The Gospel Unveiled: Rediscovering the True Good News
In a world filled with misconceptions about Christianity, Pastor Bill Brannan sheds light on the true essence of the Gospel, emphasizing its nature as good news. This blog explores how the Gospel of the Kingdom, as taught by Jesus, promotes liberty, healing, and a flourishing life, contrasting sharply with the burdens of religious traditions.
What is the Gospel
The Gospel is fundamentally about the good news of Jesus Christ. It encompasses the message of salvation, grace, and God’s love for humanity. At its core, the Gospel reveals God’s plan to redeem and restore the world through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Understanding the Gospel means recognizing that it is not merely a set of doctrines but a transformative relationship with God.
The Gospel is Good News
The term “Gospel” literally means “good news.” This concept is central to the message of Christianity. The good news is that God loves us, desires a relationship with us, and has made a way for us to experience true life through Jesus. This message should be communicated in a way that resonates with the hearts of those who hear it, emphasizing hope, redemption, and the possibility of a new beginning.
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Jesus Preached the Gospel of the Kingdom
Throughout His ministry, Jesus preached the Gospel of the Kingdom. This message was about the reign of God breaking into the world. Jesus’ teachings offered a new perspective on life, emphasizing love, justice, mercy, and the transformative power of God’s Kingdom. He illustrated this through parables and actions, demonstrating how the Kingdom of God was not just a future hope but a present reality that could change lives.
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Abundant Life in Christ
In John 10:10, Jesus states, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” The abundant life He offers is not merely about material wealth or success; it is about a deep, fulfilling relationship with God. This life is characterized by peace, joy, and purpose. It invites believers to experience the fullness of God’s love and grace, transforming every aspect of their existence.
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You are Salt and Light
In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus declared, “You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world.” This profound statement emphasizes the role of believers in the world. Salt preserves and enhances flavor, while light dispels darkness. As followers of Christ, we are called to bring hope, truth, and love into our communities, reflecting the character of God in our actions and interactions.
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Jesus’ Surprising Gospel
Jesus’ approach to preaching was often surprising and countercultural. He challenged societal norms and religious traditions, inviting people to rethink their understanding of God and His Kingdom. His messages often included the marginalized and the outcasts, emphasizing that God’s love is inclusive and transformative. This radical approach invites us to embrace a Gospel that breaks down barriers and extends grace to all.
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Law of God vs. Traditions of Men
One of the key issues Jesus addressed was the conflict between the law of God and the traditions of men. He emphasized that the law was given to guide humanity towards righteousness and justice, while human traditions often distorted its true intent. By focusing on the heart of God’s commandments, Jesus sought to free people from legalism and redirect them towards a genuine relationship with God.
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Taking the Lord’s Name in Vain
Taking the Lord’s name in vain extends far beyond the casual use of phrases in moments of frustration. It involves living in a way that misrepresents the character and essence of God. When we claim to be followers of Christ but act contrary to His teachings, we risk profaning His name.
Jesus addressed this issue by highlighting the disconnect between outward worship and the condition of the heart. He pointed out that many honor God with their lips, yet their hearts are far from Him. This hypocrisy reveals a deeper problem: the tendency to uphold human traditions while neglecting the true spirit of God’s commandments.
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The Goodness of God
Understanding the goodness of God is essential in grasping the true nature of the Gospel. God’s goodness is not merely an abstract concept; it is a foundational truth that shapes our understanding of His character. He desires for us to experience His goodness in every aspect of our lives.
The psalmist declares, “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” This invitation encourages us to engage with God personally, experiencing His goodness firsthand. When we recognize His benevolence, we are compelled to share this truth with others, reflecting His love and grace in our interactions.
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Resist Competing with Evil
Jesus taught us to resist the urge to compete with evil. In a world filled with offense and conflict, it can be tempting to respond to wrongdoing with retaliation. However, Jesus calls us to a higher standard—one that transcends the cycle of offense and retaliation.
