The Gospel - Pt 1

I wish you would bear with me in a little foolishness. Do bear with me! For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough. (2 Corinthians 11:1-4 ESV).

This Sunday I have been asked to preach at Gospel City Church in Arlington, Texas. The pastor, Mark Mangrem, asked me to continue in a series he began a few weeks ago to keep the continuity of message through the summer. The series is titled “Dinner with Jesus.” I must confess that I was not quite as excited at first with the prospect of this topic; however, as I studied the material and began to prepare the message, I began to realize the vital importance of this subject in the modern church. With that conviction I chose the story of the meal Jesus shared with Simon the Pharisee (cf. Luke 7:36-50). Additionally, I began to think more about the “sincere and pure devotion to Christ” that the Apostle Paul encourages the Corinthians in our reading today. So, for the next few days we are going to be looking at the simple question of “What is the Gospel?” That sounds too simple to even consider at first read; however, I can assure you that the subtle heresies of today’s church make this an essential. Today I want to merely mention the basis for gathering information and being able to then make a judgment about any message dealing with any part of the gospel. I usually seek the answer to three questions basic questions.  First, what does the message, whether written or spoken, say about how we are saved? It sounds silly to ask that question. After all, don’t we all believe that we are saved by faith through grace? No Christian denomination would argue that point, would they? Well, entire denominations and religious movements have been begun over differences in this question.  Second, I ask, what I am saved from? Sounds even simpler than the first, but as we will see it is very complex.  Third, I ask, what am I saved for? What’s the purpose of my redemption? Why did Jesus die on my behalf? The questions are short, easy to remember, and could not be bigger. These are gospel questions, not only helpful personally, but corporately as well. Bear with me “in a little foolishness” as we explore the grace of God in our Gospel in the next few days! Start using these questions for real freedom in your life.