Last week, we wrote down and shared with a trusted loved one our stories – the reason for the hope that is in us – in three parts: 1.) Who were you before you met Jesus? 2.) How did you meet Jesus? 3.) How has your life changed by knowing Jesus? Now, we are going to refine it and ensure it clearly proclaims the gospel (good news) of Jesus Christ.
The Apostle Paul once said, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16). In fact, when he described how Jesus will return to right all the world’s wrongs, he described those who would suffer eternal punishment as those “who do not know God” and “who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus” (II Thessalonians 1:8-9). Clearly, understanding the gospel is critical. The gospel was so important that no sacrifice was too great for Paul to proclaim it (I Corinthians 9:15-23, II Timothy 1:8-14).
So, what is the gospel? “That Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures…” (I Corinthians 15:3-4). How do we “obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus”? “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:3-4). Death. Burial. Resurrection.
You can listen to our sermon and then print and complete this post to start applying it. This week, review the story you wrote of “the reason for the hope that is in you.” Edit it to ensure that “how you met Jesus” clearly and directly proclaims the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. Work to refine it into something you could share in 1 to 2 minutes. Then prayerfully see how many times you can share it between now and June 2.