First Thursday of Advent

The Gospel

Read Romans 1:16 – 17
 “I am not ashamed of the Gospel…”  Why do you think the Apostle Paul declares this so boldly?  He was in some ways prideful or boastful of the Gospel, but not because of anything he had accomplished in his life.  The cross of Jesus Christ and the Gospel were considered by many outsiders to be foolishness.  It was considered a crutch, a superstition, or a fairy tale.  People who followed the way of the cross were considered fools.  Paul does not shy away from preaching the Gospel nor was he going to hide or try to act like it didn’t impact his life.

The word Gospel is derived from the Greek word Euaggeleion (Yoo-ang-ghel-ee-on) which means good tidings or good news.  It is the glad tidings of the kingdom of God that is still to come and of the good news of Jesus the Messiah.  The Gospel is the news of salvation through faith in the work of Jesus Christ.  It is preaching the death of Jesus Christ for justification to those who believe.  It is preaching the resurrection and exaltation of Jesus Christ.  It is declaring the return of Jesus Christ in majesty and His coming Kingdom.

The Gospel message is a declaration of the mighty work of God who has delivered, preserved and kept safe those who believe in Jesus.  It is the redemption we will all receive when we pass from this life to eternity.  A.W. Pink wrote, “We are saved from the penalty of sin, saved from the power of sin, and the pleasure of sin”.

Many Christians have the idea of salvation wrong.  Some think of the Gospel as a “get out of hell free” card or a “fire protection” policy.   Salvation is more than being saved from eternal death.  It is the guarantee of a fruitful and abundant life on earth and the inheritance of eternal life.
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The Gospel message declares salvation is for everyone who believes.  It is the saving faith through the work of Jesus Christ on the cross, his resurrection and ascension.