This Is Good News

LESSON THREE

"Living The Gospel"

Instructions:

1. Read the four (4) "This Is Good News" lessons.

2. Go to the question & answer index, select the appropriate question & answer form, answer the questions and complete the Student Information.

3. Submit the completed form by clicking on the submit button at the bottom of the form. Your Study Helper will review your lesson and send you the next lesson in the series if you qualify.

LIVING THE GOSPEL

Babies are not born in order to stay babies! They are born to grow. In the same way, when you become God's child, you should "grow up in your salvation" (1 Peter 2:2).

LIVING WITH GOD'S SPIRIT

In Romans, Paul was making this point about growing. Then (as now) people twisted the meaning of God's kindness. Grace, they thought, would allow them to get away with continued disobedience. Some even accused Paul of teaching these foolish things (Romans 3:8; 6:1, 15). Paul answered all such false ideas by reminding Christians how they came into Christ. In baptism they died to sin and were raised to live with God. Now, their lives had to reflect the reality of this amazing grace.

In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life . . . (Romans 6:11-13).

Keep on dying to self! Keep on living to God! In other words, live up to what the Gospel has done for you! Or, in Paul's other words, "conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ" (Philippians 1:27).

The great spiritual enemy, Satan, hates the Gospel. That is why he sows seeds of doubt about responding to the Gospel. Satan works especially against all who have faith enough to obey the Gospel. Their spirits have been raised; but their fleshly bodies still live in the same world. Their minds still struggle with bad habits. They can still be tempted. Therefore Satan plans, for Christians, a kind of 'resurrection' of his own. He wants the old, sinful self to rise up again in their lives.

How can we overcome Satan's attacks? The Gospel really is Good News in our daily struggle, for Satan's power has been broken (John 12:31; Romans 8:37-39; 1 John 3:8). Jesus promised this about His followers:

I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of My Father's hand (John 10:28 29).

God never allows Satan to tempt us beyond our ability to resist him (1 Corinthians 10:13; James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:9). Therefore all that Satan has left is his lies, aimed at our minds.

We defeat Satan's lies through the truth -- God's word (Psalm 86:11; 119:30, 160; John 17:17; Ephesians 6:13-17). We aim our minds especially at the highest Truth, Jesus Christ (John 14:6; Hebrews 3:1; 12:2). This is what Paul told the Romans and the Colossians.

Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires (Romans 8:5).

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2).

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. . . . Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed . . . (Colossians 3:1-3, 5).

Colossians 3 makes clear the kind of ungodly attitudes and actions that we must take off. It also shows the godly ways that we should put on. We have the best reason to keep growing and changing: We "have put on the new self" (Colossians 3:10). This is Good News! In Christ we are already God's new creation! In this new creation God's Spirit works freely and powerfully.

For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live (Romans 8:13).

I pray that out of his glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being . . . Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us . . . (Ephesians 3:16,20; see also 1 Corinthians 3; 2 Corinthians 3).

Do you see why we can now succeed? We are not alone in our fight against sins and bad habits. We have the Almighty Helper. God's Spirit grows His good fruit in us as we learn and submit to His word (Galatians 5:22-25; Ephesians 6:17). This practical, day-by-day changing makes us more like God.

[You] have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator (Colossians 3:10; see also 2 Corinthians 3:18; 4:16; 5:17).

So then, the new life begins by being raised with Christ in baptism (Colossians 2). And it continues to be renewed as we keep the old self dead, and let God grow our new self (Colossians 3). We keep obeying the Gospel -- yes, living the Gospel -- by this continued death and resurrection.

What if our living is not perfect? What if we slip and fall through sin? Satan wants us to stay down and give up. But we do not have to be defeated. God's Spirit keeps giving us strength to get back up and "be renewed." The Lord renews us as we are honest about our faults, and keep coming to Him for forgiveness (1 John 1:7-9). When the devil wins some battles, that does not mean he has won the war. The Good News is that in Christ we have already won the war! At the cross and at the grave, the Son of God defeated Satan for us. Those who obey the Gospel join the victory march that will not stop until it reaches heaven!
 

