Explaining the Gospel

Explaining the Gospel

2005049

Topic # 1510 (evangelism)

Introduction:

A. Bridges are fascinating.

1. Especially those across wide expanses.

2. How did they com up with the expertise to design something that would withstand the immense power of water; flooding; and winds.

3. Who was brave enough to venture out & fasten the girders?

B. Bridges bring people & things together.

1. The first bridge was probably a tree.

2. Over history – bridges have become a place a place to meet, mingle, and talk.

3. Imagine what would happen if all bridges everywhere collapsed.

C. What do bridges & bridge builders have to do with evangelism?

1. Isa 59:1-2 – sin creates a gap between man & God.

2. Rom. 5:10 – It is Jesus who, through his death, bridges the gap between God & man.

3. 2 Cor. 5:17-21

D. We, who have found reconciliation, can point the way to others & help them cross the bridge to salvation.

1. It should be our priority to share the blessings we have in Christ with others.

2. Remember, our job is to teach & point the way.

I. This can be fearful for many.

A. Fear holds many back from following through on Jesus’ command in Mt. 28:18-20.

B. 1 Pet 3:13-17

1. First of all – Peter is not dismissing fear!

a) No strangers to fear & suffering. Had suffered for good.

b) But rather than allowing that fear to be as a blanket that smothers out our evangelistic endeavors…

2. We need to squelch it as much as possible by remembering that God is on our side (3:13).

3. And…even if we are persecuted for righteousness we are blessed.

4. God is on our side…he wants our success!

C. 3:15a – how can we overcome this fear?

1. Sanctify means “set apart.”

2. Set Jesus up on the throne of your heart. Make him Lord & Ruler of your life.

a) Ruling over your desires.

b) Allowing His will to take precedent over your own will.

3. This is the key to facing persecution/rejection w/o fear or being troubled by it.

a) Until we put Jesus will at the forefront our evangelistic endeavors will be less than effective.

b) Heb. 13:5-6 – great words of hope here.

III. 1 Pet. 3:15b - We should always be willing to share our hope with others.

A. Observe carefully what Peter is NOT saying here.

1. He is not saying that we need to be ready to give an answer for EVERY question on religious matters that someone may ask.

2. Yes, we should be ready to explain what we believe & why

3. But...what exactly is Peter’s point here?

B. To always be ready to give a reason why you have the HOPE you do.

1. Can we explain the basis of our hope?

2. Can others see our strong desire & expectation of salvation?

3. 1 Pet 1:6-8 – are we living in such a way where others see the joy that Jesus brings?

a) Bright & shining attitude? Optimistic?

b) Way we handle trails?

c) Way we conduct ourselves in our affairs?

4. That hope is the gospel. It’s the good news! It’s the message of the grace of God being extended to man via forgiveness & salvation!

C. We are to share that hope in the proper spirit.

1. A spirit of meekness.

a) Pertains to our attitude toward men.

b) Humble, not arrogant/angry/insensitive.

2. In a spirit of reverence.

a) Reverence to God.

b) Religion is not a flippant, light hearted, casual thing.

c) We give glory to God.

3. Gentleness & reverence are extremely important.

a) Always be mindful of it.

b) Especially when dealing with those w/different backgrounds, perspectives, religions, etc

IV. What is the gospel?

A. 1 Cor. 15:1-8

1. Focus on 15:3-4.

2. Why did Jesus have to die? Why did He have to suffer?

B. Remember that God created us in His own image, to be His friend and to experience a full life assured of His abundant, eternal love...

1. John 10:10b

2. While God desires for us to have abundant/meaningful life, He did not make us robots to automatically love Him – He gave us a will & freedom of choice.

