The term gospel fundamentally means "good news". Derived from the Old English gōdspel (translating the Greek euangelion), it refers primarily to the core message of Christianity concerning the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the offer of salvation -- MerriamWebster
Gospel means good news.
Therefore, if it is not good it is not part of the Gospel.
The Revelation of and manifestation of God`s love is the essence of the Gospel.
Grace means unmerited favor.
The Gifts below are aspects of God`s Grace.
➛ Salvation is a gift.
➛ Health is a gift.
➛ Prosperity is a gift.
➛ Abundant, eternal life is a gift.
➛ The Holy Spirit is a gift.
➛ Power and authority to administer God`s Grace is a gift.
➛ Heaven is a gift.
God`s part is Grace and it is finished.
Our part is to receive.
What Great news!
It`s an offer you can`t refuse!
Romans:
Jesus says unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes unto the Holy Spirit Father, but by me.   Jesus introduces the sandwich prayer - praise, petition, praise. Isn't it interesting that Christians have been praying this prayer for 2000 years and yet most Christians do not know the name of the Holy Spirit Father? Oh yes, some Christians will give you a litany of names from the Old Testament, especially YHVH, but still refer to Him as God (which is just a title) or Father which is just a role. When Jesus spoke these words to His disciples He was leading them to a monumental Truth. They were still trying to understand who this man was. So, He could not have held on to them if He told them that the name of the Father was Jesus and that the Father was standing before them and speaking to them. So, Jesus instructs them to pray to the Father and hallow His 'name' without telling them the Father's name. The disciples like Christians today either assumed the 'name' to be YHWH or Lord or God. It was only at the end of His ministry, before going to the cross, that Jesus told them who He is, who the Father is and what the Father's name is though He had laid down many hints. We are to refer to the Holy Spirit Father of Christ Jesus using His name which is Jesus. We are to ask the Holy Spirit Father for what we need using the name of Jesus |
What precisely was Jesus saying about Himself?
➛ Way - We come to God through Him
➛ Truth - We learn the truth about God through Him
➛ Life - We receive the life of God through Him
Regardless of how religious a person may be, how much they study, how much they pray, how much they desire God, how good they are, how much good they do, it is impossible to find another way to God, or to know the Truth about God or to experience the life of God apart from Christ Jesus.
When you couple this profound statement by our Lord with this one:
Come unto me, all you that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. |
you have the Gospel.
And the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation.
When we share the unadulterated Gospel, the Holy Spirit takes our words and performs the supernatural work of conversion.
Be direct. Be clear. Be unapologetic. Be light in the darkness around you.
20200619 - `Things`
By reducing the Gospel to just `being saved from hell" we have disemboweled it of its power to transform this life and produce wealth in the lives of believers. What exactly did Jesus mean by "all these things" and " Abundant Life"?
In Christ we are children of Creator God who owns all things, who made Christ heir of all things, who has made us co-heirs with Him. Change your thinking, change your life.
Socialism promises `things` and makes converts. Jesus promised `things` through connection with the creator of all `things`. They are beating us at our own game!
Preach and teach the whole Gospel!
Jesus came preaching repentance. Repentance from what? The sin of unbelief.
The Jews had a wrong understanding of God and so did not believe God.
Jesus is the Truth about God.
There was considerable misunderstanding of God reflected in the Old Testament, even by the men of God. Jesus said that we have to search the scriptures (when He said this, the Old Testament was the only scripture) looking for the references of Him. And it was those references that enabled them to find eternal life.
Repent of wrong theology and believe the Gospel and only the Gospel.
➛ The Old Covenant was not good news.
➛ The New Covenant is good news.
A Gospel of power by Barry Bennett
Expect the power of God and miracles in your life! Your intense anticipation of His goodness is the fertile ground for faith to receive miracles! The true gospel is the power of God. Lifeless religion will leave people creating doctrinal excuses for their powerless lives. Don`t be an unbelieving believer!
1. Signs should follow the Word.
And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following.
2. preaching grace should produce signs and wonders.
Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
3. To fully preach the gospel, signs and wonders should be evident.
Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.
4. signs are the fruit of hearing the Word and faith being born in the hearts of the listeners.
He therefore that ministers to you the Spirit, and works miracles among you, does He it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Legalism won`t produce signs and wonders. The true gospel will.
5. When we hear Him, healing will come. This requires that we hear the true Word of God, and that we give attention to that Word.
But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities.
6. healing is the nature of the Word.
My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. 21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. 22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.