The Gospel: God’s one undefeated move

There’s a story about a one-armed wrestler who, after perfecting a particular move, remained undefeated. No matter what techniques opponents tried—single leg takedown, ankle pick, or fireman’s carry—no one could counter his signature hold. With his one arm, he would secure victory every time. Eventually, an opponent, frustrated by defeat, asked, “Is there any move that could stop your special technique?”. The wrestler answered, “Yes, there’s only one move that could beat me, but it would require grabbing both of my arms.” What seemed to everyone to be a weakness became an unstoppable strength. So it is with the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

For more than two millennia, the gospel has remained the single undefeated “move” – unshaken and unconquered by any force. The death and resurrection of Jesus established a victory that cannot be overthrown. Whenever the church has stayed true to proclaiming, believing, and living out the gospel, it has stood firm, no matter the trials it faced – whether persecution, false teachings, or falling away. However, as D. A. Carson has often said, whenever the church begins to assume the gospel, it will eventually confuse the gospel and end up losing the gospel.

The gospel isn’t simply a message that makes life easier or increases our happiness – though it certainly can do both. It’s not primarily about addressing social issues, even though the gospel brings about profound social change. Nor is the gospel summed up by the declaration that “Jesus is Lord,” although His lordship is at its very heart. The gospel is not even a promise to renew the world at the end of time, though Jesus will do that and much more. The gospel is none of these things.

So, what is the gospel? Simply put, the gospel means “Good News” – namely, that Christ Jesus 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 Cor 15:3-4). When someone repents of their sin and trusts in Christ’s sacrifice on their behalf, they are saved.

The gospel brings salvation from eternal conscious hell under the judgement of God to eternal conscious heaven under the grace of God. Through the gospel, people are transformed from rebellious sinners estranged from God into faithful saints who are reconciled to Him, bringing them into an intimate, everlasting relationship with Him. They are delivered from the dominion of darkness, under Satan’s bondage, into the kingdom of light under the merciful rule of Christ. No wonder the Apostle Paul said, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Rom 1:16).

Carson said, “The gospel is not only God’s wisdom, which the world considers folly, but it is God’s power, which the world considers weakness.” Where the gospel triumphs, it changes lives, shaping every part of a person’s existence. Hills Bible Church, when Jesus entrusted His church with its mission, He gave a single, unshakeable strategy to achieve it. The mission: to make disciples of all nations (Matt 28:18-20). The method: preaching and teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ – the one move that cannot be defeated. Let us strive to stay faithful to Christ’s unstoppable mission and undefeated method, that He might be glorified and the nations may be glad and sing for joy!