Good news, not good advice

The gospel is not a set of tips for a better life. It is the royal announcement of what God has done in Christ. It is objective, finished, and unstoppable, whether the headlines applaud or protest.

“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” (1 Corinthians 15:3–4)

“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16) Salvation “exists in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

The finished work we proclaim

At the center stands Jesus Christ—incarnate, crucified, risen, ascended, and returning. The cross is substitution. The resurrection is vindication. The ascension is enthronement. His return will be consummation.

“God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21) Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)

- His obedient life fulfills all righteousness (Matthew 3:15; Romans 5:19).

- His atoning death satisfies justice and secures mercy (Romans 3:24–26).

- His bodily resurrection guarantees ours (1 Corinthians 15:20–23).

- His reign fuels mission and hope (Matthew 28:18; Ephesians 1:20–23).

Grace that saves, truth that stands

We are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Human effort cannot rescue us. Human boasting has no place at the foot of the cross.

“For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8–9) The proper response is repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Mark 1:15; Acts 20:21; Romans 10:9–10).

All of this rests on the truthfulness of God’s Word. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16–17)

Why literal truth matters

God speaks real words about real events in real history. The gospel is not myth or metaphor. Eyewitnesses testified to what they saw and touched (Luke 1:1–4; 1 Corinthians 15:5–8; 2 Peter 1:16). If Scripture is God-breathed, it is wholly true in what it affirms—in creation, covenant, cross, and crown.

“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12) “Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.” (John 17:17)

Proclaiming with clarity in our moment

Our times are noisy and confused, but clarity is kindness. We serve our neighbors by saying plainly what God has said, trusting the Spirit to open hearts (1 Thessalonians 1:5; 2 Corinthians 4:1–6).

- God: holy Creator and righteous King (Genesis 1:1; Psalm 24:1; Isaiah 6:3).

- Man: made in God’s image, fallen in Adam, guilty by sin (Genesis 1:27; Romans 3:10–12, 23; 5:12).

- Christ: true God and true man, crucified and risen (John 1:14; Colossians 2:9; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4).

- Response: repent and believe the gospel (Mark 1:15; Acts 17:30; Romans 10:9–13).

- Cost: deny self, take up the cross, follow Jesus (Luke 9:23–26).

- Church: baptized into a body to gather, grow, and go (Acts 2:38–42; Hebrews 10:24–25).

- Hope: Christ’s return, resurrection, and judgment (1 Thessalonians 4:13–18; Acts 17:31; Revelation 21–22).

How to share the gospel simply

Gospel conversations are ordinary steps of love led by the Spirit. Speak clearly, briefly, and personally. Keep Christ at the center.

- Start with God’s character and design.

- Explain sin honestly and personally (Romans 6:23).

- Present Christ’s cross and resurrection as the only remedy (1 Corinthians 15:3–4).

- Call for repentance and faith, not vague spirituality (Acts 3:19; Romans 10:9–10).

- Invite a response and connect to a local church (Acts 2:41–42).

- Pray and follow up. The sower trusts the Lord of the harvest (Mark 4:26–29).

Disciple-making as the overflow

Evangelism aims at disciples, not mere decisions. Jesus authorizes us to make disciples by baptizing and teaching obedience to all He commanded (Matthew 28:18–20). Conversion births a lifetime of learning Christ.

Healthy disciple-making lives in the local church. It is relational, Word-saturated, prayerful, accountable, and obedient.

- Word: read it, hear it, do it together (Acts 2:42; James 1:22).

- Prayer: ask, seek, knock for kingdom fruit (Luke 11:9–13; Colossians 4:2–4).

- Life-on-life: model and multiply (2 Timothy 2:2; 1 Thessalonians 2:8).

- Obedience: practice what He commands (John 14:15; Matthew 7:24–27).

- Mission: go across the street and across the world (Acts 13:1–3; Romans 15:20–21).

A gospel-shaped life

The grace that saves trains us to live differently. The same gospel that declares us righteous also teaches us to renounce ungodliness and to say yes to holiness in the present age (Titus 2:11–14).

Gospel conduct adorns gospel doctrine. We walk in wisdom toward outsiders and speak with grace seasoned with salt (Colossians 4:5–6). Our good works do not save, but they shine for the glory of our Father (Ephesians 2:10; Matthew 5:16).

- Pursue holiness without legalism (Hebrews 12:14; Galatians 5:16–25).

- Practice hospitality and generous mercy (Romans 12:13; James 1:27).

