What is the Gospel?

So, what exactly is the Gospel?

The Good News?
                    God So Loved the World?
                                          Love and Mercy for the Poor?

Many people have a different definition of the Gospel.  And this week, especially, I think it is important to know clearly what the Bible tells us about the Gospel Message.   Why did Jesus die?  Was that really necessary?  Is it really important that he rose from the dead?  Yes, yes, and yes. 

But if you are a Christian, surely you understand what the Gospel means, correct?  Well, I hope so. 
But unfortunately, there many in the evangelical world that have VERY differing views on what the Gospel is.  Many who are a promoting a gospel (little “g” intended”) that is really no Gospel at all (Galatians 1:7, 2 Timothy 4:3-4)

Jesus wasn’t just a good teacher
Jesus didn’t just come to help the poor
The Gospel is more than “love your neighbor”
Jesus death on the Cross is a crucial part of the True Gospel message.
If Jesus did not raise from the dead, we have no hope that we will either.
Jesus Calls us to be more than just “good people” and calls us to share with people a message that is more than just a “God Loves you” Gospel


So, here is the Gospel as I believe it
       No… as the Bible teaches me to believe it:

God created us, in His image, to have a relationship with Him, to worship and obey Him Forever. But because of sin (or turning away from God), we are unable to do that on our own.  Sin causes a separation between us and God. 

God in his Justice, says that our sin deserves a punishment—and that punishment is death.  Yet in God’s great Love and Kindness, He sent His son Jesus to earth to live the perfect life we could not live. Jesus died on the Cross as a substitute to pay the penalty for our sin that we might have a right standing with God.

Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose from the dead and extends new life to all those who would turn from sin and put their faith in Christ, that they might live forever with Him.

Is the Gospel new to you?  Are you a little fuzzy about what you think the Gospel is?  Or are you crystal clear on the Gospel and want a little encouragement? 

I highly recommend this book to you…



What Is the Gospel?  by Greg Gilbert is a small little book that packs a big message of truth.  I have just started reading this, and am already so encouraged.  

So, as we start this Holy week meditating on the Death and Resurrection of Christ, let us center our hearts on the true Biblical Message of why He came and died…and what it is we really believe. 



*This post linked up with Motivating Monday

Resurrection Celebration

The next couple weeks I wanted to post some traditions we do during Easter.  I know it may be too late for you to do some of these this year…

So I will try and post some of the activities and traditions this week so you might have time to do them next week.  And next week I will post some reflections and devotions leading up Easter. 

I am currently reading this great devotional

Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross: Experiencing the Passion and Power of Easter

With authors like Spurgeon, Luther, Edwards, Owen, Piper, Mahaney, Packer and others… you are sure to be encouraged and challenged to center your devotion on Christ.  Also,each entry is only a couple pages, so it is perfect for the Mama Llama with very little time on her hands.

They also make a great Christmas devotional Come thou Long Expected Jesus.   Other great book options to help focus your heart on the Savior’s Death and Resurrection are:

• The Passion of Jesus Christ: Fifty Reasons Why He Came to Dieby John Piper
• Living the Cross Centered Life: Keeping the Gospel the Main Thing by CJ Mahaney
• The Cross of Christ by John Stott
• Discovering the Power of the Cross of Christ (Christian Living/Classics) (Discovering the Power Series) (Life of Christ Series) by Spurgeon

Check back this week for more ideas on celebrating Easter with your family.

**Affiliate Links used

 

Shepherding and Instructing…Fabulous and Free!

How do I parent my children?
How do I speak to their hearts and not just their behavior?

 Shepherding a Child’s Heart is an amazing resource for the new parent or parent of very young children.  It is full of Biblical Principles that clearly show the need for parental authority and Biblical Discipline

Instructing a Child’s Heart is geared toward how we as parents can use scripture daily as we lead our children in all areas of life.  It really builds upon the foundation that Shepherding a Child’s Heart laid out.

These are both excellent books that every parent
should have in their library.

And now you have a chance to win both of them!

I am teaming up with Janna from The Adventure of Motherhood
and Shepherd Press to bring you this great giveaway. 

Janna has written a chapter by chapter review of
Shepherding a Child’s Heart.  And her review blows anything I would have tried to say out of the water! 

So, How can You win these Great books?

1-Leave a comment HERE at Little Llamas
Let me know one of your children’s great qualities

2- Leave a Comment over at Janna’s review of Shepherding a Child’s Heart
Let her know which chapter speaks the most to what you are going through in your parenting.

3- Tweet about this Giveaway!
”I just entered to win a 2 amazing parenting books from @LittleLlamas and @AdventureMomJ”  -- Let us know you tweeted!

4- Subscribe to Little Llamas, Adventure of Motherhood or Follow us on Twitter  Just let us know you did!

1 Winner will be chosen from the combined entries from both blogs on Monday by Random.org!

**Rules**
No duplicate comment entries.
This giveaway is open to US Residents aged 18 and older.

Be sure to make there is a way to contact you in your comment
Winners will be selected via random draw, and will notified by e-mail.
Winner has 48 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.