5 WEEK 1: The Essence of the Gospel September 5, 2013 The Greek word evangelion, frequently translated gospel, means glad tidings, or good news, and in Pauline usage it refers to the message of God s saving work in Jesus Christ. Of the seventysix instances of gospel in the NT, sixty are found in the Pauline corpus. Dictionary of Paul and His Letters Paul talked a lot about the gospel. It was a topic that permeated each of his letters, except the one he wrote to Titus. It was a regular part of his vocabulary and central to his theology. For Paul, the gospel was the heart and soul of his message. His life had been transformed by the gospel. He was called by God to preach the gospel. He was a relentless defender of the gospel. The message Paul preached and the letters he wrote are testaments to his unwavering belief that the gospel concerning Jesus Christ really was good news. This was not a case of semantics or wishful thinking. He understood that the gospel was the result of God s grace and in spite of man s sinfulness. It was the hope for the world and man s only means of being restored to a right relationship with God. A few passages from Paul on the gospel Romans 1:1 Colossians 1:6 1 Corinthians 9:16, 2223 1 Thessalonians 2:23 2 Corinthians 3:4 2 Thessalonians 1:79 Galatians 1:112 1 Timothy 1:810 Ephesians 1:3 2 Timothy 2:810 Philippians 1:1516 Philemon 1:1013 The Lecture: As you listen, write down what jumps out at you. Make special note of any new insights you may gain from the lecture. Be ready to share them with the men at your table during the discussion time.
6 Table Discussion: During your discussion time, listen to what the other men around your table share that is worth remembering. God has a way of speaking through others, as they provide insights or different applications from the lessons. Prayer Time: On the Topic: The gospel really is good news. But too often we take it for granted, failing to thank God for the incredible gift He has given us through His Son. Today, why not spend a few minutes of your prayer time taking time to thank God for the good news of salvation? Around the Table: Be sure and leave a few minutes for the sharing of prayer requests. Remember, keep your requests short and sweet. Don t let the details bog you down. We don t have to understand all that is going on to pray effectively.
7 Week 2 Homework: The good news didn t always elicit a good reaction. Paul discovered that sharing the gospel sometimes resulted in apathy or even outright hostility. The gospel was plagued by counterfeits and hostile opposition. The world stood against it. Satan sought to destroy it. Take some time this week to read the following passages and answer the questions. Consider how the gospel faces opposition in your life each day. Read 2 Corinthians 11:14 Why do you think Paul was jealous for the believers in Corinth? Describe the danger Paul was warning them about. Why would this have been dangerous for the Corinthians if they were already believers? Now skip down and read 2 Corinthians 11:1215. How does Paul describe the people in these verses? Put it in your own words. Why would these kinds of people be a threat to the gospel? Read 1 Corinthians 15:1219 What does Paul warn about in these verses that would stand in opposition to the gospel? Why would this conclusion or mindset stand at odds to the very nature of the gospel? Read 2 Timothy 3:15. Why would the kind of people Paul describes to Timothy be a danger to the gospel? What is it about these kinds of people that makes them refuse or reject the good news offered to them through Jesus Christ s death on the cross?
1 WEEK 1: The Essence of the Gospel September 5, 2013 The Apostle Paul Who Was He? (Acts 22:34; 26:45, 911) Faithful Jew Pharisee Scholar Religious zealot Defender of Judaism Persecutor of The Way (Acts 9:36) His call (Acts 9:36; 22:1416; 1 Timothy 1:1216) Paul s Audience: Paul s primary message was addressed to the Church (1 Corinthians 1:2; 2 Corinthians 1:1; Galatians 1:2; Ephesians 1:1; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:2; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1; Romans 1:7) Paul s Message: The Gospel was at the heart of Paul s message to the Church He had been set apart for the Gospel Romans 1:1 He was not ashamed of the Gospel Romans 1:16 He couldn t help but preach the Gospel 1 Corinthians 9:16 The Gospel he preached wasn t manmade Galatians 1:11 He was a servant of the Gospel Ephesians 3:7 He was a defender of the Gospel Philippians 1:17 He was willing to suffer for the Gospel Philippians 1:12 Gospel evangelion gospel, glad tidings, good news (1 Corinthians 15:12) I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. 1 Corinthians 15:34 NLT The sin of mankind required the Good News of Jesus Christ (Romans 1:18; 3:1012, 23) You ll never appreciate the GOOD NEWS until you comprehend the BAD NEWS The Bad News (Romans 3:2526; 6:23; 1 Corinthians 6:911; Ephesians 2:13; Colossians 1:2223)
2 All have sinned The wages of sin is death The unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom All dead in their sins Everyone lives in sin Everybody obeys the enemy All men follow their sinful nature They s all subject to God s wrath Everyone is far away and separated from God All are enemies of God The Good News God has provided a solution He makes it possible for men to be washed, sanctified and justified God shows mercy and gives new life through Jesus Christ He reconciles men to Himself He brings men into His presence He makes men holy, blameless and with fault He provided Jesus as a sacrifice for the sins of men He declares all those who believe as right in His sight Man s Problem: We are prone to pursue a relationship with God in one of two ways: 1. Religion/Spirituality 2. The Gospel Religion says the world is full of good people and bad people The Gospel says the world is full of bad people who are either repentant or unrepentant Religion says you should trust in your own moral goodness The Gospel says you should trust in the sinless life of Jesus Christ Religion is about what we DO The Gospel says nothing you do will ever be enough Religion produces pride (I m better than others) and despair (I can t measure up) The Gospel produces humility and confident joy (because of the power of Jesus at work for me, in me, through me, and sometimes in spite of me) God s Solution: Belief in Christ (Acts 13:3830; 16:31; Romans 10:910; 1 Timothy 1:1516) Are you aware of your own sinfulness? Have you given up trying to earn your way into God s good favor? Do you understand your need for a Savior? Are you convinced that Jesus Christ is that Savior? Do you believe that Jesus died, was buried, and rose again three days later? Is the Good News great news to you? Only a fraction of the present body of professing Christians are solidly appropriating the justifying work of Christ in their lives. Many have so light an apprehension of God s holiness and of the extent and guilt of their sin that consciously they see little need for justification, although below the surface of their lives they are deeply guiltridden and insecure. Richard Lovelace, The Dynamics of Spiritual Life