This article is part of a larger message series. You can download the entire study guide HERE.
The Gospel or “good news” of Jesus Christ, historically, is the account of the perfect life, sinless death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Here is a brief synopsis of His Gospel work: Christ came as a babe in a manger, born of blessed virgin Mary, raised by Joseph, confounding the temple teachers at age twelve, perfectly fulfilling the law of God in every detail throughout life, preaching the kingdom of God, performing multitudes of miracles, being unjustly accused and condemned to die, beaten and hanged between two criminals, dying on the cross, buried in a borrowed tomb, resurrected on the third day, seen by His disciples and hundreds of others, ascended into heaven promising to return again one day, and sending the Holy Spirit to empower the preaching and comfort the saints until He does just that!
Hallelujah! Those of you who know Jesus in the full pardon of your sins rejoice at the hearing of this truth! You know there’s a deeper apprehension of meaning within these actions taken by and taken on Christ that is only possible when the Spirit of God regenerates a sinner and makes them “willing in the day of God’s power!”
We know Christ came as the incarnated Savior, fulfilling God’s purpose to redeem His people through Christ’s death.
Philippians 2:8 Jesus Christ “was found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
Far from being just ancient history, the historical Gospel packs eternal import for our souls, beloved. Those of us who are saved by Christ’s work it is much more profound than a mere litany of historical events!
As we study the scriptures today, it will be made evident that the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation, the revelation of His righteousness, the satisfaction of God’s wrath concerning His people, and Christ’s righteousness imputed to His elect. And all of these facts concerning the Gospel hinge on one condition and one only – The only condition: Christ alone!
I. THE GOSPEL: THE POWER OF GOD UNTO SALVATION
Romans 1:16 – For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
A. The power of God for salvation – The only way wicked, dead-born, self-loving, God-hating sinners can be made right with the Holy God of Heaven and Earth is the power of God!
- The Gospel is God’s “power” – the word means “strength” or “ability” or “force” Who’s strength is the Gospel? It’s God’s power, strength, or ability!
- The Gospel is God’s power to do what? It is His power to save and keep dead sinners!
1 Peter 1:5 “Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
B. Salvation is for everyone “who believes” – This is a very true statement. But it must be expounded lest people think salvation to be merely a choice made by the stony-hearted sinner.
1. John 6:29 “Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”
2. 2 Timothy 2:25b,26 “God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
3 It is clear from multiple passages that the Gospel is God’s work of reaping a harvest, gathering His people in, granting them repentance (a change of mind concerning righteousness), and faith in Christ alone for salvation!
4. God awakens a dead sinner in the same way Christ raised Lazarus from the grave. Christ’s word goes forth to the old dead corpse, “Live!” And, just as Christ Himself was raised from the dead, those who have been granted faith to believe in Christ are also resurrected unto newness of life!
Psalm 119:50 This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life.
Ephesians 2:4,5 – But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—
C. Hallelujah, The Gospel of God’s Grace in Christ is God’s power to make dead sinners alive and new!
II. The Gospel: The Revelation of His Righteousness
Romans 3:21 “But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—”
- Salvation is not God merely looking the other way concerning our fallen nature and sin debt. No! The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the revelation of the true righteousness required to one day stand in the presence of God Himself! Christ puts the “righteousness that exceeds the scribes and Pharisees” on open display by living among humanity.
- Salvation is the Righteousness God requires! And this righteousness is never remotely possible through mere human efforts at law keeping.
- To the believer, knowing that Christ’s salvation IS the righteousness means that we can say as Paul did, “Christ has become for us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption!” Praise God forevermore!
However, for those of you who are still lost in sin, this talk about Jesus rings hollow for you. You who have no hope of ever attaining God’s standard of holiness in your own sinful flesh stand to be eternally judged by the very law Christ fulfilled for His people! #
This blog article is part of a larger message series. You can download the entire study guide HERE.
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