Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6
What is the Gospel?
1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Have you ever heard the word “Gospel”? Many have heard it and may have even used it. For instance many may say, “That is the Gospel truth.” What does this word “Gospel” mean? The apostle Paul gives us the definition.
1 Corinthians 15:1-4 1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
I would like to use the next few minutes and define what the Gospel is and why it is so important to you. To do that there are three questions to be asked. 1. What is it? 2. What is it for? 3. What will you do with it?
First. What is it? This is what Paul preached this message. It is the message of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, according to the Scriptures. He died to give us salvation. I realize that this sounds like a simple definition for some, but the Gospel is simple.
Has anyone ever asked you if you know for sure that you are going to Heaven? There are many answers that I have heard. Some have said yes. Some have said no. Many have said “I hope so.” Many have said “I don’t know. With something as big as Heaven in the balance this is something that we should know for sure, and you can. Many are so unsure about Heaven, but the Bible tells us we can know or sure. 1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
Man has complicated the matter by wanting to work in order to be saved. The Word of God gives us a couple verses to think about. Ephesians 2:8-9 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. It is impossible to be good enough to earn Heaven. Jesus died to be our Saviour. Who is better than Jesus?
This leads us to our second question. What is it for? Why did Jesus die? Man is a sinner. Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; This means we have broken God’s law. 1 John 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
It is undeniable that man is a sinner. We have come short. We have missed the mark. If there was a ledger it would show our name and a debt that we owe because of our sin. That debt is paid by death. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Have you ever had a debt that you could not pay? It could have been simply because you left your wallet at home and did not realize it until you went to check out. It could have been because life dealt you a blow that was unexpected and you were unable to pay something important. This is what sin does to us. We are unable to pay that debt because we are sinners. Sinners cannot pay the debt from sin. No amount of good deeds or religion can save a person. A person cannot be baptized to be saved. He cannot give away his fortune to save him. He is a sinner.
Sin is ugly. Sin is ungodly. Sin separates. No matter how good or kind a person may be, he at best is still a sinner and owes a debt. I may be speaking to someone who helps their neighbors or cares for the forgotten. I am still speaking to a sinner. We must come to realize that this is a problem. This is what God’s Word says.
Let’s speak about sin the way the Bible does. Sin is not just the most heinous thing a person may do. It is anything wrong or dishonest a person may do or think. It is as simple as a lie, even the smallest lie is still a lie. Even the kindest person on earth would recognize that he falls short. Ecclesiastes 7:20 For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. We cannot define sin as an accident or human error.
Do you remember being in math class and the teacher was teaching you about how to use a ruler. Your teacher taught you an inch and a foot. You were taught the twelve inches equals a foot. You were being taught a standard by which to measure everything by. Well, Jesus is our standard. Compare yourself to Jesus and see just how short you are. He gave us the ten commandments and those commandments show us that we do not measure up to the Lord. Most people think of themselves as mostly good with an occasional lap of judgment. Since sin sent Jesus to the cross we must realize that He is the standard. Do you see just how short of God’s glory you are? Let me give you another verse to contemplate. James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
The Gospel tells us that God loves us anyway. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Jesus’ love for you is so great that he died to pay for your sins so that you won’t have to. He literally took your place. He did not do this out of obligation or some other motive like that. He paid for your sins out of love. Has anyone ever loved you that much? Only the Lord has. Only Jesus has loved sinners so much that He died for each and every one of us. That is how significant you are to Him.
Let us suppose that Jesus did not die and we would have to pay for our own sins. Let me remind us of the wages of sin. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. This death is an eternal one, it is death in a place called Hell. It is an extremely high payment to make. Some would say, “Why would a loving God do this?” But this is what the Bible teaches. Don’t forget that Jesus paid the ultimate price in His death for all of us. God is not going to lie to us. His word is truth. This is why His death is so important. He took our place in death so we would not have to go to Hell. This is love. We must see ourselves as a sinner who deserves this, but we must also see Jesus as our Saviour so we would receive His love, grace, and mercy. 1 John 1:8-10 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. We would receive His forgiveness for our sins. Hebrews 10:17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
Think about why Jesus came to this earth. Mark 2:17 When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. He came to die for you. He was buried and He rose again for you. This leads me to our last question.
