What is the Gospel?
If you spend much time around Northwood, you’ll notice that we never stop talking about “the gospel.” That’s because we can hardly believe the wonder of this good news.
But what exactly are we talking about?
Simply put, the word “gospel” means “good news.”
Here's the deal:
The Bad News
God made this world perfect and whole. Through our own foolishness and rebellion against our Creator, however, we have sent this world into meltdown. The Bible calls this rebellion “sin.” It infects every person on the planet. Left to ourselves, we are rightly under God’s judgment and condemnation.
That's the bad news.
The Good News
But God didn’t leave us to wallow in our misery. He took matters into his own hands. He sent his own Son, Jesus Christ, to become a human alongside us. Jesus lived the perfect life that you and I can never live. He died the condemned death you and I deserve to die. And then he rose triumphantly, with a new body, defeating death forever.
That's the good news, or “gospel.”
What difference it makes
How does his life and death and resurrection mean anything to you? The Bible uses the words “repentance” and “faith.” Repentance is turning from sin; faith is turning to Christ. Repentance is acknowledging you are a sinner, deserving God’s judgment. Faith means you are quite happy to rest in the open arms of Jesus Christ, letting his life and death count as yours.
This is the gospel. It's that simple.
You can’t earn God’s forgiveness. He wants you to have it for free. The Bible calls this “grace.”
God loves you. He wants you to turn from the misery of self and sin and fall into the open arms of Jesus, where you will be safe forever and ever, and will one day enjoy life with Jesus and all believers in the new heavens and the new earth.
This is the gospel. It’s our great hope. If you’d like to talk more about it, we’d love to meet with you for coffee.
WORSHIP GATHERINGS
Sundays 10:00 am