The Seven Key Elements of the Gospel According to Hull and Sobels
God’s Creation and Sovereignty
The Kingdom of God here is one gospel element based on Mark 1. This is one of the problematic aspects of the content and value of faith. I understand it to mean that if God’s kingdom did not exist, the Gospel would be meaningless: the kingdom is infinite as long as Jesus leads followers (Mark 1:17). To me, this means that God’s kingdom is infinite as long as believers are unquestioning in following the Gospel.
Humanity’s Sin and Separation
Repentance of sins is the second element of the Gospel I hold dear. Scripture teaches that repentance and acceptance of sin are the way to attain God’s Kingdom and obtain Salvation (Mark 1:14). Our sinning and eating of the forbidden fruit will never be forgotten. Still, we are capable of transformation according to the Gospel. I understand this element as a necessary aspect that I must come to terms with if I want the love of Christ. His love will fully extend to me when I relentlessly repent my sins.
God’s Love and Provision
Belief in the Gospel inherently continues the previous elements because it explains that its contents are the values of the Christian. The Gospel will answer any question of faith, for its power is strong enough. I understand this through the letter to the Hebrews (Hebrews 6:1), which points to the principle and essential nature of the Gospel. Disciples of Christ will be loved and praised as they dig into Scripture and seek answers by immersing themselves in biblical mandates and practicing them repeatedly in ministry.
Following Jesus encapsulates a small part of the context and meaning of the elements of the Gospel, pointing to the Christian’s journey of faith. It means we generate the desire and strength to follow Christ within ourselves based on repentance and faith. According to Mark 1:17, following is an extension of repentance, and to me, it means admitting our error and seeking to be made right in the way of serving Jesus. In service and good ministry, we learn the Gospel, and following becomes our responsibility, stuck to our hearts.
Jesus’s Incarnation and Life
The next element is based on a principled understanding of the truth that Jesus is Christ. This element denotes who Jesus was considered by his disciples to be, who followed his teachings unquestioningly. Peter says to Jesus’ direct question, “You are the Christ” (Mark 8:29). This is a powerful statement, concretizing why Jesus’ holiness is not in question. This element showed me the grandiosity of the name of Christ as Savior, now turned more strongly by the magic of the Twelve.
Jesus’s Death and Atonement
It is incredible how strong the element of Christ’s death is in the Gospel, showing how Jesus prepared his disciples for his death. I was amazed at how much the Gospel changed and became severe, sharp, and powerful after Peter’s statement in Mark 8:29. I am convinced that Mark 8:27-31 explained why Christ’s death is a good thing. It has to do with the Twelve Disciples of Jesus redefining the concept of the way and the end. The prophecy of Christ’s death became haunting and poignant, and how the disciples received it should teach Christians the power of faith.
Jesus’s Resurrection and Ascension
Finally, the resurrection of Christ serves as a pivotal aspect of the Gospel, bringing Christians to the realization of Jesus’ life and why his creations are exceptional. In particular, I draw on Luke 24:1-12 and Matthew 28:1-10. The verses give me insight into the enormity of the resurrection, the power of the women who saw the tomb, and the sense of fear and joy of the resurrection. I understand this element as a concentration of Christ’s speech, “and there they will see me” (Matthew 28:10). I am convinced there is no more critical doctrine than the conclusion of Christ’s resurrection and acceptance of the power of his miracle-working.
Comparing Hull and Sobels’ Gospel with Spurgeon’s Preaching
Spurgeon preached sermons and sought to ensure that Christ was glorified every day of his existence. Unlike other significant figures, he was unencumbered by money and had access to many activities that enabled him to spread the word of Christ. For him, the Gospel was the most valuable doctrine, which, on par with the Scriptures, pointed the way for ministry and ways to expand the power and influence of the church.
Spurgeon also believed that the chief guide should be a great mission, which should always come from a heart filled with love for Jesus. He was convinced that a closed heart would not let in the teaching of Christ and would languish in sin unless it recognized the value of the Gospel. Spurgeon’s gospel preaching is built on the notion that Christ’s way is sacred and that following it means approaching theological truth. The Gospel is the essence of Jesus, his life, and the fantastic things the Christian must know and remember if he longs for salvation. Without the Gospel, knowing oneself and giving all love to Christ is impossible.
