WHAT IS THE GOSPEL?
“Gospel” literally means “good news.” And that’s exactly what it is! The gospel, in Christian terms, is the story of God’s creation of the world, sin’s destructive power, mankind’s struggle with sin and God’s plan to rescue creation through His Son Jesus. The gospel story is told through God’s words written down by human authors in the book known as The Bible
God's Design
In contrast to this brokenness, we also see beauty, purpose, and evidence of design around us.
The Bible tells us that God originally planned a world that worked perfectly-where everything and everyone fit together in harmony.
God made each of us with a purpose worship Him and walk with Him.
Genesis 1:31 & Psalm 19:1
The Bible tells us that God originally planned a world that worked perfectly-where everything and everyone fit together in harmony.
God made each of us with a purpose worship Him and walk with Him.
Genesis 1:31 & Psalm 19:1
SIN
Life doesn't work when we ignore God and His original design for our lives.
We selfishly insist on doing things our own way. The Bible calls this sin. We all sin and distort the original design.
The consequence of our sin is separation from God-in this life and for all of eternity.
Romans 3:23 & Romans 6:23a
We selfishly insist on doing things our own way. The Bible calls this sin. We all sin and distort the original design.
The consequence of our sin is separation from God-in this life and for all of eternity.
Romans 3:23 & Romans 6:23a
Brokenness
Sin leads to a place of brokenness. We see this all around us and in our own lives as well.
When we realize life is not working, we begin to look for a way out. We tend to go in many directions trying different things to figure it out on our own. This brokenness is seen in suffering, violence, poverty, pain, and death around us.
Brokenness leads to a place of realizing a need for something greater.
Romans 1:25 & Proverbs 14:12
When we realize life is not working, we begin to look for a way out. We tend to go in many directions trying different things to figure it out on our own. This brokenness is seen in suffering, violence, poverty, pain, and death around us.
Brokenness leads to a place of realizing a need for something greater.
Romans 1:25 & Proverbs 14:12
GoSPEL
At this point, we need a remedy-some good news.
Because of His love, God did not leave us in our brokenness. Jesus, God in human flesh, came to us and lived perfectly according to God's Design.
Jesus came to rescue us-to do for us what we could not do for ourselves. He took our sin and shame to the cross, paying the penalty of our sin by His death. Jesus was then raised from the dead-to provide the only way for us to be rescued and restored to a relationship with God.
John 3:16a, Colossians 2:14 & 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
Because of His love, God did not leave us in our brokenness. Jesus, God in human flesh, came to us and lived perfectly according to God's Design.
Jesus came to rescue us-to do for us what we could not do for ourselves. He took our sin and shame to the cross, paying the penalty of our sin by His death. Jesus was then raised from the dead-to provide the only way for us to be rescued and restored to a relationship with God.
John 3:16a, Colossians 2:14 & 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
Repent & Believe
Simply hearing this Good News is not enough.
We must admit our sinful brokenness and stop trusting in ourselves. We don't have the power to escape this brokenness on our own. We need to be rescued.
We must ask God to forgive us-turning from sin to trust only in Jesus. This is what is means to repent and believe.
Believing, we receive new life through Jesus and God turns our lives in a new direction.
Mark 1:15, Ephesians 2:8-9 & Romans 10:9
We must admit our sinful brokenness and stop trusting in ourselves. We don't have the power to escape this brokenness on our own. We need to be rescued.
We must ask God to forgive us-turning from sin to trust only in Jesus. This is what is means to repent and believe.
Believing, we receive new life through Jesus and God turns our lives in a new direction.
Mark 1:15, Ephesians 2:8-9 & Romans 10:9
Recover & Pursue
When God restores our relationship to Him, we begin to discover meaning and purpose in a broken world. Now we can pursue God's Design in all areas of our lives.
Even when we fail, we understand God's pathway to be restored-this same Good News of Jesus.
God's Spirit empowers us to recover His Design and assures us of His presence in this life and for all of eternity.
Philippians 2:13 & Ephesians 2:10
Even when we fail, we understand God's pathway to be restored-this same Good News of Jesus.
God's Spirit empowers us to recover His Design and assures us of His presence in this life and for all of eternity.
Philippians 2:13 & Ephesians 2:10
HOW CAN GOD'S STORY BECOME MY STORY?
Now that you have heard this Good News, God wants you to respond to Him. You can talk to Him using words like these:
The Bible says:
"If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God
raised him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9)
"For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Romans 10:13)
- My life is broken-I recognize it's because of my sin. I need You.
- I believe Christ came to live, die, and was raised from the dead-to rescue me from my sin.
- Forgive me. I turn from my selfish ways and put my trust in You.
- I know that Jesus is Lord of all, and I will follow Him.
The Bible says:
"If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God
raised him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9)
"For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Romans 10:13)
WHAT'S NEXT?
As we begin our new journey, the Bible teaches us how to pursue God. He has a design for healthy relationships.
Prayer: God wants you to talk to Him about everything that matters to you.
Church: The local church is God's family to help you walk with Him.
Bible: The Bible reveals God's design-showing how to pursue Him.
Share: Now that you have experienced this Good News, tell others.
Prayer: God wants you to talk to Him about everything that matters to you.
Church: The local church is God's family to help you walk with Him.
Bible: The Bible reveals God's design-showing how to pursue Him.
Share: Now that you have experienced this Good News, tell others.
