"What Is The Gospel According To The Lord Jesus Christ"?
Text:
Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
What is the "Gospel"?
To me the "Gospel" is the "good message", or the "good news" that comes from the knowledge of knowing the Lord Jesus Christ.
The "Gospel" is the truth that the Lord Jesus Christ has taken my place on that cross and paid a debt that I could have never paid!
Like the Apostle Paul, I am not ashamed of the "Gospel" of Jesus Christ. If not for God's mercy and God's grace, I would have surely been in shame, when I would have faced the Lord Jesus at the White Throne of Judgment.
Because of the "Gospel" of the Lord Jesus Christ, I have been pardoned and will not face that judgment!
So when did the "Gospel" of Jesus Christ begin?
God said:
Heb 10:7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.
I believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ begins with a personal relationship with My Lord Jesus and it cannot get more personal than at our Creation as written in the Book of Genesis!
Gen 1:26 And God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness": and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
To be created in the image of God is a very special relationship that God Himself decided on before He made anything else.
In fact God decided my entire features before He made me, I was designed!
Psa 139:16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
To me, this is where my personal relationship with my Lord must begin.
Since I now know the Lord Jesus as my Savior, I want to be more like Him.
I want to be in His "image" and only by the "Gospel" can I truly know Jesus Christ!
It is by the "Gospel" of Jesus Christ that I can be saved!
It is by the "Gospel" of Jesus Christ that I can live on this Earth, no longer in misery but at peace!
It is by the "Gospel" of Jesus Christ that I can make it to my real home which I now know is in Heaven and not on this Earth where I am just a visitor!
God did not make this a hard thing for me to understand!
God made this a simple thing and all He asked me to do was believe on all the things of His Son, the "Gospel"!
And, I now realize that it is the Devil who causes the problems in this world I live in!
2Co 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
The "Gospel" changed me and I know that whosoever calls upon the Lord Jesus Christ can also be changed!
1) So how can the "Gospel" reach those that do not know the Lord Jesus?
Preaching!
When Jesus preached He said He was God.
Joh 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
We must accept this as fact before we can take any other step.
This is what is called "Faith".
Jesus gave these words to a grieving father whose daughter was on the death bed one day. Jesus said "be not afraid, only believe".
Mar 5:36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.
If there 1000 steps between us and the Lord Jesus, Jesus Himself will take 999 of those steps, but we must find enough "faith" to take that last step.
Without this "Faith" we cannot begin to please God and we cannot go any further.
But with 'Faith" we can please the Lord and He will reward us with His free gift of "Grace".
Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
It is by God's Grace that we are saved!
It is by God's "Grace" that He sent the Lord Jesus Christ!
Eph 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
These are free gifts and all that is needed is, to accept them, this is the "Gospel"!
It does not get any easier than that!
2) What was the "Gospel" as taught to the Apostles?
Mar 8:36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
Life is all about the choices we make. Until we know the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior we will never choose life.
Our God is a Tri-Une God. The Father, The Son and The Holy Ghost!
Jesus told all His Apostles to teach this message:
Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
But Jesus also gave them the message they were to teach:
Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things "whatsoever I have commanded you": and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
The message that was to be taught was the Words of Jesus, the Word of God, the "Gospel" of the Lord Jesus Christ!
How can we trust the Word of God?
2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Every word that is written down and preserved for our knowledge was inspired by God Himself, by His Holy Spirit!
We are created in His image and therefore also tri-une. The physical body, the spirit, and the soul.
While we are living, we must make a choice about our soul because to not choose is rejecting the truth of God.
Rejecting the "Gospel" of the Lord Jesus Christ!
It is the soul that is granted eternal life and it is the soul that is so precious to Our Lord!
It is the "Gospel" of the Lord Jesus Christ that will lead us to make the right choices!
1Ti 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
3) What was the Gospel that was taught to the Church?
