All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16). 

Believing the Gospel

But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31).

First Principle: The gospel was meant to be believed!
Goal: To establish the idea that freedom is not just possible. It is promised.

By now, you should be finished with the entire book of Matthew. I asked that it be read in four days because I want it the teachings of Jesus to be fresh on your mind as we go through this lesson. Teachers teach, not to give you revelation, but to give you all the ingredients so that you can have revelation as you seek the Lord and continue studying the scriptures.

Romans 1:16 tells us: For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, as it is written, the just shall live by faith.
The Good News tells us how God makes us right in His sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. (Romans 1:17, NLT).

• In it, the righteousness of God is revealed, FROM START TO FINISH!
• Righteousness is attained through faith in Jesus Christ.

The Gospel is the POWER:

It is not stating that the gospel HAS the power. The gospel IS the power. This means all of us have access to the POWER through the revelation of His Word.

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:13)
Salvation: The original meaning behind the term includes deliverance.

Second Principle: The gospel is the answer to everything.
Goal: Righteousness

If a person cannot get past the doctrine of Christ part, they cannot be free. They can learn to cope with their trauma, but there is no real healing without Christ. Outside of Christ, there is only an illusion of freedom. True healing from Jesus is fellowship with the Father. His healing is not for this life only, but even for the life to come.

The goal of the gospel is not to feel better. The goal is not to change the situation. The goal is not even to reconcile. The goal is RIGHTEOUSNESS! The priority is this one thing: Righteousness through faith. The good news is that God has made a covenant that will remove the sin issue that separates mankind from Himself. He started with the Jews, but the salvation was for EVERYONE, including you. (Jeremiah 31:31).

1. Here is a powerful summary of the gospel: https://youtu.be/uppjUEzOwOg
2. Here is a summary of the gospel: Titus 2:11-14 Memorize. You can use this song to help:

Questions to discuss:

1. How did you feel when you read about the life of Jesus this past week?
2. What was the hardest teaching of Jesus to accept?
3. Why is the gospel important to you?