Passage: The Gospel & Salvation | Lesson 03
THE NECESSITY OF THE GOSPELDarren Lo | October 05, 2014
Why do we need the Gospel?
"We need the Gospel because we are desperately and radically depraved"
1. We deserve to die as the penalty for sin.
2. We deserve to bear God’s wrath against sin.
3. We are separated from God by our sins.
4. We are in bondage to sin and to the kingdom of Satan.
(Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology)
How are these needs met?
While there exists the above four issues, God graciously provides a desire to fulfill those needs as explained in Romans 3:25-26. By breaking some of these phrases down, we see how God has met each of the four needs through His righteous and perfect ways:
"God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement (propitiation), through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice (righteousness), because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus." (Romans 3:25-26 NIV)
1. “As a sacrifice of atonement (propitiation)”
Propitiation by definition is to remove God’s wrath upon us. His wrath deserved for man has been placed on His Son and fulfilled through a perfect sacrifice. (John 4:10, 1 John 2:1-2)
2. “Demonstrate God’s justice (righteousness)”
Describes God’s character and the actions He took to reveal His righteousness to a sinful people. This new righteousness revealed is no longer found rooted in Jesus Christ. (Deuteronomy 32:4, Romans 8:10)
3. “Forbearance of God”
Forbearance by definition is simply patience, tolerance, and deferment. From God, He deferred the punishment of past sins until the fulfillment of His justice through Christ. (Romans 2:4, 1 Peter 3:19-20)
4. “Left the sins committed beforehand unpunished”
The forgiveness of OT figures such as Moses, Joseph, and David has now been established through Christ’s future sacrifice. The former animal sacrifice only foreshadowed the coming of God’s planned, ultimate sacrifice. As such, God reconciles all sins—past, present, and future—so that we can be in fellowship with Him. (Hebrews 9:11-14)
5. “Just and justifier”
Describes the reason for and the character of the One providing the sacrifice. As the just one, God frees us from the bondage by providing a perfect sacrifice in our place. (Mark 10:45)
What about people who live in a remote island who never get to hear the gospel?
God never punishes people for rejecting Jesus if they’ve never heard of Jesus. When I say that, people breathe a sigh of relief and say, “Then we’d better not tell anybody about Jesus because somebody might reject him. Then they’re really in deep trouble.” – RC Sproul (http://www.ligonier.org/learn/qas/are-those-who-have-never-heard-christ-going-hell/)
This question should never stop us from presenting the Gospel, instead it should drive us to preach more. If we truly see a need for the Gospel, many ought to know their own need for it as well. (See also Romans 1:20-21, Matthew 28:19-20.)
Are there other ways for salvation?
"The gospel says that God has developed a perfect righteousness, and he offers it to us, and by it we are accepted. This is the uniqueness of the Christian gospel; and it reverses what every other religion and worldview, and even every human heart, believes." – Tim Keller
Questions to think about
- Do you have a need for the Gospel message and power everyday?
- Do you have a desire to share such a need to others?
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