The Gospel
The Gospel
God: Who He is
“The God who made the world and all things in it…He is Lord of heaven and earth….He Himself gives to all life and breath and all things; and He made from one, every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth…that they should seek God” (Acts 17:24-27)
The Bible explains that God created us and sustains us and, therefore, has the right to absolute authority in our lives. Out of His love, He made us in His image so that we would seek to honor Him as the true Creator.
Man: His Problem
“The Lord has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God” (Psalm 14:2). “There is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God….for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:11,23). “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).
Instead of seeking God, man rebels against God’s authority and chooses to live his own way. The Bible says that failure to recognize God’s authority is sin. The penalty for our sin is death–not just physical death, for all men die–but eternal separation from God in hell. Man rightly deserves this judgment for failing to honor his Creator.
Christ: God’s Solution
“For while we were still helpless…God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him” (Romans 5:6, 8-9).
God’s great love and mercy can extend a pardon to sinners. God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for sinners and pay sin’s penalty. In His death, Jesus endured the punishment that sinners deserve and therefore satisfied the wrath of God, making it possible for sinners to be made right with Him and receive eternal life.
Our Response
“If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me” (Luke 9:23). “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). “God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent” (Acts 17:30).
God commands you to repent from your rebellion and to trust in Jesus Christ alone for your salvation. You must admit that you are a sinner, believe that you are forgiven only through Jesus’ death on the cross, and commit your entire life to obey the risen Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
Spiritual Growth
By placing your trust in God, you are also trusting that God will help you in your new journey.
There are 4 essentials to growth as a new believer in Christ.
Pray – Talk to God. What about? Everything. When? Anytime. Where? Everywhere.
Read and get to know the Jesus of the Bible – The Bible is God’s way of letting us know what is up. It contains history, principles, and stories that are relevant and helpful for living life in today’s world. Start in the book of John and then move on to other books.
Plug into a church – Get involved in a Bible-teaching church that is outreach oriented and intentional about living for God. Meet the pastor and tell him about your new decision. Ask him about baptism and church membership.
Tell others – Tell others (friends, family, co-workers) about you new relationship with Jesus Christ.
We thank God for you now as a Bible writer did for those who accepted Christ then. He said, “…we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.” (1 Thessalonians 2:13)
