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.