Jas 5:20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
Just before Jesus Christ "willingly" got on that cross to pay our sin debt that we could not pay, He said He was going back to Heaven to prepare a home for those sinners that had been converted.
Joh 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
Joh 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Jesus said He has given us His "Gospel" so that we would not be confused and could know the way.
Joh 14:4 And whither I go ye know, "and the way ye know".
And just so we can never be confused thinking that there could be other ways to get to Heaven, Jesus clears that up for us also!
Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Jesus Christ made His "Gospel" simple because He will not tell us anything that will cause confusion.
1Co 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
The church that is confused, is a church that has moved away from the "Gospel of Jesus Christ"!
4) How do I make a personal application of the "Gospel of Jesus Christ?
I must use every means available to me, to spread the "Gospel Seed".
When God created our world He made this statement.
Gen 1:11 And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit "after his kind", whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.
When the "Gospel Seed" is spread, it will also produce fruit after "it's kind".
It is my job to be a "Sower of the Gospel Seed" after the Lord Jesus has been merciful enough to save my soul!
The parable of the "Sower" teaches me that I can only be the Sower. I must cast the seed in every direction and on every soil, realizing that the soil itself must be prepared by the Lord and it is He, and He only who controls the results.
BUT, if I will not sow the "Gospel Seed" then there can be no fruit and no results.
Hag 2:19 Is the seed yet in the barn? yea, as yet the vine, and the fig tree, and the pomegranate, and the olive tree, hath not brought forth: from this day will I bless you.
I must apply all these things to my own life that I may be more like Jesus Christ, who is my example!
5) What are the results of the Christian life?
Only by being like the Lord Jesus Christ can I be a Christian!
Jesus gave me this commandment:
Mat 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
I will not be much of a witness if I cannot honor the Word of God with my life!
I certainly cannot consider myself a Christian unless I am more like Christ Jesus!
And if I walk as the world walks then I do not actually love the Lord.
I must come out from among those of this world, if I am to be in the family of God!
2Co 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
2Co 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
If we consider that we are in the last "Church Age", as all signs show, then this is the only way we can judge church growth.
God says that mankind will become more evil in the last days:
2Ti 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
God says the last "Church Age" is a time when people will please themselves and forget Our Creator:
Rev 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
This the time when this world makes God sick:
Rev 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
These are the days we live in now!
The truth of God may not bring in the great multitudes into the House of God during this time, so those that know the Lord and have a personal relationship with Him should be even more noticeable!
6) How can I know all these things are true!
I must believe in all the Word of God!
I must study the Word of God that I may not only help myself but I may be able to help others!
And I must live what I learn!
I will never be approved of God without these things!
This takes a workman like ethic.
This takes effort on my part.
This will also increase my love for the Lord.
2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
I must believe that the Bible that God has given me is His truth:
2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
This the only method that I have to be more like Jesus:
2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
7) So what are the facts of the "Gospel"?
Jesus Christ is God in the flesh.
Jesus Christ came to the earth that I might be saved.
Jesus Christ gave His life, (no one could take it from Him), on that cross to pay a debt that I could not pay.
Jesus Christ rose from that grave because not even death could hold Him.
Jesus Christ went back to Heaven to be my advocate before my Father in Heaven.
Jesus Christ sent me His Holy Spirit to keep me in His ways until He returns to take me home.
1Ti 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
And one day I will be like Him. Not as a God but as a part of His family!
1Jn 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
8) How can you know what I know to be the truth?
You must admit that you are a sinner!
Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
You must know that sin brings death apart from God but Jesus Christ brings life eternal!
Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
You must not be ashamed to confess the Lord Jesus before this evil world!
Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
You must accept the free gift of salvation and you too can be saved!
Rom 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
We cannot only believe all these things are true but we can also know all these things are true!
1Jn 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; 'that ye may know that ye have eternal life', and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
What is the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
Joh 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Why did Jesus come to this Earth, His own creation?
Luk 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Where is Jesus now?
Joh 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
Joh 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Because this is the "Gospel of Jesus Christ"!
