What is the Gospel

Intro

Body

Romans 3:21-26

The problem of sin

God has set a standard of the right way to live, we miss it often

It’s more than just doing things that make God displeased

It’s also being people who are displeasing to God

We cannot exist in a right relationship with God because of sin

We deserve death and eternal separation from God as a result of our sins

Jesus died for our sins

God HAS to punish sin

If he doesn’t, he wouldn’t be a just God

Can you imagine how different our world would be if criminals got off without punishment?

That wouldn’t be justice, that wouldn’t be right

So God MUST punish sin in the world

The question is how?

The punishment that we deserve was put on Jesus instead

Propitiation

Romans 5:6-11

Why did Jesus die for us?

Because he loves us

God doesn’t need us, he doesn’t have to save us

But he wants to because he loves you

“Justified by his blood”

The sacrifice of Jesus paid our punishment

God doesn’t look at our sins our mistakes, he only sees Jesus and his sacrifice for us

We rejoice in God because he has saved us from our sins

Application

If you are a Christian:

This message should never get old

Other people need the Gospel

We live in a world broken by sin and the only cure is the Gospel

If you are not a Christian:

What is holding you back from placing faith in Christ?

Past encounters with Christians? Teachings of the bible you don’t agree with? You don’t see anything different between Christians and non-Christians?

Are you willing to ask those questions and have them answered?

Conclusion

The Gospel is the central message of Christianity that explains how a loving God sent his only son Jesus to die on behalf of sinful humanity. That through the death of Jesus we can we seen as righteous before God, not because of anything we have done, but only because of what Jesus has done on our behalf.