The GOOD NEWS: What is the Gospel?
“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
There have been many times where I have asked a room of Christians: What is the gospel? Most of the time I am met with different answers.
“It’s the Word of God!”
“It’s those 4 books… Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.”
“It’s the way we should live.”
“The gospel is believing in God!”
“It’s Jesus’ death and resurrection.”
“It’s hope.”
“It’s being a good person.”
Some of those answers are close. Some of them are wrong. Only one is the right answer.
Yes, the gospel is part of the story of God. It is found in the Word. It does bring hope. And there are 4 “Gospels” found in the Bible.
However, the Gospel has NOTHING to do with what WE DO and EVERYTHING to do with what JESUS DID FOR US.
The reason Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are called the “Gospels” is because they are the ones that tell that story. Then, Paul gives us the clearest definition of the gospel in I Corinthians 15:3-4. Read it again,
“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…”
The gospel is the message that tells us what God has done for us; that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and was raised from the dead for our salvation.
This is the good news that we receive, believe and share! While we were still sinners, Christ died and rose from the dead to pay our price and defeat the consequence we deserve! Now, we have forgiveness for every mistake and failure. We have victory over death itself, meaning, if we die on this earth, we will rise from the dead someday. AND we have a place in God’s kingdom and heaven FOREVER.
Notice that Paul begins with what Jesus has done, rather than what we need to do. Our sin is real. Death is real. And Jesus entered both for us. His death and resurrection mean that sin and death do not get the final word.
THAT is GOOD NEWS!
Say it simply “Jesus died for our sins and rose again. Because of him, we can have life with God.”
Pray “Jesus, thank you for what you have done. May I always remember that the gospel is what you have done for us, and not what we do for you. Your grace changes everything. Amen.”
Written by Pastor Daniel Brummet
