And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
Acts 20:22-24

We’ve been looking at three ways Paul described following and serving the Lord. The first was the importance of finishing the race—and finishing well. The second was serving in the ministry. The third was his priority of testifying to the gospel of the grace of God. This of course is of greatest importance, for no matter how faithfully we serve, without the gospel, all else is for naught! Two questions: (1) What is the gospel? (2) How are we to testify of the gospel?

The Gospel (good news) of the grace of God is simply this:

God is supremely holy and requires those created in His image (human beings) to be holy as He is (Leviticus 11:44, 1 Peter 1:16).
Everyone of us has failed miserably to be holy and are therefore deserving of God's just condemnation (Romans 3:23, 6:23, Luke 18:13-14).
But because God is every bit as gracious as He is holy, He has provided one (and only one) way to be forgiven. God’s only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, died in the place of those He came to save and then rose from the dead, thereby paying sin’s penalty and providing the necessary righteousness for them to enter Heaven (John 3:16).
To receive the benefit of Jesus’ perfect sacrifice, one must acknowledge one’s sin and need for forgiveness, trust in Christ alone for forgiveness, and turn from sin to follow Jesus as the Lord of one’s life (even though none turns from sin perfectly in this life). (Romans 10:9-10, Proverbs 28:13)

That is the gospel. Have you acknowledged your sin and need for forgiveness? Have you trusted in Christ alone for forgiveness? Have you turned from sin to follow Jesus as the Lord of your life (though imperfectly)? If so, you are a Christian. If you haven’t, I pray you do—soon!

Next time, how are believers to testify of the gospel of God’s grace?