Word Studies

Gospel

I. Understanding the Word:
A. In the Hebrew Old Testament:
1. The noun besorah only occurs 4 times and is always translated “Good News” (2 Samuel 4:10; 18:22; 27:2; 2 Kings 7:9)
2. This Hebrew noun form is translated as euangelion in the Greek Old Testament – the same word translated gospel in the New Testament.
3. In the Greek Old Testament the verb form, often translated as “to bring good news” (euangelidzo), occurs 24 times.
4. While “good news” in the Old Testament is often shared with zeal and joy, one should carefully note that these Old Testament references generally do not allude to good news coming from the mouth of God or His representatives (for example, Israel’s enemies spread the “good news” about Saul’s death in 1 Samuel 31:9; 2 Samuel 1:20.
B. In the New Testament, the noun euangelion occurs over 70 times and has a more specialized meaning,
1. This is true, especially in light of the possessive nouns that are often used to describe the nature of the Gospel.
2. There are rare designations like Matthew’s referring to “the gospel of the kingdom” (Matthew 4:23; 9:35; 24:14).
3. Or Paul’s references to the “gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:15), the “gospel the grace of God” (Acts 20:24), “my gospel” (Romans 2:16; 16:25), or our gospel (2 Corinthins 4:3; 1Thessalonians 1:5; 2 Thessalonians 2:14).
4. Paul warns about a different gospel twice (2 Corinthians 11:4; Galatians 1:16).
5. Some of his most common designations for this word are the “Gospel of God” on nine occasions (Mark 1:14; 1 Peter 4:17) and the “Gospel of Christ” on eleven occasions. (Romans 15:19; 1 Corinthians 9:12; 2 Corinthians 2:12; 4:4; 9:13; `10:14; Galatians 1:7; Ephesians 1:13; Philippians 1:27; 1 Thessalonians 3:2; 2 Thessalonians 1:8).
C. While the word euangelion is most often translated “gospel” there are a few places where many English translations still render the verb “to bring good news” (Luke 2:10).
1. Interestingly in the Gospels and Acts, the word is frequently referred to without any descriptive terms as simply “the gospel” (Matthew 26:13; Mark 1:1; 14:9; 8:35; 10:29; 13:10; 16:15; Luke 9:6; Acts 15:7).
2. While one might notice the frequent allusions to the term gospel in Paul’s letters, on 32 occasions he uses the word without any descriptive or possessive terms.
3. The specialized usage this word has among God’s people is evident as references to “the Gospel” serve to encapsulate both what the disciples proclaim and what serves as the basis of their hope.