Amen!
Text:
Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
What is the "Gospel"?
To me the "Gospel" is the "good message", or the "good news" that comes from the knowledge of knowing the Lord Jesus Christ.
The "Gospel" is the truth that the Lord Jesus Christ has taken my place on that cross and paid a debt that I could have never paid!
Like the Apostle Paul, I am not ashamed of the "Gospel" of Jesus Christ. If not for God's mercy and God's grace, I would have surely been in shame, when I would have faced the Lord Jesus at the White Throne of Judgment.
Because of the "Gospel" of the Lord Jesus Christ, I have been pardoned and will not face that judgment!
So when did the "Gospel" of Jesus Christ begin?
God said:
Heb 10:7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.
I believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ begins with a personal relationship with My Lord Jesus and it cannot get more personal than at our Creation as written in the Book of Genesis!
Gen 1:26 And God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness": and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
To be created in the image of God is a very special relationship that God Himself decided on before He made anything else.
In fact God decided my entire features before He made me, I was designed!
Psa 139:16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
To me, this is where my personal relationship with my Lord must begin.
Since I now know the Lord Jesus as my Savior, I want to be more like Him.
I want to be in His "image" and only by the "Gospel" can I truly know Jesus Christ!
It is by the "Gospel" of Jesus Christ that I can be saved!
It is by the "Gospel" of Jesus Christ that I can live on this Earth, no longer in misery but at peace!
It is by the "Gospel" of Jesus Christ that I can make it to my real home which I now know is in Heaven and not on this Earth where I am just a visitor!
God did not make this a hard thing for me to understand!
God made this a simple thing and all He asked me to do was believe on all the things of His Son, the "Gospel"!
And, I now realize that it is the Devil who causes the problems in this world I live in!
2Co 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
The "Gospel" changed me and I know that whosoever calls upon the Lord Jesus Christ can also be changed!
1) So how can the "Gospel" reach those that do not know the Lord Jesus?
Preaching!
When Jesus preached He said He was God.
Joh 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
We must accept this as fact before we can take any other step.
This is what is called "Faith".
Jesus gave these words to a grieving father whose daughter was on the death bed one day. Jesus said "be not afraid, only believe".
Mar 5:36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.
If there 1000 steps between us and the Lord Jesus, Jesus Himself will take 999 of those steps, but we must find enough "faith" to take that last step.
Without this "Faith" we cannot begin to please God and we cannot go any further.
But with 'Faith" we can please the Lord and He will reward us with His free gift of "Grace".
Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
It is by God's Grace that we are saved!
It is by God's "Grace" that He sent the Lord Jesus Christ!
Eph 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
These are free gifts and all that is needed is, to accept them, this is the "Gospel"!
It does not get any easier than that!
2) What was the "Gospel" as taught to the Apostles?
Mar 8:36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
Life is all about the choices we make. Until we know the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior we will never choose life.
Our God is a Tri-Une God. The Father, The Son and The Holy Ghost!
Jesus told all His Apostles to teach this message:
Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
But Jesus also gave them the message they were to teach:
Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things "whatsoever I have commanded you": and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
The message that was to be taught was the Words of Jesus, the Word of God, the "Gospel" of the Lord Jesus Christ!
How can we trust the Word of God?
2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Every word that is written down and preserved for our knowledge was inspired by God Himself, by His Holy Spirit!
We are created in His image and therefore also tri-une. The physical body, the spirit, and the soul.
While we are living, we must make a choice about our soul because to not choose is rejecting the truth of God.
Rejecting the "Gospel" of the Lord Jesus Christ!
It is the soul that is granted eternal life and it is the soul that is so precious to Our Lord!
It is the "Gospel" of the Lord Jesus Christ that will lead us to make the right choices!
1Ti 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
3) What was the Gospel that was taught to the Church?
Jas 5:20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
Just before Jesus Christ "willingly" got on that cross to pay our sin debt that we could not pay, He said He was going back to Heaven to prepare a home for those sinners that had been converted.
