
Pastor Larry Sundin
Pastor Larry Sundin, Rock Springs Church
What is the Gospel? What is this good news that’s supposed to be at the heart of Christianity? Originally, the term “gospel” was a secular word in the Greek language that an official was sent to announce back at the capitol: namely that there had been a victory on the battlefield. So, in its simplest form, the gospel is an announcement of good news. But good news about what? One of my favorite ways of stating the good news is this: Jesus did for you what you could not do for yourself. And discovering what he did for you is at the heart of the good news. So, just what did Jesus do?
Jesus came to live as one of us, fully human in every way, to experience life just as we do and to be tempted in every way just as we are. But when he did this, He never sinned. He always loved his neighbor. He never used or abused anyone. He was always gracious and merciful. He always treated everyone right and never did anything for selfish reasons. He was completely innocent of sin. And since He was innocent of sin, He was able to offer himself in your place and mine as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world.
As a result of His perfect sacrifice, His dying for you made so many things possible. That’s why the gospel of Jesus Christ is such good news. As the Apostle Paul declared in Romans 1:16: “It is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.” Now, salvation is not just getting a ticket to heaven when you die. Salvation is so much more than being set free from judgment for your sins. No, the good news is that Jesus has now made it possible for you to be set from your guilt, to be set free from your shame, to be set free from having to prove your worth to God or anyone else. For the moment you believe in Jesus, you no longer have to try and earn God’s approval, you already have it.
In other words, since Jesus willingly took the judgment for your sins, the moment you believe, every wrong thing you’ve ever said, done or thought has been removed forever. In other words, the gospel doesn’t fill you with guilt; it removes your guilt. The gospel doesn’t just show you your sins, it shows you a Savior. The gospel doesn’t just forgive your sins; it gives you a whole new life. The gospel isn’t an invitation to religion, but an invitation to a relationship with the Father. And it’s the Father who promises to continually give you what you don’t deserve. Once you’ve received His salvation, the Father promises to always be with you and always be for you. Once you’ve received His salvation the Father fills your heart with a peace you cannot find in this world and a hope that’s out of this world. And once you’ve received His salvation, the Father gives you an insider’s view to His heart and His hopes for this world.
Now that’s just a small glimpse of the good news that’s found in Jesus. And yet there is so much more. That is why our vision at Rock Springs Church is about being people who are helping people become friends, family and followers of Jesus. It’s not about religion for us. It’s about helping people discover the good news found in Jesus. So, if that sounds good to you, come and see what good news God might have for you. Rock Springs meets every Sunday at 9 a.m. in the ballroom. We’d love to welcome you.