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2. The Six Main Points of the Gospel

Purpose: This session is to teach the disciple a formula for understanding and sharing the Gospel of Christ. One must learn and experience the Gospel before sharing it.

Objectives

1. The disciple will understand the Gospel in an easy outline for learning and sharing.

2. The disciple will practice sharing the Gospel.

3. The disciple will know where to go from the basic sharing of the Gospel to full assurance.

4. The disciple will learn enough Scripture to back up each point of the

Gospel shared.

Scripture Memory

But to all who have received him - those who believe in his name - he has given the right to become God’s children.

John 1:12

Agenda

1. Prayer together and mutual sharing of requests.

2. Discuss the worksheet.

3. Discuss new terms.

4. Discuss the questions at the end of the worksheet.

Introduction

The Gospel is made up of certain truths that must be heard, understood, believed and acted upon in order for someone to come to saving faith. Understanding each aspect of the Gospel is imperative if one is to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. The following are the six main points of the Gospel.

1. The fact of sin. Romans 3:10,23; James 4:17; Galatians 3:10; James 2:10.

2. The penalty of sin. Romans 5:12; Romans 6:23; Ezekiel 18:20.

3. The penalty must be paid. Hebrews 9:27; Hebrews 2:2,3, 9:22; Romans 2:12.

4. The penalty was paid by Christ. Romans 5:8; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 Peter 3:18; Isaiah 53:5-6.

5. Salvation is a free gift. Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:24; Titus 3:5; John 3:16.

6. You must accept. Revelation 3:20; John 1:12; John 6:37; 1 John 5:11- 12.

Men may try other means such as good works, ritualism, church attendance, the "sacraments,” sacrifice, and morality to earn their salvation, but Isaiah 64:6 says all these are worthless—they are "human goodnesses" and are as unclean things.

There are three things necessary for saving faith:

1. Knowledge—awareness of the plan of salvation: the Gospel.

2. Belief—giving mental assent—accepting it as true.

3. Volition—acting upon what you believe.

New words to learn well:

1. Reconciliation

2. Atonement (the Old Testament word for reconciliation)

3. Mental assent

4. Volition

5. Grace

6. Sacrament

7. Death—the basic meaning of the word "death" is separation. There are at least six types of death mentioned in the New Testament.

a. Physical death—the separation of the body from soul and spirit.

b. Spiritual death—the state of man who is unregenerate—apart from God.

c. Eternal death—the eternal separation of a man from God when he experiences physical death while in the state of spiritual death.

d. Temporal death—being out of fellowship with God because of sin. This is the opposite of temporal fellowship, Ephesians 5:14, James 1:15. (Remember death means separation.)

e. Judicial death—Romans 6. This is God's decree that believers are dead to sin.

f. Sin unto physical death, James 5:19-20.

Worksheet

This session will enable you to become somewhat familiar with the plan of salvation, and the Scriptures that support it. Look up the verses and answer the questions as best you can.

The First Point—the Fact of Sin

The first point in understanding the Gospel is that which relates to the condition of man. Men view themselves in varying ways, depending upon one's self-concept and theological background. The word "understand" is a crucial word. Men think they understand themselves and like to think they understand God or whomever their "supreme being" is.

1.What does Romans 3:11 say about man's understanding of a "supreme being?"

2.Concerning man's ability to meet the standards of Jehovah God, we are all _______________ and fail in meeting the standards of___________ Romans 3:23.

3.We think of sin in terms of doing what we shouldn't do. James 4:17 casts more light on the nature of sin and greatly broadens the concept. Here we are told that ____________________________________________ is sin! In this approach to understanding the nature of sin, we can do nothing and yet sin.

4.But what if a person tries to keep the Ten Commandments? What is the problem when we approach God in this way, Galatians 3:10? James 2:10?

Where do these Scripture passages leave men?

The Second Point—the Penalty of Sin

The second and truly significant point is related to the penalty of sin. It is important to understand this, inasmuch as one needs to realize his "lostness" before he can see his true spiritual needs and hopelessness.

1. What was the effect of Adam's sin, Romans 5:12?

2. How do I become a sinner just because Adam sinned, Romans 5:19?

3. Jesus was born as a result of what promise, Gen. 3:15?

4. Why was it necessary that He be born of "the seed of a woman" rather than of the "seed of man"?

The problem relating to the virgin birth of Jesus is involved in this question. The Gospels say that He was conceived by the Holy Spirit rather than through a human father. Mary contributed 23 chromosomes through the egg she held, and the Holy Spirit gave the other 23 in a miraculous way. In this way, she bore One who was the God-man without sin. This was apparently necessary to keep Christ from having a sinful nature. We are not sinners because we sin, but we sin because we are born sinners; we were born with a sinful nature.

5. What is the penalty for sin, Romans 6:23?

What is the meaning conveyed in the concept of "death" as stated in this verse? Look at the verse carefully. When does one experience this penalty according to the teaching of this verse?

6.What does Ezekiel 18:20 teach about the absolute certainty of this penalty?

Where does this leave me, a guilty sinner?

The Third Point—the Penalty Must Be Paid

The third point is also vital in the ongoing development of understanding of the Gospel. The charges of sin are not going to be dropped for anyone. That would be a violation of the holiness of God! God seems to require that all sin everywhere must be paid by someone somewhere. Simply not having knowledge of the Gospel does not excuse men.

