What is the gospel?
The World Is Broken
We probably don't need to convince you of that. Every day we see evidence of it: war, injustice, disease, and death. We experience it in our own lives through disappointment, regret, and broken relationships. The question is not whether something is wrong with the world. The question is: Why is it broken, and can it be fixed? We believe God has given us the answer. The Bible calls that answer the Gospel, which means "good news."
How Did We Get Here?
The Bible teaches that there is one God (Isaiah 44:6-8) who created everything. "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth…and it was very good” (Genesis 1:1, 31). Perfect harmony existed until his prized creation, people, rebelled against God. Instead of trusting God, we chose our own way. The Bible calls this sin. Through sin, death and corruption entered the world (Romans 5:12; 8:20-21). We are now damaged by sin and deserving of God’s wrath as we follow the same pattern of rebellion (Ephesians 2:1-3). Though his steadfast love extends to the heavens and his faithfulness is unending, we willingly disregard and distrust the one who gave us life (Psalm 36:5). So, why is the world broken? Because of us, each of us.
God's Response to Our Rebellion
If the story ended there, there would be no hope. But God did not abandon us. "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us" refused to leave us in our filth and wandering (Ephesians 2:3). God sent his son, Jesus, to take our brokenness and put it on himself. Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin, and lived a perfect life without sin. He did what none of us could do. Yet the very people He came to save rejected Him. When he offered men the kingdom of God, they offered him torture and death (Philippians 2:5-8). And he willingly accepted it for our sake (John 10:17-18, 2 Corinthians 5:21). Because of our sin, we deserved death. But instead, Jesus took our punishment on himself by dying on the cross and gave us eternal life in return.
The Cross Changes Everything
The death Jesus died was not an accident. It was God's plan to save sinners. Jesus died on a cross to pay the penalty for our sin because we never could. He was then buried in a tomb for three days. But on the third day he rose from the dead, defeating death itself (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
We probably don't need to convince you of that. Every day we see evidence of it: war, injustice, disease, and death. We experience it in our own lives through disappointment, regret, and broken relationships. The question is not whether something is wrong with the world. The question is: Why is it broken, and can it be fixed? We believe God has given us the answer. The Bible calls that answer the Gospel, which means "good news."
How Did We Get Here?
The Bible teaches that there is one God (Isaiah 44:6-8) who created everything. "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth…and it was very good” (Genesis 1:1, 31). Perfect harmony existed until his prized creation, people, rebelled against God. Instead of trusting God, we chose our own way. The Bible calls this sin. Through sin, death and corruption entered the world (Romans 5:12; 8:20-21). We are now damaged by sin and deserving of God’s wrath as we follow the same pattern of rebellion (Ephesians 2:1-3). Though his steadfast love extends to the heavens and his faithfulness is unending, we willingly disregard and distrust the one who gave us life (Psalm 36:5). So, why is the world broken? Because of us, each of us.
God's Response to Our Rebellion
If the story ended there, there would be no hope. But God did not abandon us. "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us" refused to leave us in our filth and wandering (Ephesians 2:3). God sent his son, Jesus, to take our brokenness and put it on himself. Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin, and lived a perfect life without sin. He did what none of us could do. Yet the very people He came to save rejected Him. When he offered men the kingdom of God, they offered him torture and death (Philippians 2:5-8). And he willingly accepted it for our sake (John 10:17-18, 2 Corinthians 5:21). Because of our sin, we deserved death. But instead, Jesus took our punishment on himself by dying on the cross and gave us eternal life in return.
The Cross Changes Everything
The death Jesus died was not an accident. It was God's plan to save sinners. Jesus died on a cross to pay the penalty for our sin because we never could. He was then buried in a tomb for three days. But on the third day he rose from the dead, defeating death itself (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
How should we respond?
What Does God Ask of Us?
God's invitation is simple. That we follow him; that we follow the one who loved us to the point of giving his life so that we could have the chance to live forever. He asks that we would give ourselves to the one who made us, gave us life, and now gives us hope, a hope that is secured by what he has already accomplished: death no longer has the final word (Romans 6:9-14; 1 Corinthians 15:50-58). Our life now has eternal purpose and direction.
What Happens When You Follow Jesus?
When a person turns to Christ in faith, God forgives their sins and makes them new. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation" (2 Corinthians 5:17). God also does not leave us to go through life alone. God gives us his Holy Spirit to live within us and guide us (Ephesians 1:13-14). And this is not the end of the story. One day Jesus will return to gather his followers, defeat evil forever, and make all things new (Hebrews 9:28). This is the good news.
Can God Forgive Someone Like Me?
Yes. Nothing you’ve done is too much for God to forgive. No failure is beyond His mercy. No person is too far gone. He has already made a way for you to be reconciled to God. He just wants you to acknowledge who he is, what he’s done for you, and let him guide you through life (John 10:9-11; Romans 10:9-10; Ephesians 2:8-10).
Ready to Follow Jesus?
If you are ready to acknowledge Jesus as your Savior and give your life to him, here is a prayer you could say to communicate it to him. A prayer does not save you. Jesus does. But if you are ready to place your trust in Him, a prayer like this can help you express that faith to God:
If you have trusted in Jesus today, we would love to hear from you. Following Jesus was never meant to be done alone. God designed His people to walk together, encourage one another, and grow together. We would love the chance to walk with you through this new adventure.
God's invitation is simple. That we follow him; that we follow the one who loved us to the point of giving his life so that we could have the chance to live forever. He asks that we would give ourselves to the one who made us, gave us life, and now gives us hope, a hope that is secured by what he has already accomplished: death no longer has the final word (Romans 6:9-14; 1 Corinthians 15:50-58). Our life now has eternal purpose and direction.
What Happens When You Follow Jesus?
When a person turns to Christ in faith, God forgives their sins and makes them new. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation" (2 Corinthians 5:17). God also does not leave us to go through life alone. God gives us his Holy Spirit to live within us and guide us (Ephesians 1:13-14). And this is not the end of the story. One day Jesus will return to gather his followers, defeat evil forever, and make all things new (Hebrews 9:28). This is the good news.
Can God Forgive Someone Like Me?
Yes. Nothing you’ve done is too much for God to forgive. No failure is beyond His mercy. No person is too far gone. He has already made a way for you to be reconciled to God. He just wants you to acknowledge who he is, what he’s done for you, and let him guide you through life (John 10:9-11; Romans 10:9-10; Ephesians 2:8-10).
Ready to Follow Jesus?
If you are ready to acknowledge Jesus as your Savior and give your life to him, here is a prayer you could say to communicate it to him. A prayer does not save you. Jesus does. But if you are ready to place your trust in Him, a prayer like this can help you express that faith to God:
"Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner and have done wrong. I have done many things that don’t please you. I am sorry, and I turn away from those things. I ask you to forgive me. I believe that you died on the cross for me, to save me from my sins. You did what I could not do for myself. I ask you to take control of my life; I give it to you. From this day forward, help me to live every day for you and in a way that pleases you. I love you, and I thank you that I will spend eternity with you. Amen."
If you have trusted in Jesus today, we would love to hear from you. Following Jesus was never meant to be done alone. God designed His people to walk together, encourage one another, and grow together. We would love the chance to walk with you through this new adventure.
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Andrew Gabbert
Director of Evangelism Ministries