The Gospel
Our Deepest Need and Greatest Glory
The Gospel, Pt. 10 - How does the Gospel transform us?
December 24, 2023 • Pastor Jeremy Dente • 2 Corinthians 3:12–18, 2 Corinthians 4
In the conclusion of our series "The Gospel", we look at Paul's discourse in 2 Corinthians 3 and 4 to draw out how we are transformed by the gospel. Through this text, we'll see how we are enlivened by the Spirit, enlightened to truth, empowered through suffering, and extended by grace.
The Gospel, Pt. 9 - Why do we need the Gospel?
December 17, 2023 • Pastor Jeremy Dente • 2 Timothy 3:1–5, Romans 7:18–25, Romans 8
In today's day and age, it may come to question why we need the gospel. In light of continual scientific discovery and technological breakthrough, the need for the gospel may not clearly be recognized. However, the gospel could never be more necessary. In this message, we'll learn how the gospel accurately diagnoses our real problem - sin that still exists within our fleshly nature. Secondly, the gospel accurately identifies us as exceedingly evil, yet limitlessly loved. And lastly, the gospel offers us real hope.
The Gospel, Pt. 8 - Who is the Gospel for?
December 10, 2023 • Derek Hogg • 2 Corinthians 5:17–20, Mark 2:13–17, Romans 5:6–8, Romans 3:22–23, Colossians 2:13–14
In this message, we discover through God's word who the gospel is for, and who we are because of the gospel. We are reminded that the gospel is for sinners, as Jesus came to save sinners, not the self-righteous. And because of that truth, the gospel is for everyone, simply because we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. And in light of the gospel, we who have responded positively to the gospel and put our faith in Jesus Christ are forgiven and freed from sin. We are new creations in Christ who have the right to be called children of God!
The Gospel, Pt. 7 - When is the Gospel?
December 3, 2023 • Pastor Jeremy Dente • Isaiah 9:1–7, Matthew 1:18–23, John 19:28–30, Philippians 3:7–11
In part 7 of our series, we take a look at the unique nature of God's timing as it relates to the gospel, from its prophecy in the Old Testament, to its proclamation in the incarnation, leading to its performance on the cross, and culminating in its perfection through the resurrection.
The Gospel, Pt. 6 - Where is the Gospel?
November 26, 2023 • Pastor Jeremy Dente • Isaiah 53, Romans 5:6–11, Hebrews 8:1–2, 1 Timothy 2:5–6, Isaiah 52:13–15
Part 6 of our series "The Gospel" takes us to the most highly coveted Old Testament passage regarding the gospel of Jesus Christ. Isaiah 53, although often forgotten and even forbidden by many Jews over the centuries, is possibly the most explicit and powerful description of Jesus Christ as the suffering servant who would lay down his life and endure the wrath of God on our behalf. Beginning in verse 13 of Chapter 52 and throughout chapter 53, we the servant's exaltation, his humiliation, his mercy, his substitution, his atonement, and his intercession, all to provide redemption for people of many nations who will come to him in faith.
The Gospel, Pt. 5 - Where is the Gospel?
November 12, 2023 • Pastor Jeremy Dente • Colossians 1:13–14, Isaiah 54:8, Ruth, Matthew 20:28
In part 5 of our series on "The Gospel", we take a look at the story of Ruth and her kinsman redeemer, Boaz, in the Old Testament book of Ruth. Through this story, we learn about the redemptive power of Jesus Christ who saves all who come to him in faith; who saves us from hopelessness; who became like us in order to be a sufficient sacrifice for sin; who responds to us with great mercy; and who willing went to the cross to redeem us from the curse of sin and death. Just as Boaz was Ruth's kinsman redeemer, Jesus is ours!
The Gospel, Pt. 4 - Where is the Gospel?
November 5, 2023 • Pastor Jeremy Dente • John 3:3–16, Numbers 21:4–9, Hebrews 12:1–2
In part 4 of our series on the gospel, we continue to survey the Old Testament for pictures and foreshadows of the gospel. In this message, we consider Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus in John 3 in which he references the story of Moses lifting up a serpent in the wilderness in Numbers 21 and applies the story to himself, so just as the serpent was lifted up, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that all who look to him in faith will be saved. This is a peculiar yet powerful example of the saving work of Christ and how keeping our eyes on him saves both the sinner and the saint.
The Gospel, Pt. 3 - Where is the Gospel?
October 22, 2023 • Pastor Jeremy Dente • Genesis 22:1–14, Genesis 12:1–3, Hebrews 10:1, Hebrews 10:9–10
We continue our survey of the Old Testament presentations of the gospel, and find a powerful example in the story of Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22. Not only that, but as we look at the life of Abraham, beginning as Abram in Genesis 12, we see how certain events of his life spawned the beginning of particular conflicts that continue to this day, namely between Israel and HAMAS and the Arab nations that surround Israel, most of which are seeking Israel's destruction and obliteration. And yet, in light of God's covenant with Abraham, through his son Isaac, the gospel reminds us that God is faithful to his promises and his commitment to provide a way for all people to come to him through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Gospel, Pt. 2 - Where is the Gospel?
October 15, 2023 • Pastor Jeremy Dente • 1 Corinthians 15:50–57, 1 Thessalonians 4:15–17, Genesis 3:14–15, Luke 24:15–27
As we begin to survey the OT for pictures and foreshadowings of the gospel, we understand what Jesus said to the disciples on the road to Emmaus, that Moses and the Prophets spoke extensively about the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. In this message, we take a look at the first presentation of the gospel in the Bible, the protoevangelium, of Genesis 3:15. We notice the conflict that arose between Adam and Eve and the serpent, then between God and man and the serpent, and how that conflict motif continues throughout the Scripture. This conflict comes to a head in a confrontation between between the seed of the woman and the serpent, foreshadowing the cross at Calvary. This all culminates in a consummation of God's promise for the seed of the woman to crush the head of the serpent, picturing the end of the curse of sin and death that comes with the resurrection of the dead and when we are raptured up to be with Christ forever (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17, 1 Corinthians 15:50-57). This points to a final consummation when the King Jesus is victorious over that dragon called Satan, and the devil, those whose names are not written in the Lamb's book of life, and even death and Hades, are thrown into the Lake of Fire forever (Revelation 19-20).
The Gospel, Pt. 1 - What is the gospel?
October 8, 2023 • Pastor Jeremy Dente • 1 Corinthians 15:1–6, Romans 1:16
The gospel is the greatest message ever offered to a world in need of salvation, redemption, and restoration. This series is dedicated to plumbing the depths of the gospel so that we can be truly transformed, and to equip the saints for the work of ministry, particularly evangelism and discipleship. In this first message, we answer the question "What is the gospel?" and we take a look a few "anti-gospel" message that, although they contain a shred of truth, are still deceptive and destructive and offer no real power to save. On the other hand, we unpack two passages from the apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 15:1-6; Romans 1:16) to discover seven characteristics of the true gospel. It is the primary, historic, prophetic, bold, powerful, saving, and universal message of God by which people are saved and by which we are sanctified into the images of Christ himself.