The Gospel Is Good Tidings!

Introduction

I. 	Mark begins his account of the life of Christ with the words, “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.”  Mk. 1:1.
A. 	The translators footnote the word gospel with the words, “good tidings.”  
B. 	The gospel is truly good tidings or good news.
C. 	It is good news because it tells us what to do to be saved.   Rom. 1:16-17.
II. 		You may receive other messages in the future that are “glad 	tidings,” but none can compare with the glad tidings about Jesus 	Christ.
A. 	To be given the good news that you have completed all the requirements for a high school or college diploma is good news, but it falls short of the good news in Christ Jesus.
B. 	You may rejoice upon the finality of your marriage to the most wonderful person in the world, but this, too, can’t compare.
C. 	You may be gladdened by the news that you have been hired for the exact job for which you are trained and which you desire and at a higher salary than you could have ever expected, but this is not equal to the gospel of Christ.
D. 	You may shout that you have finally reached retirement, but this likewise pales in comparison with the good news of salvation.
III. 		Listen carefully as we talk with you about the gospel, and receive 	it with gladness.

Body
 
 I.  The gospel was preached during the Old Testament period.
A. 	The gospel of salvation by faith was preached to Abraham.          Gal. 3:6-14.
1. 	God required Abraham to believe that He would give him a “seed” through whom all the world would be blessed, and he did believe.  Gen. 12:1-3; 13:14-17; 15:1-6.
2. 	Sarai tried to do God’s work for Him by giving Hagar to be Abram’s wife, but Ishmael was not the promised seed.   (Gen. 16:1-16).
3. 	God renewed His covenant with Abram and says that Sarah will bear him a son.  Gen. 17:1-8, 15-22.
4. 	Isaac is born.  Gen. 21:1-5.

The Gospel Is Good Tidings, page 2.

5. 	God tells Abraham to offer Isaac, provides the substitute offering and again promises to bless Abraham.                  Gen. 22:1-14, 15-18.
6. 		It is apparent that Abraham walked by faith, but it is also 			apparent that his faith was made known by his obedience. 	 		(Heb. 11:8-10, 17-19).
B. 	Some would not accept the good tidings or gospel in the times of the Old Testament.  Rom. 10:16-21.
1. 	Israel, under Moses and the prophets, refused to do God’s will.
2. 	God provided the gospel to the Gentiles.  Gal. 3:7-9.

II. 	The gospel is good tidings to us today.  
A. 	The gospel tells of the death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ.  I Cor. 15:1-8; II Tim. 2:8-9.
B. 	The gospel of Christ saves.  Rom. 1:16-17.
C. 	The gospel begets the sinner to a new life.  I Cor. 4:15;                I Thess. 2:13-15.
D. 	The gospel lays up hope in heaven for those not moved from it.  Col. 1:3-6, 21-23.
E. 	The gospel brings life and immortality to light.  II Tim. 1:8-10.

Conclusion

I. 	The gospel reveals God’s salvation by faith.  Rom. 1:16-17.  
II. 	Just as Abraham was justified by faith as he obeyed God, so must we obey God’s teaching.  Heb. 5:9.
III. 	We are lost if we refuse to obey the gospel.  II Thess. 1:7-10.
IV. 	Believe the gospel and obey its conditions.  Mk. 16:15-16;       Acts 2:38;  I Pet. 3:21-22;  Rev. 2:10.
   V.  If you have not obeyed the gospel, do so today!

Prepared by:
	David Arnold
	October 6, 1996