The Good News

The Gospel is simply the good news of salvation and forgiveness of sin through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ's death and resurrection.  It's the thread that runs throughout the entire storyline of the Bible.  In fact, it is the most important truth in all of God's Word.

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, (1 Corinthians 15:3-4 ESV)

We understand that not everyone believes this message and some even think we are foolish for believing it. However, those who have believed these things have all come to understand that there is power in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18 ESV)

The Gospel: God's Story in Four Parts

Christ

The eternal God of the universe simply spoke the universe into creation. Man and woman were at the height of his creation and were made to have a relationship with him and to glorify God as his image bearers.

Man

But man and woman sinned when they thought they could be like God by eating the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Since then, all mankind has inherited the sinful nature of their parents as it’s passed down, not to mention sinned themselves.

Jesus

But God promised he would make a way for man to be forgiven since the first sin and he fulfilled his promise through Jesus, the Son of God. He left heaven for earth on the greatest mission ever. He was born without sin by the virgin Mary, lived a perfect sinless life, died in our place and took the punishment for our sin, but rose from the dead, overcoming the power of sin and death, and ascended back into heaven with God where he awaits the time when he will return to bring all those who have believed to be with him in heaven.

Response

But he will only save those who respond in faith and belief in this good news, this gospel. We believe that there is nothing we could do or not do, nothing we could say or think that would enable us to be reconciled to God for our sin. Only by the grace of God can we be saved through faith which is a gift from God. And when we believe, we are given new life in Christ and eternal life with Christ.

The Gospel from Romans

Creation

God created the heavens and the earth to be perfect.

For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. (Romans 1:20 ESV)

The Problem

But man rebelled against God and sin entered the world.

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, (Romans 3:23-24 ESV)

The Gift

However, Jesus came to rescue mankind through his death and resurrection by taking our punishment.

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23 ESV)

but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8 ESV)

The Belief

So, we can be saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not by works.

because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9 ESV)

The Peace

Therefore, we are not condemned and have peace with God through Jesus.

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1 ESV)

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1 ESV)

Response 

True or False

The Gospel demands a response.  You either believe it's true or false.  You either believe it or deny it.  If you deny it, you go on with your life as normal.  However, if you belief it's true, everything changes.  

Repent & Believe

Jesus said "Repent and believe in the Gospel." (Mark 1:15). Repent means to turn around.  We turn around from sin, ourselves, and the world.  We acknowledge and confess our sin before God (Romans 10:9) knowing he is faithful to forgive us (1 John 1:9).  At the same time, we put our faith in Christ who took our place on the cross.  He died and rose from the dead, conquering sin and death, and gives us new life now and eternal life in heaven.

What about you?

What about you?  Do you believe it's true or false?  Do you believe it or deny it?  If you desire to put your faith in Christ to save you, please let us know.  

Check out the links below to read more about belief, worship, and discipleship.