Joh 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
Joh 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Jesus said He has given us His "Gospel" so that we would not be confused and could know the way.
Joh 14:4 And whither I go ye know, "and the way ye know".
And just so we can never be confused thinking that there could be other ways to get to Heaven, Jesus clears that up for us also!
Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Jesus Christ made His "Gospel" simple because He will not tell us anything that will cause confusion.
1Co 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
The church that is confused, is a church that has moved away from the "Gospel of Jesus Christ"!
4) How do I make a personal application of the "Gospel of Jesus Christ?
I must use every means available to me, to spread the "Gospel Seed".
When God created our world He made this statement.
Gen 1:11 And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit "after his kind", whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.
When the "Gospel Seed" is spread, it will also produce fruit after "it's kind".
It is my job to be a "Sower of the Gospel Seed" after the Lord Jesus has been merciful enough to save my soul!
The parable of the "Sower" teaches me that I can only be the Sower. I must cast the seed in every direction and on every soil, realizing that the soil itself must be prepared by the Lord and it is He, and He only who controls the results.
BUT, if I will not sow the "Gospel Seed" then there can be no fruit and no results.
Hag 2:19 Is the seed yet in the barn? yea, as yet the vine, and the fig tree, and the pomegranate, and the olive tree, hath not brought forth: from this day will I bless you.
I must apply all these things to my own life that I may be more like Jesus Christ, who is my example!
5) What are the results of the Christian life?
Only by being like the Lord Jesus Christ can I be a Christian!
Jesus gave me this commandment:
Mat 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
I will not be much of a witness if I cannot honor the Word of God with my life!
I certainly cannot consider myself a Christian unless I am more like Christ Jesus!
And if I walk as the world walks then I do not actually love the Lord.
I must come out from among those of this world, if I am to be in the family of God!
2Co 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
2Co 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
If we consider that we are in the last "Church Age", as all signs show, then this is the only way we can judge church growth.
God says that mankind will become more evil in the last days:
2Ti 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
God says the last "Church Age" is a time when people will please themselves and forget Our Creator:
Rev 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
This the time when this world makes God sick:
Rev 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
These are the days we live in now!
The truth of God may not bring in the great multitudes into the House of God during this time, so those that know the Lord and have a personal relationship with Him should be even more noticeable!
6) How can I know all these things are true!
I must believe in all the Word of God!
I must study the Word of God that I may not only help myself but I may be able to help others!
And I must live what I learn!
I will never be approved of God without these things!
This takes a workman like ethic.
This takes effort on my part.
This will also increase my love for the Lord.
2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
I must believe that the Bible that God has given me is His truth:
2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
This the only method that I have to be more like Jesus:
2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
7) So what are the facts of the "Gospel"?
Jesus Christ is God in the flesh.
Jesus Christ came to the earth that I might be saved.
Jesus Christ gave His life, (no one could take it from Him), on that cross to pay a debt that I could not pay.
Jesus Christ rose from that grave because not even death could hold Him.
Jesus Christ went back to Heaven to be my advocate before my Father in Heaven.
Jesus Christ sent me His Holy Spirit to keep me in His ways until He returns to take me home.
1Ti 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
And one day I will be like Him. Not as a God but as a part of His family!
1Jn 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
8) How can you know what I know to be the truth?
You must admit that you are a sinner!
Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
You must know that sin brings death apart from God but Jesus Christ brings life eternal!
Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
You must not be ashamed to confess the Lord Jesus before this evil world!
Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
You must accept the free gift of salvation and you too can be saved!
Rom 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
We cannot only believe all these things are true but we can also know all these things are true!
1Jn 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; 'that ye may know that ye have eternal life', and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
What is the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
Joh 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Why did Jesus come to this Earth, His own creation?
Luk 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Where is Jesus now?
Joh 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
Joh 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Because this is the "Gospel of Jesus Christ"!
Amen!
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