S2 Ep2190: Quiet Time Coaching Episode 515 | New Creation Series — Part 7 | “New Creation - New Picture of the Gospel, Part 1” | Malcolm Cox

Quiet Time Coaching Episode 515 | New Creation Series — Part 7 | “New Creation - New Picture of the Gospel, Part 1” | Malcolm CoxIntroductionA new creation! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome to this series on ‘A new creation’. Introduction: Reflecting on Our view of the GospelWhat is your picture of the gospel? Doubtless it is affected by your personal spiritual biography and formative spiritual experiences. Is it possible that your view could contain an incomplete or even distorted view of the gospel? For many, the gospel is mostly about forgiveness, going heaven, and avoiding hell. Is that all?Good NewsThe ‘gospel’ means ‘good news’ (from the Greek, euangelion). The Scriptural idea is encapsulated in this verse:“How lovely on the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who announces peace And brings good news of happiness, Who announces salvation, And says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”” (Isaiah 52:7 NAS95)The image is someone running from the battlefront, bringing good news of a military victory.  Watchmen were trained to notice how these specialist runners ran. If they were doing the survival shuffle it was bad news. If their legs were pumping, and the dust was flying, it was good news. In essence, this is the gospel. God has won the victory; we are part of his victorious people and we share in his celebration.Have a look at Romans 10:15 and Ephesians 6:15 for further development of these ideas.“How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!”” (Romans 10:15 NAS95)“Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE;” (Ephesians 6:14-15 NAS95)How did Jesus define the good news?Jesus connected the good news with the coming of the kingdom. They are one and the same.“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”” Mark 1.14-15Why did he see the gospel as the coming of God's kingdom? Because it is where God reigns and gets his stuff done. Because his stuff is good (love, mercy, justice, forgiveness, healing, wholeness), it is good news that the kingdom is here. It is an attractive place! That is why we pray:  “‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6.10A completely different kind of life is now available: “for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Romans 14.17Conclusion: Cultivating a Healthy view of the GospelFor reflectionDo these thoughts challenge your understanding of the gospel? What does it mean to you to live out Jesus’ mission? How do you think God is trying to get heaven into you?God bless, MalcolmPlease add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, or practical? Could you send me your questions or suggestions? Here’s the email: [email protected] you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God Grows His People”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.Please pass the link on, subscribe, and leave a review."Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/