II. Reading the Word:
A. Mark’s Gospel account begins with what some might describe as a title.
1. In Mark 1:1, readers learn what the Gospel really is – the story of Jesus.
2. Mark suggests that he is beginning to tell the Gospel story, which can best be described as “of Jesus Christ”.
3. This is the message of John (Mark 1:14-25; Luke 3:18; 16:16), Jesus (Luke 4:18; 7:22; 20:1), and the disciples of Jesus (Luke 9:6: Acts 8:25; 40; 14:7).
4. Furthermore, it was anticipated that this message would eventually be shared with the entire world (Mark 14:9; 16:15; Acts 15:7).
B. While respecting the power of this “good news” (Romans 1:16), disciples needed to understand that the Gospel might cost one his or her life (Mark 8:35).
1. Not surprisingly Paul is the New Testament writer to most frequently mention the Gospel; as evidence by his use of the word in all of his letters except Titus, including 10 references to the gospel in Romans, 12 in 1 Corinthians, 9 in 2 Corinthians, 11 in Galatians, and 9 in Philippians.
2. While emphasizing the eternal nature of the Gospel, Paul also warns against turning aside to a different gospel (Galatians 1:6-9; 2 Corinthians 11:4), which he then acknowledges is not really a gospel at all.
3. In his prison epistle to the Philippians, Paul claims that the Gospel requires that adherents conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the gospel (1:27).
4. For Paul this is personal as indicated by his references to “My” Gospel or “Our” Gospel described above.
5. He is to give his life in service to God’s commission (explained by Ananias) that he would take the message of Christ to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15-16).
C. Wayne Jackson correctly observes that the Gospel reflects God’s gracious eternal plan, focuses on Christ’s mission (particularly His death on the cross), it requires that humankind obey the commands contained therein, and results in both peace with God, and the ability to enter into the kingdom of God.
1. He adds that the Gospel must be preached, believed, obeyed, and defended.
2. Interestingly Jesus first recorded sermon includes the words of Isaiah 61:1 where the prophet has spoken of the realization of Jubilee in Israel when good news would be carried to the afflicted the brokenhearted would be healed, with the captives and prisoners being freed as well.
3. When Matthew and Luke record Jesus’ words, the Greek verb used in Isaiah (euangelidzo) is used in Matthew 11:5, Luke 4:18, and 7:22.
4. Jesus is proclaiming good news while going about doing good and healing (Acts 10:38).
5. This Gospel is not just what He proclaimed, but also what He fulfilled!
6. In Revelation 5 it is Jesus who could open the sealed scroll, explain the scroll, and ultimately be the central figure in the Gospel story (5:5)

III. Preach the Word:
A. An Illustration, Quotes and Ideas.
1. In September of 2013, bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard released their third book in a series of works titled “Killing Jesus” (the first two were “Killing Kennedy” and “Killing Lincoln”).
2. The book was number one on the NY Times bestseller list for nonfiction and eBooks for several weeks.
3. In the sum, O’Reilly and Dugard argue that Jesus died because He interfered with the Roman’s ability to collect taxes and did not mesh with what many of the Jews were expecting the Messiah to be.
4. In the wake of the book, many critics have suggested that it is impossible to write a book without making Him seem to be a lot like oneself.
5. In other words, if we’re not careful, we end up with a Savior that thinks and acts a lot like us!
6. If those who knew the Lord best had the opportunity to tell His story, what would they have focused on?
7. We don’t have to guess.
8. On the first opportunity the apostle Peter has, he stands up and speaks.
9. Contrast what he says with the claims many make today.
B. Quote:
1. When we preach Christ crucified, we have no reason to stammer, or stutter, or hesitate, or apologize: There is nothing in the Gospel of which we have any cause to be ashamed”
2. Said by many Preachers of the Gospel.
C. Idea:
1. The first Gospel sermon is a god place to turn to better understand the word Gospel.
2. Peter’s sermon can be described in only nine sentences that summarize what the Gospel is:
a. Jesus was a man (2:22)
b. God showed us who He was through miraculous works (2:22)
c. God allowed all of this according to His predetermined plan (2:23)
d. Humankind killed Jesus (2:23)
e. God raised Him again (2:24a, 32)
f. In raising Christ, God defeated death (2:24b)
g. Peter and others were witnesses to the resurrection (2:32)
h. Christ has been exalted and sent the Spirit (2:33)
i. Jesus is both Lord and Christ (2:26)

