Is Your Gospel Big Enough?Sample

Why the Four-Chapter Gospel Matters

The four-chapter gospel lays a foundation that provides the meaning and fulfillment we seek in life. It gives us the context of our creation, assurance in our future destination, and a picture of God’s design – flourishing. Relationships are at the heart of human flourishing. The most basic exchange of interaction in all aspects of life, relationships provide the currency for productivity, connection, and fulfillment.

We are relational because God is relational. God designed us for relationships with him, others, creation, and self. While all relationships are important, none is more important than God. We should always value our relationship with God above all others. When we rightly value God over other people, things, and ourselves, we have a proper posture in our relationships, one that always honors God first.

Because of sin, these relationships are fraught with fear, distrust, shame, and disunity that lead to conflict between brothers, neighbors, cities, and nations. Through the redemptive work of Christ within us, these relationships can be restored. The chapter of redemption gives us the hope of reconciliation in our broken relationships. Our response to God’s saving grace should be willing obedience to his call in our lives, including obedience to the commands that we love and forgive one another. It is only through the power of the Holy Spirit that we can begin to restore relationships with others to the way they are supposed to be.

It is in community that we can exercise our gifts, exchange goods and services, and serve one another. The body of Christ is a network of interdependent relationships, and God is specifically calling us to live out his will in our daily relationships.

Why does the four-chapter gospel matter? It tells us where we came from and why. It gives us purpose and meaning in our work. It casts an eternal vision that transforms our time on earth. And finally, it affects every relationship, promoting God’s ultimate desire for his people – flourishing.

Additional Elements

To gain a deeper understanding of the four-chapter gospel, read this new release, All Things New, from the Institute for Faith, Work & Economics.