DIVINE INTERVENTION: THE GOSPEL

 THE GOSPEL MESSAGE CAN BE SUMMED UP IN TWO VERSES

    "I never shrank back from telling you what you needed to hear, either publicly or in your homes. I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike- the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God and having faith in our Lord Jesus." (Acts 20:20-21)

    1. It's a Public Message- There is nothing secretive or a cult-like magic to the Gospel. It is a rational explanation of actual historical events. It does reveal metaphysical realities. God chooses to reveal his plan to the humble and teachable mind. He also chooses to conceal his plan to the arrogant and self-righteous. It is not a fairy-tale for the superstitious, uneducated, nonscientific or irrational populous.

    2. It's a Universal Message- The Gospel is a proclamation of hope and fulness of life to all nations, languages, tribes and peoples. It is an open invitation regardless of heritage, culture or creed. It is inclusive to all, but applied only to those individuals who welcome it's objective truth.

    3. It's a Redemptive Message- The Gospel addresses the universal sin problem in our world. Sin literally means to "miss the mark" of God's perfection and holiness. All creation needs to be redeemed from the curse of sin. Repentance from self-centered pride and living independent from our Creator brings redemptive peace. 

    4. It's a God Centered Message- The Gospel affirms that God is self-evident, known through the Cosmos above and our Conscience within us. God by definition is Love. When we experience God's unconditional, sacrificial love, everything changes. New spiritual life is birthed.

    5. It's a Christ Centered Message- The Gospel proclaims that God revealed himself in human form. At the appointed time in earth history, Christ was born and showed us what God is like. He also showed us how humans can live when filled with the Spirit of God. He spoke truth, healed the sick, fed the hungry, gave water to the thirsty, provided for the poor and needy and freed those who were oppressed by demonic evil. He did everything we would expect God to do if he walked among us. The Gospel literally means "Good News". Christ lived the perfect life, taught outrageous truth, offering himself as The Way to eternal life and peace with God.  He was loved by the seekers and humble, but was hated and rejected by the self-righteous religious establishment. He was executed for blasphemy, a man claiming to be God. He willing died a sacrificial, substitutionary death for the sins of the world. He conquered sin and death by his literal, historical resurrection. He revealed himself to hundreds for 40 days after his resurrection. On one occasion, to over 500 witnesses in a public location. He returned to heaven from the Mt. of Olives and promised his return to that exact location at the end of time. World events are unfolding just as he predicted.



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