The Foundations of the GospelSample

The Cross & The Gospel

THE CROSS

There’s a misconception today that the cross should point you to your sin and what your sin did to Jesus. However, the cross isn’t a depiction of how sinful and worthless you are – it’s the greatest depiction of God’s love for us! The cross doesn’t represent how sinful you are, it represents how valuable you are in the eyes of the Father. It is an indictment against everything that once defined our lives. It exposes our worth and value in the sight of God. It is evidence that God has never and will never change His mind about us. Jesus’ death on the cross showed the high worth and value that God places on our lives. We are deeply and dearly loved by God.

THE GOSPEL

What is the Gospel? The Gospel is the power of a transformed, brand new life. It isn’t a prayer we pray to get to Heaven one day. Through faith in Jesus, our life is redeemed and our relationship with God has been restored. Salvation and a relationship with Jesus is a gift that we receive through faith in Jesus. It is the result of our acknowledgment that we have sinned against a perfect God. Salvation is not a prayer we pray to get to Heaven while we live hell on earth. It is a gift of freedom that allows us to live a life free from the bondage of this world, taking on our new nature created to be like God – truly righteous and holy.

Questions:

1. What does the cross mean to you? Does it make you feel bad about your past or hopeful for your new life in Christ?
2. What does the Gospel mean to you? How has your life been transformed?