THE ELEMENTS OF THE GOSPEL

02/03/2023

"But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith." (Galatians 3:23-24)

When you hear good news, how can you tell that the news you are hearing is good? How do you know that what you hear is good news or gospel? Good news must encapsulate within it some bad news. The gospel is not a goody-two-shoes, happy-go-lucky message, no. It is not a motivational speech or feel-good message, even though it has elements of this. 

Because many touted the gospel as being in the feel-good genre, some Christians in certain circles began to use the word, "full gospel" to emphasize that the gospel is not just that Jesus died for our sins and now those who believe can live as they want, no. So in today's devotional, we will look at the elements of the gospel. 

First, the gospel that we preach is a warning. 1 Thessalonians 1:10 lets us know that there is a coming wrath. It says of those who are born of God that they "wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come." A death sentence was passed to every person that comes into this world and that death sentence is validated every day by the inability to live right toward God.

 Now, many people during evangelism may say they think of themselves as "good people" but you must also present them with a warning that "Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God" (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). Unless they accept Jesus, they would not be able to exercise restraint and will remain damned on the merits of divine justice. No person accused and proven guilty of say, running a traffic light, would tell the judge, "but I am a good person."

Next, the gospel is an opportunity. There are only two outcomes for everyone who comes to this world. Romans 6:23 says, "... the wages of sin is death, but the gracious gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." In other words, people as they are, are destined for death until they accept the Lordship of Jesus because sin is native or natural to them because they are born that way. Romans 5:12 says, "Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men because all sinned—" The gospel, therefore, is an opportunity given to alter one's destiny. Romans 5:15 says, "But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense, many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many."

Lastly, the gospel is the ability of God to live right. If you believe in the gospel and accept Jesus as Lord, it gives you an ability. Romans 1:16 says, " am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek." Every time the gospel is preached, it impacts an ability to live saved. What do I mean by "live saved"? The Bible says that your hearers receive the power for salvation.  Salvation is an all-inclusive word which means deliverance, healing, health, preservation and prosperity. So you can interchange salvation for any of its synonyms and that's the power for living that's available to the one that believes.

Share the gospel with some today. 

Have a beautiful day!

Faith-Filled Confession

I am a preacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ and as I preach it in its fullest ramifications, there is power made available for the salvation of my hearers. It's an entirely new day in the realm of the spirit and souls are gravitating to me by the droves. In Jesus' precious name. Amen.

ONE YEAR READING PLAN:  Exodus 31-33; Matthew 22:23-46

Friday Prayer and Fasting 

Read Colossians 4:2-4

Pray that new doors of opportunity for ministry be opened to partners and residents of GHC, and utterance be granted them to proclaim the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ unhindered, without fear or reproach, but in power and effectiveness.

Pray for the heart of those who will be attending our church for the first time this weekend be open to the ministry of the Holy Ghost. Pray that they will be rooted and grounded in love and be planted.

Pray and declare that our churches are growing this month.Pray and declare that many are added to the kingdom through us.