The Gospel Reconciles

Hope Community

The Gospel Reconciles

January 12, 2023 • Jeff Potts • Ephesians 2:14–16

January 12 - The Gospel reconciles

“For [Jesus] himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create himself one new man in place of two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.” - Ephesians 2:14-16

We live in conflict. The first sin in the history of the world was in Genesis 3. By eating fruit from the tree, Adam and Eve rejected God and choosing our own path. In Genesis 4, Cain, the first born son of Adam and Eve, killed his younger brother Abel. Since that time, we have lived in constant conflict, tension, and war. But then Jesus came. Jesus lived a life of love in a world of hate, and died to end the hostility and hate.

“Through the death of Christ, God has brought peace where there was once hostility, and He has broken down the racial, economic, and social barriers that once divided us outside of Christ.” - Milton Vincent / A Gospel Primer

Because of Jesus, we can have legitimate peace with God and with others. We can forgive, reconcile, and have true relationship and community with one another. This is a message to celebrate.

Know the Gospel. Rehearse it. Share it. It brings peace.

Remember the Gospel

January 1, 2023 • 1 Corinthians 15:1–4

“Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.” - 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 We all need the Gospel, the good news of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. The Gospel isn’t something to understand and move on from, but rather the foundation from which we function as people. Vincent reminds us in A Gospel Primer that “in most of Paul’s letters to churches, sizeable portions of them are given over to rehearsing gospel truths. Ephesians 1-3 is all gospel, Colossians 1-2 is all gospel, and Romans 1-11 is all gospel.” The Gospel reminds us that we have hope for eternal life because of the work of Jesus, and we need that reminder on a consistent basis. It is an encouragement to our souls, the complete basis of our faith, and unites us as believers. Don’t get past the Gospel. Know it. Rehearse it. Share it.

We need the Gospel daily

January 2, 2023 • Jeff Potts • Romans 8:1

January 2 - We need the Gospel daily “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”‭‭ - Romans 8:1 I still remember the night my brother was born in the middle of a snow storm in early March. There were a lot of people in strange uniforms and bags coming to my house to help my mom welcome my brother into the world. I was 3 years old. The mind is an incredible thing. We are able to recall and remember so many things from our past. Sometimes, it can be a challenge because we remember our failings, our shortcomings, and sin. There are many times I have wanted to sleep and can’t because I’m burdened with things I have said or done to hurt other people. And these memories can condemn us and bring us shame, which is why we need to remember the truth of the Gospel. “There is simply no other way to compete with the forebodings of my conscience, the condemnings of my heart, and the lies of the Devil than to overwhelm such things with daily rehearsing of the gospel.” (2) Jesus lived the perfect life that I have not lived. Jesus died to pay the price for my sins, every single one of them. Jesus rose again and defeated death, so instead of punishment, I get eternal life. We need this daily. Know it. Rehearse it. Share it.

The Gospel: The Power of God

January 3, 2023 • Jeff Potts • Romans 1:16

January 3 - The Gospel: The Power of God “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.”‭‭ - Romans 1:16 What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of power? Is it the crashing waves from the ocean? The roar of a lion? The force of a tornado? No matter the image that comes to mind, there is no greater force on earth than the truth of the Gospel. “Outside of heaven, the power of God in its highest density is found inside the gospel.” - Milton Vincent / A Gospel Primer God’s power is displayed incredibly in the good news of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. God showed the power to miraculously bring Jesus into the world with his birth. During his life, Jesus proved his power time and time again over disease, nature, and demons. At Jesus’ crucifixion, there was an earthquake and the veil of the temple tore in two from top to bottom. And, oh yeah, God beat death. God showed his power in and through the person and work of Jesus. So… know it. Rehearse it. Share it.