Scriptural Background
In past lessons, we have introduced our students to the Bible—where it came from, how to study it, and why we can believe it. These are all critical areas of learning, but what is the central message of the Bible? Let’s start at the beginning in the garden of Eden where Adam’s fall into sin affected us all. In Genesis, we hear of God’s plan of a Redeemer who would crush the serpent’s head (Genesis 3:15). Jesus the Messiah fulfilled this prophecy—revealing God’s plan of redemption.
To truly understand the good news of the Bible, we must first grasp the bad news. Because God is a holy God, he cannot dwell with sinful man, and his perfect justice demands that he punish disobedience. The Bible tells us that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), and that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). This is the bad news—that all people are separated from God, born spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1), under his just penalty, and
destined for an eternity in hell.
There is absolutely no way that we can work our way to God or ever be good enough to merit eternal life. In fact, the Bible makes it clear that there are no good works that will commend us to God. Isaiah 64:6 likens our righteousness to filthy rags.
The good news is that God sent his Son, Jesus, to live a sinless life and die on the cross to pay the penalty of death that we all deserve (2 Corinthians 5:21). Through the death of Christ, we see the justice of God satisfied and the love of God demonstrated (Romans 5:8).
Jesus’ death for our sins, his burial, and his resurrection are the heart of the good news. So, what are we required to do to receive forgiveness and gain eternity with our Creator? Repent of our sins and believe the
gospel (Mark 1:14–15; John 3:16; Acts 16:30–31; Acts 20:20–21). The Bible promises that those who repent and trust in Christ as Savior will be saved. And when that occurs, we are adopted by God as sons, joint heirs with Christ (Ephesians 1:5; Romans 8:16–17); we are born again to a new and living hope (1 Peter 1:3); we become new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17); and we have the sure hope of eternal life (Titus 1:2).
It is not until we grasp the bad news—we are sinners in desperate need of a Savior—that we will appreciate the good news—we can be reconciled to God by the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Historical/Apologetics Background
In today’s pluralistic society with its many religions and insistence on tolerance, it is important we understand that the good news of the Bible is not just one way among many. Rather, the Bible clearly teaches that faith in this gospel is the ONLY way to be reconciled to God. Jesus is the ONLY mediator between man and God (1 Timothy 2:5). In John 14:6, Jesus says, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” And Acts 4:12 confirms that there is no other name but Jesus’ by which we must be saved.
Why is Jesus the only way? Because, as Dr. Bruce
Ware puts it:
• Christ alone was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin and as such, he alone qualifies to be Savior (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18–25; Luke1:26–38).
• Christ alone is God incarnate and as such, he alone qualifies to be Savior (John 1:1–18; Hebrews 1:1–3, 2:14–18; Philippians 2:5–11; 1 Timothy 2:5–6).
• Christ alone lived a sinless life and as such, he alone qualifies to be Savior (2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15, 7:23–28, 9:13–14; 1 Peter 2:21–24).
• Christ alone died a penal, substitutionary death and as such, he alone qualifies to be Savior (Isaiah 53:4–6; Romans 3:21–26; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
• Christ alone rose from the dead, triumphant over sin and as such, he alone qualifies to be Savior (Acts 2:22–24; Romans 4:25; 1 Corinthians 15:3–8).1
No other person or man-made religion offers the true path of salvation and reconciliation with God. Merely acknowledging that God exists or believing there is a God does not save anyone. Scripture tells us that even the demons believe (James 2:19). It is only through repentance and faith in Jesus and his work on the cross that anyone can be saved.
The early church preached this true gospel amid much opposition. For the first two centuries, Christians were persecuted, killed, and ostracized. Yet, the gospel spread, and the blood of the martyrs only seemed to validate the message, increasing its power.
In AD 312, the Roman Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity and commanded official toleration of Christianity and other religions. Then in AD 380, Emperor Theodosius made Christianity the official religion of the empire. From this point on, Christians could worship openly, and they enjoyed the protection and favor of the government.
