Why is the Gospel Important?

Growing Deep

Growing Deep in the Gospel

Why is the Gospel Important?

The Big Picture

Jesus

Gospel Church Mission

Apostle Paul

Importance of the Gospel to Paul

To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

Romans 1:7-8 (NKJ)

Importance of the Gospel to Paul

I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles. I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.

Romans 1:13-15 (NIV)

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, because it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes…

Romans 1:16 (NIV 84)

Importance of the Gospel to Paul

Importance of the Gospel to Paul

When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

1 Corinthians 2:1-2 (NIV)

Why the Gospel is Important

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes…

Romans 1:16 (NIV)

Power = Dunamis

Volcano & Lightning

The Universe

Salvation = Rescue

Salvation

Justification – BeginningSanctification – Middle

Glorification – End

Salvation

Justification – Beginning

Justification is God declaring those who receive Christ to be righteous, based on Christ’s righteousness being imputed to those who receive Christ through repentance and faith.

Jesus on Cross

Justification – BeginningJesus Photo

Salvation

Sanctification – Middle

The process of being conformed more and more into the likeness of Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit and God’s Word within a community of believers called a church.

Jesus Carrying Cross

Salvation

Glorification – End

Glorification is the completion, t h e c o n s u m m a t i o n , t h e perfection, the full realization of salvation.

Jesus Returns

Jesus on Throne

New Jerusalem

Salvation

Justification – Penalty of SinSanctification – Power of Sin Glorification – Presence of Sin

CJ Mahaney Speaking

Why the Gospel is Important

“If there’s anything in life we should be passionate about, it’s the gospel. And I don’t mean passionate only about sharing it with others; I mean passionate in thinking about the gospel, reflecting upon it, rejoicing in it, allowing it to color the way we look at the world and all of life.”

C. J. Mahaney

Why the Gospel is Important

“… very small errors in a person’s understanding of the Gospel seemed to result in very big problems in that person's life.”

C. J. Mahaney

Why the Gospel is Important

“Early in my Christian life, I thought the Gospel was the message to win people to Christ, then, in disciple-making, one moved on to “deeper things.” What a fallacy! You never move beyond the Gospel. You go deeper and higher with the Gospel, but never beyond the Gospel.”

P.J. Miller

Why the Gospel is Important

“We never “get beyond the gospel” in our Christ ian l i fe to something more “advanced.” The gospel is not the first “step” in a “stairway” of truths, rather, it is more like the “hub” in a “wheel” of truth. The gospel is not just the A-B-C’s but the A-Z of Christianity. The gospel is not just the minimum required doctrine necessary to enter the kingdom, but the way we make progress in the kingdom.”

Tim Keller

Why the Gospel is Important

“The gospel is not only the most important message in all of history; it is the only essential message in all of history.”

Jerry Bridges

Greek Bible

Why the Gospel is Important

But he replied, “I must preach the Good News of the Kingdom of God in other towns, too, because that is why I was sent.”

Luke 4:43 (NIV)

Jesus teaching crowd

Why the Gospel is Important

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Mark 10:45 (NIV)

Jesus Dead on Cross

Why the Gospel is Important

This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might.

2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 (NIV)

Jesus on Horse

Why the Gospel is Important

It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.”

Luke 6: 48-49 (NLT)

Foundation

Storm Clouds

Tsunami Destruction

Rock Foundation

Why the Gospel is Important

Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ…

Romans 16:25 (ESV)

Woman Bench Pressing

Why the Gospel is Important

Strengthen, Establish

Stērizō - 1) to make stable, place firmly, set fast, fix 2) to strengthen, make firm 3) to render constant, confirm one's mind.

Woman Bench Pressing

Why the Gospel is Important

But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel

Galatians 2:14 (ESV)

Lighthouse

Why the Gospel is Important

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.

Galatians 1:6-7 (NIV)

Torah Scroll

Lots of Cash

Three Lane Street

Three Ways to Live

Three Ways to Live

1. By the Law - Legalism2. Against the Law - License3. By the Gospel - Grace

Living by Law - Legalism

Legalism is adding our own efforts and works to what Jesus did to either attain or maintain our justification before God and/or to earn or keep God’s favor by what we do.

Jesus + works = legalism

Against the Law - License

Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace?

Romans 5:20-6:1 (NLT)

Against the Law - License

Means “against the law” or “lawlessness” and is the belief that there are no moral laws God expects Christians to obey. It is the unbiblical practice of living without regard to the righteousness of God, using God's grace as a license to sin, and trusting grace to cover willful sin.

Jesus + abuse of grace = License to sin

Against the Law - License

Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace?

Romans 6:1 (NLT)

Against the Law - License

Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.

Romans 6:2-4 (NLT)

Three Lane Street

Blessings of the Gospel

1. Aligns our knowledge and understanding of God, ourselves and everything else with reality.

2. Moves us to love God and people.3. Fills our lives with joy and

thanksgiving.4. Gives meaning and purpose to our

lives and changes our priorities.5. Guides us as we live out our lives.

Danger Sign

Satan

Why is the Gospel Important?

The Gospel is Important

1. Because it was the reason that God the Father sent Jesus.

2. Because it provides the means to avoid judgment, hell and wrath.

3. Because it gives us a rock-solid foundation on which to build our lives.

4. Because it strengthens us spiritually.

The Gospel is Important

5. Because it guides us on how to live the best life.

6. Because it keeps us from being deceived by false gospels.

7. Because it keeps us from falling into legalism or licentiousness.

8. Because it provides the means to avoid judgment, hell and wrath.

One Fingers in Air

Why the Gospel is Important

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, because it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes…

Romans 1:16 (NIV 84)

Reection

Does your life reflect that the gospel is important to you?

What changes do you feel the Lord wants you to make in your life in light of the gospel?

Growing Deep

Grow Deep!

Grow Deep!

What you do with the gospel and Jesus determines not only your eternal destiny but how you live in the here and now.

Grow Deep!

Resolve to make the gospel the highest priority in your life and ask Jesus to empower you to do so day by day through the Holy Spirit.

Grow Deep!

Take the time to study, meditate and pray over the gospel on a regular basis so that you are continually growing in your understanding of it.

Grow Deep!

As you grow in your knowledge and understanding of the gospel take a hold of it by faith and learn how to live it out.

Last Word

Take a hold of the gospel so Jesus can take a hold of you!

Invitation from Jesus

Walking on Path

Take a hold of the gospel

The Gospel Journey