Remaining True to the Gospel

Who is the Gospel For?

Main Point: The good news of Jesus Christ is for everyone who will receive it and those who have received it will want others to receive it as well

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles. —1 Timothy 2:1-7

The gospel is the good news of what Jesus has done for us

Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. —1 Corinthians 15:1-4

We are to pray for all people, including all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:1-3)

God wants all people to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4)

There is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people (1 Timothy 2:5-6)

Our purpose: to be those who share the good news of what Jesus has done for all people (1 Timothy 2:7)

Takeaway: For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” (Romans 1:16-17)

Discussion Questions
1. How confident are you about your ability to clearly explain the gospel to someone?

2.How can we pray for politicians we disagree with? How might our prayers for them affect our attitudes toward them?

3.God wants all people to be saved, yet we know from the Bible that not all people will be saved. What do you think keeps people from accepting what God has done for them through Jesus?

4.Some people criticize the Biblical teaching that Jesus is the only way to a relationship with God as being narrow-minded. How would you respond to that criticism?

Table Discussion Question: Do you regularly pray for specific people to come to a relationship with Jesus? Have you experienced answers to those prayers, or are you waiting in hope?