What will you do with Him? Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Salvation is a gift. What do we do with gifts? If we want a gift all we have to do is receive it. We don’t have to buy it, someone else already paid the price. We don’t have to earn it, we never can earn salvation. All we have to do is receive it.
It is an amazing thing to think about how Jesus loves sinners, those who do not deserve His love. Salvation is not something we achieve in life, it is something that we receive. It is something that Jesus is giving to you. John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Will you receive His free gift? Ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins and be your Saviour. Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. He wants to give you eternal life in Heaven. Don’t reject this free gift.
Let me tell you a story. In 1829 there were two men who were convicted of robbing the U. S. mail and endangering the life of the postal driver. There names were George Wilson and James Porter. Both men were declared guilty and received the sentence of death. Porter was executed for his crimes. However, Wilson had some friends who fought on his behalf. In June of 1830, President Andrew Jackson gave a full pardon to Wilson. Instead of accepting that pardon, George Wilson rejected it. The case made it all the way to the Supreme Court. Chief Justice John Marshall gave this statement: “A pardon is a deed… and if it be rejected, we have discovered no power in the court to force it on him.” Although George Wilson received forgiveness, he chose to reject it. Don’t do this with Jesus Christ. Ask Him to be your Saviour.
I want to thank you for allowing me to tell you about Jesus and His plan for salvation. Our prayer is that you will not reject Him. If you would like someone to speak to you, you may reach us by calling us here at the church, or by reaching out to us through our church’s Facebook page. Just search for Faith Baptist Church of Shelocta, PA. If you already know Jesus Christ as your Saviour and you do not have a church home please consider visiting us at 164 Overview Dr. Shelocta, PA 15774. God bless.
1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Have you ever heard the word “Gospel”? Many have heard it and may have even used it. For instance many may say, “That is the Gospel truth.” What does this word “Gospel” mean? The apostle Paul gives us the definition.
1 Corinthians 15:1-4 1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
I would like to use the next few minutes and define what the Gospel is and why it is so important to you. To do that there are three questions to be asked. 1. What is it? 2. What is it for? 3. What will you do with it?
First. What is it? This is what Paul preached this message. It is the message of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, according to the Scriptures. He died to give us salvation. I realize that this sounds like a simple definition for some, but the Gospel is simple.
Has anyone ever asked you if you know for sure that you are going to Heaven? There are many answers that I have heard. Some have said yes. Some have said no. Many have said “I hope so.” Many have said “I don’t know. With something as big as Heaven in the balance this is something that we should know for sure, and you can. Many are so unsure about Heaven, but the Bible tells us we can know or sure. 1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
Man has complicated the matter by wanting to work in order to be saved. The Word of God gives us a couple verses to think about. Ephesians 2:8-9 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. It is impossible to be good enough to earn Heaven. Jesus died to be our Saviour. Who is better than Jesus?
This leads us to our second question. What is it for? Why did Jesus die? Man is a sinner. Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; This means we have broken God’s law. 1 John 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
It is undeniable that man is a sinner. We have come short. We have missed the mark. If there was a ledger it would show our name and a debt that we owe because of our sin. That debt is paid by death. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Have you ever had a debt that you could not pay? It could have been simply because you left your wallet at home and did not realize it until you went to check out. It could have been because life dealt you a blow that was unexpected and you were unable to pay something important. This is what sin does to us. We are unable to pay that debt because we are sinners. Sinners cannot pay the debt from sin. No amount of good deeds or religion can save a person. A person cannot be baptized to be saved. He cannot give away his fortune to save him. He is a sinner.
