The Gospel Concept
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.... In our previous postings we've explored the message of the gospel, beginning with an actual definition of the term. As a recap, the gospel includes four basic points:
1. An understanding of who Jesus is (see Romans 10:9);
2. That He died for our sins, according to the Scriptures;
3. That He was raised again on the third day, according to the Scriptures;
4. And that He was seen, after His resurrection, by many witnesses.
.... In this posting we'll go a little deeper to explore the underlying gospel concept. Concepts are the middle step between head knowledge and a true, spiritual understanding. With help from the Holy Spirit, they can move us from knowing to applying, from understanding to appreciating, from believing to transforming, when the Lord’s perfect work is done in us.
.... In a classroom setting, this concept can be presented in the form of a drill that will get the class thinking. We’ve already discussed the four points of the gospel, but further truths can be derived from these same points if we’ll meditate on their meaning. This is the sort of approach Paul liked to use, beginning with easy points, then finding evidence of deeper truths within them. For example, if Jesus died for our sins we see evidence of a deeper truth that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). .... To bring out these underlying lessons, the class may be promtped with leading questions, such as: "What does it mean that Jesus died for our sins?" putting emphasis on certain points on which they are invited to elaborate. When this has been done, here are some of the answers that earlier classes have come up with:
- Jesus died for our sins; so the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).
- Jesus died for our sins, so we are the ones who really deserved the penalty of death (Ezekiel 18:4)
- Jesus died for us, which means He did not die for Himself; He was not in the same situation as we. In other words, Jesus Himself was sinless (John 8:46).
- Jesus died for us, which means He loved us and cared for us (Revelation 1:5).
- Jesus died for our sins; so without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins (Hebrews 9:22).
.... As you can see, a little meditation in a prayerful attitude, with the encouragement of Christians who are learning together, based on things they may already know, can bring some life-changing revelations! But several more implications have been added in the ‘comments’ section. If we may ask this of you, please think about this on your own and try to reach some further conclusions before comparing your thoughts to the rest of the items on the list; and if you come up with further items that we’ve missed, please add them in additional comments and include a brief explanation.
For the next lesson, click here
Daily Bible Reading: Matthew 12 .
posted by loren at 2:10 AM
5 Comments:
- Jesus died for our sins; so our sins had separated us from God (Ps 66:18); but Jesus brought us back to Him (Col 1:20).
- Jesus was raised from the dead; so everything He needed to accomplish through His death was completed before His resurrection could take place (Rom 4:25).
- Jesus was raised from the dead, so death could not hold Him; He has the power of eternal life (Acts 2:24; Rev 1:18; Heb 7:16).
- Jesus was raised from the dead; death is not the end, but in Him it marks a new beginning (Eph1:1-10).
- Since He died for our sins, our new life leaves ours old sins behind us (Rom 6:13).
- Since our sins caused a separation, we also need to repent of them (Acts 3:18,19).
- He gave His life for us, so we owe Him our lives in return (Rom 8:11,12; 1 Pet 2:24).
- God spoke through the prophets, and confirmed their word through the apostles, that ‘In the mouth of two or three witnesses (complimentary sources) every word may be confirmed’
By
loren, at 4/27/2005 2:18 AM
Hi Diane,
Thanks for your encouragement!
I believe the Scriptures foretell a reformation in the end time church, and if so then it's something God is stirring in the hearts of true Christians all around the world. So it doesn't surprise me that those articles crystalize some thoughts that others have been pondering for a while anyway. (It thrills me, yes, but it doesn't surprise me!) I greatly value feedback because I'll bet some others can do the same for me.
My wife used to work for a Christian publisher. It's almost impossible to publish a book these days unless you're already a published author, which of course produces a vicious cycle for a new, would-be author like me. But if this blog does well, who knows? One of her editor friends is watching it to see how this does, with thoughts of a book version.
But actually, I think blogging has the potential of being even more productive. My friend Berry thinks it can spearhead a spontaneous reformation all around the world. He points to the creation of the Linux and Mozilla software programs as the sort of concept he envisions. No one wrote those programs, and everyone wrote them: they were online, community efforts. In like manner, this reformation will come from so many sources at once, that the only real auhtor will be God.
Looking forward to corresponding with you further!
By
loren, at 4/27/2005 11:26 AM
Back to the topic at hand, on the gospel concept:
Recently, on another blog site, a discussion took place on a separate, controversial issue. This drew the attention of a vehement young athiest calling himself Matt the apostate, who was steeped in worldly philosophy. Some advice came out of that discussion that goes back to the gospel concept:
"I mean this very sincerely, so please think about this. Nietzsche said God is dead, but the truth is that Nietzsche is dead. But Jesus is alive forevermore. So what does that mean? Who could he be? Where did he come from? What kind of life did he live? Why did he die? Why could death not hold him? Where did he go after his resurrection? And why did those who saw him, alive from the dead, devote their lives to him even though many (if not most) ended up gladly giving their own life in order to remain loyal to him?
You've probably recognized the heart of the gospel concept in those questions. In them, in answer to human philosophy, is the essence of Paul's remark:
"Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?"
(1 Cor 1:20; see also 1:21-23; 1:27; 3:18-21)
By
loren, at 4/27/2005 11:44 AM
Thankyou for sharing a new way to meditate on the scriptures, in the light of Jesus! I will meditate with other scriptures by emphasizing each word and allow the Lord to reveal to me what He is speaking to my heart! Would you mind elaborating on the fifth line, 'since our sins caused a separation, we also need to repent of them'. Acts 3:19 is a wonderful picture of a prodigal turning back to his father. The father never left the son, the son left the father, therefore, our Father hasn't abandoned us, when we sin. He is waiting for us lovingly and patiently to run to him.
By
Anonymous, at 5/03/2005 12:36 PM
Hi Joan,
Glad you found my blog site! if you think this has potential, I encourage you to set up a blog of your own as well. They're free. Just go into the upper right corner of my home page where it says 'Get your own blog' and click there, and it will walk you through.
When I say that our sins caused a separation between ourselves and God, I was referring to Isaiah 59:2. The heart of that passage is like your illustration of the prodigal son, in that we first turned our hearts from God. And that's where the separation began.
Sins do cause a separation between ourselves and God, which begins with us. It took the death of God's Son to mend this estrangement. So the real point is to understand the magnitude of our culpability, and the consequences it brought, so that we will not so lightly repeat such things; that we might purpose in our hearts to abide in Him henceforth, and develop an appreciation for doing so. It doesn't mean we'll be perfect, but it does indicate a sinceee change of heart and a surrender to His grace.
I love your point about Him waiting for us! So often, people won't come to the Lord because they think He is angry with them, and He's just waiting for us to give Him our attention so He can chew us out. But this is not right at all. The hestitancy we feel arises from within ourselves, and not from Him; For His part, He has granted the ministry of reconciliation.
So yes, sins are an issue, but His focus is to help us and clean us from them; the shame and condemnation we feel is from ourselves (and maybe from the devil), but not from Him.
I appreciate your other comments too, hope to see you new blog soon.
By
loren, at 5/03/2005 3:55 PM
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