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A Gospel Primer

January Gospel Devotions

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.

The Gospel: My Daily Protection

January 4, 2023 • Jeff Potts • Ephesians 6:13–17

January 4 - The Gospel: My Daily Protection “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness of the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” - Ephesians 6:13-17 We are called to protect ourselves daily with the Gospel. There is a reality of evil and brokenness in our world. No one admits that their life is without problem and pain. Ever since sin entered the world in Genesis 3, we all truly live in an evil day. So, what do we do? Do we hide? Do we run? No, we fight. And how do we fight? With the protection and the armor of God. We have truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the word of God. “These commands imply that I am vulnerable to defeat and injury unless I seize upon the gospel and arm myself with it from head to toe.” - Milton Vincent / A Gospel Primer I’ve found that when I go about things in my own power, it typically ends with failure, pain, and injury. With the protection of the Gospel, the battle still exists, but there is protection and strength from God. Know the Gospel. Rehearse it. Share it. It protects you when the evil one challenges and wants a fight.

Transformed by Glory

January 5, 2023 • Jeff Potts • 2 Corinthians 3:18

January 5 - Transformed by Glory “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”‭‭ - 2 Corinthians‬ ‭3‬:‭18‬ Everyone wants to get better. To improve. To grow. Some people want to improve faster than others. If you want lasting, never ending growth and change, look at the glory of God through the Gospel. “If I wish to become all that God wants me to be, I must behold His glory each day.” - Milton Vincent / A Gospel Primer You may know the one percent rule: small, incremental improvements can lead to significant overall progress and success. By seeking God and his glory in the good news of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, we change one degree at a time. It isn’t fast, it may not be noticeable at first, but seek God and the Gospel daily and see your life transformed. Know the Gospel. Rehearse it. Share it.

A Cure for Distrust

January 6, 2023 • Jeff Potts • Psalm 19:7–9

January 6 - A Cure for Distrust “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.” - Psalm 19:7-9 Do you have trouble trusting leaders in your life? Leaders are imperfect at best, inconsistent normally, and worst deceptive and manipulative. What about God? God loves you. He really does. Every thing he does for you is meant for your good, including the commands he has for you in Scripture. “If God loved me enough to sacrifice His Son’s life for me, then he must be guided by that same love when he speaks his commandments to me.” (6) God gives us commands from his word as a means of mercy. He reveals his heart and character to us and his commands are meant to protect us from the pain and shame that sin brings. God proved his love and heart for you with the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. He continues his love for you with his Word. Know the Gospel. Rehearse it. Share it.

Sufficiency in the Gospel

January 7, 2023 • Jeff Potts • Acts 20:32

January 7 - Sufficiency in the Gospel “And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” - Acts 20:32 The Gospel is the good news of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Because of what Jesus did, there is forgiveness of sins, redemption of relationship, and the promise of eternal life. When I realize all the things done for me in the Gospel, and all the implications on how I am to live my life, I have everything I need in the good news of Jesus. “The gospel serves as the means by which God daily constructs me into what He wants me to be and also serves as the channel through which he gives me my inheritance every day of my Christian life.” - Milton Vincent / A Gospel Primer It’s easy to think about getting past the Gospel. To move onto other things. But you have everything you need in the good news of Jesus. Know the implications. Know how it affects your life. Rehearse it and remind yourself of its truth. Share it with the people God puts around you.

Freedom from Sin's Power

January 8, 2023 • Jeff Potts • Romans 6:14

January 8 - Freedom from Sin’s Power “For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. - Romans‬ ‭6‬:‭14‬ Because of the Gospel, I am free from sin. Jesus loved the perfect life I couldn’t. He died for the forgiveness of my sins. He rose again and defeated death, the end result of sin. It’s over! Sin no longer holds a weight of guilt and shame over me. Those memories that come to mind of the damage I’ve caused in my life and other from my sinful choices: they don’t define me anymore. “The gospel stays sin at the root point and thereby nullifies sin’s power over me.” - Milton Vincent / A Gospel Primer Because I am no longer under sin but now under grace, I don’t need to keep living in my old habits. I am called to change and can change because have been given new life. Know the Gospel. Rehearse it. Share it.

