The Gospel According to Jesus: What Is Authentic Faith? Hardcover – May 1, 2008

What is the gospel? Can you articulate it with confidence? If you cannot answer this question, read Matthew 7:22; in the words of John McArthur- "Are you saved? Or self-deceived?" After reading this book you will be able to articulate the true gospel with confidence. MacArthur's expository approach ensures the reader is confronted with the gospel as communicated by the Lord Jesus Christ. His words from scripture are what we all truly need to hear, understand, and accept!This book provided me, personally, with a rich opportunity for self-examination . The Lord Jesus says in Matthew 7,"Ye shall know them by their fruit. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit." He turns away the rich young ruler in Matthew 19 because "his hands were full"; he forsook the chance to follow the Lord because he preferred the comfort of his material wealth in the here and now. The Lord says in Matthew 6 that we cannot serve God and money--it's one or the other, it cannot be both. Contrast the rich young ruler with Zacchaeus (Luke 19) and we see a man who forsook all he had for the chance to acquire the pearl of great price (i.e., the kingdom of God - Matthew 13). The Lord tells his disciples in Matthew 16 that to follow Him they must deny themselves, take up their crosses, and follow Him. Anyone who puts their "hand to the plow and looks back is not worthy of [Him]" (Luke 9). I finished the book convicted by my temporal priorities...but also refreshed (by the gospel) and, thus, motivated to leave the past behind and run the race like Paul--with certainty toward the upward calling of Christ Jesus! (1 Cor 9:26, Phil 3:14)Any person who reads this book will be challenged for the better. Not by the words of John MacArthur, but by the words of Jesus Christ. Buy one for yourself and a friend or family member and read through it together!

I have a friend at my workplace who is asking questions about whether or not he is saved. He is what no-lordship advocates would consider a "carnal Christian," and by his own confession he really doesn't want to live for God, rather he just wants his free ticket out of hell. Coming into this book I had hoped to gain an answer his question. Not only have I been able to give him a solid, scripture based answer, but I myself was spiritually cut open by the truth in this book. It has been right in front of me all along and I have not seen it.Part one introduces us to the issues at hand and gives a brief overview of both lordship salvation and no-lordship salvation.Part two is really where the meat begins. This section is called "Jesus heralds His gospel." I was wowed by what I found. I have always believed that I am righteous. At least I put in a better effort than most people when it comes to Christianity. I read a lot of books on the topic of Christianity, and I generally go the extra mile when necessary; but John blew me off my feet by explaining the meat of the gospel. "I have not come to save the righteous, but sinners." Wow. This section lays out the gospel in the way that Jesus really said it! It really set a high pace and tone for the rest of the book.Part three consists of six chapters which are based on explaining parables and how they fit into the gospel Jesus was teaching. Another fantastic, eye opening section that really helped bring out the truth of the gospel in everything Jesus said.Part four is about how Jesus explained His gospel. It talks about the true meaning of the word "repentance" and the nature of true faith, as well as the cost of discipleship and a few other things. Once again, another bone chilling section. "The broad way is the natural choice, from a human point of view. People prefer sin to righteousness. Jesus said, 'Men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their deeds were evil' (John 3:19). It is easy to fall in step with the crowd. You can even add Jesus to all your treasured sins and possessions so that you can feel religious. You can go to church and be as active or as passive as you desire. You never have to deny yourself or take up your cross. The only problem is that the natural way ends in disaster." (p. 208 - hardcover anniversary edition)The last part is only one chapter, and it explains how the death of Jesus was perfectly planned and what effect it has on the gospel.Overall, this book really cut deep. In my first year of college I went to a Bible college (I am just finishing up my second year), and I did all the things you would expect from a Bible college student. I participated well in the classes, I read my Bible a TON, I was definitely one of the most active Christians at the whole school (by this I mean I read my Bible a lot and such, mostly legalistic practices to make myself a better Christian). But in the end nothing clicked. It was like everything I was learning I was learning up in my head, and none of it was making its way down to my heart.This book sparked something in me. This really IS the gospel according to Jesus. If this is not the gospel according to Jesus then I want no part in Christianity any more, for all the months and years that I have believed that my righteousness was so important and that God was on a leash to grab whoever wanted a free ticket out of hell simply because they "believed (if you can really call it belief)" in a list historical of facts. For the first time ever, as I have read this book and begun to really understand the gospel, I have really felt God chipping away the scab on my heart and speaking to me in a heartfelt way, and for this I will be eternally grateful, first to God and then to John.I heartily recommend it!-Now that I have reviewed the book, I feel that I should post some quotes to counter these silly claims that people are making about how John is saying that works save and so forth."IMO, MacArthur does not condition salvation on the performance of the "good works" (Eph. 2:10) expected of a disciple. He does, however, require an upfront commitment to the "good works" of discipleship in "exchange" for salvation." - Lou Martuneac"No one questions that there must be a sincere change of mind, a turning of one's self to the Saviour; but lordship advocates attempt to make behavior and fruit essential ingredients of, rather than evidence of, saving faith." - Miles Stanford"Salvation is by grace through faith. It has nothing to do with the meritorious human works. But the only possible response to God's grace is a broken humility that causes the sinner to turn from his old life to Christ. The evidence of such a turning is the willingness to submit and obey. If coldhearted disobedience and deliberate rebellion continue unabated, there is good reason to doubt the reality of a person's faith." p. 122"Clearly, the biblical concept of faith is inseparable from obedience. 'Believe' is treated as if it were synonymous with 'obey' in John 3:36: 'He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son shall not see life.' Acts 6:7 shows how salvation was understood in the early church: 'A great many...were becoming obedient to the faith.' Obedience is so closely related to saving faith that Hebrews 5:9 uses it as a synonym: 'Having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation.'" p. 190

Product was shipped in a timely manner and in excellent condition. It was packaged well. Very happy with the book product.

John MacArthur is a true and faithful teacher and biblical expositor. This book is no exception.It has clarified my thinking and helped deepen my faith.

Great product, Great seller.

MacArthur is one of my favorite Christian authors, writing books that are very relevant and important to Christendom. The Gospel According to Jesus is a 25 year old classic that is well written and speaks about what makes a true disciple from a false one. I think a better title for the book would be "The Christian According to Jesus," since the book seems to be a discussion more on the nature of discipleship rather than the gospel message. However, this topic is very important, especially now since there are so many false converts, Judases, and unregenerate people within the pews of the church, and even in the world claiming to be a Christian. MacArthur does faithful exposition to explain texts like the Parable of the Sowers, the wide and narrow gate, to warn of the reality that there are many who have never truly repented and put their faith in Jesus to be justified by His grace. They lives either as a Christian Pharisee or a licentious heathen who cares nothing about God and knows nothing of what Christianity is about, which is why Chapters 18 and 19 on saving faith and justification prove doctrinally vital. Even the new edition of Chapter One is very insightful and helpful, which is a topic that eventually became the book SLAVE in 2010.I highly recommend this book. This is one of those books I would give out to every Christian if I could afford it. It is really that important and life changing.