Some of the points covered in this sermon: • Setting forth the view of Phil Johnson, that the gospel begins with bad news • Explaining why the gospel does not begin with bad news, nor does it begin with the redeeming grace of Christ • Showing when the gospel begins historically • Showing when the gospel begins eternally • Showing when the gospel begins covenantally • Showing when the gospel begins experientially • Showing when the gospel begins evangelically

Some of the points covered in this sermon: • Examining the definitions for the gospel given by Steven Lawson, R. C. Sproul, John Piper and Mark Dever • Explaining why the foregoing definitions are either incomplete, or inaccurate • Examining the meaning of the term ‘gospel’ and its occurrence in the New Testament • Showing how the gospel is inseparably connected with the gracious covenant • Framing a definition for the gospel based on the teachings of 1 Peter 1:2, 2 Corinthians 14:13 and 2 Thessalonians 2:13,14 • Comparing the definition of the gospel with the characteristics of the gospel as recorded in Acts 20:24; Ephesians 1:13; 3:6; 6:15; 1 Timothy 1:11; 2 Timothy 1:8; Revelation 14:6

Some of the points covered in this sermon: • Showing how the gospel’s definition determines its effectiveness • Exploring how God the Father makes the gospel effective according to His electing love—it is not by the sinner’s will • Exploring how God the Son makes the gospel effective according to His redeeming grace—it is not by the sinner’s works • Exploring how God the Spirit makes the gospel effective according to His sanctifying power—it is not by the sinner’s faith and repentance, or the preacher’s desperate appeals • Affirming a full and free gospel—the Father electing His people according to the good pleasure of His will, the Son redeeming His people according to the good pleasure of His will and the Spirit sanctifying His people…

Some of the points covered in this sermon: • Explaining why the circumstances in which a believer lives, determines how he/she shares the gospel • Highlighting the three main parts of Peter’s counsel in 1 Peter 3:13-17 • A twofold statement on the possibility of suffering persecution, verses 13,14 and 16,17 • A single statement on the priority of sharing the gospel, verse 15 • Encouraging the believer to rejoice if he/she is counted worthy to suffer for the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ • Encouraging the believer to live godly in Christ Jesus in the midst of his/her persecution • Highlighting the four main branches of sharing the gospel • First, the content of our gospel witness—”Be ready always to…

Some of the points covered in this sermon: • Reviewing the context of 1 Peter 3:13-17 • Reviewing the four main branches of sharing the gospel • Highlighting the four main features of getting the gospel message right • First, the message of the gospel is identified as “the hope that is in you” • Second, you should be able to explain “the hope that is in you”—“to give an answer” • Third, you should always be ready to give a comprehensive answer of “the hope that is in you—”Be ready always” • Fourth, you don’t have to always give a comprehensive answer for “the hope that is in you”—“[of] a reason”