046 | Engrave the Gospel into Their Hearts

Hi, Fellow Dads,

A few weeks ago, something special happened in Washington, D.C.—and it’s probably not what you’re thinking!

A new statue was unveiled in the Capitol, engraved with a most unusual title: Preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

If someone were to make a statue of you, Dad, could they put the same title on it? Should they be able to? What is the gospel, anyway—and what books can help us and our families ground our lives in it?

Nathan

Seven Words Concerning the Gospel (with Scripture references)

1. The Gospel has a Source—and that Source is God.

   Rom.1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

2. The Gospel is found in the Scriptures—foretold in the OT and fulfilled in the NT.

   Rom.1:2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)

3. The Gospel has a Subject—and that is God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

   Rom.1:3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;

4. The Gospel has a specific Substance—and that is the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.

   Rom.1:4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

   Rom.5:6 ¶ For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

   Rom.5:8-10
   8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
   9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
   10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

   Rom.10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

   1 Cor.15:3-4
   3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
   4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

5. The Gospel brings Salvation—to those who believe it.

   Rom.1:16 ¶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

6. The Gospel is the Standard—it’s the standard for how God will judge individual sinners in the day of judgment—those who refused to believe the gospel (or believed another gospel), will be condemned to eternity in the lake of fire.

   Rom.2:12, 16
   12 ¶ For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;
   16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

7. The Gospel is our Stewardship—God has placed it in our hands to be used properly.

   Rom.1:16a For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:

   Rom.2:16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

   Rom.16:25 ¶ Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

“When a sinner believes the gospel of Christ, God does the saving!”—NC

Books—instruction in the gospel

• (written for children) The Lamb, by John Cross, published by GoodSeed International
• (written for children) The Big Picture Story Bible, by David Helm
• (Illustrated Bible story book with a salvation message) The Prisoners, the E