LIVING WITH GOD'S FAMILY

Ah, but we humans forget so easily, don't we? Our struggles wear away that wonderful feeling of triumph. The road is uphill, and seems very long. We tend to lose our sense of direction. Sometimes we become discouraged.

God knows our constant need to be reminded and encouraged. As our Father, He planned a family for the care of His children. Think about fleshly birth. Did God plan for new-born babies to be left alone? By God's design, each baby should be born into a family. Father, mother, sisters and brothers all do their part in caring for the child. In the same way, God's way of caring for each spiritual child is through His spiritual family.

"God's household," according to 1 Timothy 3:15, is "the church of the living God." Here the word "church" does not mean just any religious group; nor does it mean a building. In Scripture, the word for "church" means an assembled group, especially Christ's group, the saved people (Ephesians 5:23-27). They have been called and gathered in a spiritual sense (Hebrews 12:22-23; John 10:16; 11:52). They also "gather" at local meetings on earth. In each place they come together regularly for honoring the Lord and encouraging each other. Being with fellow-members is so vital for spiritual health that Scripture commands,

Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching. If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left . . . (Hebrews 10:24 26).

In today's confused world, such a command may seem difficult to obey. There are so many different 'churches' (denominations). They have many conflicting teachings -- about as many as there are human wishes. Some 'churches' do not even believe in the resurrection of Jesus. Others do not call for real repentance or baptism. It is popular to say, "Go to the church of your choice." If Christ is really our Lord, we should be far more interested in the church of Christ's choice. Yet, what is Christ's church or family?

Earlier in this discussion we looked at Colossians 3:1-10 and Romans 12:2. If we go a few verses further, we find each passage telling us of one body.

Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others (Romans 12:4-5).

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace (Colossians 3:15).

"One body" is another way of saying "one church." Near the beginning of Colossians (1:18), Christ is called "the head of the body, the church." Hence one never reads in Scripture anything like 'choosing the church of your choice.' For Christ planned, even from eternity, to establish only one group (Ephesians 2:14-16; 3:10-11; 4:1-6; John 10:16). He said, "I will build My church," which can never die or be defeated (Matthew 16:18).

We cannot escape the important truths of these Scriptures. They show us that many different 'churches,' with their warring divisions, is no part of Christ's will. Despite many false religions around us, we can be sure that Christ's church is still alive, just as He promised. When people submit to Christ's plan, they will be at peace within His one church. So we must ask again, "What is Christ's church?"

We cannot turn to men for the answer. The confusing divisions we see come through men, not God (1 Corinthians 3:3; 14:33; Galatians 5:19-20). Are we serious about finding the answer? Then we must go to God's word. We must be ready to accept its inspired answer.

Let's begin by returning to Romans 12. When Paul spoke of the "one body," we know he was speaking of God's group of people. But who made up that group? Who were the members of that one group?

. . . so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others (Romans 12:5).

These members, making up the one body, are the people in Christ. We even know how these people came to be "in Christ," don't we?

Paul has stressed their belief in God's Son, and their confession of that faith (Romans 1, 3, 4, 10). He has shown the vital nature of repentance (Romans 2, 6, 8). He has reminded them of their baptism. It was their entrance "into Christ" and into His saving Gospel event. "All of us," Paul says, "were baptized into Christ" (Romans 6:3). Galatians 3:26-27 repeats the New Testament fact that in this way all became members in Christ:

You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

Who make up the one body (the church, the family) of Christ? All who come into Christ in the way described by the New Testament. When you believe and obey the Gospel, you want to meet with others who also believe and obey the Gospel. Christ has placed both you and them into the same body (Acts 2:41, 47; 1 Corinthians 12:13). You have been born into the same family, making you "brothers" and "sisters" (Romans 12:1).

Romans clearly shows the importance of Christ's church-body. God wants your "living sacrifice" to be offered in the setting of this family. You give yourself to God by using your special gifts for the growth of His body (Romans 12:1-8). He wants you to love and support these members (Romans 12:9-13). He wants all members to have "a spirit of unity" as they follow Jesus (Romans 15:5; 14:1-21).

