Greetings CrossTrain family! We’d like to thank everyone for their generosity in this last month by helping to provide for the women at Choices pregnancy. God has used us all to be able to provide formula, clothing, car seats, diapers, wipes, and much more. Greatest of all, we’ve been able to demonstrate Christ’s love through this that God may be glorified. We’ve been used to offer this free gift to women who are joyously choosing life, all to point to the free gift of eternal life which God offers to all. Thank you!
On the note of eternal life, we’ve spent many weeks now learning scripture which tells us who God is, who we are, what sin is, its consequences, and what God has done to pay the price of our sins to make us right with him. Throughout our Romans series, we’ve emphasized Romans 1:16 which states that the Gospel is the power of God to salvation for all who believe and we’ve continued to study Paul’s inspired description of what this Gospel is. The verse we will learn this week is the Holy Spirit telling us through Paul in the most concise way the answer to the question: what is the Gospel?
“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.” 1 Corinthians 15:3
Why this verse? This tells us what the Gospel, the Good News actually is! All of scripture (OT) was declaring that Jesus would have to die in our place. And He did! The scriptures also said this savior would conquer death and then raise from the grave. And He did! The scriptures said that he would raise to life and reign as King. And he did! The gospel declares that our sin debt has been paid, we have eternal life and are made right with God. His resurrection is the receipt, the proof of purchase. And He is alive today, actively reigning as King of heaven and earth at the right hand of the father and will continue to do so until all his enemies are made a footstool under his feet. Then he will return and defeat death once and for all. THIS IS THE GOOD NEWS!!!
Questions 1 Corinthians 15:3 can answer:
Why is it important for us to know our Bible? hint: “according to the scriptures” is used 3x
What is the gospel?
Who alone has accomplished this work?
Thank you, church, for continuing to work towards storing God’s word in your heart and in the hearts of your children. This Gospel (the Word) in us is what the Spirit uses to bring dead sinners to life and reconcile us to the Father. This Gospel is the power of God that the gates of Hell will not and cannot prevail against. It is what sets the captive free and is for all who would turn to God in faith. There is nothing more beautiful, more powerful, more irresistible in all the earth and God offers it freely and abundantly. May we all go forth as vessels this week carrying this good news to all we see. We pray for good soil in the hearts of our children and those we encounter. God saves sinners, church. The Gospel is the news of how he has done it. Until next time, may God richly bless you by the grace and mercy won by Jesus Christ!
In Christ,
Adam and Audra Griffin
Family Ministries