4 Truth Ministry

The Gospel

Greatest News of All

Give them the gospel. They need the gospel. Preach the gospel. The gospel is our only hope.

Yes! You may hear these phrases often, but what exactly is “the gospel?” In this article, we attempt to drive home the essence of the gospel in concise terms. Be sure to watch the video of Steve Lawson at the end.

The Gospel is Good News in the Midst of Bad News

God created man in His image, but man rebelled against God becoming the object of His wrath. Romans 1:18 says, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.” The condition of each of us is the condition of everyone: born “dead in trespasses and sins” according to Ephesians 2:1. For “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” as Paul states in Romans 3:23. This is tragic news indeed.

Is there a remedy? The gospel is the only good news for man that actually deals with his awful condition before the Holy God of the Universe. Christ – the only perfect sacrifice for sin – died, was buried, and rose again to save a people for God His Father. He did this as a substitute for us and bore the curse which we deserved.

“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’” Galatians 3:13

That is how much God loved us, despite our rebellion! The love of God is demonstrated in the death of Jesus Christ, His beloved Son. The Scriptures state in 1 John 1:7 that “the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.”

The Gospel is Jesus Christ

The gospel is good news in that God sent His Son, Jesus, to the earth to become the substitutionary atonement for man’s sin. Christ died for man but unto God. The gospel is for man in that it personally saves him from God’s wrath, and it is unto God in that it satisfies His wrath and brings Him glory. It was a public display into this world of the greatness of His love because “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” according to Romans 5:8.

It is only by the regenerating power of God that a person’s heart can be changed and transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of Light. Man can do absolutely nothing to change His condition apart from God. Man cannot merit or earn his salvation.

The gospel is a message of the person and work of Jesus Christ. It is a message of what He did in coming to the earth, living a perfect life, bearing the penalty of sin on the cross, being buried and raised from the dead three days later.

The Gospel is the Good News of Jesus Christ!

The announcing of the gospel is the means whereby a person can believe and receive its truth: “So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17) Repentance and faith are what happen as the result of hearing the word of Christ.

The Gospel is God’s Story

The gospel is God’s story from start to finish. It greatly affects man, but it occurred outside of man. The ground of our salvation in the gospel is what God did in Jesus Christ. Jesus came into this world, lived a perfect life, died a perfect death and was buried and raised, whether you or I or anyone believe it or not. But God in His infinite mercy – drives His story into our hearts. He grants to us a change of mind (repentance), a turning away from our sinful self, and a turning toward Jesus Christ to place our trust solely in Him; a repentance and faith that brings us to Jesus as our only Lord and Savior! Accordingly, the Christian’s testimony is about that gospel story demonstrated.

The Christian’s testimony is not “my story” that somehow God is rewriting. It is God’s story of salvation. A story where God reconciles sinners to Himself, making them new creatures wherein the old things have past away and new things have come by His hand. And although we are transformed by the Word of God and the Spirit of God – it is God’s doing and to His glory. He is the center of His gospel – not us!

God is a Savior in the Person and Work of Jesus Christ – and He saves you and I. Have you ever cried out to Him for salvation? He is a living Savior, so you will be heard! The Apostle Paul said, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…” (Romans 1:16)

If you have already cried out to God for salvation and are a believer in Christ, you are His ambassador. As you live in this world, you represent Him!

Steve Lawson’s Gospel Presentation

Please take a moment to listen to this powerful gospel presentation (approx. 9 minutes) by author and preacher Steve Lawson, President and founder of OnePassion Ministries.