The first teaching in the series "Growing Deep in the Gospel". In this teaching we answer the question "Why is the Gospel Important?" by looking at Romans 1:16, several other Bible verses and quotes from pastors and Christian authors. Then in light of the importance of the gospel we look at what we should do with the gospel.

1. Why is the Gospel Important?
It is important to keep the big picture in mind when we look at the gospel.
The Big Picture
Jesus
  
  
Gospel  Church  Mission
Why is the Gospel Important?
We discover the importance of the gospel by looking at what the Apostle Paul had to say about it in
the first chapter of Romans and chapter 2 of 1 Corinthians.
Importance of the Gospel to Paul
Romans 1:7-8 (NKJ)
To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our
Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your
faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
Romans 1:13-15 (NIV)
I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to come to you (but
have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as
I have had among the other Gentiles. I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise
and the foolish. That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.
Romans 1:16 (NIV 84)
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, because it is the power of God for the salvation of
everyone who believes…
1 Corinthians 2:1-2 (NIV)
When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to
you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ
and him crucified.
Thoughts
Even though the believers in Rome were known for their faith throughout the whole world Paul still
wanted to come and preach the gospel to them and even though he knew the gospel his daily focus
was on the gospel. Everything else flowed from that foundational reality, from that central truth.
Number One Reason Why the Gospel is Important
What is the number one reason why the gospel is important and from which all the other reasons flow
as well? Because it is the power of God!

2. Romans 1:16 – Key Bible Verse (NIV)
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone
who believes…
The gospel is not just any kind of power, is the power of God for salvation. The Greek word for
“power” is dunamis and it the word from which we get dynamite.
All the power in the universe can not save one person. It takes the power of God in the gospel.
Salvation = Rescue
Think of a person whose ship sunk and is all alone in the ocean, no one for thousand of kilometers.
Then they hear the sound of a helicopter – Good news! Rescue is coming.
The same is true for every one of us. We are lost in an ocean of sin. We need to be rescued from our
sin. If we are not rescued we face death, judgment, hell and wrath. We are without God and without
hope.
Salvation is not just what happens when you repent and place your faith in Jesus. It begins there but
doesn’t stop there. It will continue until God creates a new heaven and earth and comes down with
the New Jerusalem to live with His children forever.
Salvation can be broken up into three aspects: 1. Justification 2. Sanctification and 3. Glorification.
1. Justification – Beginning
Justification is God declaring those who receive Christ to be righteous, based on Christ’s
righteousness being imputed to those who receive Christ through repentance and faith.
Jesus’ perfect, sinless life and sacrifice on the cross where He experienced the punishment for our
sin are the only grounds for our being justified in God’s eyes.
2. Sanctification – Middle
The process of being conformed more and more into the likeness of Christ through the work of the
Holy Spirit and God’s Word within a community of believers called a church.
Sanctification is what happens as we follow Jesus. Remember what He said? “Deny yourself, pick up
your cross and follow me.” He gave us an example to follow.
3. Glorification – End
Glorification is the completion, the consummation, the perfection, the full realization of salvation.
It begins when Jesus returns to set up His kingdom, at that time we will get our new glorified bodies.
Salvation will be completed when God creates the new heavens and earth and brings the New
Jerusalem down to earth where He will dwell with His children forever.

3. Summary
1. Justification is being saved from the penalty of sin
2. Sanctification is being saved from the power of sin
3. Glorification is being saved from the presence of sin
Conclusion
Every aspect of our lives can be influenced by the power of the gospel so we really need to make the
gospel the center of our lives. Everything good, true and beautiful flows from the gospel.
Quotes on Why the Gospel is Important
C. J. Mahaney
“If there’s anything in life we should be passionate about, it’s the gospel. And I don’t mean passionate
only about sharing it with others; I mean passionate in thinking about the gospel, reflecting upon it,
rejoicing in it, allowing it to color the way we look at the world and all of life.”
“…very small errors in a person’s understanding of the Gospel seemed to result in very big problems
in that person's life.”
P.J. Miller
“Early in my Christian life, I thought the Gospel was the message to win people to Christ, then, in
disciple-making, one moved on to “deeper things.” What a fallacy! You never move beyond the
Gospel. You go deeper and higher with the Gospel, but never beyond the Gospel.”
Tim Keller
“We never “get beyond the gospel” in our Christian life to something more “advanced.” The gospel is
not the first “step” in a “stairway” of truths, rather, it is more like the “hub” in a “wheel” of truth. The
gospel is not just the A-B-C’s but the A-Z of Christianity. The gospel is not just the minimum required
doctrine necessary to enter the kingdom, but the way we make progress in the kingdom.”
Jerry Bridges
“The gospel is not only the most important message in all of history; it is the only essential message
in all of history.”
Bible Verses on Why the Gospel is Important
Luke 4:43 (NIV)
But he replied, “I must preach the Good News of the Kingdom of God in other towns, too, because
that is why I was sent.”
If the reason the Father sent Jesus was to preach the gospel and if Jesus spent most of His time
preparing His disciples to preach it, then it must be important!
Mark 10:45 (NIV)
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for
many.

