Explaining the Gospel

Introduction:

Bridges are fascinating, especially those across wide expanses. Bridges bring people & things together. Over history – bridges have become a place a place to meet, mingle, and talk. Imagine what would happen if all bridges everywhere collapsed. What do bridges & bridge builders have to do with evangelism? Sin creates a gap between man & God. It is Jesus who, through his death, bridges the gap between God & man. We who have found reconciliation, can point the way to others & help them cross the bridge to salvation. It should be our priority to share the blessings we have in Christ with others.

I. This can be ____________________ for many.

A. 1 Pet 3:13-17 – Peter is not dismissing fear!

1. But, we can squelch it as much as possible by remembering that _______________ is on our side (3:13).

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

1. Sanctify means “______ _______.” Set Jesus up on the throne of your heart.

2. Until we put Jesus will at the forefront our evangelistic endeavors will be less than effective. Heb. 13:5-6 – great words of hope here.

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

A. Observe carefully what Peter is ______________ saying here.

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

B. We must always be ready to give a reason why we have the ____________ we do.

C. We are to share that hope in the _______ ________. With meekness and reverence.

IV. What is the gospel?

A. 1 Cor. 15:1-8. Focus on 15:3-4.

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

B. John 10:10b - God desires for us to have _____________________ life.

C. We chose to _______________ God & go our own way. Isa 59:1-2; Rom. 3:23

D. God’s remedy is the _______________. John 14:6 – He is the only answer.

1. Jesus paid the penalty for _______ sin. 1 Pet 3:18; 1 Tim. 2:5; Rom. 5:8-10

2. God’s remedy is _______________. Titus 2:11-12; Eph. 2:8; John 1:29

V. What will be your response?

A. What must I do to be saved?

1. ____________ that Jesus is the Christ. Jhn 3:16-18, 36; 5:24; 6:40; 11:25-26

2. _________________. Lk. 13:1-5; Acts 3:19; 17:30-31

3. ____________________ that Jesus is the Son of God. Rom. 10:9-10.

4. Be _____________________. Acts 22:16; Col. 2:9-12; 1 Pet. 3:21-22

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

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

A. We help others ___________ _______________ in the conversion process.

B. In scripture, salvation is presented whole, as a ____________, not as parts.

C. As a matter of faith in the atonement of Jesus’ death & God’s power in His resurrection.

D. Conversion is a ________ _______ ________ 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. Conversion helps us to have a glimpse of the big picture when we explain the gospel.

Conclusion:

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



Introduction: Bridges are fascinating, especially those across wide expanses. Bridges bring people & things together. Over history – bridges have become a place a place to meet, mingle, and talk. Imagine what would happen if all bridges everywhere collapsed. What do bridges & bridge builders have to do with evangelism? Sin creates a gap between man & God. It is Jesus who, through his death, bridges the gap between God & man. We who have found reconciliation, can point the way to others & help them cross the bridge to salvation. It should be our priority to share the blessings we have in Christ with others. I. This can be ____________________ for many. A. 1 Pet 3:13-17 – Peter is not dismissing fear! 1. But, we can squelch it as much as possible by remembering that _______________ is on our side (3:13). B. 3:15a – how can we overcome this fear? 1. Sanctify means “______ _______.” Set Jesus up on the throne of your heart. 2. Until we put Jesus will at the forefront our evangelistic endeavors will be less than effective. Heb. 13:5-6 – great words of hope here. III. 1 Pet. 3:15b - We should always be willing to _____________ our hope with others. A. Observe carefully what Peter is ______________ saying here. 1. He is not saying that we need to be ready to give an answer for _________________ question on religious matters that someone may ask. B. We must always be ready to give a reason why we have the ____________ we do. C. We are to share that hope in the _______ ________. With meekness and reverence. IV. What is the gospel? A. 1 Cor. 15:1-8. Focus on 15:3-4. 1. Why did Jesus have to die? Why did He have to suffer? B. John 10:10b - God desires for us to have _____________________ life. C. We chose to _______________ God & go our own way. Isa 59:1-2; Rom. 3:23 D. God’s remedy is the _______________. John 14:6 – He is the only answer. 1. Jesus paid the penalty for _______ sin. 1 Pet 3:18; 1 Tim. 2:5; Rom. 5:8-10 2. God’s remedy is _______________. Titus 2:11-12; Eph. 2:8; John 1:29 V. What will be your response? A. What must I do to be saved? 1. ____________ that Jesus is the Christ. Jhn 3:16-18, 36; 5:24; 6:40; 11:25-26 2. _________________. Lk. 13:1-5; Acts 3:19; 17:30-31 3. ____________________ that Jesus is the Son of God. Rom. 10:9-10. 4. Be _____________________. Acts 22:16; Col. 2:9-12; 1 Pet. 3:21-22 B. These are men’s responsibility to take advantage of God’s grace. VI. We are trying to help people give themselves fully to God. To be converted. A. We help others ___________ _______________ in the conversion process. B. In scripture, salvation is presented whole, as a ____________, not as parts. C. As a matter of faith in the atonement of Jesus’ death & God’s power in His resurrection. D. Conversion is a ________ _______ ________ 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. Conversion helps us to have a glimpse of the big picture when we explain the gospel. Conclusion: A. Do you need to walk across the bridge to get salvation?