The Gospel is central to everything we do at Trinity. In a nutshell, the Gospel is a historical event to believe, an indentity to be embraced, and a reshaped love to serve the world.
First, it’s good news to believe. God the Father is reconciling and redeeming us and all creation through the life, death & resurrection of God the Son by God the Holy Spirit for our joy and His glory. The Gospel is: “Jesus lived the life you cannot live and He died the death you should have died.”
Second, it’s a renewed identity to be embraced. The Gospel is: “You are more sinful and broken than you dare imagine and more loved and accepted than you dare dream, at the same time.” You cannot earn God’s love through your self-saving strategies and performance. Through faith in Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven and Christ's righteousness is given to you. Because of Jesus, God the Father calls you His child; this radically changes the way you view yourself and the world around you.
Third, it’s a reshaped love to serve the world. Rather than boasting in your performance record, you now boast in Christ’s work for you, which removes any basis for pride and empowers you to love and serve the world, especially those most unlike you. The Gospel is: “The reversal of the world’s values.”
If you prefer something visual, here's whole story of the Bible. The inner ring represents your relationship with God; the outer ring, your relationship to the world.
Prayer for Those Searching for the Truth: Lord Jesus, you claim to be the way the truth and the life. If what you claim is true, please guide me, teach me and open me to the reality of who you are. Give me an understanding of you that is coherent, convincing, and that leads me to the life you promise. Grant that I might be undaunted by the cost of following you as I consider the reasons for doing so. Amen.
Prayer of Belief: Lord Jesus Christ, I confess that I am weaker and more sinful than I ever dare imagine, but through you I am more loved and accepted than I ever dare dream. Thank you for paying my debt on the cross, taking what I deserved in order to offer me complete forgiveness and making me righteous before my Heavenly Father. Knowing that you have been raised from the dead, I turn from my sins and receive you as my Savior and Lord. Amen.
Prayer of Commitment: Lord Jesus, you have called us to follow you in baptism and in a life of committed discipleship through membership in your church. Grant that I may take the necessary steps to be one with your people and live in the fullness of your Spirit. Amen.