4. If Jesus came to die to make the gospel a reality then it must be important!
2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 (NIV)
This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels.
He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will
be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the
glory of his might
Then will come judgment day before the great white throne where every thought, word, action and
motive will be exposed and after this those whose names are not found in the book of life will be
thrown in the lake of fire where they will experience the wrath of God forever.
Luke 6:48-49 (NLT)
It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the
floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. But anyone who
hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house without a foundation. When the floods
sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.”
All of us build our lives upon a foundation based on some way at looking at life. The truths and
worldview we believe in serve as that foundation
What foundation are you building your life upon? When the storms of life come what will happen to
you? Will you stand firm or will you be destroyed?
The gospel serves as a rock solid foundation upon which to build your life not only for this present
age but also for the age to come.
Romans 16:25 (ESV)
Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus
Christ…
Strengthen, Establish
Stērizō - 1) to make stable, place firmly, set fast, fix 2) to strengthen, make firm 3) to render constant,
confirm one's mind.
The gospel is the means God uses to strengthen us spiritually so we can stand up to all the
temptations and attacks we receive from our flesh, this world and the evil one.
We are not suppose to train on our own. God set it up so we need each other in order to grow.
Galatians 2:14 (ESV)
But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel …
The gospel is not just a get out of hell free card. It impacts every aspect of how we live our lives. It
serves as a light to guide us on how to live the best life possible that pleases God.

5. Galatians 1:6-7 (NIV)
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ
and are turning to a different gospel—which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are
throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.
The Galatians were turning away from the pure gospel and adding the law (circumcision) in order to
be saved. Just as in Paul’s day, there are many today preaching false gospels, trying to persuade
people to add some kind of works to Jesus.
The best way to know what is counterfeit is by knowing the real thing. Example - Bank employees
spend a great deal of time getting to know what real bills are like so they can spot the counterfeit
ones.
There are Three Ways to Live
1. By the Law - Legalism
2. Against the Law - License
3. By the Gospel - Grace
Living by Law - Legalism
Legalism is adding our own efforts and works to what Jesus did, to either attain or maintain our
justification before God and/or to earn or keep God’s favor by what we do.
Jesus + Works = Legalism
The human heart is drawn to law, in order to justify oneself. While this is true sometimes we also
experience the opposite problem.
Romans 5:20-6:1 (NLT)
God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more
and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. 21 So just as sin ruled over all people and
brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God
and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Against the Law – License
License means “against the law” or “lawlessness” and is the belief that there are no moral laws God
expects Christians to obey. It is the unbiblical practice of living without regard to the righteousness of
God, using God's grace as a license to sin, and trusting grace to cover willful sin.
Jesus + Abuse of Grace = License to sin
How did Paul answer his question from Romans 6:1 “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in
sin that grace may abound?” We see his answer in Romans 6:2-4.
Romans 6:2-4 (NLT)
Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? Or have you forgotten that
when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? For we died and were

6. buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of
the Father, now we also may live new lives.
The gospel helps us to walk the narrow path between these two extremes. The gospel path leads to
life as God intended.
Blessings of the gospel
1. Aligns our knowledge and understanding of God, ourselves and everything else with reality.
2. Moves us to love God and people.
3. Fills our lives with joy and thanksgiving.
4. Gives meaning and purpose to our lives and changes our priorities.
5. Guides us as we live out our lives.
Danger
Satan will do anything and everything to try and keep you away from the gospel because he knows if
you really take a hold of it he is in trouble.
Review – The Gospel is important:
1. Because it was the reason that God the Father sent Jesus.
2. Because Jesus died in order to make the gospel a reality.
3. Because it gives us a rock-solid foundation on which to build our lives.
4. Because it strengthens us spiritually.
5. Because it guides us on how to live the best life.
6. Because it keeps us from being deceived by false gospels.
7. Because it keeps us from falling into legalism or licentiousness.
8. Because it provides the means to avoid judgment, hell and wrath.
Romans 1:16 (NIV 84) – Key Bible Verse
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, because it is the power of God for the salvation of
everyone who believes…
Reflection Questions
 Does your life reflect that the gospel is important to you?
 What changes do you feel the Lord wants you to make in your life in light of the gospel?
Grow Deep – Let the gospel go deep into your heart and out into your life.
1. What you do with the gospel and Jesus determines not only your eternal destiny but how you
live in the here and now.
2. Resolve to make the gospel the highest priority in your life and ask Jesus to empower you to
do so day by day through the Holy Spirit.
3. Take the time to study, meditate and pray over the gospel on a regular basis so that you are
continually growing in your understanding of it.
4. As you grow in your knowledge and understanding of the gospel take a hold of it by faith and
learn how to live it out.
Last Word
Take a hold of the gospel so Jesus can take a hold of you. Jesus invites you to join Him on the
journey of a lifetime.

7. The Gospel Journey
You enter into a life-time of discovery, wonder and adventure when you decide to make the gospel the
center of all that you are and all that you do. It is a journey like no other and you don’t have to travel it
alone. Come and join all those who walk with Jesus on the gospel journey.
Review Questions
1. What is the number one reason why the gospel is important? What Bible verse explains this?
What other reasons are there for why the gospel is important? Can you think of any other
reasons that were not mentioned?
2. What is salvation and what does it consist of?
3. What danger do we need to be always aware of? Why? Give some examples of how this
danger can work in our lives.
4. Answer the “Reflection” questions. First question- In what ways “yes” and what ways “no”?
5. How do we grow deep into the gospel? What do you need to do to grow deeper?
To Learn More
1. Memorize Romans 1:16 and Acts 4:12
2. Be able to explain in your own words why the gospel is important.
3. Read the article “Life’s Most Important Truth Can Be the Easiest to Forget” by CJ Mahaney
and write out what were the three things that stood out to you the most and why.
4. Take the handout “How the Gospel Transforms Us” and read, meditate and pray over it
(including the Bible verses) daily for the next month. At the end of the month write out a paper
on what impact it had on you.
5. Review these notes regularly and write down what God is teaching you.
6. Discuss items 1-5 with someone or in a small group.