The Gospel: Good News, Really!
The Gospel: Good News, Really!
I Corinthians 15:1-8
INTRODUCTION
What does the word “Gospel” mean to you? The literal translation of the word Gospel is good news. For those who are followers of Jesus Christ, the Gospel is the good news about Jesus. The Gospel is bookended by two major events that the world recognizes every year.
The first event is Christmas, or more specifically the truth of the incarnation. It is summed up in John 1. John set the stage in verses 1-2.In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. He declared the reality of the good news in verse 14.The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. And he sandwiched the impact of the good news in verses 10-13.He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
The second bookend event is Easter; the death burial and resurrection of Jesus. Easter is the culmination of the Gospel. Paul summarizes this in Romans 5:6-8. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
In between these two bookends is the amazing story of Jesus’ life and ministry. John summarizes the breadth of Jesus life and ministry, and the heart of the Gospel, at the end of his book with these words. Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. (John 20:30-31)
Tim Challies and Josh Byers, in their book Visual Theology, point out that the Gospel is both historical and relational. The Gospel recounts actual events that happened among real people, in a real place, in real time. The Gospel is also relational, in that it calls us into a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
The message of the Gospel can be summarized by the following outline.
- Humanity was created to live in relationship with God.
- Sin broke that relationship and caused a barrier between humanity and God.
- Jesus came into the world to bridge the gap between God and humanity.
- Jesus removed the barrier of sin by paying the penalty for humanity’s sin on the cross.
- Jesus rose on the third day, and conquered the power of sin and death for us.
- By putting our faith and trust in Jesus and what He has done for us we can be restored to God for all of eternity.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
Study 1: I Corinthians 15:1-4
In these verses, Paul lays out the basic facts of the Gospel. There were those in the church in Corinth who were distorting the Gospel and confusing the people. Paul reminded the Corinthians of the simple truth of the good news.
1. Why would Paul have to remind the people about the Gospel?
2. What is the significance of Paul reminding them that he preached the Gospel to them?
3. How had the people responded to Paul’s presentation of the Gospel?
4. What does Paul say is the outcome of accepting the Gospel?
5. Why is it significant that Paul says that he received the Gospel and then passed it on to them?
6. How does Paul summarize the Gospel?
MAKE IT PERSONAL
1.Why is it important that we are regularly reminded about the truth of the Gospel?
2. When was the first time you really heard the Gospel? How did you respond?
3.What is the difference between accepting the historical facts of the Gospel and trusting in the message of the Gospel?
4. Why would Paul say that the Gospel message is of first importance?
5. For you, what establishes the credibility of the Gospel?
6. What are some of the barriers that keep people from accepting the Gospel?
Study 2: I Corinthians 15:5-8
In these verses, Paul gives one of the most comprehensive accounts of the resurrection of Jesus. We must keep in mind that Paul’s letter to the Corinthians was written before any of the four Gospels were written and distributed.
1. Why would Paul feel the need to list all of these resurrection appearances?
2. What is the significance of Paul singling out Peter from the rest of the Twelve?
3. What is the significance of Paul’s reference to Jesus appearing to 500 of the brothers at the same time?
4. Why might Paul single out James as one who saw Jesus after His resurrection?
5. How does Paul describe his encounter with the risen Lord?
6. What group of people is missing from this list of those who saw the risen Jesus?
MAKE IT PERSONAL
1. What stands out to you about Paul’s list of resurrection appearances?
2. Why is it significant that Paul included a variety of encounters? How does this help to validate the truth of the resurrection?
3. Why is the resurrection “of first importance” to the Gospel story?
4. Paul wrote this letter within about 20 years of the time of the resurrection. How does this add credibility to what he is saying?
5. What objections do people have to the truth of the resurrection?
6. Given Paul’s account and the accounts in the Gospels, how would you answer those objections?
Study 3: Romans 10:9-13
In this passage, Paul turns from the facts of the Gospel to the relational aspect of the Gospel.
1. How does Paul describe what a person must do to be saved?
2. Why do you think Paul combined both an inward and outward response to the Gospel?
3. Why is a verbal affirmation of faith an essential part of the process?
4. We think of the heart as the seat of our emotions, but Paul saw the heart as the seat of our will and intellect. How does this help us understand what Paul means (and doesn’t mean) by believing with your heart?
5. How does Paul open the door of the Gospel to everyone?
6. What does it mean to call on the name of the Lord?
MAKE IT PERSONAL
1.If you have put your faith in Christ, what was that experience like for you? What brought you to that place?
2. The word Lord literally means master. What does it mean to you to confess Jesus as the Lord of your life?
3. Why is it important that we believe that God raised Jesus from the dead? Why can’t we just believe in Jesus as a good teacher?
4. Why is a verbal confession of faith essential to our spiritual transformation?
5. What does it mean to put your trust in someone?What does it mean to put your trust in Jesus?
6. In the Bible, “name” refers to a person’s authority, character, and personality. What does it mean to call on the “name” of Jesus?
Study 4:Romans 1:16-17
In these verses, Paul stresses the power of the Gospel.
1. Why would Paul state that he is not ashamed of the Gospel?
2. For what reason is Paul not ashamed of the Gospel?
3. In what way is Paul taking a stand against the false teachers of his day?
4. What does Paul say about the universality of the Gospel?
5. What is the significance of Paul’s statement: “first to the Jew, then to the Gentile”?
6. What does the Gospel reveal?
7. What does it mean that the righteous will live by faith?
MAKE IT PERSONAL
1. What does it mean to be ashamed of the Gospel?
2. How might our lives and actions imply that we are ashamed of the Gospel?
3. What does it mean for you to not be ashamed of the Gospel?
4. How have you experienced the power of the Gospel in your life? How might you share that with others?
5. What does it mean for you to receive a righteousness from God? What does that look like in practical terms?
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