Focus: The Gospel

Text: Rom.1:16

"For I am not ashamed of the GOSPEL of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."

The gospel is described as "the gospel of the kingdom," "the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God," "the gospel of the grace of God," "the gospel of God," "the gospel of his Son," "the gospel of Christ," "the gospel of peace," "the glorious gospel of Christ," "the truth of the gospel," "the gospel of your salvation," "the mystery of the gospel," "the faith of the gospel," "the word of the truth of gospel," "the hope of the gospel," "the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ," "the glorious gospel of the blessed God," and "the everlasting gospel." These are powerful descriptions of the gospel and spiritually instructive.

What is the gospel of Jesus Christ? Paul gives us his own explanation. He says, "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief" (1Tim.1:15). Again he says, "To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation" (2Cor.5:19). Matthew writes, "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins" (Mt.1:21). Luke reports, "And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people" (Lk.2:10). 

The gospel is the good news about God coming into this world, in the person of Christ, and dying on the cross for the salvation of humanity from eternal damnation.

The GOSPEL speaks to us about the:

*Grace of God

In Act.20:24, the gospel is described as "the gospel of the grace of God," and in Titus, we read, "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men" (Tit.2:11). In Act.13:26, the gospel is described as "the word of this salvation;" in 14:3 and 20:32, it is called "the word of his grace," and in 15:7, it is called "the word of the gospel." Grace and salvation are forever connected. We are saved by grace, not by our works. The gospel is a revelation of the grace and goodness of God.

*Omnipotence of God

Our text says, "For I am not ashamed of the GOSPEL of Christ: for it is the POWER of God unto salvation…" The gospel is a demonstration of divine omnipotence. From the incarnation to the resurrection we see the power of God at work. In fact, Christianity is a supernatural religion - a religion of divine omnipotence. Describing the cross, Paul says, "Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the WEAKNESS of God is STRONGER than men" (1Cor.1:25). The cross was a revelation of the weakness of God that conquered the might of men and Satan. The gospel is liberating. It is the power of God unto salvation. The world is looking for the demonstration of the power of the gospel. Let the church show it!

*Salvation

In Eph.1:13, the gospel is called the "gospel of your salvation." We are saved by the gospel. Salvation is the effect of the gospel. We are saved from sin, Satan, suffering, disease and death. Christ is described in Hebrews as the "author of our eternal salvation." He obtained for us an "eternal redemption."

*Peace of God

In Rom.10:15 and Eph.6:15, the gospel is called the "gospel of peace." Through the shed blood of Christ we have peace with God. Christ has reconciled us to God. Paul says, "Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, SO MAKING PEACE" (Eph.2:15). Christ is our peacemaker and peace-giver. He is indeed our peace!

*Eternal life

Paul says, "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom.6:23). Through the gospel God brings the dead in sin back to life in Christ. In Jesus Christ we possess eternal life. Paul says that Christ is our life.

*Love of God

John 3:16 says, "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." It was for love that Christ came into the world in human form. It was for love that he died on the cross to save us our sin. Paul says, "Husbands, love your wives, EVEN AS Christ ALSO LOVED the church, and GAVE himself for it" (Eph.5:25). The gospel is a love affair. It is a revelation of the unconditional love of God.

I pray that you begin afresh to appreciate the gospel of Jesus Christ and to enjoy its blessings for time and eternity! Amen!

by Bishop Moses E. Peter