Discover the Gospel I
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This is message number two of our Discover series.
19 Jan 20
19 Jan 20
We are on a journey to discover or in some cases rediscover our mission, our vision
Turn to - we’ll get there in a moment. This is message number two of the Discover series. We are on a journey to discover our mission, our vision - of who we (Sunnyside) need to become. Stepping back from my normal style of sermon - sharing heart and mind.
This is message number two of our Discover series. We are on a journey to discover or in some cases rediscover our mission, our vision - of who we are as a congregation and who we are to become. Stepping back from my preferred sermon style. Sharing my heart and mind and what I believe God is calling us to.
- of who we are as a congregation and who we are to become. Stepping back from my preferred sermon style. Sharing my heart and mind and what I believe God is calling us to.
This morning’s message is titled Discover the Gospel - this is part I of II. Today is more of a bird’s-eye view and next week we’ll dig in a little deeper.
As I mentioned last week, we’re like Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery at Lemhi Pass.
If we’re going to Discover what the Gospel is, we need to understand the fullness of the word. In its simplest definition in the Greek - means Good News. Simple definition on paper - but the implications are massive and expansive. The Gospel goes way beyond just believing in Jesus to go to Heaven. We need to know the fullness of the Gospel.
× The world in front was nothing like the world behind.
The word Gospel appears 97 times in the ESV NT. That’s a lot for one word - and that is not including all the synonyms or phrases that reference the Gospel. I’m going to read all 97 - just kidding. But I am going to summarize 17 verses that encapsulates the fullness of the Gospel.
× We no longer have the home-court advantage
(Biblical knowledge / Christian values were somewhat the norm - but no longer)
× And so how do we navigate this new world? Just like Lewis and Clark, we will need to learn, discover, adapt, try, fail ….
1. - Jesus proclaimed the Gospel
Our mission at Sunnyside is to help people reach their full potential in Christ. Reaching one’s potential begins with the Gospel. This morning’s message is titled Discover the Gospel - this is part one of three. Today is more of a broad bird’s-eye view of the gospel, and then we’ll narrow it done over the next couple of weeks. It won’t just be me speaking - I’ve invited a few others to join me and share their perspectives as well.
2. - Jesus declared people need to repent and believe the Gospel
If we’re going to Discover what the Gospel is, we need to understand the fullness of the Gospel.
3. - Jesus said the Gospel will be proclaimed in all nations before the end
In its simplest definition from the Greek - the Gospel means Good News. The Gospel is Good News! But what does that mean?
What makes the Gospel so good?
Take 30 seconds and right down your answer.
4. - Jesus told His disciples to go into all the world and proclaim the Gospel
Again, what makes Gospel Good News! A lot of people would say Jesus died so we could go to Heaven. If that’s the extent of our understanding of the Gospel then it’s very limited, it’s a very small gospel, and truthfully - not really all that appealing - especially in this culture.
5. The book of Acts is all about the Apostles proclaiming the Gospel in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and so forth.
The Gospel is expansive, wide, deep, it’s pervasive, it’s transformative. It can penetrate any culture, any ethnic group, any age, any walk of life …. But the Gospel goes way beyond just believing in Jesus and going to Heaven. We need to know the fullness of the Gospel. The Church needs to rediscover the Gospel! The Gospel must first penetrate our hearts before we can take it and allow it to penetrate the hearts of other.
The Gospel - the Good News that Jesus Christ came into this world to save sinners - but what does that entail? The word Gospel appears 97 times in the NT (ESV). That’s a lot for one word - and that is not including all the synonyms or phrases that reference the Gospel, but I’m going to stick with the 97.
6. Roman 1:16 - Christians are not to be ashamed of the Gospel - because the proclaiming the Gospel is the power of God that brings salvation
7. - Christians are called to endure anything so as not to hinder the Gospel
I know some of you are sweating …. Don’t worry, this is just a summary ….
8. - Nonbelievers are blinded to the truth of the Gospel
As I read these - pay attention to your response and be open to the Spirit’s voice - He might do a little poking ….
1. - Jesus proclaimed the Gospel - it was a priority for Him
9. - There is only one Gospel
2. - Jesus declared that people need to repent and believe the Gospel
10. - The Gospel leads to salvation
11. - Christians are to pray for boldness to share the Gospel
3. - Jesus told His disciples to go into all the world and proclaim the Gospel
12. - Christians are to live in a worthy manner of the Gospel
4. - Jesus said the Gospel will be proclaimed in all nations before the end
5. The book of Acts is all about the Apostles proclaiming the Gospel in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and so forth.
