FIVE Essentials of the Gospel

In our media-driven culture that is super-saturated with news, as a whole, we have become obsessed, no, we demand up-to-the-minute news. We have local news in four-hour intervals, 24-networks national/international news. We love our 24-7 sports or stocks channels. As a culture, we love news.

For Christianity, news is at the core. As Christians, we have an eternal obsession with an eternal "NEWS" story. We desire to see the "NEWS" of the Gospel go out to all nations, peoples, and tongues, unto the praise our great God. The Greek word for gospel is euvaggelion meaning "good NEWS." And, what is that good news? That "The righteous shall live by faith" (Romans 1:17). Sola Fide. It transcends above all cultural bounds, all ethic distinctions, and all racial prejudices. It is the international message that brings harmony to all.

How so? Paul, in his letter to the Romans, exploits the reality of the Law over all and shuts their mouths by declaring them sinners all, justly condemned. "For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin" (Romans 3:9). Furthermore to Paul's argument, "Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God" (Romans 3:19). He convicts all, you and me and the rest of the world, both Jew and Greek that we have broken the Law of God which has lead us to the knowledge of our sin (Romans 3:20). The most basic connection between you and anyone you come in contact with is that they are a sinner. Their hearts are depraved and their lives defame the glory of God (Romans 3:23). The church seeks to be a mission-mind church going forth to all peoples and proclaim this message of the Gospel, that all are sinners, should drive us to keep pursuing mission because no one is out of having the saving knowledge of Christ. Paul continues, "But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it- the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe" (Romans 3:21). It is the ecumenical news we need to preach, teach, and live out. Believe in Christ and you will be saved, no matter what. "Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses" (Acts 13:37-39). Oh, what hope there is for the sinner. What news!!! Let us be international reporters reporting the NEWS of the Gospel.

In the coming weeks, I will look five essentials of the NEWS of the Gospel (If anyone of these components goes away, then the gospel is lost):

1) What is the News based on? The Gospel is a HISTORICAL EVENT.

2) What is the News? The Gospel ACHIEVED and ACCOMPLISHED saving acts. All these acts, along with a hundred others, are done by Christ and are outside of us.

3) How does one embrace the News? The Gospel is a FREE OFFER by faith.

4) How does the News change you? There is an APPLICATION of the Gospel that happens to us.

5) Why does one have the News? So, they may know Christ. The God of the Gospel is GOD!!!