Introduction

The Gospel, or the good news of Jesus Christ, is a life changing message and serves as the only means for salvation and a restored relationship with God. Without the Gospel, we would be condemned to eternal punishment, having no hope for salvation, and we could not fulfill our purpose in life, which is to exalt and glorify God. What is the Gospel? The answer to the question begins at creation.

Creation

God is the eternally existing Creator of the universe. Everything that exists was created by and for Him, including mankind (Gen. 1-2). Genesis 1:26 tells us that God made us in His image and gave us dominion over all things. The first man was named Adam and the first woman was named Eve. They were placed in the garden of Eden, where they experienced a perfect relationship with God and each other (Gen. 2:4-25).

Fall/Exile

Their perfect relationship did not last. While living in the garden, Adam and Eve rebelled, sinning against God by eating from the tree the Lord explicitly told them they were not to eat from or touch (Gen. 2:16). Their sin did not solely consist in breaking the rules of God, but it was an outright rejection of God. We do the same thing when we sin. We are not just breaking a rule, but rather we deny God’s right as Ruler over His creation by attempting to be the ruler ourselves.

After Adam and Eve sinned against God, their relationship with Him was broken. God drove them out of the garden and cursed them (Gen. 3:8-24). Their sin affected the entire world (Rom. 5:18-19). Peace no longer existed between man and woman, and between man and God. The world itself was plunged into sin, relationships were broken, and death was certain (Gen. 3; Isaiah 65:17-25).

In the midst of this punishment, God promised a future Messiah, who will crush Satan and restore fellowship between God and us by giving us a new heart, one that desires to worship God instead of self (Gen. 3:15; Jer. 31:31-34).

Redemption/Reconciliation

The Promised Messiah is Jesus, the Son of God, who came to take away the sins of the world, and restore the broken relationship between a Holy God and an unholy people (John 1:29-34). Jesus lived a perfect life, and willingly subjected Himself to a painful death on the cross, in order to pay for our sins (Rom. 3:21-26). In doing so, He acts as our substitute, standing in our place, taking the punishment we deserve because of our sinfulness (Rom. 5:8; 6:23; 1 John 2:1-2).

Response

In order for us to experience forgiveness for our sins and a restored relationship with God and one another, we must confess our sins and profess Jesus as our Lord and Savior (Col. 1:20; 1 John 1:3).

What does it mean to confess sin?

It means that we first recognize we are a sinner, that we have rebelled against God to seek our own way, thinking ourselves to be wiser than God.

Second, it means that we confess to God our rebellion against Him. We confess that we have tried to go at it on our own because we thought that our wisdom was greater than His, and in doing so, we have sinned against Him.

What does it mean to profess Christ as our Lord and Savior?

When we profess Christ as our Lord and Savior, we recognize that we cannot earn our way to God, but that the only way to have a restored relationship with Him is through the person and work of Jesus Christ. It also means that we recognize Jesus as the King of our lives.

Results

When we confess our sins and profess Jesus as our Lord and Savior, His blood cleanses us from all unrighteousness, the wrath of God is removed from us, and we experience peace with God (2 Cor. 5:21; Rom. 5:1; 1 John 1:9). When God looks down on us, He sees Christ’s blood and not our sin, which results in a reconciled relationship with God now and for all eternity (Heb. 10:19-22).

Our confession of sin and profession that Jesus is our Lord and Savior also results in a changed heart and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (Jer. 31 & Acts 2). Our changed heart and the Holy Spirit empowers us to live in accordance with the commandments of God. Where we once desired to do our own will, we now desire to do God’s will. Where we once lived for ourselves, we now have the ability to live for God. Where we once used one another for personal gain, we now have the ability to love and serve each other. This means that the cleansing blood of Christ not only results in us having fellowship with God, but it also results in us having true fellowship with one another (1 John 1:3).

Do you believe?

Is God working in your heart right now to show you your sin and your need for a Savior? If He is, do not delay. The time of salvation is now (Heb. 3:12-4:13). Confess and turn from your sins, professing Jesus as both your Savior and Lord.

Questions?

If you have any questions about the Gospel message, or need someone to talk with, please do not hesitate to contact our pastor by email: pastor@sycamoredecatur.com