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Instead of competing with evil, we are called to embody a spirit of forgiveness and grace. This approach not only reflects the heart of God but also serves as a powerful testimony to those around us. By choosing not to engage in the cycle of retaliation, we break the chains of sin and usher in a culture of peace.
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Remember the Sabbath Day
Remembering the Sabbath is more than a commandment; it is an invitation to rest and reconnect with God. The Sabbath serves as a reminder of our need for balance in life, emphasizing the importance of taking time to pause and reflect on God’s goodness.
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In our busy lives, it can be easy to overlook the significance of this day. However, the Sabbath is intended to rejuvenate our spirits and deepen our relationship with God. It is a time to step back from our work and acknowledge the blessings He has provided.
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Understanding the Sabbath
To truly understand the Sabbath, we must recognize its purpose. It was instituted not as a burden, but as a gift—a time for restoration and renewal. The Sabbath invites us to cultivate a rhythm of work and rest that reflects God’s design for our lives.
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Jesus demonstrated this principle through His actions, often healing on the Sabbath to illustrate that doing good is always appropriate. His approach challenges the rigid interpretations of the law, inviting us to embrace the spirit of the Sabbath rather than merely its letter.
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The Gospel of Jesus Christ
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the ultimate revelation of God’s love and grace. It is the message that brings hope to the hopeless, healing to the broken, and freedom to the captives. This Gospel is not just a historical account; it is a living reality that transforms lives today.
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As we embrace the Gospel, we are called to share its message with others. Our lives should reflect the transformative power of God’s love, drawing others into a relationship with Him. The Gospel compels us to love, serve, and extend grace to those around us, embodying the very essence of Christ.
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In conclusion, the Gospel is a powerful narrative that invites us into a deeper understanding of who God is and how He desires us to live. Each aspect of our faith, from taking His name seriously to honoring the Sabbath, contributes to a fuller picture of His goodness and grace. As we journey together in faith, let us commit to living out the Gospel in ways that reflect His love and bring glory to His name.
Preaching Outline
What is the Gospel?
(Preaching Outline)
1) What is the gospel?
a) It seems reasonable to assert that one of the primary purposes of the church and of believers is to preach and share the gospel.
b) But, what is the gospel?
c) First, it is “good news”
d) Would it be fair to start with Jesus, as our teacher, to learn how to preach the gospel?
e) Matthew 4:23 (NKJV) — 23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people.
f) John 10:10 (NKJV) — 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
g) Matthew 4:17 (NKJV) — 17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
2) After we are told about Jesus preaching the gospel, the first example of His teaching is the sermon on the mount. For time’s sake, I only want to look at a few portions of it.
a) After the beatitudes are the similitudes – you are salt and light.
b) Matthew 5:16 (NKJV) — 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
c) Matthew 5:17–20 (NKJV) — 17 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. 19 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
d) Five “you have heard it saids.”
i) Mark 7:6–7 (NKJV) — 6 He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. 7 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’
ii) Exodus 20:7 (NKJV) — 7 “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.
iii) Rav (a 3rd century Jewish sage) praised Torah learning as the essence of living a life of faith. He opposed a false sense of religiosity that denied pleasure in life, teaching that “Each person is destined to give an account for all that his or her eye saw but has not eaten” (y. Kiddushin ch. 4, hal. 12, 66d). One will be judged not only for sins committed against Torah but also for pleasures in life that were neglected because of a false religious abstinence. The sense of joy in living comes from the creation. God created the world and pronounced His work good. Each person is responsible for enjoying the goodness of God and will be judged for seeing but not eating.[1]
e) Matthew 5:38–42 (NKJV) — 38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41 And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.
3) Restoring a proper understanding of the Kingdom of God
a) Matthew 12:31–32 (NKJV) — 31 “Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. 32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.
b) Exodus 20:8 (NKJV) — 8 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
4) The gospel
a) Romans 1:16–17 (NKJV) — 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”
b) Jeremiah 31:33–34 (NKJV) — 33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 34 No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”
[1] Young, Brad H.. Meet the Rabbis: Rabbinic Thought and the Teachings of Jesus (pp. 177-178). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