- Keep short accounts, forgive quickly, reconcile eagerly (Ephesians 4:31–32; Colossians 3:12–14).

- Live quietly, work faithfully, commend Christ visibly (1 Thessalonians 4:11–12; 1 Peter 2:12).

When the gospel is opposed

The cross offends human pride. Some will resist, revise, or reject it. We stand firm with truth and tenderness, contending without being contentious (Jude 3; 2 Timothy 2:24–25).

Hold fast to the apostolic gospel. Do not trade Christ crucified for a therapeutic or prosperity counterfeit (1 Corinthians 1:18–25; Galatians 1:6–9; 1 Timothy 6:3–10). Preach the Word in season and out of season, with patient instruction (2 Timothy 4:2).

- Expect misunderstanding and mockery (Acts 17:32; 1 Peter 4:12–16).

- Answer with clarity, gentleness, and respect (1 Peter 3:15).

- Refuse shame, embrace the reproach of Christ (Hebrews 13:12–14).

- Pray for open doors and boldness (Ephesians 6:18–20; Colossians 4:3–4).

Enduring hope

There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). The gospel plants unshakable assurance in weary souls and sends us out with resilient joy.

Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:31–39). God’s Word will not return empty but will accomplish His purpose and prosper where He sends it (Isaiah 55:10–11). Therefore we speak, we sow, and we serve until He comes.

Keep the main thing the main thing

Hold tight to the message of first importance. Keep Christ crucified and risen at the center of our preaching, our programs, our counseling, our calendars, and our conversations.

In a world starved for real hope, the gospel is still, and always will be, good news. We believe it, live it, and spread it with all the authority of King Jesus and all the compassion He has poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:18–20; Romans 5:5).

- Repentance and faith together: Scripture speaks of turning from sin to God and trusting Christ as one united response (Acts 20:21; 26:20). Repentance is not a work that earns grace; it is the Spirit-enabled turn that accompanies true faith (2 Corinthians 7:10).

- Justification, adoption, sanctification: In Christ we are declared righteous once for all (Romans 5:1), welcomed as sons and daughters (Galatians 4:4–7), and progressively conformed to His image (2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 Thessalonians 4:3). Guard the order: grace before growth, imputation before imitation (Romans 4:5–8).

- Assurance: God wants believers to know they have eternal life. “I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” (1 John 5:13) Assurance rests on Christ’s finished work, God’s promises, and the Spirit’s witness (Romans 8:15–17).

- The gospel and cultural idols: The gospel dethrones idols of sex, self, and success by revealing a superior treasure (Philippians 3:7–11; 1 Thessalonians 1:9–10). Speak truth about creation, marriage, and human dignity with conviction and compassion (Genesis 1:27; Matthew 19:4–6; Ephesians 5:1–2).

- Word, Spirit, and persuasion: Faith comes by hearing the word of Christ (Romans 10:17). We reason and persuade, but we depend on the Spirit to give sight to the blind (Acts 17:2–4; 2 Corinthians 4:4–6; John 16:8–11).

- Gospel and justice: Do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly as fruit of the gospel, not substitutes for it (Micah 6:8; Titus 3:4–8; James 2:14–17). Keep the cross at the core while pursuing the good of our neighbors.

- Suffering and mission: Expect hardship as normal for faithful witness (2 Timothy 3:12; Acts 14:22). Suffering advances the gospel by displaying the sufficiency of Christ (Philippians 1:12–20; 2 Corinthians 12:9–10).

- Guarding the gospel: Resist distortions—legalism, license, prosperity, universalism—by staying tethered to the text and the church (Galatians 2:4–5; 5:13; 1 Timothy 6:3–10; John 3:36; Hebrews 9:27). Test every message by the Scriptures (Acts 17:11).

- Family discipleship: The home is a primary greenhouse for gospel growth (Deuteronomy 6:6–7; Ephesians 6:4). Open the Bible at the table, pray together, sing together, and bring your family into the life of the church.

- Everyday practices that keep the gospel central:

- Read big chunks of Scripture and rehearse the storyline often.

- Memorize key gospel texts and catechize your heart.

- Share your testimony with clarity, highlighting Christ not yourself.

- Keep short accounts with God and others through regular confession.

- Tie acts of mercy to the message of mercy.

“The sum of the matter” is Christ Himself—preeminent in everything (Colossians 1:15–20). Keep beholding Him, keep believing Him, and keep bringing His good news to the ends of the earth until the end of the age.