The Gospel

This world exists because of God, who created all things: In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. - Genesis 1:1 

And one of the most amazing things he ever did was create human beings…human beings like you!

That’s why there is…

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. - Genesis 1:27

Please don’t believe the lie that you mean nothing and have no worth or purpose. You are the intentional creation of God!

But the gospel also has some bad news. The gospel says there is...

That should be obvious right? Go check out the news from today for proof.

When God created the world, it was good. But mankind sinned against God and the world has been broken ever since.

What is sin? To sin is to break God’s Law in thought, word, or deed. And the Bible teaches we are all sinners, without exception: 

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, - Romans 3:23

What are the consequences for sin? Ultimately, the punishment for sin is eternal death in Hell.

They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might. – 2 Thessalonians 2:9

That’s the bad news, but here’s the good news. The gospel gives us…

God sent his Son Jesus Christ into the world. Why? Mark 10:45, For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. 

Jesus came into this world to die on the cross for your sins. He was buried in a tomb, but he did not stay in the tomb! Three days later he rose again and he is still alive today! 

And since Jesus is alive today, you can personally trust him.

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33

The world is scary, sin is scary, Hell is scary…but Jesus has overcome them all. You can put your trust in Jesus and have peace: peace with yourself, peace in the world…and most importantly you can have peace with God. Simply by trusting in Jesus.

Truly the Gospel offers us…

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Through the gospel… you can be saved from Hell, you can be forgiven of your sins, you can be made right with God, and you can be given eternal life!

And this summary doesn’t even begin to fully articulate all the blessings and wonders of the gospel!

Let’s be clear: None of this amazing stuff can be earned. You can only receive it from God like a gift: For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. – Ephesians 2:8

Do you want to receive the gift of God? If so, the gospel demands…

Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” - Romans 10:9-13

A Christian is someone who makes a personal decision to turn from their sin and trust in Jesus Christ, believing that he died on the cross for your sins and has risen from the dead.

Making this decision means that the Holy Spirit has made you into a new creation: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold the new has come. – 2 Corinthians 5:17

In other words, making this personal decision means that your life is forever changed! A true born-again Christian will spend the rest of their life following Jesus Christ.

One last P…

CS Lewis once said… “Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.”

At the very least…you should give serious and thoughtful consideration to something that has changed millions of lives and has stood the test of time.

So here’s the proposal…spend some time considering the claims of Christ. 

How?

1. Read the Gospel of John.

2. Come to a worship service at Beech Grove.

3. Email office@beechgrove.org to get more information on walking through a 5 week Bible Study called “Discovering Christianity”, where you can learn more about the core truths of our faith.

4. If you have made the personal decision to turn and trust in Jesus Christ, please let us know at office@beechgrove.org