Our goal at Oakwood is to keep the gospel of Jesus Christ central in all we do. Our worship services are celebrations of the finished work of Jesus. Our Community Groups focus on believing and applying God’s grace to our lives. Our leaders have all been transformed by the gospel and that life-changing power is what we seek to share with everyone we can!
“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.” Romans 1:16
In Romans 1 Paul says he wants to go to Rome to “reap a harvest” among the believers there. Yes, he always aimed for a harvest of new disciples from the non-believers. But he knew the gospel is the power of God to change the lives of believers as well! By preaching the gospel at Rome – even to believers – Paul sought to help them grow more and more into the image of Christ.
The gospel is not just the good news of forgiveness of sins. (The 3D Gospel) It is not just that believers are given credit for the righteousness of Jesus (justification). The gospel is POWER. It is the truth that – if you believe it and live in it – it will set you free!
As I mentioned last week (Temptation), I challenge everyone to memorize as much of Romans 8 as you can. Start with verse one and let the truth and power of the gospel do its transforming work in your heart and mind. This is what Paul means when he writes a few chapters later:
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2
Our minds are naturally tuned to the world and our original, sinful nature. We have to deliberately choose to resist our natural patterns and replace them with Spirit-filled, Spirit-direct habits. An essential part of that is reading, studying, meditating on, memorizing, discussing and applying God’s Word. Or to state it another way: we need to feed on the gospel.
Come for the next six weeks, running up to Easter, and revel in the gospel in Romans 8!
Here is a visual summary of the good news of Jesus from a previous series, God and the Rest of the Week.