The GOSPEL
Mark 16:14,15
There is one message that God has commanded to be proclaimed into all the world, and that is the gospel. The gospel is the best news that a lost and dying world could ever hope to hear.
Now, I am certain there are many men who could preach the gospel better than I do, but they could not preach a better gospel.
When a jeweler displays a sparkling diamond before a potential buyer, he presents it on a dark back- ground so that the diamond will shine more radiantly. Before we look at God’s sparkling diamond called the gospel, let us view the dark background that will make the gospel shine even more brilliantly
The dark ground that makes the gospel shine more brilliantly is the fact of our sin. What is that makes good news so good? The thing that makes good news so good is the bad news. Our sin is the black velvet upon which the diamond of the gospel dazzles so brightly.
The reason the gospel is not good news to many people is that they refuse to believe the bad news of sin. This world works overtime to explain away sin. People will confess to a weakness but not to sin.
There is a fatal flaw in all humanity called sin, and if we don’t deal with it, it will send us to hell. Until you admit the bad news, the gospel will never be good news.
I. The SOURCE of the gospel ( I Corinthians 15:1-4)
The gospel finds it origin in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
If the bad news is sin, how then does the gospel as revealed in Jesus deal with sin? The good news is that the gospel confronts every area of our need when it comes to sin.
2 Corinthians 5:21
A. The gospel deals with the penalty of sin
Part of the bad news of sin is that sin has a penalty. The penalty of sin is death.
When Jesus dies on the cross, he made complete payment for our sins. He died for our debt of sin.
The sin of the world was laid on Jesus Christ. He tasted death for every man.
B. The gospel deals with the pollution of sin
Sin not only brings a penalty, but it also brings pollution to the soul.
After Jesus died, he was buried. When Christ was put into the grave, your sin was buried with Him out of God’s sight. Your sins were buried in the grave of God’s forgetfulness.
C. The gospel deals with the power of sin
The good news is Jesus got up from the grave on the third day. Jesus rose triumphant over sin. Jesus’ resurrection demonstrated that fact that He had broken the power that sin had over men.
II. The FORCE of the gospel (Romans 1:16)
The gospel has a force about it that is glorious and powerful.
An unbelieving anthropologist was once visiting a primitive tribe in the jungles of Asia to whom missionaries had brought the gospel. The anthropologist was talking with the tribal chief, and he questioned him about whether the gospel message of Christ had any impact on the people or not.
The chief insisted that the gospel message of Jesus had definitely made it power felt among his people. The anthropologist probed further by asking, “How do you know that?”
The chief quickly replied, “Well, if we were not Christians, we would have already eaten you by now.”
A. The gospel’s saving force
There is no other way to be saved apart from the gospel. The gospel can save anyone!
B. The gospel’s sanctifying force
The word sanctified means to be set apart. The gospel when received sets one apart to an ongoing process whereby God continues to work in you day by day, conforming you to the image of His dear Son.
C. The gospel’s securing force
It is good news that we can be saved, but it is greater news to know that we can be saved and know it. However, it is glorious news to know that we can be saved, know it, and have confidence that we can’t lose it.
When you get saved, you don’t keep Christ - HE KEEPS YOU. The gospel when believed brings eternal life.
III. The COURSE of the gospel (Mark 16:15)
The good news of Jesus Christ is to be preached to every creature.
A. The gospel EMBRACES every PERSON
Romans 10:13; John 3:16
“Whoseover” is a word that is general and particular. It embraces all and touches each.
1. It means ALL
“Never lose heart in the power of the gospel. Do not believe that there exist any man, much less any race of men, for whom the gospel is not fitted.“
2. It means ANY
3. It means SOME
Not a single promise of salvation is given to those who do not believe. The promise of salvation is unto those that come to God by Jesus Christ.
B. The gospel EXTENDS to every PLACE
The gospel extends to every climate and every condition. There is not a place on this earth where the gospel is not needed.
C. The gospel ENCOMPASSES every PROBLEM
There is not a problem that the gospel of Jesus Christ does not address. Someone has said that all problems could be reduced to three categories: sin, sorrow, and death. Jesus is the answer to all three categories.
If the gospel of Jesus Christ is not all sufficient, it is not sufficient at all!
Conclusion
There is no good news like the Gospel. It is the best news I have ever heard. Have you received it?
God respects the personality of man when it comes to the gospel. He does not thrust the gospel on you whether you want it or not. God requires the simplicity of faith when it comes to the gospel.
Christian, bad news may give hesitation to our feet, but good news should give acceleration to our feet. `