Five Essential Components of the Gospel by John Piper

1. The gospel is a message about historical events. Life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. There is no gospel without these events.

2. The gospel is a message about what those events achieved.

-The payment for our sins.

-The completion of perfect obedience.

-The removal of the wrath of God.

-The installation of King Jesus as crucified Messiah and Lord of the universe.

-The destruction of death.

3. The gospel is a message about the transfer of the achievements to particular persons.

-By faith alone, not by works

4. The gospel is the message about the good things that are now true about us because the achievement has been applied to us.

-God is now only merciful to you and never wrathful. (Propitiation)

-You are now counted righteous in Christ. (Justification)

-You are now freed from the guilt and the power of sin. (Redemption)

-You are now positionally and progressively holy. (Sanctification)

5. The gospel is a message about the glorious God himself as our final, eternal, all-satisfying treasure.

(Taken from his message given at Together for the Gospel 2006)