- Christianity, it's been said, may be summarized by the prophet Jonah's words, "Salvation belongs to the Lord!" (Jonah 2:9) Christianity is a life centered on the Gospel, or "good news". The Gospel is the great Story: the truest history, the most imaginative novel, the darkest tragedy, the most unpredictable mystery, the greatest epic, and the richest romance. The Gospel is revealed throughout the Bible God's story leads us through human history, and beyond time and space, to trace a great promise he made to our broken human race - a promise fulfilled by the man Jesus Christ. So the Gospel, and the whole Bible, is in essence about Jesus.
- The Gospel announces to all humanity three events:
- God Became Human when Jesus of Nazareth was conceived and born over two thousand years ago (the Incarnation). In the person Jesus, the Creator became a creature. He became one of us, because God had promised to send us a rescuer - someone who would break the curse. What curse? The curse of sin - our rebellion against God that leads to death. Physical death, but more: spiritual death, separating us from God - his presence, goodness, light and love - forever. The curse was the consequence of humanity's free choice to usurp (as though we could) God's reign over creation and our lives. God had created us to be like Him, and made us beautiful, perfect, and free. But the curse...changed us, and all creation groaned, and still groans. You've felt it, and you're living with it; we all are. The curse has affected your body, your emotions and intellect, your will, your relationships, and every person of every culture, nation and people group. The worst news is that the curse brough enmity between humanity and God, between you and your Creator. The world waits for redemption. Genesis 1:27, Genesis 3:14-15, Ecclesiastes 7:29, Romans 3:10-12, Hebrews 9:27, Romans 6:23, Isaiah 42:1-4, Galatians 4:4-5
- God Became Sin when Jesus hung on a Roman cross, suffered, and died (the Crucifixion). Though innocent, he became the substitue criminal, standing in the place of guilty sinners. At the Crucifixion, the just wrath we deserve for our rebellion was transferred to Jesus. This is a gruesome and difficult thing to accept, but it's the heart of Christianity: we couldn't save ourselves, so God had to, and in His great love was glad to. Here's what's more incredible: just as our sinful record was transferred to Jesus on the cross, his perfect record (He lived the truly perfect human life) was transferred to all who put their hope in Him. If you think about it, God's righteousness - His absolute moral perfection - should terrify us, because we're helplessly imperfect. But the Gospel is that a righteous God freely gives, as a gift, His righteousness to sinners, through Jesus' substitutionary death. He endured God the Father's punishment so that you wouldn't have to...so that we could become God's reconciled sons and daughters. Through faith in Jesus, God makes cosmic orphans His beloved, adopted children. Once His, always His. John 3:16-17, Isaiah 53:4-6, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Romans 3:21-24, Romans 5:8-9, 1 Peter 3:18, 1 John 3:1, Romans 8:16-17, Revelation 5:9-10
- God Became Life when Jesus defeated death by rising, in body, from his tomb (the Resurrection). This wasn't recorded as a myth or legend. Hundreds of people saw the risen Jesus - people who would have fast denounced the earliest testimonies that He was alive, if it were a lie. And they didn't see a ghost or a zombie; they saw the Jesus they knew - soul and body, through with the scars of His execution. This mean that everything had changed: God the Father had accepted His Son's sacrifice for us, making reconciliation more than a hope, but a reality. The Resurrection also meant that death itself - our great enemy - had lost its victory, its sting. Because Jesus rose, so will those who belong to Him when He returns. Death is no longer their punishment, but their entrance to God's presence. Jesus' resurrection was the D-Day of the universe. It was a beacon, an announcement that God's kingdom is coming. It meant that all things will find renewal. Jesus, when He returns, will redeem creation, will heal humanity, society and culture, and will bring every evil work and evil person to justice. Jesus will come back for those who are His, and they will suffer the curse of sin and death again. They will be heirs with Him of a new creation. Matthew 28:5-8, 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, 1 Corinthians 15:54-58, Romans 6:5, Romans 8:11, Revelation 21:3-8.
- Our Response to the Gospel
- Faith & Repentance, the Bible teaches are the marks of a new life - lived in response to the Gospel. Mark 1:15, Acts 2:38
- Faith is believing: that you're a sinner, a rebel, guilty of breaking God's law, justly deserving His wrath. But faith is also believing that Jesus can save you, and staking your life on His death and resurrection: He was punished in your place, and He rose again to guarantee your new place in God's beloved family. Faith is not simply a one-time decision, but a commitment to live in response to the Gospel and to follow Jesus. John 11:25-26, Romans 10:9
- Repentance is turning: away from your old life, and toward your new life with Jesus. He will gladly befriend you now, as you are. But He will love you too much to leave you as you are. He'll make no excuse for your sin, but grant you power to acknowledge it, heal from it, and grow. Through His Holy Spirit, His word (the Bible), and His people (the church), Jesus will lead you away from your old thought and behaviors (which brought death) into new thinking and living (which brings life). Repentance is change, noticeable change, and lasting change. Romans 6:4, Romans 6:12-14, Romans 12:1-2, Colossians 3:1-6, Philippians 1:6
- We'd love to assist you as you think about your response to Jesus and the Gospel. Maybe you're ready to become a Christian. Maybe not. Perhaps you still have questions. Contact or visit us!
- The following link, Two Ways to Live, is a brief visual summary of the Good News you read above. We hope it helps you get to the heart of the matter between you and God.
Sundays at 10:30am at Carroll Lutheran School / Office 443.487.8511