As I awoke one recent morning, I heard in my spirit two words, “Simply Gospel”. As I thought about this, I realized how simple the gospel really is. I suppose the simplicity was magnified because we have been in the book of Leviticus this week in our “Read Through the Bible” plan. After reading all of the requirements found in Leviticus, I am so appreciative of what Christ has done and how He has fulfilled these requirements.
What do we know about “The Gospel”?
First, we understand that the word “gospel” simply means good news.
We also understand a few other important facts about the Gospel:
- Mark 1:14 Jesus came proclaiming the “gospel of the kingdom” or the good news of God for the world.
- Mark 1:15 We are commanded to repent and believe in the Gospel
- Mark 13:10 The Gospel must be preached to all nations.
- Luke 9:6 The Disciples preached the gospel everywhere they went
- Acts 14:7 The disciples continued to preach the gospel after the resurrection
- Romans 1:16 The gospel is the power of God that leads to salvation
- 1 Cor. 1:17 Paul’s assignment was preaching the gospel
- Gal 1:6-7 There is only one Gospel of Jesus, but some want to distort it
Of course, there are much more than these few facts concerning the Gospel. We also know that the Gospel is all about the Kingdom of God coming into the earth realm and how God’s Kingdom can be established in the life of the believer through repentance and faith. (Mt. 4:17).
We know that the Gospel is a message of power where the supernatural invades the natural. Jesus’ message to his disciples when He sent them out was to “heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out devils and heal the lepers”. (Mt. 10:8; 8:16; 12:28) This is the supernatural intervention of God into the lives of people. This is the Kingdom of God invading the Kingdom of darkness and setting people free from the bondages of Satan.
Jesus told His disciples to carry the Gospel message “as they go”, in other words, as they go about life they are to release the good news to those around them. Many times, we misunderstand who has the responsibility and the privilege of carrying the Gospel message. Many believe this ministry is reserved for those “special few” who have graduated from Bible College or Seminary or who have a “pulpit ministry”. But this is a grave misunderstanding. Jesus said, “as you go”. This means as we conduct our life, we are to bring the gospel where God presents opportunity. We come into contact with darkness in every area of life. Many who need the Gospel message will never visit a church for many reasons. But these people work alongside of us on our jobs, or in our classrooms or just as we walk through life. Many people are wrapped up in bondage, sickness, frustration, depression….and we have the answer to their situations. Also, we know that God will draw those that come to Jesus, so as we go about our lives, we must be attentive to those whom God divinely connects to our lives.
Who is to carry the Gospel? Jesus answers this question in Mark 16:15–18 (ESV) 15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
It is “whoever believes” that has the power and responsibility to release the Good News of freedom into the lives of people. Whoever believes can lay hands on the sick and cast out demons. Regardless of our vocation in life, we are called to heal the sick, cast out demons, raise the dead and share the Good News of Jesus. It does not require that we must be standing behind a pulpit or have a “position” in the church. No! We have a position in the Kingdom and that position is “those who believe”.
Ministering hope to people does not require a Bible College or Seminary degree. These are certainly good thing in most cases if God has made this possible. But, we must know what His Word tells us about our Identity in God; our authority as a believer; our needed obedience to His will and Word; Who He Is and what His will is concerning life issues. These come through the study of His Word. However, many have an intellectual knowledge of Scripture only and no faith to see it operate in the lives of people . What is required is faith in Jesus and the anointing of God in our lives. Jesus told His disciples to “have faith in God”. (Mk 11:22) That faith is step 1. Then, we must understand the authority and power He gives to us as believers. This is learned as we allow Holy Spirit to “life” His Word into our hearts.
Luke 4:18-19 is a beautiful example of what we, as believers, are qualified to do. It tells us that Jesus is anointed to do a few things. He is anointed to give good news to the poor. He is anointed to bring revelation to the blind. He is anointed to release the captives and He is anointed to heal the brokenhearted. He is anointed to proclaim the favors of God that are available because of the Good News of God’s Kingdom being in the earth.
If Jesus is living in us through His Holy Spirit, then we also are anointed to do the same thing. It is Christ in us the hope of glory (Col 1:27). When we do the works of Christ, we bring glory to God and it is only through Christ that we can do all He has asked us to do. (John 14:12) As believers filled with Holy Spirit, you too can do these same works.
It’s Simply Gospel!
Luke 4:18–19 (AMP) — 18 The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon Me, because He has anointed Me [the Anointed One, the Messiah] to preach the good news (the Gospel) to the poor; He has sent Me to announce release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to send forth as delivered those who are oppressed [who are downtrodden, bruised, crushed, and broken down by calamity], 19 To proclaim the accepted and acceptable year of the Lord [the day when salvation and the free favors of God profusely abound.]
