In an essay titled “The Gospel: It’s Content and Communication,” J. I. Packer states…
The content of the Gospel includes a diagnosis of the hearers’ state and needs before God, value – judgments on the life they live now as compared with that which might be theirs, and a call to judge themselves, to acknowledge the gracious approach and invitation of God in Christ, and to respond by a commitment more radical and far reaching than any other they will ever make. The Gospel is not fully communicated unless all this occurs.
Therefore, the Gospel must be verbalized and in its verbal form it must be preached, that is, set forth by a messenger…
Packer goes on to say that “preaching is teaching plus application.”
As we prepare to step into pulpits before people who God loves enough to die for let us keep these things in mind and clearly present the Gospel.