Obeying God's will, New Testament Christians meet together in local congregations. Romans 16:16 calls these gatherings churches of Christ -- "All the churches of Christ send greetings." [The word "churches" here means local assemblies or congregations. It does not mean divisions or denominations. The congregation in Corinth, for example, was called "the church of God in Corinth" (1 Corinthians 1:2). For other descriptive names see Matthew 16:18; 18:17; Acts 2:47; 8:1, 3; 9:2; 13:1; 20:28; Romans 16:1, 5, 16; 1 Corinthians 3:9; 7:17; 10:32; Galatians 1:2, 13, 22; Colossians 1:18; 1 Thessalonians 2:14; 1 Timothy 3:5; 1 Peter 2:5; Hebrews 12:23,28 and Revelation 1:4; 2:1. As you can see, the New Testament uses many ways to refer to the church. The wide variety shows that they are not intended as formal names. Therefore we should not think of any one name as "the official name," such as might be required on a flag or over a door.] Whether in the first century or the twenty-first century, the Lord's churches are not mysterious, invisible things. Since they meet to worship their Lord and to encourage each other, they can be found at particular times and places. Their members are known by real names. [For such names, places and works, see Romans 16.]

This truth has a practical point: When you come to Christ, you need to find Christ's people in your area. Paul, for example, "tried to join the disciples" in Jerusalem (Acts 9:26). For some this may be difficult. There are areas of the world that have few Christians. Other areas may have 'churches,' but few that fit the New Testament's description. In these, as in all cases, let God keep working through you. As you faithfully live and teach the Gospel, others will believe and obey it. New disciples will gather with you. This is how God plants His church in each new place. However, before beginning a new work, you should try to find a true congregation of Christ in your area. Start with simple, biblical questions:

What do these people believe about God, Christ and Scripture? The church's foundation is the great truth that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God (Matthew 16:16-19; 1 Corinthians 3:11). The church respects the Scriptures, being especially built upon the inspired words of the apostles (Matthew 16:16-19; John 16:13; 17:8, 17-20; Ephesians 2:20; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:14-4:5; 2 Peter 3:2, 15-16).

What do these people teach and practice about entering Christ and His church? You might find that their way of becoming 'Christians' is different from Christ's. If so, they are in serious trouble (Matthew 7:13-23; 23:13; Galatians 1:6-9; 2 Peter 2:1-3). You certainly do not want to join in their disobedience. If, on the other hand, these people truly believe and obey the Gospel, they are members of the Lord's one church. Keep in mind that people who once became Christians can fall away. hey can lead others away from Christ (Galatians 1; 2 Peter 2). Also, Jesus can disown His congregations if they keep straying far from Him (Revelation 2:5; 3:3,15). So we have to ask another question.

Is this congregation still trying to follow Christ? No congregation in the New Testament was perfect; indeed, many had weaknesses and problems. Yet the basic meaning of "disciple" is learner or follower. Jesus said, "If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples" (John 8:31; see also 13:35; 15:1-8). Ephesians 5:24 describes Christ's body as "the church" that "submits to Christ." Some are no longer submitting to the clearest commands of Christ. Some actually make their rebellion formal, writing false teachings into their 'church rules.' We must return to the central confession of the Gospel -- Jesus is Lord! He has all authority (Matthew 28:18). He is the "head over everything for the church, which is His body" (Ephesians 1:22). In obedience to the Head (Christ), a true disciple wants to meet and work with His body (other true disciples). In this way, the disciples can fully encourage each other. Christ's will can be honored, and His cause advanced, just as He intended.
 

LIVING WITH GOD'S MISSION

Sharing is an important part of the new life in God. There is a simple reason for this. God, in His own nature, is so caring that John says, "God is love" (1 John 4:8). John also points out that love expresses itself by giving.

This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him (1 John 4:9).

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).

Accepting God's life means sharing in His loving, giving nature.

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers (1 John 3:16). Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God (1 John 4:7).

