LIBERTY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
The Gospel and From-Dust-To Destiny: Reflection Paper
Submitted to Dr. Gregory Faulls,
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of
EVAN 500-D01
Spiritual Factors of Growing Churches
by
Anita L. Chisolm
Contents
Introduction .....................................................................................................................................1
Reflection........................................................................................................................................1
Gospel and Sin ....................................................................................................................1
Redemption and Purpose.....................................................................................................2
Application and Implementation..................................................................................................3
Personal Ministry.................................................................................................................3
Corporate Ministry...............................................................................................................3
Conclusion ......................................................................................................................................3
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Faulls, Gregory. From Dust to Destiny. prevailinglife.com, 2014. 97 pp.
Gilbert, Greg. What is the Gospel. Wheaton: Crossway, 2010. 127 pp.
Introduction
What is the Gospel? uses Romans 1-4 to give us a basic definition of what the gospel
means, where Paul first tells us that it is God to whom we are accountable. The problem is that
we have rebelled against God and we did not honor Him. This caused humanity to fall into sin
and the solution for humanity’s sin is the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We
can be part of this salvation through faith in Jesus. In From Dust to Destiny, we are to utilize the
gospel to assist us in everyday life and maintain a divine connection with God. We are called to a
higher purpose and when we find out what that purpose is we must pursue it. Both books have
God as the center of everything, where we are to turn to him and rely on him for everything.
Reflection
These books give very good information on how to develop a Christian life with God as
the center. We are to maintain our focus on the gospel and keep the cross at the center of the
gospel. We cannot move it to the side, and we cannot replace it with any other truth as the heart,
center, and fountainhead of the good news.1 We rely on it to help us to transform our lives where
we become new creatures and utilize it to help transform others. This will help to make more
disciples for the kingdom.
Gospel and Sin
Because we are accountable to God we must do our best not to sin and when we do fall to
temptation we must ask for forgiveness. Paul indicated that humanity sinned by not honoring or
thanking God. We are made by him, owned by him and depend on him for all that we need in
1 Greg Gilbert, What is the Gospel (Wheaton: Crossway, 2010), 110.
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life. Sin is the violation of the law handed down by God. We rejected God’s authority and His
right to command those to whom he gave life. The solution to the problem was Jesus being
sacrificed on the cross for the sins of the world.
The Bible teaches us that the greatest need of every human is to be found righteous in
God’s sight, rather than wicked. To obtain a since of righteousness we must stay away from sin
and follow the gospel rather than what we feel is right. We must renounce sin and maintain
genuine faith in the one who defeated it.
Redemption and Purpose
Through Christ, God is pursuing a humanity that is lost from the hand of God due to sin
so that He might rescue us from separation and death redeeming us back to Himself.2 It is God’s
pursuit for us that should cause us to want a closer relationship with Him. It is important that we
establish a relationship with God where we can live in fellowship with Him. Through this
relationship we can discover our divine purpose, because we all must discover the reason that we
were created. Every person should ask God what is my purpose in life? Once this purpose is
revealed to them, they are to pursue it at all cost. Making the necessary sacrifices, to ensure that
we are fulfilling that purpose.
Application and Implementation
Applying the concepts of both books will not be hard to accomplish, because they
provide valuable information on how to maintain a Christian life without sin and rely on God as
your source for everything. They emphasis the importance of developing a relationship with God
where you can find your purpose in life and pursue it at all cost. While keeping the cross at the
center of the gospel and directing others to a life without sin.
2 Gregory Faulls, From Dust to Destiny (prevailinglife.com, 2014), 25.
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Personal Ministry
These books will assist in maintaining a closer relationship with God, by staying away
from sin and remembering the importance of keeping the cross at the center of the gospel. When
we rely on our own resolve to keep us from temptation we fail. But when we put our trust in
God we have more power and strength to remain righteous. The gospel will be used to help
maintain faith and trust in God. The books also act as a reminder of the importance of continuing
to pursue this students purpose in life of being an evangelist.
Corporate Ministry
The church is centered around assisting people learn and maintain the gospel and bring
them into the kingdom of God. Developing sermons on the importance of relying on God,
repenting from sin and keeping the cross as the center of the gospel. They can be recommended
for Bible study groups to read and discuss what the gospel means to them. As a leader, one can
ask the congregation or the group “do you know your purpose?” If not, encourage them to seek
God to find out what it is and once it is discovered to pursue it at all cost.
Conclusion
What is the Gospel? informs us that the gospel is more than just good news. It should
drive us to a greater love for God’s people and remind us to be more dependent upon Jesus. The
gospel should cause us to long for the day when our King Jesus will return to establish his
kingdom fully and finally forever. From Dust to Destiny reveals that life is about God and
finding ourselves in his love and discovering how we fit into his plan. God created us for a
purpose to live in and reflect his character. Both books will help on your spiritual journey and
assist you in helping others.
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