Category: The Gospel in a Minute

Gospel in a Minute: Jesus’ Resurrection Conquered Death’s Power

Gospel in a Minute

The entire gospel hangs upon one historical event – Christ’s resurrection. Peter was an eyewitness. His message on Pentecost told us what are the ramifications of the resurrection. He said:

But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power. Acts 2:24 (NASB)

Peter used a mixed metaphor in this verse. The world translated “agony” literally means “birth pangs.” Jesus’ death and resurrection inaugurated the birth of a new generation of people. Those who put their faith in Christ, according to Scripture, are “born again.” They become part of a new generation of human beings who are true children of God, being born of the Spirit.

Principle: Jesus’ Resurrection Conquered Death’s Power

Satan made a major miscalculation when he orchestrated Christ’s crucifixion. His plan was to destroy the Messiah and nullify the promise made to Eve in the Garden that one of her descendants would crush the head of the serpent (Genesis 3:15). The resurrection exposed his folly.

Through death and resurrection, Jesus destroyed the power of death and released all believers from its destructive reign.

Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15  and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. Hebrews 2:14-15 (NASB)
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Gospel in a Minute: Jesus’ Crucifixion Was the Ultimate Betrayal

Gospel in a Minute

Peter declared that his hearers had done the unthinkable – killed the Messiah.

But God knew what would happen, and his prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to a cross and killed him. Acts 2:23 (NLT)

The Jews not only rejected God’s Son, the long awaited Messiah; they murdered him. Peter let the full weight of what they did fall squarely upon their shoulders.

Principle: Jesus’ Crucifixion Was the Ultimate Betrayal

Adam and Eve betrayed their Creator and Friend in the Garden by choosing to follow Satan down the path of a self-directed life. Faithlessness is at the root of all sin, which climaxed at the cross. Nothing man will ever do can compare to killing God’s only begotten Son! When we share the gospel, we should bring people face to face with our sin of betrayal of God’s Son, the Messiah King.

The gospel calls us to admit our betrayal and rebellion, ask forgiveness, and declare unqualified allegiance to the risen Messiah King of Israel, Jesus the Lord.

When we confess Jesus as the Lord, the Gospel has begun to accomplish its purpose in our lives. Water baptism, our formal declaration of allegiance, is the next step, followed by the baptism in the Spirit and a lifetime of loving and serving the King.

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Gospel in a Minute: Jesus’ Crucifixion Was God’s Plan to Save the World

Gospel in a Minute

Peter declared that Jesus’ recent crucifixion was all part of God’s master plan of redemption.

But God knew what would happen, and his prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to a cross and killed him.Acts 2:23 (NLT)

If we read through the gospels, we quickly learn that Jesus was a firm believer in the sovereignty of God. He trusted that nothing would happen to him outside of his Father’s will. He told his disciples ahead of time that he would be crucified.

“The Father loves me because I sacrifice my life so I may take it back again.18 No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded.” John 10:17-18 (NLT)

 

Principle: Jesus’ Crucifixion Was God’s Plan to Save the World

When John the Baptist called out Jesus from among the crowds by the river Jordan, he identified him as the Lamb of God. Jesus was God’s promised solution to the sin problem that condemned us all to eternal death.

When we share the gospel, we should stress that Jesus was not some poor itinerant teacher who got caught up in a political power play that he was impotent to stop. He willingly and knowingly went to the cross to pay for our sins.

When he rose again, it proved his Father accepted his sacrifice on our behalf. All who believe that and confess that he is Lord will be saved. (Romans 10:9-10)

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Gospel in a Minute: Jesus’ Miracles Testify to His Identity as the Messiah

Gospel in a Minute

Peter said that Jesus’ miracles are a proof that he is the Messiah.

People of Israel, listen! God publicly endorsed Jesus the Nazarene by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through him, as you well know.Acts 2:22 (NLT)

Some people discount the miracles of Jesus and relegate them to the realm of mere legend, but the people of that day knew first hand they were true. In fact, Jesus boldly challenged those who doubted his identity as the Messiah.

...The proof is the work I do in my Father’s name. John 10:25 (NLT)

Principle: Jesus’ Miracles Testify to His Identity as the Messiah

When we share the gospel, we should bring people face to face with Jesus’ miracle working power, which testifies to God’s love.

Better yet, why not give the Holy Spirit a chance to demonstrate God’s willingness to testify again today by offering to pray for any present needs our hearers may have, especially physical ones?

Don’t miss a chance for God to publicly demonstrate that the gospel is true and Jesus is alive. Paul didn’t.

For when we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true... 1 Thessalonians 1:5 (NLT)
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Gospel in a Minute: God is a Person who can and will respond to us.

Gospel in a Minute

Peter quoted the prophet Joel (Joel 2:32) in the following part of his gospel proclamation on Pentecost.

But everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved. Acts 2:21 (NLT)

What exactly does it mean to “call on the name of the Lord”?

Principle: God is a Person who can and will respond to us.

The Star Wars movie series presents God as an impersonal “force” that can be tapped into by those who have inside knowledge. This is a age old false teaching. The God of the Bible, the true God, is a real Person. Not a human, but a person. Humans are created in his image. We have personality because that is an important aspect of God’s life and person. Personalities can communicate.

God has no problem at all in getting through to us when we seek him.