Spurgeon’s understanding of the Gospel has taught me how theology should be studied. The Gospel should go along with Scripture; studying them in parallel will allow me to take my ministry practice to the next level. It is vital to recognize what aspects of the Gospel (its essential elements) can only be understood in the context of Scripture. Each of us carries our sin, and only by seeking to correct it through prayer and service can salvation and forgiveness be achieved.
I want to get closer in my ministry practice to what is indicated in Timothy 2:2. My teaching and preaching must come from the Gospel because just as Christ taught the Twelve followers, so must I spread the Word of God. Every sermon must come from the sacred verses, pointing out how Jesus became holy and his hands began to work miracles. I must learn to carry the Gospel fully and teach followers with the understanding that God is always watching over us. He is our ultimate trustworthy witness who watches over us relentlessly as we fulfill His Great Commission.
Leadership, Ministry, and the Great Commission
The fulfillment of the Great Commission must be my main task and responsibility, my cross to bear for as long as it takes. The commission is the grace of Christ; by tasting it, I can earn forgiveness. Although “earning” is somewhat shaky, I am sure that only work and prayer will make my sins right, and Christ can take them upon Himself and grant me salvation.
I must find “faithful men, who will be able to teach others also,” who will accept Christ’s teaching and follow it to the end (Timothy 2:2). I believe in knowing the love of Christ through teaching and unity in the community, so reading and discussing together is an excellent way to develop an understanding of theological teachings. The Gospel should be a constant companion of our souls and minds; our hearts should thirst to let in the Holy Spirit, who will give us a great awareness of our purpose to serve God. We will only find the recognition of the Holy Spirit when we realize the Gospel.
My leadership is a way to unite people, my brothers, and the community where I practice ministry. There is nothing more sacred than the practice of ministry in which each member creates a connection with another, grounded in the teachings of Scripture and carrying the Gospel through. The congregation’s heart must be open to a complete connection with God, who will see that our sins deserve redemption. God will not turn away from followers who preach the Word of God, spread the great doctrine, and fulfill the commission.
Jesus said after His resurrection, “I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen,” Perhaps these should be the keywords for any Christian (Matthew 28:16-20). As I wonder how I can achieve leadership, I am inclined to carry these words of Christ through my entire ministry. These words are the source of the power of my word, my teaching, and my preaching to glorify Christ. As I focus on the meaning of these words, I will achieve the growth of the church and its greatness that will signify the presence of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in each of us.
I will invest this understanding into sharing Scripture readings and discussions with church leaders. Understanding the need to teach a loved one and evangelize them will help with ideas on where to direct leadership. My leadership will be based on the message of Christ that only through teaching each other is it possible to achieve enlightenment. I will bring into the practice of ministry the idea of supporting church members to increase our influence on the parishioners. Through the sermon, I will explain to leaders how to expand the Kingdom of God and fulfill the Great Commission.
Fourth, soldiers are perceived as those who can carry the faith and take it to every corner of the world. Scripture reminds us of how much effort and time Jesus took to find his followers. These followers are not mere abstract characters but are those who, because of their simplicity and big hearts, can carry the will of Christ.
Most importantly, the lines of Acts 4:13 indicate that prayer alone will help to send disciples and followers who will be worthy. Also, diversity of thought and appearance is valuable in work and ministry. However, it is the ability to open up to God and follow his essential covenant. Prayer must dominate decision-making; this is the only way to find your fourth soilers.
My understanding of fourth soilers is based on my ministry goals. I want to draw people in, keep their faith, and make sure I open their hearts through preaching and prayer. I want to educate the congregation and give them brotherly love and an awareness of unity that will lead them to salvation.
Evangelization leads to increased followers, but they cannot be accurate until they are trained in prayer and faith. Combining these concepts and opening hearts is my cross to bear as long as I am willing and able to increase the church’s influence. It is impossible to separate evangelism and discipleship because otherwise, the sacred meaning of prayer, the sacrament of faith and love, and the relationship to God are lost. Their unity leads to the cumulative, holistic development of the congregation, its perfection, and strict adherence to Scripture.
Bibliography
Bill Hull and Ben Sobels, The Discipleship Gospel: What Jesus Preached –We Must Follow. HIM Publications, 2018.
Earls, Rod. Spurgeon’s Theology for Multiplying Disciples and Churches: The Story of How Spurgeon and the Metropolitan Tabernacle Followed Christ. Eugene: Wipf & Stock, 2022.
The Holy Bible: NIV. Bible. Last modified 2011. Web.