IV. Space in Our Hearts 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
A. A faithful Father.
1. A Loving Family.
2. An unconditional love.
3. A big hug when we get home.
4. A guide for life.
5. A life-changing promise.
B. All of this wrapped up in into one package is just a glimpse of the immeasurable good news that comes from God in Christ Jesus.
1. That’s what gospel means—good news.
2. Different people will find different aspects of the Gospel that speak to that empty space in their heart.
3. However, one thing is certain: Every single one of us has a space, and in that space fits one or more of the pieces of the good news of the kingdom of God.
C. Maybe at some point in our lives, we experience all of the different blessings of the gospel.
1. What are you experiencing now?
2. Which promise, or truth is most relevant in your life?
3. Because our lives are dynamic, we experience God in different ways throughout our lifetime.
4. Flor some He is the judge at the end of our time.
5. For others He is the awesome Creator to be held in reverence from a distance.
6. Later He might be the loving Father, and even later He may be the faithful friend who walks us home into the next life.
D. The good news is like that, too.
1. There may be a time when we are hungry for truth, and the Gospel provides.
2. Maybe we crave heavenly wisdom, and again the Gospel comes through for us.
3. The Gospel answers loneliness with a family and body.
4. It brings peace to chaos.
5. The good news replaces guilt with forgiveness, sin with holiness, and hatred with love.
6. But perhaps the most powerful aspect of all is that the Gospel expels all fears and brings certainty that net even the worst horrors of this life can darken the hope we have in resurrection and eternal life, through Christ Jesus our Lord.

V. Great Expectations Isaiah 9:1-7
A. Remember the last time that you were anxiously waiting for something such as a birth, graduation, scholarship, job offer, or retirement?
1. Good news can be a surprise, catching us when we least expect it.
2. But it can also come when we do expect it.
3. When we have been waiting for it, preparing for it, and diligently hoping for it.
B. When John starts announcing the coming of the Messiah during the early first century (Mark 1:1-8), the nation of Israel had been waiting for a long time.
1. Ever since the death of their beloved king, David the son of Jesse, they were waiting for the anointed one, the one who would establish the house of God forever, who would reign forever, and be the Son of God.
2. They were a divided country, threatened by the massive power of their neighbor Assyria.
3. They had more ungodly kings than righteous kings.
4. They had more problems than blessings.
5. Then Isaiah comes along and says that out of Galilee will arise something glorious, a child who will be called “wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”, and his proclamation includes that this child’s rule will go on forever sitting on the throne of David with peace, justice, and righteousness.
6. Time goes on and the people are taken into captivity and return from captivity.
7. Their city is destroyed, rebuilt, reconquered, and never really free under any empire ever again.
8. For those still hanging on to prophecies several hundred years old, the coming of the Messiah is absolutely and positively good news!
9. That’s Gospel!
10. What is it that you are hoping and waiting for?
11. What are you looking for in your life, for your family, for your country, and for the world?
12. In what ways does Jesus play a part in those positive expectations?

VI. A Modern Gospel Story Mark 1:1, 14-15
(Nick Fowler, a missionary to Brazil, tells the story of Miguel Monteiro Souza)
A. There is no one that I know who embodies the Gospel better than Miguel Monteiro Souza.
1. When he met Miguel in February of 2013, he was quiet and meek, sitting on the back row of our outreach class in Belem, Brazil.
2. At that time Miguel was using cocaine every single weekend.
3. When he couldn’t get the drugs, he spent the nights in local bars drinking.
4. Miguel’s teenage son was living with relatives across the country in Rio de Janeiro.
5. His younger son was living across town with his mother, who was hopping from one boyfriend’s house to another.
6. Miguel’s life was a wreck.
7. He was financially broke.
8. His family was scattered and broken.
9. His only solace was the next high.
B. But something changed as he sat on that back row and soaked up the message of the Gospel.
1. The powerful words of Jesus in the Scriptures penetrated his heart and broke down the barriers.
2. Miguel was touched and moved, but he was not ready to believe.
3. He had lived such a life that he did not think things could be any different.
4. What Miguel didn’t know was that we were different.
5. As ambassadors of Christ, we continued to love and encourage Miguel.
6. He started making changes.
7. He allowed us to come to his home for Bible study.
8. He came weekly to Nick’s house for a group Bible study.
9. He began attending the Sunday morning church meetings.
C. In July of 2013, Miguel told Nick one Sunday morning that he would be baptized that afternoon.
1. Satan entered the scene and took away his transportation that day.
2. Miguel was late.
3. Nick didn’t think he was really coming.
4. He had set out walking from the other side of the city and walked all the way to Nick’s house for his baptism.
D. It took another seven to eight months for him to really get free of the substance abuse.
1. Today Miguel is Nick’s best friend and partner in the work of the Gospel in Brazil.
2. Both of his children live with him now and he studies the Bible with them every night.
3. He baptized his oldest son last year.
4. the obvious transformation has captured the attention of all his extended family and neighbors.
5. Now Miguel lives each day with a smile because for him the Gospel truly was good news.

