Review What did we discuss last week?
The Gospel What is the gospel? 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Romans 1:1-6
Notes from Class The Gospel is: The Good News Christ, the Son of David and the Son of God, died for our sins, so we are free from sins God raised Jesus before and for us, and we will be raised Jesus was promised through the prophets (Old Testament) The Holy Spirit is with us through Jesus until He comes again
Aspects of the Gospel Sacrificial - the shedding and sprinkling of Christ's blood. Messianic - the breaking in of the age of God's promised rule. Mystic - the receiving and enjoying "eternal life;" being "in Christ.” Legal - the righteous judge pronouncing the unrighteous forgiven. Personal - the Father reconciling his wayward children. Salvific - the heavenly, liberator coming to the rescue of his oppressed people and leading them out into a new exodus. Cosmic -the universal Lord claiming universal dominion over the powers.
The Core of the Gospel Sin Jesus A Response Benefits
The Gospel is a Story The Gospel is presented differently to different groups in the Bible. Some parts are emphasized more to one group than another. Macro-story Micro-story
The Macro-Story What is the big picture story?
Notes from Class The Trinity/God – exisiting in a relationship forever Creation (good, the start of a relationship with mankind) The Fall (selfishness and disobedience broke the relationship) God wants to mend the relationship, so a promise – the proto-gospel (Gen. 3:15) We're still bad The Flood The Covenants with Israel – Abraham, David, the Prophets Jesus The Holy Spirit and the Church The End Times – Judgment (the Lake of Fire for unbelievers, and a broken relationship) and the New Jerusalem, Heaven, and Earth for believers. God and believers are restored to a good relationship.
The Macro-Story Creation The Fall The Covenants Jesus The Church The End/The Beginning
The good news is that God has not given up on us and this world. God is determined to make a brand new world out of the mess we have trade of the old one. In a sense, the gospel message is the whole Bible because this is its major theme: from beginning to end, God acting in our world for redemption. The narrative climaxes in the story of Jesus, his life, death, resurrection, and ascension for us-of course-but that's what it is, the climax, not the whole.
Repentance and Faith What do these words mean?
Micro-Story How has Jesus been good news in your life? How has the breaking in of God's kingdom to this world touched your life? Or, to put it less dramatically, what is it about God that keeps you hanging in as a Christian despite all the hassles? When so many are giving up on church as bad news, what is the good news about church that feeds your soul?
I suppose this is one reason I would like to ban the use of the word evangelism. In the early days of the Christian community, nobody said, "Hey, I really think we should do some evangelism. Where do we begin? What should we say? Could someone please get us some training?" Rather, those first disciples had something to say to people about what Jesus meant for them and had done for them. So Jesus came first, as the focus of an adaptable message, not a concern for evangelism.The message was real, personal, joyful, and contagious.
Colossians 1:15-23 Are you praying for someone? Have you had any chances to talk with people about Jesus?