What does this kind of love do when it sees a brother in material need? It takes action to help him (1 John 3:17-18). The early Christians set for us a great example. They chose to give generously, like God gives (Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-37; 11:27-30; 2 Corinthians 8:1-21; 9:6-15). In the same way, love is active in meeting spiritual needs. Those who are without God are spiritually dead. They face an eternity of punishment (2 Thessalonians 1:6-9). Only the Gospel can save them. Only by hearing the Gospel can they believe and obey it (see Romans 1:16; 10:17). That is why Jesus, in His great mercy, gave to His people the greatest mission of all. It is commonly called "the Great Commission." Jesus often stressed this mission after He was raised. [He gave His Great Commission in at least five different ways between His resurrection and His return to heaven. See Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:47; John 20:21 and Acts 1:8. These final orders gave specific direction to many things Jesus had said earlier, including Mark 13:10; 14:9; Luke 14:23; 15:1-32 and 19:10.] What is this vital mission? Jesus did the work for saving all people. He suffered, died and arose in the Gospel event. Now He gives to us the much simpler part: Tell others that Good News, so that they can believe and obey it.

Go into all the world and preach the Good News to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned (Mark 16:15-16).

Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28:18-20).

Do you see how much Jesus wants to reach out -- though His people -- to every person on earth? Do you see the method Jesus planned for all of His followers to use?

It would start with those few who first heard Jesus. They would help others also to become "disciples." These new disciples would keep learning further obedience. Obeying "all" of Christ's commands, they would certainly obey this command of Matthew 28.

That means that they would make disciples of others -- teaching the newest disciples to obey "all" of Christ's commands.

These newest disciples, obeying Matthew 28 in their turn, would make disciples of others, baptizing them, and teaching them to obey "all" of Christ's commands. And so on it goes.

The Great Commission is packed with wisdom. Look at the truths it carries forward, to the very end of the age:

What is to be passed along to each new disciple? "All" that Christ commanded those apostles. Thus the same Christianity, that Jesus first planned and built, is to continue. It must go on to the ends of the world, and to the world's end. Today there seem to be so many different kinds of 'Christianity.' Yet the Great Commission's wording keeps alive this unchanging truth: Jesus still wants and authorizes only His own kind of Christianity. [Christ, according to Matthew 28, owns "all authority." How much authority, then, is left over for others to make changes as they wish? What right have men to make up their own 'churches,' or their own competing 'kinds' of Christianity? None at all. Despite this truth, the New Testament clearly predicted that many Christians would go their own way, and leave Christ's way (Acts 20:28-30; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12; 1 Timothy 4:1-3; 2 Timothy 4:3-4; 2 Peter 2:1-3).] This is original Christianity, as given through His first disciples and described in the New Testament.

Who should pass on this original Christianity? Matthew 28 shows that everyone who becomes a disciple should become a disciple-maker. This Commission is so Great that it needs the whole church. Each member shares the Gospel message (Acts 8:4; Colossians 4:5-6; Hebrews 5:12; 1 Peter 2:9; 3:15). As God's team, each one works, using his or her special abilities. [We are given different gifts and roles by God (Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 3:5-15; Ephesians 4:4- 6; 1 Peter 4:10-11). Therefore the Great Commission is not forcing us into all being teachers of exactly the same kind. Some may be public spokesmen like Paul and Apollos. Others may teach or help in less formal ways, like Priscilla and Aquila. However, the Great Commission shows that all should join the work of sharing God's saving message. This fits in with the New Testament's teaching that each member is a priest of God (1 Peter 2:5,9; Revelation 1:6).]

How should this original Christianity be passed along? According to Matthew 28, Christ uses disciples. [These "disciples" are learning "to obey everything," including Christ's Great Commission. Hence these are not 'Christians' who once learned a few facts and then did nothing with those facts. Rather, they keep obeying -- letting others see real changes that Gospel truths make in daily living (Matthew 5:16; 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12; 1 Peter 2:12). They share the Gospel both in public and in private (Acts 5:42; 18:25-28; 20:20). Some of them send letters and lessons (Luke 1:1-4; John 20:30-31; Hebrews 13:22). This lesson is in your hands because someone cares about you. Christians use "all means," that are honest and helpful, for winning people (1 Corinthians 9:22-23).] More than that, these disciples multiply. You can see it in the Great Commission. Were those first few disciples to carry the whole, worldwide load? Were they, personally, to make every disciple ever reached in every place? (Such a slow method could be called "adding.") No; look closer. Jesus' goal is for the Gospel to reach every person on earth. His method is for those first messengers to make more messengers, who make more messengers, who make more messengers . . . ! Through this reproducing, multiplying method, the number of workers keeps increasing at an explosive rate. In a surprisingly short time every person on earth has a chance to hear (see Colossians 1:23). Are we correct in saying that this was Jesus' plan? Listen to Paul's words to Timothy:

And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others (2 Timothy 2:2).

