Reflections On The Gospel

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                          "REFLECTIONS"

                          On The Gospel

INTRODUCTION

1. Our sixth lesson in this series entitled "Reflections"...
   a. Devoted to simple meditations on various themes
   b. So far we have covered the Bible, God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and
      Sin

2. The scriptural justification for such reflections is Php 4:8...
   a. In which Paul concludes by saying "...meditate on these things"
      (NKJV)
   b. The NLT says "Think about things that are excellent and worthy of
      praise"

[In our previous lesson, we reflected on Sin, its definition, problem,
and solution.  Now let's reflect more closely on the Gospel that deals
with the very serious problem of sin...]

I. PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATIONS

   A. GOSPEL MEANS "GOOD NEWS"... - Lk 2:10
      1. "behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to
         all people"
      2. The Greek word is euanggelion
      3. In the NT, spoken only of the glad tidings of Christ and His
         salvation, the gospel - The Complete WordStudy Dictionary

   B. JESUS WANTS EVERYONE TO HEAR IT... - Mk 16:15
      1. "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature"
      2. There is good news that Jesus wants you to hear!
      -- Have you heard the good news?

   C. THE GOSPEL IS GOD'S POWER TO SAVE... - Ro 1:16
      1. Paul wrote "it is the power of God to salvation for everyone
         who believes"
      2. For it tells how to be saved from our sins
      -- Do you know how to be saved?

   D. BEWARE OF OTHER GOSPELS... - Ga 1:6-9
      1. There are "different" gospels, perversions of the true gospel
      2. Those who teach a gospel different than the apostles taught are
         accursed!
      -- Is the gospel you heard the true gospel of Christ?

   E. THE GOSPEL MUST BE OBEYED...
      1. "what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of
         God?" - 1Pe 4:17
      2. Those who do not obey the gospel will receive everlasting
         destruction - 2Th 1:7-9
      -- Have you obeyed the gospel of Christ?

[It is imperative that we hear the gospel and obey it, making sure the
gospel we obey is the same proclaimed by Jesus and His apostles!  With
these preliminaries in mind, let's reflect on...]

II. THE GOSPEL IN BRIEF

   A. THERE ARE FACTS TO BELIEVE...
      1. Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures - 1Co
         15:1-3; Isa 53:4-6
      2. Christ was buried and rose again the third day, and seen by
         many witnesses - 1Co 15:4-8
      3. Jesus is exalted as Lord and Savior - Ac 2:33-36
      4. He is coming again, as promised, to judge the world - Ac
         1:9-11; 17:30-31
      -- Do you believe in the facts of the of gospel?

   B. THERE ARE COMMANDS TO OBEY...
      1. We must believe the gospel or be lost! - Mk 16:16; cf. Ro 1:16
      2. We must confess our faith in Jesus - Ro 10:9-10; Mt 10:32-33
      3. We must repent of our sins - Lk 24:46-47; Ac 2:36-38; 3:19;
         17:30
      4. We must be baptized for the remission of sins - Mk 16:16; Ac
         2:38; 22:16
      -- Have you obeyed the commands of the gospel?

   C. THERE ARE PROMISES TO RECEIVE...
      1. The remission of sins, which are blotted out, washed away - Ac
         2:38; 3:19; 22:16; Ep 1:7
      2. The gift of the Holy Spirit - Ac 2:38-39; 5:32; cf. Jn 7:37-39;
         1Co 6:19
      3. The gift of eternal life, both as a future hope and present
         reality - Ro 6:22-23; 1Jn 5:11-13
      4. Many more blessings, for both now and the hereafter, too
         numerous to list!
      -- Have you received the promises of the gospel?

CONCLUSION

1. Can we understand why the gospel of Christ is indeed "good news"...?
   a. The facts to believe contain the message of God's love and grace
   b. The commands to obey are acts of faith whereby we receive God's
      grace
   c. The promises to receive address the problem of sin, and prepare us
      for the life to come!

2. What have you done with the gospel of Christ...?
   a. You have heard it now, if not before
   b. You know as much as those who heard it on the day of Pentecost, if
      not even more

If you have not obeyed the gospel (cf. 2Th 1:8; 1Pe 4:17), then why not
today...?

   "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does
   not believe will be condemned." - Mk 16:16

   Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be
   baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins;
   and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." - Ac 2:38

   Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that
   day about three thousand souls were added to them. - Ac 2:41

   "And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash
   away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord." - Ac 22:16
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