March 2015
What is the Gospel?
Tim Keller, “The gospel is this: We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope.”
“The Gospel changes everything; sometimes it even changes me.”
“Preach the Gospel at all times; and when absolutely necessary-use words.”
| Our goal in this 4 week study is to refresh our view of what the gospel is. To begin, please respond-what does the Gospel mean to you? How would you define it?
For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit[f] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
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Introductory remarks/notes:
- Mark’s Gospel is written from a very definite standpoint. He was writing for a specific audience. He believed that in Jesus’ life the Jewish hope had found fulfilment. (Jewish eschatological hope). His audience were Jewish believers.
- The Gospel were/are not intended to be biographical or psychological narratives of Jesus’ life.
- He and his fellow Christians saw in Jesus’ earthly life and mission the beginning of God’s sovereign rule. Jesus’ life is the first, but decisive, stage in the overthrow of the powers of evil.
- Evil being defeated; death losing its sting. This is “good news” and why the term ‘Gospel’ is used. Mark 1:1 “The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ.”
- 2 Timothy 3:16 (AMP) | In Context | Whole Chapter
Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action),
16 Every scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for showing mistakes, for correcting, and for training character, CEB
Small Group/individual work:
In your small group look at the 4 gospels’ narratives of a specific event: the cleansing of the temple. Look for similarities and differences. Feel very free to question the texts. For example: John’s narrative comes at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry and the others come after Jesus has entered Jerusalem at the close of His earthly life. Why the difference?
The Texts
Matt 21:12 (NIV) Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 13 “It is written,” he said to them, “`My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it a `den of robbers.'”
Mark 11:15 (NIV) On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, 16 and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. 17 And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: `My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it `a den of robbers.'” 18 The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.
Luke 19:45 (NIV) Then he entered the temple area and began driving out those who were selling. 46 “It is written,” he said to them, “`My house will be a house of prayer’; but you have made it `a den of robbers.'” 47 Every day he was teaching at the temple. But the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the leaders among the people were trying to kill him.
John 2:13 (NIV) When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple courts he found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. 15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father’s house into a market!” 17 His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.”
Your notes:
| Conclusion- share on ideas and words that define the Gospel for you. |
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