Category: The Gospel in a Nutshell

The Gospel Provides Forgiveness for the Ultimate Betrayal

 

Peter told his Jewish audience that they had done the unthinkable – killed their promised 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 rejected the messianic claims of God’s only begotten Son and murdered him, just as Jesus had predicted.

But when the vinedressers saw the son, they said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.’ 39 So they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him. 40 “Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vinedressers?” 41 They said to Him, “He will destroy those wicked men miserably, and lease his vineyard to other vinedressers who will render to him the fruits in their seasons.” Matthew 21:38–41 (NKJV)

Peter refused to “sugar coat” this ultimate betrayal. He let the full weight of what they did fall squarely upon their shoulders.

Adam and Eve betrayed their Creator and Friend in the Garden by choosing to follow Satan down in the pursuit of a self-directed life.

Faithlessness and betrayal is at the root of all sin, which found its ultimate expression 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 our hearers face-to-face with our sin of the betrayal of God’s Son, the Messiah King. Even though we did not personally nail him to the cross. the sin of humanity, Jew and Gentile, through the ages is the reason he sacrificed himself.

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 begins to accomplish its purpose in our lives, converting us from devilish independence to surrender to our Creator-Sustainer-Redeemer. Water baptism, our formal declaration of allegiance to the Lord, is the next step, followed by the baptism in the Spirit and a lifetime of loving and serving the King.

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Jesus’ Crucifixion Is God’s Plan to Save the World

Peter declared that Jesus’ crucifixion was 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 firmly believed in God’s sovereignty in all things. He trusted that nothing could or 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)

When John the Baptist pointed out Jesus among the crowds by the river Jordan, he identified him as the Lamb of God who would take away our sins.

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! John 1:29 (NKJV)

Jesus is God’s promised solution to our sin problem that condemns all to eternal death. That is sin’s wages 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 that his heavenly Father accepted his sacrifice on our behalf.

All who believe that and confess that he is the risen Lord will be saved. (Romans 10:9-10)

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Healings and Miracles Testify to the Truth of the Gospel

Peter said that Jesus’ miracles proved 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 Jesus’ miracles and relegate them to the realm of mere legend, but the people of that day knew first hand that they were genuine. In fact, Jesus boldly challenged those who doubted his identity as the Messiah to believe in him because of his miracle.

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

When we share the gospel, we have the opportunity to bring people face to face with Jesus’ miracle working power, which testifies to God’s love and the truth of the gospel. We should stay alert to the Holy Spirit, who may prompt us to pray for those around us.

If we boldly pray for healing and miracles in Jesus’ name, we give the Holy Spirit a chance to demonstrate God’s love and the truth of our message.

Paul understood that God wants the gospel to be our words accompanied by a demonstration of power through the Holy Spirit.

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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God is a real person who can and will respond to us.

 

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”?

The Star Wars movie series presents God in an Eastern religion way as an impersonal “force” that can be tapped into by those who have knowledge. 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 being. Personalities can think and communicate.

God has no problem at all in communicating with us. When we seek him, he tells us that we will find him.

Calling upon the Lord means we pray or speak to him as a genuine personality who listens to us and will respond. Jeremiah the prophet wrote:

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” to him in prayer. We have the sure promise that he will allow us to find him when we seek him with all our hearts.

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Silent Belief Reveals a Lot

Gospel in a Minute

Have you ever felt convicted by God’s Spirit because you chose to be silent about your faith in Jesus? If we have the courage to publicly confess Jesus, it reveals that we value God’s praise more than men’s. 

Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. John 12:42–43 (NKJV)

Evil generally is unashamedly vocal and perfectly willing to vilify and shame anyone standing for truth. The Old Testament prophets usually were very unpopular because they spoke unwelcome words of truth. They had to choose between bowing to obedience to God or to the intimidation of men. The same is true for followers of Christ today. If we stand for biblical truth and Jesus, we will suffer persecution, sometimes from other believers, but usually from the world.

If we want the praise of God, we may have to forsake the praise of men by refusing to be silent.

Keep my soul, and deliver me; Let me not be ashamed, for I put my trust in You. 21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, For I wait for You. Psalm 25:20–21 (NKJV)
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Gospel in a Minute: The Gospel Is Our Only Hope During Times of Judgment

Gospel in a Minute

Peter concluded his Acts 2 gospel presentation by declaring unequivocally that Jesus is Messiah and Lord, and he gave them instructions for what to do.

Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!” Acts 2:40 (NLT)

Principle: We All Deserve to Be Judged without Mercy. The Gospel Is Our Only Hope.

 

None of us wants to be judged for our sins. We all know that we are guilty, and the Bible teaches us that the “wages of sin” is death. One of the unchangeable attributes of God is his justice. He hates sin and cannot wink at evil doing. He has no favorites, but judges equitably. Although his patience is phenomenal, it eventually comes to an end, at which time the fury of his wrath against sin and hardened sinners will be unleashed. Mercifully, God often introduces redemptive judgments before releasing his pent up fury. The purpose of redemptive judgments is to coax us to repent from our sin and turn to him for mercy by believing the Good News.

The Gospel announces that Jesus bore the brunt of God’s wrath against sin on the cross on our behalf so that we who believe can escape unharmed. This is the Lamb of God ministry.

Those who put their faith in this good news and their allegiance in the risen Christ Jesus, who is the Lord, will be saved. (Romans 10:9-10) Those who refuse the message consign themselves to judgment. (Acts 10:36)

When God’s judgment is unleashed, the Gospel message is easily seen to be our one and only hope.

Let’s be sure to share it with those who need to hear. The time of God’s judgment is upon us.

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Forgiveness… on what basis?

