The gospel is the good news that Jesus paid for your sin so you can be brought back to God. It's simple, but it's not shallow. Here it is in five lines:
God created mankind to be in relationship with Him. But we sinned, and sin broke that relationship.
Everyone has sinned. We're sinners by nature and by choice. "For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard" (Romans 3:23 NLT). Yes, even your grandma.
Sin deserves to be punished. "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23 NLT).
Someone has to pay the price for your sin. You can pay it with an eternity away from God, or you can let Jesus pay it. But somebody is paying that debt.
Jesus lived a sinless, perfect life. He died for my sins, in my place, and was raised from the dead on my behalf.
You might be thinking, "That sounds a little harsh for good news." I get it. But look at how Peter ended the very first gospel message ever preached: "God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified" (Acts 2:36 ESV). Can we just admit how offensive that is? Not everyone in that crowd was even there when Jesus died. Peter didn't care. What was true of them is true of us. Our sin is why Jesus had to die.
That's the part we usually leave out. Most of our gospel presentations start with "Jesus loves you" and end with "ask Him into your heart." And people say, "Cool, but I'm good." No, you're not. None of us are. That's like offering someone a cure for malaria. They might be glad the cure exists, but they'll never take it, because they don't think they're sick.
So here's how I hold both sides together: You and I are so sinful that Jesus had to die. And we are so loved by Jesus that He was glad to die. The cross shows you what God thinks about sin, and it shows you what God thinks about you.
One more thing. You've probably heard, "Preach the gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words." It's on a lot of coffee mugs. The idea is good, but the statement is impossible. Nobody figures out that Jesus died for their sins by watching you mow your lawn really nicely. Your life can back up the gospel or undercut it, but it can't preach it for you. "How are they to hear without someone preaching?" (Romans 10:14 ESV). At some point, you have to open your mouth.
Scripture: Romans 3:23; 6:23; 10:14; Acts 2:36–38; Isaiah 53:5