The Gospel

Life can be tough. Daily, the news tell us about wars, famines, earthquakes and other social scandals. And then, of course, there are troubles nearer to home. Perhaps, like many others, you personally have experienced bereavement, illness, or retrenchment and unemployment, or have been a victim of a social evil. Great is the pain and hurt that these things can bring.

Is there any hope? For you? For the world? The good news is — yes, there is hope! Where is it to be found? Not in education, nor in the advances of science. Not in any political ideology. It is not even to be found in religions — for religions are men’s feeble effort to reach out to their gods. Instead, the good news of hope for the individual, and for the world, is to be found in Jesus Christ who said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10) It is God Himself reaching out to save sinners. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

What is included in this “abundant and everlasting life” that Jesus Christ came to give? A great deal, exceedingly above all that you dare ask or think — blessing that no amount of wealth or power can secure for you.
It includes:

• The forgiveness of your sins, the removal of your guilt, and redemption from eternal destruction;

• The creation of a new nature in you that loves God and all that is truly good and pure;

• The privilege of having, in the Lord Jesus Christ, a Saviour who sticks closer than a brother;

• The adoption as sons and daughters by God;

• The strength and purpose that come from the Spirit of God living in His children;

• The fellowship and loving support of fellow believers along the journey to heaven;

• The assured knowledge that this life is not the only life there is, and that there is a glorious and eternal home which has been prepared for us;

• The living hope that, one day, the Lord Jesus Christ will return, to destroy all that is evil forever, and bring in a new state of eternal blessedness.

All this God accomplished through His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, by a process called SUBSTITUTION. Jesus Christ lived a perfect life on this earth in the place of sinners who have broken God’s law. He died in the place of sinners to pay the debt of their sins against God. He was raised from death on the third day to insure that all His promises will come true. Anyone who turns from his life of sin, and trusts in Christ alone for salvation, will not be condemned.

Perhaps you say, “Ah, it all sounds too good to be true!” But that, of course, is only because you are so used to hearing bad news and have been let down so often. Things, however, can be infinitely different when God comes into your life — as many people through the ages have proved. For, unlike man, God is faithful and powerful, and will fulfil all that He has promised.

Of course, it is not easy in this sin-diseased world to be a true disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. But the invitation that He makes is genuine, and the promise sure. For He says, “Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest;” (Matthew 11:28) “The one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.” (John 6:37)

​Now that is certainly good news, isn't it? Come along to church to hear more of this glorious news of the forgiveness of sins and the abundant life to be found in Jesus Christ.