THE GOSPEL OR GOOD NEWS
By David J. Riggs
Intro.
A. The word "gospel" is from the Greek word "evangelion" and
simply means "good news or glad tidings."
B. The word "evangelist" is from the Greek word "evangelist,"
which is a form of the word "evangelion," and means "a
messenger of good news, a bearer of good tidings."
1. Also, the word "evangelizo" is from the same form and
means "to declare or preach the good news."
C. Our word "gospel" is from the Old English and means "good
spell" or "good letters."
1. The word is "good spell" shortened to "go-spel," and
referred to the spelling or letters which formed good words.
2. After the word "gospel" was so translated in the Old English
Versions, it came to refer almost exclusively to the message
concerning Christ and the kingdom, and so it is today.
I. LET US CONSIDER THE GOOD NEWS (GOSPEL) WHICH IS REVEALED IN THE
SCRIPTURES.
A. The prophets prophesied of the coming good news.
1. Is. 40:9-11
a. The good news would come from Jerusalem. Vs. 9
b. The good news was that the Lord would come with a
strong arm to aid His people. Vs. 10
c. The good news was that God would shepherd His flock
and gently lead them. Vs. 11
2. Is. 61:1-4
a. The Messiah would preach good tidings to the poor.
b. He would heal the brokenhearted, proclaim liberty to the
captives, and free the prisoners.
B. The angel proclaims the glad tidings to the shepherds. Luke
2:8-18
1. The words "bring you good tidings" (vs. 10) is from one
word in the Greek, "evangelizo," and means "declare good
news," or "announce the gospel."
2. The long-waited-for Messiah, who was to bring spiritual
blessings, had now been born.
C. When Jesus began His ministry, He began preaching the gospel
(good news) of the kingdom. Mark 1:14-15
1. He showed that He was now fulfilling the prophecies. Luke
4:16-22
D. The death, burial, resurrection, and the appearances of Jesus
form the basis of the gospel. 1 Cor. 15:1-8
1. The promise made to the fathers was now fulfilled in Christ.
Acts 13:32-34
II. IT IS CALLED THE GLORIOUS GOSPEL (GOOD NEWS) OF CHRIST. 1 Tim.
1:11
A. It came by revelation of Jesus Christ. Gal. 1:10-12
B. It is the power of God to salvation. Rom. 1:16
C. It brings light to those who will receive it. 2 Cor. 4:3-5
1. In 1995, "Jane's International Defense Review" reported that
Norinco of China was offering to export a weapon that used
laser beams to damage the eyes of enemies. The weapon is
called the ZM-87 portable laser "disturber." The ZM-87 is
effective to a range of two miles.
2. According to the "Chicago Tribune," "Jane's said the
company states that one of its major applications is to
injure or dizzy the eyes of an enemy combatant with
high-power laser pulses, especially anybody who is sighting
and firing, by means of an optical instrument, so as to
cause him to lose combat ability or result in suppression of
his observation and sighting operation." (From Contemporary
Illustrations, p. 23)
3. Satan likewise knows that blinding a soldier renders him
worthless for battle; thus, he has many weapons to blind
their minds.
D. Life and immortality are brought to light through it. 2 Tim.
1:9
E. Its scope and extent is to all men. Mark 16:15-16
1. Indeed, "The gospel is for all."
III. AN OLD TESTAMENT EXPRESSION.
A. There is an expression in the O.T. which says, "This is a day
of good news and we remain silent." 2 Kings 7:9
1. Let us consider the context of where this was spoken.
B. The Syrians had besieged Samaria until all the people of the
city were starving.
1. The situation had sunk so low that a donkey's head was sold
for a large amount of money. 2 Kings 6:25
2. Elisha predicted that there would be great plenty by the
next day. 2 Kings 7:1
3. There were four lepers who reasoned that if they went into
the city, they would die, and if they just sat there they
would die.
a. So, they decided to go to the army of the Syrians,
thinking that perhaps they would keep them alive. 2
Kings 7:4-5
4. When they came to the camp of the Syrians, they were
surprised that no one was there. 2 Kings 7:5
5. The Lord had caused a noise which caused the Syrians to
flee. 2 Kings 7:6-7
6. The lepers began to "enjoy themselves" with all the bounty
that was left.
7. After a while, though, they said, "We are not doing what is
right. This day is a day of good news, and we remain
silent."
8. They went back to the city and told the news, and the people
of the city went out and gathered the spoils, and there was
great plenty just as Elisha had said.
IV. MAKING APPLICATION TO TODAY.
A. Let us say, "This a day of good news, and we will NOT remain
silent."
1. Men must call upon the Lord in order to be saved, but how
can they call upon Him without teacher of the gospel? Rom.
10:13-18
a. Thus, the order here is: the preacher being sent, the
preacher being heard, the people believing, the people
calling on the name of the Lord, and the people being
saved. Vs. 13-15
b. Obedience to the gospel is part of true belief or
acceptable faith. Vs. 16-17
2. Without obedience to the gospel, there is no salvation. 1
Pet. 4:17-18
3. Punishment will be rendered to all who do not obey the
gospel. 2 Thess. 1:7-9
a. Obedience to the gospel involves more than obeying the
first principles; e.g., faith, repentance, confession,
and baptism.
b. 2 Cor. 9:13 - They were obedient to the gospel when
they liberally distributed to the poor saints.
4. Paul said that necessity was laid upon him to preach the
gospel. 1 Cor. 9:16
a. Author Rudyard Kipling tells how, on a world tour, at a
certain port General Booth boarded the ship. He was
sent off by a horde of tambourine-beating Salvationists.
The whole thing revolted Kipling's fastidious soul. Later
he got to know the general and told him how much he
disapproved of this kind of thing. "Young man," said
Booth, "if I thought that I could win one more soul for
Christ by standing on my hands and beating a
tambourine with my feet, I would learn to do it." The
real enthusiast does not care if others think he is a
fool. (From Illustrations Unlimited, By James S. Hewett,
p. 500)
Concl.
A. The four lepers said, "This is a day of good news, and we
remain silent."
1. Let us say, "This a day of good news, and we will NOT
remain silent."
2. Let us continue to proclaim the glorious gospel of Christ to
all.
B. Someone has rightly said that the gospel was "enacted" by the
death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.
1. And the gospel is "reenacted" in baptism. Rom. 6:3-4
2. If the death, burial, and resurrection is the central focus
of the gospel, it is not strange that a re-enactment of
death, burial, and resurrection is required in God's plan.
3. The enactment of the gospel (the death, burial, and
resurrection) made salvation possible, and baptism (the re-
enactment) becomes the beginning point of one receiving
salvation.