The Gospel Is More Than a Birth-to-Death Story
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The gospel is more than a birth-to-death story. The life and death of Christ are part of an incredible golden chain that reaches from eternity past to eternity future. The best news is that we can enjoy the full benefits of the gospel by faith—no works, trust. Christ has done all the work for us. Our job is to apply and benefit from all aspects of the gospel. The critical question is whether we are fully understanding and applying the full measure of the gospel to our lives.
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Multi-faceted Creative
- The Lord initially created a man without a man or a woman. That man was Adam.
- Then the Lord created a woman without a woman. That woman was Eve.
- Then the Lord created people with a man and a woman. That was you and me.
- Then the Lord created a man without a man. He was Jesus.
To think He would give Jesus to us and that Jesus would be willing to come and die is mind-boggling (Ephesians 3:20). The baby Jesus was on a mission to do the will of His Father (John 6:38), which was to die on a cross (John 19:30) for the sins of the world (Luke 19:10; 1 John 3:8). The virgin birth is the most profound of His four creative acts: creating a man without a man. But what the Lord did by giving His Son to us is only part of what amazes me about the gospel. It is staggering when you think about the Trinitarian effort that accomplished our salvation. He did accomplish it, but it is more than a birth-to-death story.
- When Jesus died, the Father experienced the loss of a son.
- When Jesus gave his life, the Father suffered the loss of life.
- The Father judged the Son at the cross, and the Son received the judgment.
- They agreed to do these things so we would have life more abundantly (John 10:10; Hebrews 12:2; 1 John 5:13).
- The most significant gift God could give was the complete sacrifice of His Son for our rescue (John 3:14; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
A Golden Chain
The virgin birth is profound, Christmas is fantastic, and the cross is stunning, but it is even more incredible to know salvation comes from a Person willing to go through so much for us (Hebrews 2:14-15). You are secure if you are in Him (John 10:28-30). Because of Him, nothing will overcome you (Romans 8:31-39). To be in Christ is present-tense victory and future-tense fulfillment (Matthew 11:28). Christmas is only one aspect of a story that began in eternity past (Ephesians 1:3-4) and continues into eternity future (Revelation 21:1). As you reflect on Christmas this year, remember it’s one golden link in a massively powerful and eternal golden chain.
For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us (Romans 8:29-31)?
Call to Action
- A succinct definition of the gospel is the person and work of Christ; it’s all that He is and all that He has done. With this understanding in view, how are you benefiting from all aspects of the gospel? Note: The gospel reaches into eternities past and future.
- When Paul thought about the gospel, He pointed to different aspects for different applications. For example, in 2 Corinthians 1:8-9, Paul taught us how the resurrection aspect of the gospel is what you want in view when combatting self-reliance. Anyone could die on a cross—a valuable gospel element too. Still, when it comes to overcoming our self-reliance, he pointed to the transcendent force of the resurrection as the proper application of the gospel to combat self-sufficiency. Why do you think Paul connected the resurrection to self-reliance instead of Christ dying on the cross?
- Think through the aspects of the gospel and how they apply to different parts of your salvation or sanctification, i.e., the birth of Christ, the life of Christ, the death of Christ, the resurrection of Christ, and the intercession of Christ. Then discuss the vitalness of bringing the entire gospel to bear with a friend for maximum impact on your life.
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Rick launched the Life Over Coffee global training network in 2008 to bring hope and help for you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. His primary responsibilities are resource creation and leadership development, which he does through speaking, writing, podcasting, and educating.
In 1990 he earned a BA in Theology and, in 1991, a BS in Education. In 1993, he received his ordination into Christian ministry, and in 2000 he graduated with an MA in Counseling from The Master’s University. In 2006 he was recognized as a Fellow of the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC).
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