We notice our plight. We are born in sin and the fall had a direct effect on us and the repercussions are with us. We are corrupt in our nature, prone to hate both God and the neighbor and have only a small beginning of that new obedience. We are unable to earn our righteousness and we see our personal need for a Mediator, the cross, and God's purpose to redeem unto Himself a people! But how do we know these things? What is the message that we sing of? It is the Holy Gospel! In it He shows us what is His design, how He will affect, and the Gospel stands in the service of God to gather His church!

Source: you do not find the term HOLY Gospel in the Bible although you find many examples of the Gospel. That word "holy" is given to it. The Gospel is not the same as the Word of God or reading the Bible. Note that there was no Bible in paradise or even in Moses possession in the old testament. The Word came directly from heaven. The Word that transmits that Gospel changes historically. The Word before us in the Bible contains the Gospel but only in the preaching of that Gospel does it become effective. it is holy because of where it comes from...because God speaks it! But it is also holy because it comes from God to do His good purpose. God is the ORIGIN of it! It is holy because God Himself is holy and He speaks that Word! He spoke it through the prophets in the old testament and also in the preaching of it in the fullness of time and He accomplishes it by the Holy Spirit! And He uses it to touch the hearts and lives of His people.

Content: It contains that you and I are sinners and relays to us our only way of redemption. The entire content of the Gospel is JESUS CHRIST! The old testament stories, judges, parables, ect. were ALWAYS Christ...the mercy of God fulfilled in His justice. The center and nut of the gospel is Christ and Him crucified! The ONLY thing that should come from our pulpits! And it runs parallel with history. We now have insight and knowledge that they did not have it (although it was always the Gospel.) God spoke it to the devil himself in the beginning and does throughout all of history and the church is made stronger. The devil bruises the heel of Christ on the cross, but Christ crushes the devil's head and redeems His people! If we cannot apply the Bible's narrative we do not and will not see the Gospel. We must get passed the narratives. They all spoke of the coming of Christ which is the Gospel! The Gospel we have is directive revelation. Many people relate to the happenings today in the light of the old testament narratives but it is not so though you and I can learn from them. Everything ALWAYS pointed to Christ!!!

Purpose: The Son of God stood in the river to be baptized of John...the Gospel! The power of God unto salvation to accomplish His glorious purpose in Christ His Son! He did it directly, through the prophets, in the fullness of time, and through His Spirit as He touches His people so that they know their sin, see their need, and are called to repentance unto glory forevermore.