This Sunday we talked about what it means to respond to the needs of our neighbors. The last point we went over was that people need the Gospel. What does everyone need in their life? The Gospel! Everyone needs to discover the Gospel, dwell on the Gospel or spread the Gospel.
First, we should figure out what exactly the Gospel is and what we mean by the Gospel. I’m sure you’ve heard that the Gospel means “Good news.” If you’re a believer you know that the good news is that Jesus came to take our place and take the wrath of God in our place. There is an easier way to remember the Gospel in full. Growing up we learned the Romans road to share the Gospel, but we can remember the Gospel by just remembering the acronym G.O.S.P.E.L. If you’ve taken Chad’s class or remember from the Youth talking about the trip to Denver then you may know what I’m talking about. God created us to be with Him. Our sins separate us from God. Sins cannot be removed by good deeds. Paying the price for sin, Jesus died and rose again. Everyone who puts their faith in Jesus alone, has eternal life. Life with Jesus starts now and lasts forever! When someone asks you what the Gospel is you can say it is the good news and you can go through this acronym to better explain exactly what you mean.
Isaiah 53 is known as the suffering servant passage and it is one of the passages I dwell on the most. It is an incredible passage. It is the prophecy of Jesus, our Savior, coming down to Earth and taking our righteousness so that we can come before the Father under the name of Jesus. Rather than me going on and on, read this passage and think about what the Gospel means to you, think about what Jesus endured so that you don’t have to! PRAISE GOD for His faithfulness and sacrifice. As the Gospel penetrates your heart and mind, it becomes harder and harder not to praise God and share with others this great gift we have received! What does Isaiah 53 mean to you? What does the Gospel really mean to you?
Isaiah 53
Who would have believed what we just heard?
When was the Lord’s power revealed through him?
He sprouted up like a twig before God,
like a root out of parched soil;
he had no stately form or majesty that might catch our attention,
no special appearance that we should want to follow him.
He was despised and rejected by people,
one who experienced pain and was acquainted with illness;
people hid their faces from him;
he was despised, and we considered him insignificant.
But he lifted up our illnesses,
he carried our pain;
even though we thought he was being punished,
attacked by God, and afflicted for something he had done.
He was wounded because of our rebellious deeds,
crushed because of our sins;
he endured punishment that made us well;
because of his wounds we have been healed.
All of us had wandered off like sheep;
each of us had strayed off on his own path,
but the Lord caused the sin of all of us to attack him.
He was treated harshly and afflicted,
but he did not even open his mouth.
Like a lamb led to the slaughtering block,
like a sheep silent before her shearers,
he did not even open his mouth.
He was led away after an unjust trial –
but who even cared?
Indeed, he was cut off from the land of the living;
because of the rebellion of his own people he was wounded.
They intended to bury him with criminals,
but he ended up in a rich man’s tomb,
because he had committed no violent deeds,
nor had he spoken deceitfully.
Though the Lord desired to crush him and make him ill,
once restitution is made,
he will see descendants and enjoy long life,
and the Lord’s purpose will be accomplished through him.
Having suffered, he will reflect on his work,
he will be satisfied when he understands what he has done.
“My servant will acquit many,
for he carried their sins.
So I will assign him a portion with the multitudes,
he will divide the spoils of victory with the powerful,
because he willingly submitted to death
and was numbered with the rebels,
when he lifted up the sin of many
and intervened on behalf of the rebels.”
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