Calling upon the Lord means we pray to him, speaking to him as a real person who is listening to us.

Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. 13  You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:12-13 (ESV)

When we share the gospel, we should encourage our hearers to engage Jesus on a personal level by “calling out” to him in prayer, having the sure promise that he will allow us to find him when we seek him with all our hearts.

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Gospel in a Minute: Tell people the truth that the end of all things draws near.

Gospel in a Minute

Peter’s Acts 2 presentation of the gospel continued with a reference to the Last Days.

‘In the last days,’ God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people...18  In those days I will pour out my Spirit ...20  The sun will become dark, and the moon will turn blood red before that great and glorious day of the LORD arrives.21  But everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.’Acts 2:17-21 (NLT)

The “last days” and the “day of the Lord” are recurrent Bible themes that call us to be reconciled to God the Judge. Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection ushered in the “last days.” The first disciples expected a quick culmination of all things, but this time period has extended over 2000 years, during which time God has extended mercy to generations of people through the gospel. We are drawing closer to the actual end, the “day of the Lord,” when Jesus will return in power and glory to judge all people and inaugurate the final state with a new heaven and earth.

Principle: Tell people the truth that the end of all things draws near.

The Bible teaches us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. A proper fear of God brings people face to face with their ultimate destiny of standing before the glorious Judge who created them.

Jesus is our only hope at the Last Judgment.

He paid the price for our sins. Believers will stand before our glorious God clothed in his righteousness. Those who put their trust in Jesus have nothing to fear, but those who reject the gospel should fear greatly. This is the beginning of wisdom and an encouragement to repent, believe, and receive all that Jesus died to give to us.

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Gospel in a Minute: Use current events as a springboard.

Gospel in a Minute

Peter’s presentation of the gospel continued with a biblical explanation for a current event.

but this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel: 17  'AND IT SHALL BE IN THE LAST DAYS,' God says, 'THAT I WILL POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT ON ALL MANKIND; AND...Acts 2:16-17 (NASB)

Principle: Use current events as a springboard.

Gymnasts performing the vault use a springboard to launch them into the air.

We can use current events to launch into a gospel presentation.

Most everyone has some interest in what is happening around them in the world. If we can give a biblical explanation, we might gain their attention enough to share the gospel. Peter explained a manifestation of the Spirit happening in his hearers’ presence. We might be privileged to do the same, if we have the courage to offer to pray for their situation. Otherwise, we can offer a biblical perspective for interpreting well-known current events. An example might be to illustrate how the apostasy of the mainline denominations was long ago prophesied as a “great rebellion” against God in 2 Thessalonians 2:3. This is certainly not the only current event covered by that verse, but it does fit. The general decline of culture toward greater violence was predicted by Paul in 2 Timothy 3:1-4. We might point out that things are only going to get worse and now is the time to believe the gospel and serve the coming King. The idea is for us to show people that the Bible is still relevant and should be heeded. Once we gain our listener’s attention, then we can share the good news.

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Gospel in a Minute: Act in a way that requires an explanation.

Gospel in a Minute

Peter’s Pentecost proclamation of the gospel began with an explanation of what onlookers were interpreting as drunken behavior. They acted in a way that required an explanation.

For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only the third hour of the day;Acts 2:15 (NASB)

The disciples were full of the Holy Spirit for the very first time. They were intoxicated with the joy that accompanies God’s presence. (Psalm 16:11) They were speaking aloud exuberantly in unknown languages or “tongues,” which is one of the evidences of the baptism in the Spirit. (Acts 10:44-46) In this case, speaking in tongues served as a sign to those present who did not yet believe in Jesus (1Cor.14:22)

Principle: Act in a way that requires an explanation.

Christians are often very careful not to offend people. Our culture has trained us to keep quiet. Our religious traditions in many cases have taught restraint to the point of making us less than human. The gospel is the best news ever told or experienced. We should be excited about it. If we share it as information that does not impact us emotionally, what kind of hidden message does that send? If we are afraid to allow the Holy Spirit to manifest his gifts through us, we shut off the river of God’s power and presence and may miss a grand opportunity to explain ourselves by sharing the gospel.

Christians should act in a way that makes people curious and opens the door for the gospel.

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Gospel in a Minute: Listen Up, Everyone!

Gospel in a Minute

The first gospel proclamation after Christ’s ascension into heaven took place on Pentecost in Jerusalem. Peter and the other disciples came out of hiding after being filled with the Spirit and boldness. The following verse contains the first words of Peter’s address to the throngs in Jerusalem for the feast.

But Peter stood up with the eleven, raised his voice, and addressed them: “You men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, know this and listen carefully to what I say. Acts 2:14 (NET1)

Principle: Listen up, everyone!

When we share the gospel, be aware that it is a divinely authorized proclamation, similar to a trumpet blast. Peter raised his voice to be heard. It is the announcement that Christ, the crucified One, has risen from the dead and is Lord of everything! He ascended into heaven, where he waits for the appointed time when he will return to judge the living and the dead. To him all will be held accountable before God for how they respond to this message.

The gospel announcement deserves to be heard. It deserves our best effort to properly present it and our listeners’ most careful attention.

We should be aware that we are providing people with the most important and consequential information that they will ever receive. It is life to those who believe and receive it, but a sentence of death to those who reject it. Let us reflect the seriousness of the message with our earnest presentation.

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