Harvest Community Church is a group that wants to encounter the Gospel every moment of the day. We want it to shape the words that we speak, the shows that we watch, the activities we pursue. The Gospel should permeate every aspect of our lives, from how we discipline our children, to how we love our spouses. Nothing is outside the influence of the Gospel. For this reason we study it, proclaim it, teach it, learn it and relearn it without wearying of it. The Gospel is the power that transforms every aspect of our lives.
So, what is the Gospel?
“Gospel” is a word you have likely used before. Phrases like, “That is the gospel truth” or “You can take that as gospel” roll off our tongues but lack the real meaning the word conveys. These English idioms give us a hint that in some way the Gospel is true—and that is good, but frankly it falls short of the mark.
The word Gospel means “good news”. It is the good news that God is who He says He is. It is the good news that He has done what He said He would do. It is the good news that He will do everything He has promised to do.
Understanding the Gospel begins with learning the truth that God is holy and you are not. God declares himself to be utterly separate from and thoroughly disgusted by sin. We by contrast LOVE sin. We are born in sin and like air it permeates our entire being. Our thoughts, our words and our deeds are sinful. The sin of pride may even now be telling you to stop reading as you justify yourself with thoughts like “I’m not that bad!” or “Don’t judge me! You don’t know me!”
When we compare ourselves with each other we may think, “I’m a pretty good person.” Unfortunately God will not examine us by that human standard. Instead, we will be held to His standards for holiness. How would God judge you? Let’s find out by looking at our lives in light of His 10 Commandments:
- You shall have no other gods before Me. (Have you always loved God above all else? Read Romans 3:11)
- You shall not make yourself an idol. (Have you made a god in your mind that you’re more comfortable with, a god to suit yourself?)
- You shall not take God’s name in vain. (Have you ever used God’s holy name as a cuss word?)
- Remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy. (Do you regularly set aside a day to honor and worship the Lord?)
- Honor your father and mother. (How would your parents answer this question for you?)
- You shall not murder. (Did you know that God considers hatred to be murder? Read 1 John 3:15)
- You shall not commit adultery. (Did you know that God says looking with lust—even if you are NOT married—is the same as adultery? Read Matthew 5:27-28.)
- You shall not steal. (Have you ever stolen anything? …the value of the item is irrelevant).
- You shall not lie. (Have you lied even once? …including answering these questions).
- You shall not covet. (Have you ever jealously desired what belongs to others?)
If you were honest then you know that you are guilty before God. The Bible says we are dead in our trespasses and sins. Despite your best efforts unless God intervenes you are spiritually dead to Him. When you die physically, you will stand before God and be judged. The testimony of your own words, thoughts and deeds will be the evidence against you.
So how should God sentence you? Read the following verse carefully:
“But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” (Rev 21:8 ESV)
The Gospel (Good News) is that God Himself has made a way where His wrath and justice could be satisfied in the demonstration of His love and mercy! The Gospel is that God told us before hand (prophecy) that He would send His perfect Son (Jesus Christ), born of a virgin, holy, sinless, and that He would take sin upon Himself and be punished for it. That He would be put to death in the place of sinners like you. The Gospel is that you broke God’s law and He paid the fine in His life’s blood. God’s justice and wrath are satisfied in Jesus. Your court case before God is thrown out if you are in Christ.
This news demands a response because God commands that you repent and believe it. Repentance is when you recognize your offense to God, cry out to Him for forgiveness, turn from your sin and put your trust to Jesus. In other words you must hate your sin and love God! Please know that repentance is ongoing, you become a “repenter”—one who when they do sin falls upon their face before God to turn from it again. Why? Because you hate it, you fight it all the while knowing that Jesus’ blood was shed to satisfy God’s wrath against it!
To believe the Gospel is to put your faith and trust in Jesus. Have confidence that your sins are paid in full. Trust that His death is sufficient—even for your sin as bad as it is! God’s promise is that if you call to Him in repentance and faith He will forgive you. You will no longer be condemned in your sin, you will be forgiven in Christ.
The Gospel is the fact that even though everyone dies God has proved Himself to be true by raising Jesus from the dead. Buddha, Muhammad and every other so called prophet or teacher from “god” are dead. Jesus’ words stand above everyone else’s because He is alive. Believe the words of the first one to taste death and be raised never to die again when He says, “For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” (John 6:40 ESV)
The Gospel is that God is who he says He is, that He has done what He said He would do, and that He will do everything He has promised to do.
Repent and believe the Gospel.