3. We chose to disobey God & go our own way. Results in separation. Isa 59:1-2; Rom. 3:23

C. On our own, there is no way we can attain in the perfection needed to bridge the gap to God.

1. Good works alone can’t do it. Mere acts of man-made religion won’t do it.

2. Money; morality; or philosophy won’t do it.

3. Pro. 14:23 – nothing man could do on his own to obtain salvation.

D. God’s remedy is the cross.

1. Jesus is the answer for man’s problem of separation from God.

2. John 14:6 – He is the only answer.

a) Acts 4:12 – salvation in no other name.

3. Jesus died on the cross & rose from the grave – paying the penalty for our sin – bridging the gap between God & people.

a) 1 Pet 3:18; 1 Tim. 2:5; Rom. 5:8-10

4. God’s remedy is grace.

a) Titus 2:11-12 – grace; a remedy for sin – is available to al!

b) Eph. 2:8 – the remedy is from God! Salvation could not result w/o God’s extension of grace – seen in providing Jesus.

c) John 1:29 – Jesus was the sacrificial lamb.

V. What will be your response?

A. Explaining the gospel involves helping people understand what they must do to receive God’s grace.

B. What must I do to be saved?

1. One must believe that Jesus is the Christ.

a) Jhn 3:16-18, 36; 5:24; 6:40; 11:25-26

b) This faith is nothing more than unquestioning trust in Jesus’ identity as God’s Son, as our atonement, and as the resurrected Lord.

2. One must repent.

a) Lk. 13:1-5; Acts 3:19; 17:30-31

b) Repentance is a redirection of life, in mind, emotion, and behavior.

c) Christian repentance is redirecting life toward God.

3. One must confess that Jesus is the Son of God.

a) Rom. 10:9-10.

b) In confession, we make a public proclamation of our faith & in that we go on record stating the commitment we are making to be faithful.

4. The scriptures also connect baptism & salvation.

a) Acts 22:16; Col. 2:9-12; 1 Pet. 3:21-22

b) Baptism is a burial in water that duplicates Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection IN ORDER that we may die to sin, and be raised to life by God.

C. These are men’s responsibility to take advantage of God’s grace.

D. God, in His grace, has built the bridge so we can be reconciled – BUT we must walk across it. We must seek God & take advantage of his terms of grace.

VI. We are trying to help people give themselves fully to God. To be converted.

A. We help others get started in the conversion process. They need to understand the salvation experience is just the beginning of a commitment to be converted.

1. As Americans, we have our own thought pattern, thought process, and our own view of things.

a) The whole world does not think the way we think.

2. Commonly, our American approach is to analyze everything & break it down into components.

a) We consider what is essential and what may be incidental.

b) Stress what is essential & assume others will pick up on the incidentals.

B. Christianity did not begin in America and did not follow American thought.

1. Jesus was born in, lived, and died in Palestine. Preached mainly to Jews.

2. NT writers wrote to FC people in FC societies.

C. In scripture, salvation is presented as a whole, as a unit, not as parts. It was not a matter of steps – which is an American process.

D. It is a matter of faith in the atonement of Jesus’ death & God’s power in Jesus’ resurrection.

1. That faith is so real & deep it produces a redirection of life.

2. That faith is so real that it moves us to enter a covenant w/God by being baptized.

3. If I am to receive forgiveness from God:

a) Must I have faith? Yes!

b) Must I redirect my life through repentance? Yes!

c) Must I be baptized? Yes!

d) As steps? No! As a whole person response to a new relationship with God!

4. Our faith must genuinely trust what God did in Jesus’ death & resurrection.

a) Repentance & Baptism are expressions of that faith.

E. Conversion is a whole person response that declares a person’s faith in God.

1. A whole person response to God through Christ that redirects life & enters a covenant relationship with God.

2. We need to absolutely understand conversion. When we do it helps us to have a glimpse of the big picture when we explain the gospel. As we show them the bridge leading to salvation.

