“Gospel” means “good news.” In order to understand the good news, we must first understand the bad news – our sinful nature and disconnection from God. This simple explanation is designed to be an introduction to the good news of God’s great plan of salvation.
1. God’s Design
God made us in His image. We are eternal beings, created to created humanity to live in perfect fellowship and enjoy a loving, eternal relationship with Him.
2. The Problem: Sin
Instead of following our Creator’s purpose, we chose to disobey God and pursue our own way. This act, called sin, breaks God’s command and causes a separation between us and God. Sin goes beyond a wrong choice, it reveals a corrupt nature. Because of our corrupt nature, we are unable (by our own effort, good works, or religious practices) to reconnect with God.
3. The Punishment: Hell
Because God is perfectly just, sin against an eternal God requires eternal consequence. The just wage for sin is eternal death, defined as eternal punishment from God in a place of darkness, pain and torment.
4. The Good News: Christ’s Sacrifice
What we could not do, God did. Out of His great love for us, God sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross. Jesus willingly suffered the punishment for our sins. He faced hell for us, so that we would not have to go. The innocent took the place of the guilty. He who knew no sin, became sin for us, that we might be made right in God’s eyes. Only in and through Jesus can man be reconciled to God.
5. Our Response: Faith
To receive the free gift of eternal life, we must repent (admit our sin and turn from it) and believe (place our full trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior) to receive forgiveness and salvation from eternal punishment.
6. Next Steps: Growth
After responding in faith, a new life of following Jesus begins, marked by public declaration, spiritual growth and serving His purposes.
- Get Baptized (Acts 2:38, Romans 6:4, Matthew 28:19)
- Join a Local Church (1 Corinthians 12:27, Hebrews 10:24-25)
- Read the Bible Daily (Matthew 4:4, Psalms 119:105, 2 Timothy 3:16)
- Pray About Everything (Philippians 4:6-7, 1 Thessalonians 5:17, 1 Peter 5:7)
- Share Your Story (Psalms 107:2, 1 Peter 3:15)
- Seek God’s Will (Matthew 6:33, Ephesians 2:10)