THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST

The gospel (good news) of Jesus Christ is the answer to the bad news that every person has rebelled against God and God's authority. This rebellion is called sin and its consequences are physical and spiritual death because of God's justifiable wrath against rebellion and sin. The gospel may be summarized in four truths - truth about God, sin, Jesus Christ, and our response!

1. The truth about God 
            Who God is - the holy Creator with all authority over 
                    creation (Genesis 1:1)

                        We owe our very existence to God (Acts 17:25).

                        We are always in God’s hands and under His watchful

                                eye (Psalm 139:7-12).
                        We were created by God to worship Him and serve Him

                                (Matthew 4:10).

                        We are to live for God’s glory (Romans 11:36).

Truth: We are absolutely dependent upon God who, as our holy Creator, has an absolute claim on us.

                 2. The truth about sin

·        Sin is an offense against God that disrupts our relationship with Him (Isaiah 59:1-2).

·        We feel guilty for specific wrong things done or good things left undone (Psalms 32:1-5; 38:4).

·        All people have sinned by falling short of God's standard (Romans 3:23).

·        All people have sinned by rebelling against God's specific commands and authority (Exodus 20:1-17; Matthew 22:37-40).

·        All people need to be made right with God. All are guilty, helpless in sin, and are under God's judgment (Romans 1:18; 3:10-12).

·        We are basically bad and that is what makes us do bad things or fail to do good things (Romans 7:18).

·        Nothing we do can bring us into God's favor (Romans 3:20).

Truth: Our sin separates (alienates) us from God and we need to be reconciled to Him.

3. The truth about Jesus Christ - who Jesus is and what He has done

·       His Incarnation

Jesus of Nazareth is God the Son who was made man to save sinners according to His Father's eternal purpose (John 1:14; Colossians 1:19). Jesus Christ's words and life reveal the nature of God. Jesus Christ lived a life of perfect obedience to God.

·       His Death

He lived as a man in order to die for men. Jesus took the guilt of sinners upon Himself and endured God's judgment for it in His death on the cross. His death satisfied God's just anger against sinful, rebellious people. His suffering and death was His saving action of bearing the world's sins (John 1:29, 36; Hebrews 9:27-28).

·       His Resurrection

Jesus has been raised from the dead (Acts 2:24), proving that He conquered sin and death and vindicating His life of perfect obedience.

·       His Exaltation

Jesus ascended back to the right hand of God where He is enthroned and reigns as King or Lord of all (Hebrews 1:3; Matthew 28:18; Ephesians 1:20-21). He freely and sovereignly gives His righteousness to undeserving sinners who receive Him as their Savior and acknowledge Him as their Lord. He lives to save completely all who acknowledge Him as Lord (Hebrews 7:25).

Truth: Jesus Christ, the only God-Man, has provided the only way for sinful man to be recon­ciled to his Creator God.

4.  The truth about our reasonable response

God's sovereignty in salvation does not negate man's responsibility.

·       Faith (belief, trust)

A response of faith is resting one's confidence on the promises of mercy that Christ has given to sinners-forgiveness of sin and hope of a new life that pleases God (Romans 12:1; Titus 3:4-7).

Faith is a gift of God to be received and offered back to God (Ephesians 2:8).

·       Repentance

Repentance is the evidence of true faith.

Repentance is a change of mind and heart evidenced by a change of behavior-a new life of denying self and serving the Savior as King (Romans 12:2; Titus 3:8).

Repentance is a settled refusal to set any limit to the claims Christ may make on your life. He is King and He has the right to expect whatever He desires from you.

Truth: The only reasonable response to what God has done for you through Christ is twofold: faith in Christ and repentance (turning from rebellion to submission).

Questions to ask:

·         On the basis of these truths about God, sin, and Jesus Christ, what is your relationship to God?

·         In light of these truths, what is your response to God?

·         Will you now receive Jesus Christ as your Savior from sin and Lord of your life?

·         If you say, "Not yet," that is the same as saying, "No."

·         If you say, "Yes," then you should begin to study the Bible to learn more about God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

·         Will you attend church to continue this important part of your growth as a Christian?

WHAT MOTIVATES US TO SHARE THE GOSPEL?

1.  Love for God and a desire to bring glory to Him (Matthew 22:37; John 14:15, 21)

·        We love God when we are grateful for His saving grace in our lives (1 John 4:19).

·        God is glorified when we call attention to His character and His actions.

·        God is glorified when we obey His commands (Matthew 28:19).

·        God is glorified when we tell others of His wondrous works of grace (Psalm 29:1).     

 2.  Love for people and a concern for their welfare-now and in eternity (Matthew 22:39)                                                                                               

HOW DO I PREPARE TO SHARE THE GOSPEL?       

1.  Knowledge I must have a confident knowledge of what the gospel is. Develop a simple pre­sentation of the gospel truths, using simple language.

2.  Listen Be attentive to what others say that leads to opportunities to speak of these truths.

3.  Practice Practice with family, friends, or church members until I feel secure in the presentation

4.  Prayer Pray for myself and for lost people.

·        Pray that God will put and keep in my heart a sense of His greatness and glory and the joy of fellow­ship with Him.

·        Pray that God will remind me of the dread of spending time and eternity without Him and cause my heart to ache for those who are in that lost condition.

·        Pray that God will enable me to speak honestly, simply, accurately, and naturally.

·        Pray that God will direct me to people with whom He wants me to share the gospel, and I will be sen­sitive to the opportunity.

·        Pray that God will put lost people in my life and prepare them to embrace the gospel.

 5.  Commitment Commit myself to a godly life of systematic Bible study, obedience, fellowship and accountability with other Christians, and interaction with unbelievers.