1. WHAT IS THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST? ROMANS 1:15-17 Part 1

2. Last week we talked about “The Unchanging Gospel” It is important that we keep the gospel unchanged. Galatians 1:8-9 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. What is this gospel that we need to keep unchanged? The way to keep the gospel unchanged is by preaching Christ. I Corinthians 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified…

3. What The Gospel Is Not It is not the “golden rule.” It is not the “Ten Commandments.” It is not the “Sermon On The Mount.” It is not human creeds and confessions of faith. It is not telling one’s personal stories. It is not philosophy. The Gospel and Christianity in general is not a cult of some kind. What Is The Gospel?

4. The Gospel Was In The Mind And Will Of God From The Beginning The Gospel of Christ is not plan B. The Gospel is the very core of the divine plan of redemption. It is based on the facts. I Corinthians 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.

5. When we believe these facts and act on them we have the opportunity to be saved. This plan existed in God’s eternal purpose from before the foundation of the world. I Peter 1:10-12 Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven things which angels desire to look into. The prophets prophesied about this.

6. I Peter 1:18-21 Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart. The gospel of Christ was God’s plan before He created the heavens and the earth. Before the beginning God was and still is concerned with the salvation of man.

7. The Gospel Is “Good News” Or “Glad Tidings” About A Person And What He Has Done And Will Do For Man It is good news concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. Acts 8:12, 35 But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. It is good news that salvation is now offered to all. John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

8. It is good news in that believing in Him and obeying Him, one may have eternal life. John 20:30-31 And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. Hebrews 5:8-9 Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him. Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace. It is good news that God has offered redemption to sinful man

9. The Gospel Is The Power Of God To Salvation To Every One The gospel is not a power It is the one and only power. It is not in man’s ability to save himself. The gospel is the only thing that can bring about our salvation. Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. Roman 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. It is a gift from God

10. It should be noted that the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes. You cannot please God without faith. Hebrews 11:7 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Faith by itself, is of no avail. I John 5:11-12 And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.

11. Everyone mentioned in Hebrews 11 did things to show their faith. James 2:17, 19, 24, 26 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe and tremble! You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

12. The Gospel has been given to us for our salvation. If we believe on it and obey it we will be saved. The Gospel is not to be forced on anyone. It is up to each individual to accept it or reject it. WHICH ONE WILL YOU DO?

13. Given by David Hamlin on March 7, 2010 am Hollister, Missouri church of Christ www.hollisterchurchofchrist.orgwww.hollisterchurchofchrist.org