Roger Thrower

Three aspects of the Gospel:
1. Historical aspect: gospel doctrine.
* The is gospel is news about what Jesus has done, not primarily advise about how to live. Why? It is because we are saved by grace. News is something that is done. Teaching is something that you do. Good advise salvation is what every other religion is about.
* Jesus lived the life you should have lived and died the death you should have died as the substitute in your place, so that God can receive you not on the basis of your record, but on the basis of Jesus record of what he has done for you. This stresses what Jesus has done in history.

2. Sonship aspect: gospel identity.
* Romans 8:14-17, 2 Corinthians 5:21
The gospel is a status you receive now, not just a reward that you receive later. Why? It is because you are saved by grace. Yet, there is a reward later.
* The gospel is that you are more incredibly wicked than you ever dared believe, but you are more loved and accepted than you ever dared hope at the same time.

3. Kingdom aspect; gospel reversal of values.
* Mark 1:15 - The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.
The world has a system of values that says you have to have something of value to give in order to get something.
* The gospel is a complete reversal of the world’s values because you don’t get in by saying I have lived a good life but by saying I am bankrupt, I am spiritually bankrupt, I have nothing of value.