Romans 1:16 declares that there is power in the Gospel of Jesus Christ to save those who will believe. So what is the Gospel? It is the Scriptural truth that Jesus Christ – the Virgin-born, sinless, Son of God Himself – died for our sins, was buried, and was raised from the dead so that we might be forgiven of our sins and have eternal life through Him. I believe the gospel. I would think you do too! And yet, how often do we fail to speak the gospel to those around us? Or to preach it clearly when we have opportunity? Can I offer you some reminders about the gospel? Here are 5:
In the first place, remember that the Gospel is simple. (cf. 2 Corinthians 11:3). Jesus Himself reminds us that “except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3). Surely no sin is too great, no sinner too wicked, no soul so far gone – but that the power of the Gospel can change everything. Eternally change it, by the way! Christ died for our sins and rose again. Theologically profound and yet beautifully simple.
Remember also that the Gospel must be presented. Three thoughts are included here. It must be presented. God’s plan is that the Gospel be preached (Romans 10:14). “It pleases God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe” (1 Corinthians 1:21). Have you noticed that we can often skip this part? We celebrate Christmas in our Christians School programs and never present the Gospel clearly. We devote entire services to Christmas plays and Easter programs and musicals and leave out the preaching of the Gospel. We then marvel that souls aren’t saved! I say it gently and softly, but no emotional story line and no beautifully and correctly-sung song can replace timeless, simplistic, Bible-based, verse-by-verse, expositional preaching of the Gospel!
Remember that the Gospel must be presented clearly! The subjects of sin and judgment are essential (Romans 3, for instance). Pointing sinners to the One who came “to seek and to save that which was lost (Luke 19:10) is essential too. Lift up Jesus Christ! He “was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification” (Romans 4:25). Getting saved is “not of works” (Ephesians 2:9), but is simply by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8). Grace is unmerited favor from God Himself. Faith is what we exercise when we turn to Jesus Christ, when we look to Jesus Christ, when we call on Jesus Christ, when we believe on Jesus Christ to forgive us and rescue us from our sins and from the Hell we most certainly deserve.
Next, remember that the Gospel must be presented simply. Don’t become enamored with theologically advanced discussions. Don’t acquiesce to all the latest theological debates and discourses. Don’t be so general that specifics are lost in the process. Make it simple. To all who need and want a Savior: “Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures, and . . . he was buried, and . . . he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31).
Remember one more thing: Invite sinners to Christ. Invite them to believe (“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved” Acts. 16:31). Invite them to pray (“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” Romans 10:13). Invite them to receive Christ (“But as many as received him, to them gave he the power to become the sons of God” – John 1:12). Invite them to be born again (except a man be born again, ye cannot see the kingdom of God – John 3:3). Jesus will save the sinner who humbles himself and trusts in Jesus Christ to forgive his sins and to give him eternal life. So invite sinners to Christ!
Whatever else we do, let’s make sure that we give the gospel and believe the gospel. Let’s win people to Jesus Christ.
How long has it been since you spoke the gospel to someone? How long since you preached the gospel? Go ahead and give it to someone. Win someone to Jesus this week! I think you will be glad you did.
Thanks for reading,
Your sincere friend,
Dave Young
Evangelist Dave Young 
I just had lunch with a business friend of mine. I knew he was not saved. As we talked we got on the subject of church, I was very surprised that he had attended many church events including the one I attend now. At that point I shared the gospel with him and I’ll ndver forget the look on his face. This was the first time he had heard the gospel. He never heard the gospel at any of these church events. He did not accept Christ that day I spoke to him but you could tell he was really thinking. Because of this , I can’t help but think about how bandly we are missing our calling with the community church events that we put on. My thinking is there may be someone who attends who may not be alive the next day and it’s our one shot to share Jesus with him. I think the church needs to be more purposeful when putting on events and share the gospel with as many people that we can at an event.
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