Essential Elements of the Gospel Message
By Elizabeth Prata
At an event broadcast worldwide recently, numerous speakers were said to have given the Gospel to the attendees and remote hearers by video. We rejoice when so many hear the Gospel. We pray after these events that seeds will take root and break stony hearts into soft, loving, faithful hearts.
Some presentations of the Gospel were given more eloquently and some less eloquently. A few contained most of the elements of the Gospel and some contained less. So, what are the elements of the Gospel? What is necessary for the unsaved to hear in order for the gospel message to do its work?
John MacArthur said in his article explaining why he wrote the book “The Gospel According to Jesus” that he had seen an evangelism training film where “there is not one mention of the resurrection. It speaks of forgiveness without defining sin, and it talks of trusting Christ without describing faith. Incredibly, the film counsels believers never to speak to a non-Christian about the lordship of Christ, submission to Him, surrender of the will, forsaking one’s sin, or obeying God.“
1. Wrath
At each of the pivotal points in the New Testament, both John the Baptist and Jesus spoke of God’s wrath early on. Speaking to people about how angry God is with sinners is not favored these days, but it is the basis for the GOOD NEWS. We say that we are ‘saved’. What are we saved FROM? God’s wrath. This is good news! We MUST speak of this, and do so first or early in in our presentations.
“the one who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” (John 3:36b)
2. Hell
All human beings’ default eternity is hell. They will endure God’s wrath unless there is an intervention. Jesus is that intervention. This is what we are saved from. Hell is also not a favored subject these days, but it must be spoken of. It’s where everyone is going, unless they repent.
And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matthew 10:28).
3. Sin
We have a sin problem, and Jesus incarnated, pouring himself into finite man, adding humanity to His deity, and lived and taught on earth sinlessly. Explaining what sin is should also be included. Sin is anything we think, say, or do that is opposed to God. It is transgression of God’s law. (1 John 3:4). In fact, sin is lawlessness. It is rebellion against God (Deuteronomy 9:7).
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (Romans 3:23).
4. Repentance
We need to include repentance in our proclamations. Use the actual word. It’s OK to say ‘turn and trust Jesus’ but it’s better by far to say ‘repent and submit to Jesus’.
From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” (Matthew 4:17).
5. Jesus’ subsitutionary atonement
Because of Jesus’ sinless life, He is the only one who could die a substitutionary death for the sinner- us. Sin against an infinite God requires an infinite sacrifice. Can man, who is finite, pay the penalty for sin? Man would have to spend an infinite length of time in hell and it could never be paid. Or could the infinite Christ pay for it once? Yes! Jesus went to the cross to pay the debt we owe to God for our sin, and those who are covered by His sacrifice will inherit the kingdom of God as children of the King (John 1:12). Jesus is the door to heaven. There is no other name by which we can be saved (Acts 4:12).
6. Jesus’ death and resurrection
As mentioned we hare that Jesus, who is God, came to earth as a man, lived a sinless life and died on the cross for our sins. On the cross He also endured God’s wrath, which was poured out and exhausted upon Jesus for all those whom God will save, instead of on us. Satisfied with His Son’s work on earth and on the cross, Jesus was raised from the dead, as proof that the sin penalty was paid and God was satisfied.
7. Jesus ascended
Justin Dillehay shows 4 reasons why the ascension matters in the Gospel Message-
1. The Ascension Explains Jesus’s Absence
2. The Ascension Enthrones Jesus at the Father’s Right Hand
3. The Ascension Allows Him to Continue His Priestly Work for Us
The Ascension Serves as the Launching Pad for His Conquest and Return
Much more could be said, but anyone wanting to share the Gospel should be familiar with the elements that are necessary. Jesus saves by grace alone by faith alone. If you will repent and confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and ask for forgiveness of your sins, He will forgive them. He will impute His own righteousness to your account and wipe away the debt of sin. Do it today.
Further resources:
The Gospel According to Jesus, by John MacArthur. Book
Voddie Baucham: 4 minute video What is the Gospel?