3. One of the reasons we have so many baptized people living evil lives is that we do not understand conversion.

4. Result of conversion is the genuine desire to have “my” life ruled by God.

5. Are you letting your life be ruled by God?

Conclusion:

A. Do you need to walk across the bridge to get salvation?

B. Get started today.

C. I N V I T A T I O N



Explaining the Gospel 2005049 Topic # 1510 (evangelism) Introduction: A. Bridges are fascinating. 1. Especially those across wide expanses. 2. How did they com up with the expertise to design something that would withstand the immense power of water; flooding; and winds. 3. Who was brave enough to venture out & fasten the girders? B. Bridges bring people & things together. 1. The first bridge was probably a tree. 2. Over history – bridges have become a place a place to meet, mingle, and talk. 3. Imagine what would happen if all bridges everywhere collapsed. C. What do bridges & bridge builders have to do with evangelism? 1. Isa 59:1-2 – sin creates a gap between man & God. 2. Rom. 5:10 – It is Jesus who, through his death, bridges the gap between God & man. 3. 2 Cor. 5:17-21 D. We, who have found reconciliation, can point the way to others & help them cross the bridge to salvation. 1. It should be our priority to share the blessings we have in Christ with others. 2. Remember, our job is to teach & point the way. I. This can be fearful for many. A. Fear holds many back from following through on Jesus’ command in Mt. 28:18-20. B. 1 Pet 3:13-17 1. First of all – Peter is not dismissing fear! a) No strangers to fear & suffering. Had suffered for good. b) But rather than allowing that fear to be as a blanket that smothers out our evangelistic endeavors… 2. We need to squelch it as much as possible by remembering that God is on our side (3:13). 3. And…even if we are persecuted for righteousness we are blessed. 4. God is on our side…he wants our success! C. 3:15a – how can we overcome this fear? 1. Sanctify means “set apart.” 2. Set Jesus up on the throne of your heart. Make him Lord & Ruler of your life. a) Ruling over your desires. b) Allowing His will to take precedent over your own will. 3. This is the key to facing persecution/rejection w/o fear or being troubled by it. a) Until we put Jesus will at the forefront our evangelistic endeavors will be less than effective. b) Heb. 13:5-6 – great words of hope here. III. 1 Pet. 3:15b - We should always be willing to share our hope with others. A. Observe carefully what Peter is NOT saying here. 1. He is not saying that we need to be ready to give an answer for EVERY question on religious matters that someone may ask. 2. Yes, we should be ready to explain what we believe & why 3. But...what exactly is Peter’s point here? B. To always be ready to give a reason why you have the HOPE you do. 1. Can we explain the basis of our hope? 2. Can others see our strong desire & expectation of salvation? 3. 1 Pet 1:6-8 – are we living in such a way where others see the joy that Jesus brings? a) Bright & shining attitude? Optimistic? b) Way we handle trails? c) Way we conduct ourselves in our affairs? 4. That hope is the gospel. It’s the good news! It’s the message of the grace of God being extended to man via forgiveness & salvation! C. We are to share that hope in the proper spirit. 1. A spirit of meekness. a) Pertains to our attitude toward men. b) Humble, not arrogant/angry/insensitive. 2. In a spirit of reverence. a) Reverence to God. b) Religion is not a flippant, light hearted, casual thing. c) We give glory to God. 3. Gentleness & reverence are extremely important. a) Always be mindful of it. b) Especially when dealing with those w/different backgrounds, perspectives, religions, etc IV. What is the gospel? A. 1 Cor. 15:1-8 1. Focus on 15:3-4. 2. Why did Jesus have to die? Why did He have to suffer? B. Remember that God created us in His own image, to be His friend and to experience a full life assured of His abundant, eternal love... 1. John 10:10b 2. While God desires for us to have abundant/meaningful life, He did not make us robots to automatically love Him – He gave us a will & freedom of choice. 