1

The GospelThe Gospel

of theof the

Lord Jesus Lord Jesus

ChristChrist

2

THE GOSPEL OF CHRISTTHE GOSPEL OF CHRIST

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes.”

(Romans 1:16)

3

THE GOSPEL OF CHRISTTHE GOSPEL OF CHRIST

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptised will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:15-16)

4

What is the Gospel of What is the Gospel of Christ?Christ?

“Gospel” = “Good News”

The “good news” of the salvation of man

What is “salvation”?

But why does man need to be saved?

Who is to save man?

How shall a man be saved?

To whom does it apply?

5

The Gospel is for ALLThe Gospel is for ALL

For all the world (Mark 16:15, Matthew 28:19)

For Jews and Gentiles (Ephesians 3:6)

Regardless of race or language, social status, or gender (Galatians 3:28)

For all “creatures” (Colossians 1:23), i.e. for every man

6

GODGOD

There is One God - no other (Malachi 2:10, Isaiah 43:10-11, 1 Corinthians 8:6)

God is our Creator (Genesis 1:1, Colossians 1:16-17)

God is Perfect (Matthew 5:48, Psalm 18:30)

God is Love (1 John 4:8, 1 Corinthians 13:13)

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:5)

7

God and ManGod and Man

Man was created in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-27)

God made man a little lower than angels (Psalm 8:5, Hebrews 2:7)

God gave man a spirit (Ecclesiastes 12:7, Zecheriah 12:1)

God gave man the free will (Deuteronomy 30:19, Proverbs 1:29)

God and man lived in harmony in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:8-25)

until . . . . .

8

The Choice before ManThe Choice before Man

Tree of knowledge of good and evil

- be like God

- but brings DEATH

Tree of Life

- obedience

- LIFE

or

9

The Fall of ManThe Fall of Man

Adam and Eve disobeyed God and chose death (Genesis 3, Romans 5:12,19)

Expelled from the Garden of Eden to a life of pain, toil, sweat and death (Genesis 3:16-19)

10

Our Own FallOur Own Fall

We do not bear the guilt of Adam & Eve’s specific sin in the Garden of Eden No “original” sin

But all men sin:

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)

We bear our own sins because of the wrong choices we make – every day in our lives, in the choices we face Stubbornness, rebellion, lusts, pride, slave to sin,

fail to do God’s will, etc

11

What is Sin?What is Sin?

Breaking of God’s laws (Romans 3:20)

Failing to do good (James 4:17)

Lawlessness (1 John 3:4)

Unrighteousness (1 John 5:15 cf Deuteronomy 6:24-25)

Lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the pride of life (1 John 2:16)

12

The Penalty of SinThe Penalty of Sin

Separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2-3)

Who can do without God?

Degenerates us and erodes human dignity (Romans 1:24-32)

Disgusting levels we sink to because of sin

Enslaves us (John 8:34)

A hopeless trap

13

The Penalty of SinThe Penalty of Sin

Accountability before God on Judgment Day (2 Corinthians 5:10)

What will we say in our own defence?

Death in God’s Judgment (Romans 6:23)

Eternal damnation (Mark 9:44, 46, 48)

14

The Reality of HellThe Reality of Hell

Darkness (Matthew 8:11-12, Matthew 25:30, 2 Peter 2:4, Jude 6)

Weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 8:11-12, Matthew 25:30)

Everlasting fire (Matthew 25:41)

Fire and brimstone (Revelations 20:10)

Eternal torment (Revelations 20:10)

Everlasting punishment (Matthew 25:46)

The devil and his servants will also be punished in hell (Matthew 25:41)

15

The Problem of SinThe Problem of Sin

Because of the seriousness of sins and the eternal damnation it brings, sin is too heavy a burden to bear (Psalm 38:4)

Man’s inability to return to God’s standard (Romans 3:23, James 2:10)

God requires atonement and propitiation (Leviticus 17:11, Hebrews 9:22)

16

Is God Vengeful?Is God Vengeful?

Consider the effects of sin in the world

How can evil be allowed to propagate with no accountability?

What is justice and righteousness if sin gets away free?