VII. The Bad News 2 Thessalonians 1:5-12
A. You know the saying; “You want the good news first, or the bad news.
1. By definition, if there is good news, then there is also bad news.
2. The existence of good news implies that there is a need for such news, and if we need the good news, then what is there that is by nature currently not good?
3. The first century Hebrews spent centuries waiting of the good news.
4. In their language, the word we have come to know as gospel, literally referred to the announcement of the saving power of God.
B. In modern society the idea of being saved is difficult to accept.
1. Manmade religions have watered down the message of the cross in such a way that billions find themselves trusting in the words and thoughts of other human beings in regard to their spiritual status.
2. Many have convinced themselves that there is nothing from which to be saved.
3. Others have fallen under the spell that teaches that God is good and will take care of everything, so don’t worry about it.
4. Even more believe in the existence of some king of “moral balance scale” in which good actions must outweigh the bad in order to please God.
5. Because of these prevalent worldviews, even among the so-called Christian communities, it is often necessary to announce the bad news in order for people to accept the good news.
C. The more we choose to leave behind the message of our Creator, the further away we are from understanding and accepting the Gospel
1. The bad news is simply this: We are separated from God.
2. There is an eternal destiny for all such people.
3. There are even many earthly consequences when we make choices that are not in alignment with God’s will for us.
4. In the end, both the good news and the bad news can be summed up in this statement: “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”. (Romans 6:23)
D. You must prepare yourself to lovingly and tactfully share the bad news with those who must hear it in order for them to accept the good news.
1. Prepare yourself in the holiness of God’s nature, and His incompatibility with sin (Revelation 4:8; Habakkuk 1:13; Isaiah 59:1-2: Acts 17:30-31)
2. Each of us have been commanded to spread the “good news”, and the bad news as necessary.

VIII. What Are You Going to Do About It? Isaiah 52:7-12
A. Throughout the Scripture, the Gospel is represented as something to wait for, something to listen to, and something to obey, but it is also found in the form of a verb.
1. Gospel is something that one does.
2. Do you Gospel?
3. The good news in its verb form is a proclamation, an announcement.
4. It is the communication of all those godly promises made real through the work of Jesus.
5. It is the work of helping others recognize the arrival of the new era with a new kingdom and a new way of living.
6. Once you have obeyed the Gospel (Romans 6:2-11), then you must take up the mantle of gospelizing.
7. Today we call it evangelizing.
B. Evangelizing is the act of proclaiming the saving power of God.
1. Naturally, when one truly receives good news, it is something that they want to share with others!
2. When someone has a baby, they tell everyone they know!
3. Phone calls are made, and texts are sent.
4. They mail out birth announcements and post pictures all over Facebook.
5. Now look around you.
6. Where are all the people evangelizing?
7. Where are all the recipients of good news who ready to share their good news with others?
8. Can we follow in Andrew and Phillip’s footsteps (John 1:40-46)?
9. The truth is that we can and must.
C. We can and must go to others and share with them what we have found.
1. Did you find acceptance? Camaraderie? Salvation? Truth?
2. Whatever you found, there is a way to enthusiastically share it with someone else.
3. That is the cycle of the Gospel.
4. It is pronounced, made real, obeyed, and pronounced again.
5. The evangelist is not only the person who stands in the pulpit and has his name on a sign.
6. The evangelist is you!
7. The evangelist is me.
8. We have the good news.
9. Now it’s our turn to share it with others.

By Gary D. Murphy

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