One way to better understand the Gospel is to see it as part of God’s predetermined plan, which was “promised beforehand through the prophets in holy scriptures concerning His Son…” (Rom. 1:2-5). Here is a list of passages that speak about and reveal what this once hidden but now revealed mystery is.

(Mt. 13:11; Mk. 4:11; Lk. 8:10; Rom. 16:25; I Cor. 2:7, 14:1-2, 15:51; Eph. 1:9, 3:3-4 & 9, 5:32, 6:19; Col. 1:9-27, 4:2-3; 2 Thess. 2:7; 1 Tim. 3:9 & 16; Rev. 1:20, 10:7, 17:5-7.
(For further reading get, “Hidden but now revealed” by G. K. Beale)

And for gaining a better understanding of the Gospel as fulfillment of Israel’s Scriptures get, “The King Jesus Gospel” by Scott McKnight. And finally for clarity on what the Gospel is (and is not) and what its purpose is and how people should respond get, “Gospel Allegiance” by Matthew Bates.

In this series we're going to spend 4 weeks unpacking this:

1. The Unseen story: The Story of God

2. The Seen Story: Story of Israel
(Kingdom through Covenant story)

3. The Gospel Story: Story of Jesus (Fulfillment)
-Purpose and goal
-Response
-Benefits

4. The Gospel as Path: Life “In Christ”
A. Identity
B. Participation
C. Incorporation
D. Union

The Gospel is so much BIGGER and BETTER than we thought it is...

*recommended book: Eternity is Now in Session…a rediscovery of what Jesus really taught about salvation, eternity and getting to the good place. (John Ortberg)

RECAP: 7 Acts

Gospel as 7 Act Play:
1. Incarnation.
-Pre-existence of Christ and plan of Trinity.
-What it reveals about Jesus, fully God and fully Man and His humility as Servant and His Mission to become Saving King

2. Jesus’ Life, message, and Acts.
-Jesus is Pioneer of our faith
-Jesus life as “Path” we are to follow.

3. Jesus’ Death on the Cross
-Perfect Obedience
-Defeat of all powers, sin, and death.

4. Resurrection of Christ.
-New Creation inaugurated.
-All things fulfilled and made new.

5. Ascension of Christ.
-Climax of Gospel
-What this rule looks like now and to come.

6. Christ sends Holy Spirit as Promise of Father.
-Christ’s rule comes by way of Holy Spirit.
-Make Disciples of all nations so as to bring all Nations into “Faithful Obedience”.

7. Christ’s return.
-His bodily return to earth to consummate His rule over all creation by filling all things through Resurrection power.

Jesus’ “good news” - is simply this: the Kingdom of God has now, through Jesus, become available for ordinary human beings to live in.
Life WITH Jesus – now on into eternity! It’s a life of rescue, redemption, renewal, union, identity, participation, incorporation and so much more. TheGospel is a PATH for us to follow. It remakes our Identity and calls us into Participation with Jesus.

In faith - we've been given a new identity In Christ.

As a follower of Jesus my foundational ‘identity’ is not tied to the things so many put their identity in: work or job, the roles we play, our abilities, our money, our power, our experiences, our accomplishments or even our failures…

Henri Nouwen writes about 5 lies of identity:
1) I am what I have
2) I am what I do
3) I am what other people say or think of me
4) I am nothing more than my worst moment
5) I am nothing less than my best moment

(through faith in Christ): we are now who the Great I AM says we are.
Our identity has been recreated and established ‘IN CHRIST’.

That’s why the adoption language we see in the New Testament is such a powerful picture!

Romans 8:15
The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”

Power of Ephesians 1:1-23 *identity:
-adopted v5
-redemption v7 (fully forgiven)
-chosen v11
-marked in him (forever sealed) v13-14
-eternal hope v18
-godly power v19

WHO I AM IN CHRIST (ORIGINALLY COMPILED BY NEIL ANDERSON)
I AM ACCEPTED:
I am God's child.
As a disciple, I am a friend of Jesus Christ.
I have been justified (declared righteous).
I am united with the Lord, and I am one with Him in spirit.
I have been bought with a price and I belong to God.
I am a member of Christ's body.
I have been chosen by God and adopted as His child.
I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins.
I am complete in Christ.
I have direct access to the throne of grace through Jesus Christ.
*John 1:12; John 15:15; Romans 5:1; 1 Corinthians 6:17; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 1 Corinthians 12:27; Ephesians 1:3-8; Colossians 1:13-14; Colossians 2:9-10; Hebrews 4:14-16
I AM SECURE:
I am free from condemnation.
I am assured that God works for my good in all circumstances.
I am free from any condemnation brought against me and I cannot be separated from the love of God.
I have been established, anointed and sealed by God.
I am hidden with Christ in God.
I am confident that God will complete the good work He started in me.
I am a citizen of heaven.
I have not been given a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind. I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me.
*Romans 8:1-2 Romans 8:28 Romans 8:31-39 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 Colossians 3:1-4 Philippians 1:6 Philippians 3:20 2 Timothy 1:7 1 John 5:18
I AM SIGNIFICANT...
I am a branch of Jesus Christ, the true vine, and a channel of His life. I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit.
I am God's temple.
I am a minister of reconciliation for God.
I am seated with Jesus Christ in the heavenly realm.
I am God's workmanship.
I may approach God with freedom and confidence.
I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.
John 15:5 John 15:16 1 Corinthians 3:16 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 Ephesians 2:6 Ephesians 2:10 Ephesians 3:12 Philippians 4:13

Ephesians 2:8-10
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

We are now enfolded into PARTICIPATION role within the gospel…

We’re not just killing time before we go HOME to be with God; we’re living a WITH GOD life now; invited to be an active agent FOR HIM in our here and now.

The Lord's Prayer: (see Matthew 6:9-13)
...your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Jesus told us to ask God to bring heaven – His kingdom, His will, His ways – down here to my office, my neighborhood, my small group, my family, my country – starting with my life, my body, and within my reach.

-Every Benefit of the gospel comes with responsibility.
-We’ve been made holy (Benefit and Honor)
-We’re called to be saints (which carries a responsibility and privilege)

2 Questions:

Q) is your life participating with what God is up too?
-how can you grow in that more this year?

Q) is your life anchored and rooted to your Identity In Christ?
*not where the world says you find your identity?
- how can you grow in being rooted in that more?

IF YOU'RE NEW:
We throw a 10-minute party immediately following the service in the back corner of the room. If you're new, we'd love to meet you and we have a small gift for you! We also want invite you back with us next Sunday at 5pm as we continue our series together -- The Gospel...it's bigger and better than you thought!