The Gospel

What is the Gospel?

The gospel is good news—the good news of what God has done in Jesus Christ.
The Bible depicts human beings, all human beings everywhere, as in revolt against God, and therefore under his judgment. But although God stands over against us in judgment because of our sin, quite amazingly he stands over against us in love, because he is that kind of God—and the gospel is the good news of what God, in love, has done in Jesus Christ, especially in Jesus’s cross and resurrection, to deal with our sin and to reconcile us to himself.

Christ bore our sin on the cross. He bore the penalty, turned aside God’s judgment, God’s wrath, from us, and cancelled sin. The brokenness of our lives he restores; the shattered relationships he rebuilds in the context of the church; the new life that we human beings find in Christ is granted out of the sheer grace of God. It is received by faith as we repent of our sins and turn to Jesus. We confess him as Lord, and bow to him joyfully.

One day he will make all things new. The good news culminates in a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness, where neither sin nor any of its effects can survive, and where we enjoy the presence of God forever in the context of resurrection existence.
And we announce this good news to people everywhere, entreating them with the words, “Be reconciled to God!” by repenting of sin, asking God for his mercy, and trusting Jesus Christ.
Gospel Coalition

Here are some steps for sharing the gospel

Start with prayer: Pray for guidance and wisdom in sharing the gospel with others. Pray for those who you know you have contacy with and watch God move in them.
Build relationships: Get to know the person you’re sharing with and build a rapport with them. This will make them more receptive to hearing about your faith. God has placed people in your lives for a reason.

Know your audience: Try to understand where the person is coming from and what their beliefs are. This will help you to tailor your message to them. DO NOT judge them!

Share your testimony: Sharing your personal story of how you came to know Jesus can be a powerful way to connect with others and share the gospel.(Have your group share their testimony) Have a 2 min, 10 min, and a 45 min version ready at all times.

Use the Bible: Use scripture to support your message and show how the gospel is rooted in God’s word. Have your group list our scripture that will help.

Ask questions: Encourage the person to ask questions and engage in discussion. This will give you an opportunity to clarify your message and address any concerns they may have.

Be patient: Sharing the gospel can take time and may not happen in a single conversation. Be patient and continue to build relationships with the person.

Pray for opportunities: Pray for opportunities to share the gospel and for the person to be receptive to the message.

Be ready to respond: Be prepared to answer questions and respond to objections. Remember that your goal is to share the love of Christ and help others come to know Him.

Read 1 Corinthians 15, learn the Gospel so you can share it!

Pastor Jody