Sin is ugly. Sin is ungodly. Sin separates. No matter how good or kind a person may be, he at best is still a sinner and owes a debt. I may be speaking to someone who helps their neighbors or cares for the forgotten. I am still speaking to a sinner. We must come to realize that this is a problem. This is what God’s Word says.
Let’s speak about sin the way the Bible does. Sin is not just the most heinous thing a person may do. It is anything wrong or dishonest a person may do or think. It is as simple as a lie, even the smallest lie is still a lie. Even the kindest person on earth would recognize that he falls short. Ecclesiastes 7:20 For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. We cannot define sin as an accident or human error.
Do you remember being in math class and the teacher was teaching you about how to use a ruler. Your teacher taught you an inch and a foot. You were taught the twelve inches equals a foot. You were being taught a standard by which to measure everything by. Well, Jesus is our standard. Compare yourself to Jesus and see just how short you are. He gave us the ten commandments and those commandments show us that we do not measure up to the Lord. Most people think of themselves as mostly good with an occasional lap of judgment. Since sin sent Jesus to the cross we must realize that He is the standard. Do you see just how short of God’s glory you are? Let me give you another verse to contemplate. James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
The Gospel tells us that God loves us anyway. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Jesus’ love for you is so great that he died to pay for your sins so that you won’t have to. He literally took your place. He did not do this out of obligation or some other motive like that. He paid for your sins out of love. Has anyone ever loved you that much? Only the Lord has. Only Jesus has loved sinners so much that He died for each and every one of us. That is how significant you are to Him.
Let us suppose that Jesus did not die and we would have to pay for our own sins. Let me remind us of the wages of sin. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. This death is an eternal one, it is death in a place called Hell. It is an extremely high payment to make. Some would say, “Why would a loving God do this?” But this is what the Bible teaches. Don’t forget that Jesus paid the ultimate price in His death for all of us. God is not going to lie to us. His word is truth. This is why His death is so important. He took our place in death so we would not have to go to Hell. This is love. We must see ourselves as a sinner who deserves this, but we must also see Jesus as our Saviour so we would receive His love, grace, and mercy. 1 John 1:8-10 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. We would receive His forgiveness for our sins. Hebrews 10:17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
Think about why Jesus came to this earth. Mark 2:17 When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. He came to die for you. He was buried and He rose again for you. This leads me to our last question.
What will you do with Him? Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Salvation is a gift. What do we do with gifts? If we want a gift all we have to do is receive it. We don’t have to buy it, someone else already paid the price. We don’t have to earn it, we never can earn salvation. All we have to do is receive it.
It is an amazing thing to think about how Jesus loves sinners, those who do not deserve His love. Salvation is not something we achieve in life, it is something that we receive. It is something that Jesus is giving to you. John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Will you receive His free gift? Ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins and be your Saviour. Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. He wants to give you eternal life in Heaven. Don’t reject this free gift.
Let me tell you a story. In 1829 there were two men who were convicted of robbing the U. S. mail and endangering the life of the postal driver. There names were George Wilson and James Porter. Both men were declared guilty and received the sentence of death. Porter was executed for his crimes. However, Wilson had some friends who fought on his behalf. In June of 1830, President Andrew Jackson gave a full pardon to Wilson. Instead of accepting that pardon, George Wilson rejected it. The case made it all the way to the Supreme Court. Chief Justice John Marshall gave this statement: “A pardon is a deed… and if it be rejected, we have discovered no power in the court to force it on him.” Although George Wilson received forgiveness, he chose to reject it. Don’t do this with Jesus Christ. Ask Him to be your Saviour.
I want to thank you for allowing me to tell you about Jesus and His plan for salvation. Our prayer is that you will not reject Him. If you would like someone to speak to you, you may reach us by calling us here at the church, or by reaching out to us through our church’s Facebook page. Just search for Faith Baptist Church of Shelocta, PA. If you already know Jesus Christ as your Saviour and you do not have a church home please consider visiting us at 164 Overview Dr. Shelocta, PA 15774. God bless.