3. We chose to disobey God & go our own way. Results in separation. Isa 59:1-2; Rom. 3:23 C. On our own, there is no way we can attain in the perfection needed to bridge the gap to God. 1. Good works alone can’t do it. Mere acts of man-made religion won’t do it. 2. Money; morality; or philosophy won’t do it. 3. Pro. 14:23 – nothing man could do on his own to obtain salvation. D. God’s remedy is the cross. 1. Jesus is the answer for man’s problem of separation from God. 2. John 14:6 – He is the only answer. a) Acts 4:12 – salvation in no other name. 3. Jesus died on the cross & rose from the grave – paying the penalty for our sin – bridging the gap between God & people. a) 1 Pet 3:18; 1 Tim. 2:5; Rom. 5:8-10 4. God’s remedy is grace. a) Titus 2:11-12 – grace; a remedy for sin – is available to al! b) Eph. 2:8 – the remedy is from God! Salvation could not result w/o God’s extension of grace – seen in providing Jesus. c) John 1:29 – Jesus was the sacrificial lamb. V. What will be your response? A. Explaining the gospel involves helping people understand what they must do to receive God’s grace. B. What must I do to be saved? 1. One must believe that Jesus is the Christ. a) Jhn 3:16-18, 36; 5:24; 6:40; 11:25-26 b) This faith is nothing more than unquestioning trust in Jesus’ identity as God’s Son, as our atonement, and as the resurrected Lord. 2. One must repent. a) Lk. 13:1-5; Acts 3:19; 17:30-31 b) Repentance is a redirection of life, in mind, emotion, and behavior. c) Christian repentance is redirecting life toward God. 3. One must confess that Jesus is the Son of God. a) Rom. 10:9-10. b) In confession, we make a public proclamation of our faith & in that we go on record stating the commitment we are making to be faithful. 4. The scriptures also connect baptism & salvation. a) Acts 22:16; Col. 2:9-12; 1 Pet. 3:21-22 b) Baptism is a burial in water that duplicates Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection IN ORDER that we may die to sin, and be raised to life by God. C. These are men’s responsibility to take advantage of God’s grace. D. God, in His grace, has built the bridge so we can be reconciled – BUT we must walk across it. We must seek God & take advantage of his terms of grace. VI. We are trying to help people give themselves fully to God. To be converted. A. We help others get started in the conversion process. They need to understand the salvation experience is just the beginning of a commitment to be converted. 1. As Americans, we have our own thought pattern, thought process, and our own view of things. a) The whole world does not think the way we think. 2. Commonly, our American approach is to analyze everything & break it down into components. a) We consider what is essential and what may be incidental. b) Stress what is essential & assume others will pick up on the incidentals. B. Christianity did not begin in America and did not follow American thought. 1. Jesus was born in, lived, and died in Palestine. Preached mainly to Jews. 2. NT writers wrote to FC people in FC societies. C. In scripture, salvation is presented as a whole, as a unit, not as parts. It was not a matter of steps – which is an American process. D. It is a matter of faith in the atonement of Jesus’ death & God’s power in Jesus’ resurrection. 1. That faith is so real & deep it produces a redirection of life. 2. That faith is so real that it moves us to enter a covenant w/God by being baptized. 3. If I am to receive forgiveness from God: a) Must I have faith? Yes! b) Must I redirect my life through repentance? Yes! c) Must I be baptized? Yes! d) As steps? No! As a whole person response to a new relationship with God! 4. Our faith must genuinely trust what God did in Jesus’ death & resurrection. a) Repentance & Baptism are expressions of that faith. E. Conversion is a whole person response that declares a person’s faith in God. 1. A whole person response to God through Christ that redirects life & enters a covenant relationship with God. 2. We need to absolutely understand conversion. When we do it helps us to have a glimpse of the big picture when we explain the gospel. As we show them the bridge leading to salvation. 3. One of the reasons we have so many baptized people living evil lives is that we do not understand conversion. 4. Result of conversion is the genuine desire to have “my” life ruled by God. 5. Are you letting your life be ruled by God? Conclusion: A. Do you need to walk across the bridge to get salvation? B. Get started today. C. I N V I T A T I O N