How can order be maintained?

How can God be holy and yet allowed one who is stained by sin to approach Him?

On contrary, God is not vengeful but actsso because He loves us . . . . .

17

God has not forsaken manGod has not forsaken man

Though God is harsh and severetoward sin, He has not forsaken man: “What is man that You are mindful

of him, Or the son of man that You take care of him?” (Hebrews 2:6)

Despite man’s disobedience, God has not forsaken man

God planned for man’s salvation since the beginning (Ephesians 1:4-5)

He has a purpose for man, and loves man and seeks to restore man from his fall

18

God has not forsaken manGod has not forsaken man

God does not wish anyone to perish but that all men be saved, to know the truth, to come to repentance (1 Timothy 2:4, 2 Peter 3:9)

God, who is rich in mercy and grace, planned to redeem Man even while man was dead in sins because of His great love for man (Romans 5:8, Ephesians 2:4-5)

19

Man can know God Man can know God

There is clear evidence of God (Romans 1:20)

We must believe that He is (Hebrews 11:6)

We can know God’s Will (Ephesians 1:9, Ephesians 5:17, Colossians 1:9)

God rewards those who search Him diligently (Hebrews 11:6, Acts 10)

Man has retained a consciousness of God although he has fallen

How?

20

God reaches out to manGod reaches out to man

Through His prophets (Hebrews 1:1, 2 Peter 1:20-21)

Through His Son (Hebrews 1:2)

Through His apostles (2 Peter 3:2)

Through His Spirit via inspired Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16-17, John 20:31, Romans 15:4)

The recorded word of God now servesas our sole source of authority

21

The Word of GodThe Word of God

God’s word is the seed of salvation (Matthew 13:3-23)

Written so that we may believe (John 20:31, Romans 15:4, 1 John 5:13)

Came to us with power and supported by prophecies (1 Thessalonians 1:5, Hebrews 2:4, John 19:36)

Scriptures lead us to salvation (2 Timothy 3:15, John 5:39, James 1:21)

Able to save our souls (James 1:21)

22

Our Absolute StandardOur Absolute Standard

Since the word of God is the will of God revealed to us, we must: Obey it – carefully (Deuteronomy 6:24-25)

Not neglect it (Hebrews 2:3)

Reflect our lives against it, measure ourselves by it (James 1:23-25)

Turn to it as the absolute source of authority in all matters, particularly for our salvation (John 12:47-48)

Every doctrine must be based on theword of God

23

God’s Covenant with the God’s Covenant with the PatriarchsPatriarchs

God has kept involved with man ever since the fall of Adam and Eve

Through the agesThrough the ages

Noah Abraham Jacob Joseph etc

24

God’s Covenant with IsraelGod’s Covenant with Israel

Took a slave nation from ancient Egypt to be His special people (Exodus 19:5, Deuteronomy 7:6)

Established His covenant with Israel - the Old Covenant (Book of Exodus)

Gave them a set of laws through His prophet Moses (Exodus 20)

Israel to bear God’s light to the world (Romans 2:17-24)

God adopted a people - Israel

25

Israel’s FailureIsrael’s Failure

Failed to obey God’s laws

Failed to be the positive influence on the nations around them

Failed to stay pure and holy and instead fell into idolatry and the evil around them

They were stubborn, resistant and rebellious toward God

26

Need for a New CovenantNeed for a New Covenant

Learning lessons from Israel’s experience

Men cannot satisfy the Law (James 2:10, Daniel 9:11)

Very high standard required (Matthew 5:19-20)

Man’s effort to meet the requirements of the law cannot save him (Galatians 2:16)

Shows how imperfect man is and howmuch mercy he needs from God

The Old Covenant cannot save man(Matthew 5:20)

27

God’s New Covenant with the God’s New Covenant with the worldworldGod has still not abandoned man(Ephesians 2:4-5)

New covenant required (Hebrews 8:7)

Need to dispense with man’s work, and depend on faith and obedience instead (Ephesians 2:5,8,9)

Need to be based on His abundant love, grace and mercy and balanced against His righteousness, justice and holiness

