Our series for the month of July is Bad News - Good News.
In the Bible this is called the Gospel. The word Gospel in the original language literally means good news.
Romans 1:16
The idea of good news implies that there has to be bad news.

Over the past few weeks we have used 4 words to help explain these 2 elements (Bad News & Good News) of the Gospel:

First, we learned that God created us for RELATIONSHIP. He is loving, holy, and just and we are accountable for this relationship with Him.
Second, we learned that man brought about RUIN to his relationship with God and others. The Bible calls this sin and it is rebellion against God's person, authority, love, and purposes.
Third, we learned that Jesus came to our RESCUE. He lived a sinless life and then sacrificed Himself as a substitute for us. In His death he paid the penalty for our sins.

Many Christians would say the gospel = "Jesus died for my sins."
The Gospel is not less than this definition, but it is definitely more.

Paul clearly points out the BAD NEWS and GOOD NEWS; the death and resurrection of Jesus. Each evidenced by fact and each according to God's plan as seen in the statement "according to the scriptures".

Jesus' death and resurrection accomplished many things for us. Two highlights that help us better understand the GOSPEL are:

1. The GOSPEL provides a new life.

2. The GOSPEL provides us with a secure future hope.

Today we look at the fourth word that helps us understand the GOSPEL.
#4 You have to RESPOND to God through faith.

Common acronyms:
Fact Accepted In The Heart
For Answers I Trust Him
Forwarding All Issues To Heaven
Forsaking All, I Trust Him

Saving faith starts with a consideration of certain biblical truths, moves to an inner conviction that embraces or accepts those facts for your life, and then ends with a commitment that affects all of one's life.

First - Faith involves consideration of the Biblical truths: sin, separation, and the Savior.

Second - Faith involves conviction that leads to repentance.

Repent means "a change of mind that results in a change of action."

Third - Faith involves a commitment to be all in with Jesus.

Scripture tells us many times that God accepts us only because of our belief or whole-hearted trust in His Son.

In closing: Picture the two sides of a coin - representing repentance and belief - just one side doesn't make the coin useable.

Only when you respond and use the coin appropriately (according to the wishes of the person who has what you need), are you given the thing that has great worth.