1. In terms of the above reality, what does Romans 2:12 teach us?

2. What possibility of escape exists for us, Hebrews 2:2-3?

3. What additional truths are taught in Hebrews 9:22, 27?

4. In a real sense, no sin is ever forgiven, because God requires payment for sin. The sinner is forgiven. The sin is paid for by Christ, the perfect sacrifice.

The Fourth Point—The Penalty Was Paid by Christ

The fourth point is the work that Christ has done to eliminate the problems that man has which are so basic to his life and existence in this world. But before we look at God's solution to this problem, let's look at some of man's feeble efforts to solve his problem.

1. Men have offered to God good works, sacrificial living involving self denial, regular church attendance, moral lives (in societies' thinking), and other good deeds. It is not that these things do not have value in our society. They certainly do. But before a holy and righteous God, they have what kind of value? Isaiah 64:6.

These are simply of no value whatsoever in helping man reach God or please Him. They are as worthless as filthy rags in pleasing Him.

You will remember we stated that no sin is ever forgiven. It is paid for either by the sinner or by Christ. This brings us to God's provision for the problem of man and how He has brought about reconciliation, Eph. 1:7.

2. The greatest problem God ever sought to solve was how He could be __________ and yet be the One who _____________ those who believe in Jesus, Romans 3:26.

3. What was the grandest expression of God's love for us sinners? Romans 5:8.

4.On the cross, Christ bore _________ __________ that we might ________________________________________________, 1 Peter 2:24.

5.The purpose of Calvary is stated as being that, _____ _____ _____ _____ _____, 1 Peter 3:18.

6.We are likened to ______________ , and the Lord has laid on Christ ______ ____________ _____ _____ _____ , Isaiah 53:6.

The Fifth Point—Salvation is a Free Gift

The fifth point of the Gospel is one that is almost universally misunderstood. For good reason, the god of this age (Satan) has put into the minds of people the idea that works are needed to please the Father. The reality of salvation being a free gift is totally foreign to the thinking of humans. It is built into the structure of our unregenerate thinking that something must be done to merit life. After all, as the saying goes, “that's the way we would do it if we were God.”

1. If salvation then is a gift, how can it become ours? _______________________________, Ephesians 2:8-9. Both this verse, and Romans 3:24 tell us that salvation is purely a matter of ! The word "grace" has special meanings for us and will become one of the most important words in the entire structure of salvation. Suffice to say for now, it means "everything for nothing for those who don't deserve anything.” It is God who accomplishes our salvation through the Holy Spirit.

2. Titus 3:5 tells us that ____________________ have nothing to do with our salvation. The Holy Spirit is active in our salvation in what ways?

Write in your own words what this has meant in your own life in a practical sense.

The Sixth Point—You Must Accept

The sixth point of the Gospel is our required action. If understanding has been adequate to this point and the individual is truly moved by the Holy Spirit, there will be relatively good understanding that salvation is a ________  ________, Romans 6:23.

1. The one thing I must do to get a gift is __________ _____ John 1:12. What will happen if I try to add works to it? Romans 11:6

2. What promise is given to all who simply come to Jesus? John 6:37

3. What assures us of eternal life? 1 John 5:10; The testimony that _________ has given.

4. All that one must do to have the Son is __________ __________, John 1:12.

There is never a reason for us to be rejected if one accepts Christ into his life.

Christ will not _____ _______ John 6:37.

Three Things Necessary for Saving Faith

To be sure one’s faith is "saving faith" there are three distinct elements that are necessary and observable.

1. Romans 10:17 says faith comes by_____________. When I hear something, I become a_________ of it. I therefore have k______________ of the plan of salvation. In view of this, the first element of a faith that brings eternal life is _________________.

2. I can obviously be aware of an idea or a body of information and yet have some doubt as to its authenticity. I must _____________ this information if it is going to mean something that will be life-changing for me, 1 Peter 1:8.

3. But simply being aware and giving mental assent are yet insufficient. There must be an action on my part that appropriates the work of Christ. This action is spoken of in John 1:12 as ___________ ______. Much of the world believes that Jesus lived and that He was a good man. Many attest belief in His resurrection and that He is the Son of God and died as a sacrifice for the sins of man. This is not enough! There must be an appropriation of His work for us and this is only accomplished through receiving Him as Personal Savior — inviting Him into my life and confessing Him as Lord, Romans 10:9-10.

Questions for Review and Discussion

1. Can something that is a gift ever be withdrawn if no conditions are attached to receiving it?

2. When do we receive eternal life? 1 John 5:11,12

3. At what point in the suffering of Christ on the cross did He actually bear our sins? Matthew 27:35-46

4. What part does Lordship play in salvation?

5. How can one know his faith is "saving faith?"

6. What is the problem when we mix faith and works? Romans 11:6

7. What was the dilemma God faced in providing salvation for mankind? Romans 3:26

8. What two basic attributes of God were involved in His provision of salvation?

9. Man is portrayed to be dead in trespasses and sins. How can a dead man believe? Eph. 2:4-5

Related Topics: Discipleship

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