Need to extend the coverage to the whole world

28

The New CovenantThe New Covenant

New Covenant established by Jesus Christ (Matthew 26:28, Hebrews 13:20)

Based on God’s love, grace and mercy (Ephesians 2:4-5)

Now extends to ALL the world and not onlyto the Jews or to certain individuals

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

29

Christ’s Primary MissionChrist’s Primary Mission

To satisfy God’s requirement for the atonement for sin

“He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10)

“Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)

No one and nothing else suited to be the perfect sacrifice for sin

His most important work for Man

30

Christ’s Death on the CrossChrist’s Death on the Cross

He is the sacrificial Lamb of God (John 1:29, Matthew 26:28)

Atonement for man’s sins (Colossians 1:20)

Cursed for our sins (Galatians 3:13)

Forsaken for our sins (Matthew 27:46)

Died once to bear the sins of all (Romans 6:10, Hebrews 9:27)

His death reconciles man to God (Romans 5:1, Romans 8:1)

We are healed by the stripes He bore (1 Peter 2:24)

31

The Blood of ChristThe Blood of Christ

Shedding of blood a requirement for the cleansing of sins (Hebrews 9:22)

His blood washes sins away (Revelation 1:5)

Christians are bought with His blood (1 Peter 1:18-19)

His blood establishes the New Covenant (Hebrews 9:16-22)

32

Christ’s Other WorksChrist’s Other Works

To be God’s revelation to all men by living amongst men as a Man

To fulfill the requirements of the Law of Moses

To conquer the last enemy Death through His resurrection from the dead

To bring the Kingdom of God and His Church to the world

33

Christ lived as a Man amongst Christ lived as a Man amongst menmen

Lived as a man (Philippians 2:5-8)

Lived amongst men - Immanuel (Matthew 1:23, John 1:14)

Taught man about God and spiritual matters (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John)

Revealed more about the Law (Matthew 5)

Set an example for man to follow (Mark 8:34)

Mediate between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5)

34

Christ fulfilled the LawChrist fulfilled the Law

Came to fulfill the Law, not destroy it (Matthew 5:17)

Nailed it to the cross (Colossians 2:14)

Only He had the requirements to fulfill the Law He is perfect (Hebrews 5:9)

He is without sin (2 Corinthians 5:21)

He is spotless, without blemish (Hebrews 9:14)

The Old Covenant has been fulfilled!

35

Christ’s Kingdom and ChurchChrist’s Kingdom and Church

Christ also came to:

To set up God’s kingdom (Colossians 1:13, Matthew 3:2)

To build the house of the living God (1 Timothy 2:15)

To build His church, His body of believers (Matthew 16:18, 1 Corinthians 12:27, Acts 2:47)

Members are repentant believers (Luke 13:3, John 3:5, Acts 2:47)

Here & Now!

36

Christ’s Victory over DeathChrist’s Victory over Death

Through His resurrection, He conquered death

(1 Corinthians 15:12-19, 54-55, Acts 24:15)

His victory extended to all believers (Revelation 21:4, 1 Corinthians 15:20-22)

Source of our hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17)

Now reigning in heaven (Hebrews 12:2)

37

Christ’s Present StatusChrist’s Present Status

“God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” (Acts 2:36)

“at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:10-11)

38

Man’s ChoiceMan’s Choice

God’s grace and work has been completed in the work of Christ to save Man

The rest is up to Man’s response to this gift of life

Like Adam, Man is still free to choose - and he can choose between life and death

So what?

39

God’s Gifts to ChristiansGod’s Gifts to Christians

His abiding presence 1 John 4:15

Eternal life 1 John 2:25

Justification 1 Corinthians 6:1

No condemnation Romans 8:1

Remember sins no more Jeremiah 31:34

Abundant life John 10:10

Peace with God Romans 5:1

. . . but no promise of an easy life (Matthew 10:38)

40

Consequences of RejectionConsequences of Rejection

All will be resurrected on Day of Judgment (Acts 17:30-31, Acts 24:15, Hebrews 9:27)

All are accountable (Hebrews 4:13, Romans 14:12)

Condemnation (John 5:24-30)

Death (Romans 6:23)

Eternal fire (Revelations 20:11-15)

“But the Day of the Lord will come

as a thief in the night, in which the

heavens will pass away with a great

noise, and the elements will melt

with fervent heat; both the earth

and the works that are in it will be

burned up.”

