Day 3 - A Heart for the Gospel

Read: Luke 24; Romans 1:16-17; Ephesians 2; 1 Corinthians 15

Jesus came proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom of God (Mark 1:14–15). The church is commissioned to proclaim the gospel among the nations (Luke 24:44-48). The church is to be rooted and built up in the gospel (Ephesians 2). The gospel is to be of first importance in our lives (1 Corinthians 15:1–3). Yet, we often relegate the gospel to a tract or brief message we share with those who don’t yet know Christ. This is an essential aspect of understanding the gospel, yet there is so much more. Through the gospel, we have access to all spiritual blessings in Christ—we are made right with God (Ephesians 2:1-10) and reconciled to one another (Ephesians 2:11-22). Apart from the gospel, the good news of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we are of most people to be pitied (1 Corinthians 15:19). Years ago, Martin Luther wrote these words:

“Here I must take counsel of the gospel. I must hearken to the gospel, which teacheth me, not what I ought to do, but what Jesus Christ the Son of God hath done for me: to wit, that He suffered and died to deliver me from sin and death. The gospel willeth me to receive this, and to believe it. And this is the truth of the gospel. It is also the principal article of all Christian doctrine, wherein the knowledge of all godliness consisteth. Most necessary it is, therefore, that we should know this article well, teach it unto others, and beat it into their heads continually.”

Do you know the gospel well? Do you delight in the gospel? Is the gospel changing you? Are you sharing the gospel with others? As Luther suggests, we need it continually drilled into our heads and hearts.

Take a moment to watch this brief gospel overview to help you grow in having a heart for the gospel:

Prayer Points:

• Ask that God would deepen your understanding of the gospel.

• Reflect on how God has forgiven you of your sins and forgiven you in Christ.

• Reflect on all that God has done for you in Christ.

• Pray for our church to be grounded in the gospel.