Throughout the following centuries, segments of the church began to include doctrines and practices that were not found in the Bible. These included the special authority of the Pope, the concept of purgatory as a place for after-life purification of sins, the immaculate conception and assumption of Mary, the doctrine of transubstantiation (that the bread in the Eucharist becomes the true body of Christ and the wine becomes his blood), and the general belief that one’s good works had to outweigh the bad in order to attain eternal life.
While the true gospel had been corrupted by officials in the church, God always preserved a remnant who believed the truth of his Word. And in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, this remnant courageously began the movement known as the Reformation. God used these believers to restore the gospel of justification by faith in Christ alone, by grace alone— through the truth of the Bible alone.
Today, we again find the professing church corrupted and moving away from the truth and simplicity of the gospel message. Many churches are distorting the Word of God to attract more people to their services. These false messages can range from prosperity preaching (God wants us all to be healthy and wealthy), to “easy believism” (just say a few words and you will be saved for eternity), to counseling sessions based on secular psychology (come see us and we
can fix your life), to universalism (anyone can get to heaven as long as you are sincere in what you believe), and the list goes on. As Christians, we are called to be discerning about what we hear and to stand on the authority of God’s Word alone.
Studying God’s Word
Introduction
We have been talking about the foundation of a biblical worldview over the last eight weeks. We have talked about who God is, how he has revealed himself to us in creation and the Bible, and why we can trust the Bible as the authority we look to in our lives. The Bible is authoritative because it reflects the character of the triune God who gave it to us. Although it was written down by men, it was superintended by God the Holy Spirit, and the writings made through these men were inspired—breathed out by God.
But what if we believe all of that is true yet don’t heed the main message of the Bible? That is the topic of our lesson today. We are going to look at the message that is the very core of the Bible’s teaching—the message of the gospel.
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What Is the Gospel?
1 Corinthians 15:1–5
? What are the three elements of the gospel Paul preached?
? Why is the good news of the gospel good news?
The Seven C’s and the Gospel
Genesis 1:31–2:4
Creation—Please read Genesis 1:31–2:4.
Genesis 3:6–7, 3:21–23; Romans 5:12, 5:18–19
Corruption—Please read Genesis 3:6–7, 3:21–23, and then Romans 5:12 and 5:18–19.
? What can we infer happened if God made garments of skin (Genesis 3:21)?
Genesis 6:5–8, 8:1, 8:15–17
Catastrophe—Please read Genesis 6:5–8 and then Genesis 8:1 and 8:15–17.
? Why was Noah saved from the judgment of the flood?
Genesis 11:1–9
Confusion—Please read Genesis 11:1–9.
? Why did Jesus command the disciples to make disciples of all nations
(Matthew 28:19), and why do we see people from every tribe, tongue,
people, and nation worshipping Christ in heaven (Revelation 5:9)?
Romans 3:19–26
? According to verse 19, what is the purpose of the law?
? Is the law able to make anyone righteous or justify anyone?
? Who can keep the law perfectly?
? How does this passage explain we can be justified and made righteous
before God?
John 1:14–17
Christ—Please read John 1:14–17.
2 Corinthians 5:21
Cross—Please read 2 Corinthians 5:21.
Revelation 21:1–8
Consummation—Please read Revelation 21:1–8.
Application
? Do you see this method of presenting the gospel as being helpful? Why?
? What other method have you used to present the gospel? How does that
method compare to what we have just discussed?
? Why is it essential to understand the historical relationship between
the first Adam and the last Adam?
? Is it important to understand where sin came from in order to
understand the gospel rightly?
? How does the bad news/good news connection help make the gospel
message clear?
? Why is it appropriate to say that the message of the gospel is woven
throughout the entirety of the Bible?
? What do you see as the biggest stumbling blocks for unbelievers as you
share the truth of God’s Word with them?
? What are the bare essentials of the gospel that must be communicated,
regardless of the method you might use?
? What areas do you need to grow in to be better able to understand and
share the gospel with others?
Prayer Time
• Praise God for his mercy shown toward sinners in Christ’s sacrifice,
evident throughout the pages of the Bible.
• Ask God for boldness to take advantage of opportunities to share the
gospel.
• Thank God for the work of the Holy Spirit who brings regeneration to
those we share the gospel with.