(2 Peter 3:10)

42

The Hope of HeavenThe Hope of Heaven

No more hunger or thirst (Revelations 7:13-17)

God will wipe away every tear (Revelations 7:13-17)

Beautiful city with glass, gold, precious stones (Revelations 21:18-19)

Re-united with God (Revelations 21:22-27)

The tree of life - no more death (Revelations 2:7)

43

What must we do to be What must we do to be saved?saved?

One and Only One Way

“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”” (John 14:6)

Acts 2:37, Acts 16:30

44

What must we do to be What must we do to be saved? saved?

Faith in Christ is the basis of salvation (Galatians 2:16)

What is faith? (Hebrews 11:1, Hebrews 11:6)

How do we develop faith? (Romans 10:17)

Faith involves belief and obedience (Galatians 3:6, Genesis 15:6, Genesis 22:18)

Faith that is alive (James 2:17,24,26)

45

How to Obey the GospelHow to Obey the Gospel

Believe in the gospel of Christ (John 3:16)

Confess that Jesus is Lord and Saviour (Matthew 10:32,33, Romans 10:9, Philippians 2:11)

Repent and turn away from sins (Acts 2:38, Acts 17:30)

Be baptised for forgiveness of sins (Mark 16:15-16, 1 Peter 3:21, Romans 6:4, Galatians 3:26-27, Colossians 2:12, 1 Corinthians 12:13)

46

The death and burial of our old self, and resurrection of our new self with Christ (Romans 6:4, Colossians 2:12)

For forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38)

Washing of regeneration (Titus 3:5)

Born again - spiritual re-birth (John 3:3,5)

Put on Christ (Galatians 3:27), the new man (Ephesians 4:24)

Salvation through the resurrection of Christ (1 Peter 3:21)

Baptism – Obedience of Baptism – Obedience of FaithFaith

Meeting point of God’s grace and Man’s response

47

Baptism – God’s Baptism – God’s RequirementRequirement

Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5)

“"He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:16)

“There is also an antitype which now saves us -- baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,” (1 Peter 3:21)

48

The Kingdom of God, The Church of Christ, The House of God,The Body of Christ

Believe, Confess, Repent, Be baptised into the . . . . . .

A working faith that saves,A saving faith that works

What must we do to be What must we do to be saved? saved?

ENTRY

Be faithful until death, Observing all that He has commanded

Journey on earth HEAVEN

49

The Road AheadThe Road Ahead

Continue in a life-long walk in graceContinue in a life-long walk in grace (1 John 1:5-7, 2:3,5, 4:3, Ephesians 4:1, (1 John 1:5-7, 2:3,5, 4:3, Ephesians 4:1, 5:8, Romans 8:1)5:8, Romans 8:1)

Look onto JesusLook onto Jesus (Hebrews 12:2) (Hebrews 12:2)

Endure tribulations and testingEndure tribulations and testing (Matthew 24:13)(Matthew 24:13)

50

Gospel in a Nutshell Gospel in a Nutshell (Titus (Titus 3:4-8)3:4-8)

But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared,

not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,

whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,

that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works.

51

““Behold, now is the accepted Behold, now is the accepted time Behold, now is the day of time Behold, now is the day of salvation”salvation”

2 Corinthians 6:2

December

151974

““Seek the Lord while He may be Seek the Lord while He may be

found”found”

(Isaiah 55:6)

52

Steps Toward SalvationSteps Toward Salvation

Wages of sinRom 6:23

Hearthe wordRom 10:17

Confessthe LordRom 10:9

BelieveJohn 3:36

RepentActs 2:38

RejoiceActs 8:39 Be

faithful till deathRev 2:10

John 14:2

Be baptisedMark 16:16

53

Your ResponseYour Response

Blessings from God

Life

Heaven

Punishments from God

Death

Hell

“Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.” (Joshua 24:15)