13. - Judgement will come to those who do not know God or obey the Gospel
6. Roman 1:16 - Christians are not to be ashamed of the Gospel - because the proclaiming the Gospel is the power of God that brings salvation
14. - Christians may suffer in sharing the gospel
7. - Christians are called to endure anything so as not to hinder the Gospel
15. - Christ abolished death and brought life and immortality through the Gospel
8. - Nonbelievers are blinded to the truth of the Gospel
16. - The Gospel is preached in order to bring life
17. , - The Gospel is to be more important than friends, family, career, life
9. - There is only one Gospel
There is so much more than this regarding the Gospel - the Gospel is about salvation, redemption, reconciliation, regaining innocence, regeneration, forgiveness, victory over death and the destruction of the works of the powers of darkness. It is expansive!
10. - The Gospel leads to salvation
11. - Christians are to pray for boldness to share the Gospel
Question - How expansive is the Gospel in my life?
12. - Christians are to live in a manner worthy of the Gospel
Jan 2, I was still recovering from the flu. I got up late and shuffled my way to the coffee pot, shuffled to the coach - tossed the cat … tossed the cat … tossed the cat. The passage that day was And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful (there’s a lot of people who need the gospel), but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
That passage really troubled me. The first thing I noticed was that The Gospel determined Jesus’ priorities.
13. - Judgement will come to those who do not know God or obey the Gospel
I got to thinking about me, my family and this church. I’m not convinced that the gospel is our priority. We do a lot of things well here at Sunnyside - we are a much better church than Thompson Road Bible Fellowship. What I meant to say …. Anyway, we do a lot of things well here at Sunnyside, but I’m not convinced that proclaiming the fullness of the Gospel to a lost world is one of them. That is a serious problem. Not to beat us up, but we must acknowledge our shortcomings, discover ways to overcome those shortcomings and move forward.
14. - Christians may suffer when sharing the gospel
15. - Christ abolished death (physical and spiritual) and brought life and immortality through the Gospel
So, the Gospel determined Jesus’ priorities. Some questions - On a scale of 1-9, how influential is the Gospel in determining my priorities? What could I do to increase the priority of the Gospel in my life? Me - I’m praying for God to revive the Gospel in my heart - less of a theological topic and more of a life reality.
The second thing I noticed is that The Gospel determined Jesus’ perception. He didn’t see a bunch of bums, addicts, politicians …. He saw people for what they were - lost, beat down, helpless. He saw people for not what they did, but for what they needed. He saw people who needed a Savior - hope - love - forgiveness - new life - grace and truth.
16. - The Gospel is preached in order to bring life - now and later
17. , - The Gospel is to be more important than friends, family, career, life
When I step away from the Gospel, I see people according the flesh and not the Spirit. I see labels, problems, issues, morons …. When I step away from the Gospel, I lose compassion, I lose love, I forgot I was once a moron, I was once lost …. But when I step into the Gospel - all the things I am supposed to have toward other people reemerge - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control.
There is so much more in Scripture regarding the Gospel - the Gospel is about salvation, redemption, reconciliation, justifications, regeneration, forgiveness, power over death and the powers of darkness. It is expansive!
Q - How does the Gospel currently influence my perception of people? How I can step into the Gospel this week?
Go back to that list I just read:
The 3rd thing I noticed is that The Gospel influenced Jesus’ prayers. The harvest is plentiful - people need the Gospel! But sadly, Very few who have the Gospel carry or work the Gospel into the harvest - into people’s lives. So Jesus said, “Just pray that a bunch of people would get saved.” Not what He said. He said, “Get on your knees and fervently pray for laborers (i.e. Believers) to go into the fields.” This has all over it. How can anyone believe unless someone goes and tells?
What’s the point? Our prayers should be saturated with the Gospel. For God to send others, to send us, to send me, for opportunities - for power and boldness to proclaim the Gospel.
Question - Which Scriptures jumped out to me? What might God be saying to me?
Question - How expansive is my understanding of the Gospel? What is one thing I can do this week to expand my understanding of the Gospel? How pervasive is the Gospel in my life?
Imagine a scale that symbolizes our prayers. On one side the earnest prayers for laborers to proclaim the Gospel. On the other side, your typical prayers. Which way does the scale tip?
Adam M.
Imagine another scale. On one side the earnest prayers for yourself to proclaim the Gospel. On the other side, your typical prayers. Which way does the scale tip?
Closing - Like I said, today was a bird’s eye view.
What would it take to tip the scale toward the Gospel?
Our mission at Sunnyside is to help people reach their full potential in Christ. I was reading a coaching book about helping people reach their Kingdom potential. That’s what we need to own. Now, reaching one’s potential begins with the Gospel - with being introduced to and trusting in and pursuing Jesus Christ.
You need to receive the Gospel …
All I did was give us a quick overview of the Gospel, how important it is to Jesus and how important it should be to us. So now I want to bring Adam up here to share briefly share his thoughts on the Gospel.