Gospel in a Minute

I have heard it said that God forgives us because it is his “job.” It is amazing to me how cavalier people can be regarding God’s mercy, as if they know for certain that he will forgive anything and everything and that they have nothing at all to be concerned when they one day face God. I believe this attitude reveals a woeful lack of appreciation for God’s justice and an absence of a proper sort of fear of the Lord.

Jesus warned his disciples:

But I’ll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell. Yes, he’s the one to fear. Luke 12:5 (NLT)

Jesus was anything but reassuring when it came to God’s justice. That being the case, how could Jesus so blithely grant forgiveness to a person, as in the following passage?

Jesus climbed into a boat and went back across the lake to his own town. 2  Some people brought to him a paralyzed man on a mat. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “Be encouraged, my child! Your sins are forgiven.”  Matthew 9:1-2 (NLT)

The Pharisees who were present accused Jesus of blasphemy, realizing that granting forgiveness before God is a divine prerogative. They condemned him for assuming to have such authority, not realizing who he was. But how is God himself able to forgive without violating his perfect justice? On what basis did Jesus forgive this man and others?

The answer is simple. When Jesus forgave anyone in the gospels, he made an advance draw from his account, guaranteeing he would have to be crucified. He would soon pay an incalculable price by dying on the cross as the Lamb of God to satisfy God’s wrath against sin and purchase our forgiveness.

Never forget: God does not forgive because it is his job. He forgives because he loved us enough to allow his only Son to die for us.

Have you told God how much you appreciate what he did for you?

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Be Appropriately Provocative

Gospel in a Minute

Paul concluded his testimony by relating how God commissioned him to take the gospel to the Gentiles, which angered his listeners.

I saw a vision of Jesus saying to me, ‘Hurry! Leave Jerusalem, for the people here won’t accept your testimony about me.’ ...‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles!’” 22  The crowd listened until Paul said that word. Then they all began to shout, “Away with such a fellow! He isn’t fit to live!” 23  They yelled, threw off their coats, and tossed handfuls of dust into the air. Acts 22:18-23 (NLT)

Principle: Be Appropriately Provocative

Why did Paul say what he knew would inflame his listeners? Surely he was not naive! Was he led by the Spirit? That we cannot know for sure, but we would assume so. Paul addressed one of the major sins of Judaism, its racist assumption that God did not include the  Gentiles in the blessings of Abraham. In their pride, Paul’s hearers hated the idea of non-Jews being part of God’s plan. Paul knew his statement would anger his listeners, but he said it anyway in order to highlight the sin that was dragging them to hell.

In today’s politically correct world, Christians are warned that we must color inside the lines and not say certain things – or face the consequences.

What are the egregious sins of those who hate the gospel today? Abortion and homosexuality immediately come to mind. Call out these biblical sins and we will surely set off an explosion of hatred and persecution, and yet these sins, and others, must be confronted if our listeners have any hope of repentance and forgiveness from God.

Gospel preachers must be unafraid to be appropriately provocative, regardless of the consequences. It’s part of the cost of discipleship. It is one of the reasons we need to be led and baptized in the Spirit.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses [Greek: martyrs], telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 (NLT)
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How Much Will This Cost?

Gospel in a Minute

Paul continued his testimony by explaining how God called him to put his faith in Christ into action.

“Then he [Ananias] told me, ‘The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and hear him speak. 15  For you are to be his witness, telling everyone what you have seen and heard. 16  What are you waiting for? Get up and be baptized. Have your sins washed away by calling on the name of the Lord.’ Acts 22:14-16 (NLT)

Principle: How Much Will This Cost?

Hearing and understanding the gospel must result in obedience, or I am merely a consumer of religious stories.

Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name. Romans 1:5 (NLT)

Consumer Christianity has mass marketed a version of Christianity that only requires church attendance, not obedience.

Disciples are called to formally and publicly declare their allegiance to Christ through water baptism and to be a witness to others of the truth of the gospel for a lifetime. If we correctly share the gospel, our hearers will know that following Christ is like signing a blank check, which the our Lord will fill in and cash as he sees fit.

Paul was warned that he would face hardship and suffering as Christ’s servant and messenger; nevertheless, he made an immediate surrender to Christ and the call God placed on his life. When we share the gospel we must make certain our hearers understand the enormous price tag associated with being a disciple.

If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:26 (NLT)
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What’s the Point?

Gospel in a Minute

Paul continued his testimony by relating what his encounter with Christ meant.

“I asked, ‘What should I do, Lord?’ “And the Lord told me, ‘Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told everything you are to do.’ Acts 22:10 (NLT)

Principle: What’s the Point?

Here is where the “rubber meets the road” in Paul’s testimony. It is all well and good to have a religious experience. Plenty of celebrities bandy about the name of God in their award acceptance speeches, but a bigger question is, “What difference does knowing God make? What’s the point?” Many people who profess to be Christians live as though they are not. That was not the case with Paul. His encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus profoundly altered the course of his life. The key is his using the word “Lord.”

The point of the gospel and a good testimony is that Jesus is the Lord.

In fact, if we were forced to reduce the gospel to three words, these three would suffice. Paul immediately comprehended that the One he encountered was and is the Lord.

When we share our testimonies, we should make sure we include how we too came to this realization. Knowing that Jesus is Lord is vastly different from knowing him as savior. Being forgiven makes no demands upon us, but when we surrender to Jesus the Lord, are lives are no longer our own.

Perhaps this is a good time for each of us to consider if this is actually our story. If not, now is the time to make Jesus our Lord, too.

Prayer

Jesus, I never completely realized that your being the Lord means that my life belongs to you now. I surrender to you every aspect of my life from this day forward. Help me to faithfully love and serve you. Amen.

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