Resting in Christ's Righteousness

January 9, 2023 • Jeff Potts • Romans 5:20–21

January 9 - Resting in Christ’s Righteousness “Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” - Romans‬ ‭5‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ The Gospel isn’t about you. It’s for you. The Gospel isn’t about your righteousness or works, but the righteousness and works of Jesus. And that’s a good thing, because we tend to be inconsistent with how we follow God and what he tells us to do in Scripture. “On my worst days of sin and failure, the gospel encourages me with God’s unrelenting grace toward me. On my best days of victory and usefulness, the gospel keeps me relenting to God solely on the basis of Jesus’ righteousness and not mine.” - Milton Vincent / A Gospel Primer So when you are having a tough day, remember that God loves you and gives you grace. He proved it with sending Jesus for you. When you are having a great day, remember that you still need God and his grace desperately. Know the Gospel. Rehearse it. Share it.

The Gospel Changes You

January 10, 2023 • Jeff Potts • Romans 6:19

January 10 - The Gospel Changes You “For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members to slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.” - Romans 6:19 At the moment of salvation, we are radically changed. Upon believing in Jesus and his life, death, and resurrection, and placing our faith in him for salvation, we are justified, or declared innocent and righteous in the eyes of God. That righteousness becomes the defining marker for us, where we are no longer defined or ruled by our past sins, but now defined and ruled by righteousness. “My justification has something to say to me by way of directing me how to live my life each day. What it directly me to do is to be holy; and what results from my obedience to its rule is sanctification, or holiness of life.” - Milton Vincent / A Gospel Primer We are not only saved into a new way of living, but we are also guided and instructed on how to live that life in a way that pleases God. It’s like having a map and guide at Disneyland. You’re at an amazing place, and now you know where to go and what to do. The Gospel changes you. Know it. Rehearse it. Share it.

The Gospel Helps Me Love Others

January 11, 2023 • Jeff Potts • 1 Thessalonians 2:8

January 11 - The Gospel helps me love others “So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.” - 1 Thessalonians 2:8 The Gospel saves us into a family. While we were once alone and isolated from God and others, the good news of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus changes us to an eternal relationship with God and with a global family of believers. “The more I experience the gospel, the more there develops within me a yearning affection for my fellow-Christians who are also participating in the glories of the gospel.” - Milton Vincent / A Gospel Primer God has saved a diverse group of people who have become united in hope and in purpose. The more I see God’s love for me, the more I am able to give and receive love from others. Do you want to grow in your love for others? Look to the Gospel. Jesus laid down his life for his friends. Do you want to grow in your love for Jesus? Look to your family in Christ, who need you and are needed by you to follow Jesus. Know the Gospel. Rehearse it. Share it with the people God puts around you. We all need it.

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.

The Gospel Helps Me Forgive

January 13, 2023 • Jeff Potts • Ephesians 4:32

January 13 - The Gospel helps me forgive “Be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another just as God in Christ forgave you.” - Ephesians 4:32 It’s tough to be sinned against. It’s also a reality for us. Ever single person has sinned, and every person has been sinned against. The pain and confusion that happens when trust is broken and feelings are hurt is real and difficult to get past. But we consider the truth of the Gospel, and that allows us to forgive. “The Gospel gives me the wherewithal to give forgiving grace to those who have wronged me, for it reminds me daily of the forgiving grace that God is showing me.”- Milton Vincent / A Gospel Primer To forgive is to acknowledge hurt, accept repentance, and assist in change. We have experienced this forgiveness through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. He lived the life I couldn’t. He died and paid the price for my sins so that I would be forgiven. God doesn’t say no big deal to my sin, but instead deal with my sin completely with the cross for forgiveness. Know the Gospel. Rehearse it. Share it.

The Gospel Brings A Heart For the Lost

January 14, 2023 • Jeff Potts • Romans 10:1

“Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they would be saved.” - Romans 10:1

The Gospel Brings Humility

January 15, 2023 • Jeff Potts • Ephesians 2:8–9

January 15 - The Gospel brings humility “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” - Ephesians 2:8-9 Hey, you didn’t save yourself. God saved you by his grace and through the work of Jesus for you. The part you played in the Gospel? You sinned. You needed the Gospel. How do I know this? I’m in the same boat! The Gospel brings us humility. It breaks down our pride and helps us to live differently. “Nothing suffocates my pride more than daily reminders regarding the glory of my own God, the gravity of my sins, and the crucifixion of God’s own Son in my place. - Milton Vincent / A Gospel Primer Humility is to have an accurate view of yourself. It’s to know that we are sinners that are only saved by the grace of God. It’s also to know that we are deeply loved by God, proven by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus for us. Know the Gospel. Rehearse it. Share it.