:2*)

We are sinners. (Romans 3:9-12 )

Death is the penalty for our rebellion. (Romans 6:23)

We are dead in our transgressions. (Ephesians 2:1-3)

Christ

Jesus is the only way to God. (John 3:16, John 14:6)

Jesus died for us. (Romans 5:6-8)

God’s gift of eternal life is through Christ. (Romans 6:23)

God gives us grace in Christ. (Ephesians 1:19-23)

God reconciles us to himself in Christ. (Colossians 1:19-23*)

Jesus Christ lived a perfect life. (1 Peter 2:22)

Christ rose from the dead. (1 Corinthians 15:3-4*)

Christ came to give life. (John 10:10)

Response

We must hear Jesus’ word. (John 5:24-25*)

We must believe in Jesus name. (John 1:12)

We must repent. (Matthew 4:17, Acts 2:38*)

We must confess with our mouths and believe in our hearts. (Romans 10:9-11)

We must follow Jesus. (John 8:12, Luke 9:24*)

Cost

God Saved us by His Grace (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Christ redeemed us by his blood (1 Peter 1:18-19)

We must deny ourselves and take up the cross (Luke 9:23-24, 1 Corinthians 6:20 )

Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life. It is costly because it condemns sin, and grace because it justifies the sinner. Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of his Son: "ye were bought at a price," and what has cost God much cannot be cheap for us. Above all, it is grace because God did not reckon his Son too dear a price to pay for our life, but delivered him up for us. Costly grace is the Incarnation of God.” ― Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship

The Gospel Defined

Our creator God is holy, just, and loving. We were made in his image to have be in relationship with Him. The problem is that we sinned against him by choosing disobedience and to make ourselves god instead. This rebellion separated us from a relationship with God and taking on the curse of His judgement for our sin.

In our sinful position we are unable to restore our relationship with God. We cannot pay, earn, or work our way back to a loving relationship with God, but in His love provided a way to escape the price of our sin. A way back to a restored, loving, and forgiven relationship with him. The whole Bible records the way that God has provided restoration through His son Jesus.

Jesus who is fully God and fully man lived a sinless life, so that he would become the perfect sacrifice to pay the price of our sin through his death on the cross. Jesus rose from grave defeating death and fulfilling scripture.

Through the blood of Jesus we are able to have forgiveness from him and to return to a forgiven and loving relationship with God. We must hear and believe the message of this gospel, repentance of the sin in our lives, place our full faith, trusting and believing, that Jesus alone rescues us from the curse. We then offer our life to him and commit to follow him as Lord for all our days.

Gospel Confusion

Gospel Culture

Gospel Doctrine

Gospel Church