Paul had trained Timothy. Timothy was to train others. [The Greek word for "men" in 2 Timothy 2:2 does not mean males only. It means "people," both men and women. All members are to be involved in passing along the message. Elsewhere in letters to Timothy, Paul shows that members have different tasks and leader- ship roles assigned by God.] They, in turn, were to be prepared for teaching others also. This is the Great Commission in practice: disciples multiplying into more disciples.

Jesus' great desire is for all to hear His Gospel. They cannot be saved unless they believe and obey the Gospel. That is why He gave the most powerful means for spreading the Gospel -- each receiver becoming a sharer. We are faced with a puzzling question. "If this method is so effective, why are there so many who have never heard the Gospel?"

THE PROBLEM: (a) Satan changes the message. All too often those who are working today are not spreading New Testament Christianity. Their multiplying efforts go into faulty responses to the Gospel, or even into false gospels (Galatians 1:6-10; 2 Corinthians 11:4). (b) Satan discourages disciples. He tells them, "You could get in trouble doing this. Leave the work to someone better qualified." Each worker is like a link in a living chain. By making one disciple inactive, Satan removes an important link to others. He cuts off thousands who could have been reached along that disciple's multiplying line.

THE SOLUTION: Listen to Christ! Return to His Gospel and its clear commands. You can do so because the Gospel has been safely and accurately kept for you in the New Testament. If you have not yet believed the Gospel, look more closely at its wonderful evidences. Start believing! If you have not yet obeyed the Gospel, do what you know is right. Obey the Gospel! Have you entered Christ through His Gospel event? Then begin working! Live the Gospel! This really is Good News. People need this Good News more than they realize. Start sharing the Good News immediately. [Did you learn enough to enter Christ? If so, you obviously know enough to tell others how to come to Christ. Even if you are young in the faith, you can share what you have learned. Jesus' first disciples did this (John 1:40-46; Acts 9:20). You can even use this e-mail lesson as a way to start. The lessons are simple. All the main Scriptures are easy to find. What if someone asks a difficult question? If you do not have an answer, continue to be honest. Say, "I do not know yet. But I will try to find what God's word says on this subject." You may be able to get help from other disciples who know the Scriptures. What if people reject you? Let the experience teach you how to become more effective; but never let it teach you fear or dismay (Acts 4:29; 5:40-42; Philippians 1:27-28). Remember that Jesus was rejected because darkness hates light (John 3:19-20). He promised that some will reject us, too (John 15:18-20). He also proved that we can endure through His joy and strength (Matthew 5:10-16; 2 Corinthians 1:3-10; 1 Peter 4:12-19). In every situation, continue to be kind, respectful and helpful (Matthew 7:12; Colossians 4:6; 2 Timothy 2:24-26; Titus 3:2).] Through this Bible study we have shared Good News with you. Now it is your turn to do the same for others. Many others in your chain of influence are depending on you. Without you they may never learn to obey the Gospel.

The word of God is like a seed (Luke 8:11). God uses you to plant the seed. Time may pass before you see His results. This calls for continued kindness and patience. When a precious soul does believe and obey the Gospel, do not stop there. Jesus wants His people to grow and to multiply. Whatever means you use, help new disciples to join in the work of Christ's team (His family or church). Train new disciples to do their part in sharing the Gospel. Train them to train others, who can train still others. This is how to fulfill the greatest task on earth, the Great Commission. This is an important way to honor the greatest King, Jesus Christ. This is how to spread the greatest news, the Good News: Know it! Obey it! Live it! Share it!

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