I am going to share with you the outright worst news a person could ever hear; then I’m going to share with you the absolute best news a person could ever hear. Bad news first, followed up with good news! Before we can understand the good news, we need to hear and understand the bad news! God bless you as your read this.
Many of us have heard of the word, GOSPEL, but do we really understand what it means? The word means “Good News.” After I share with you what the Bible says, you should have a better understanding. Take a look at the Bible verse 1 Cor. 15:1-4. (As I go through this presentation, you will see how this passage will unfold)
I hope to answer some of the most common questions:
Every person born is a descendent of Adam/Eve
God created man and woman – see Genesis 1:27, 2:7, and 2:22
God created man and woman perfectly and to live forever
Then God put them (Adam first, then Eve) in the Garden of Eden and commanded them not to eat of a certain tree because if they did, they would die. See Genesis 2:15-17.
Then a serpent approached Eve and questioned what God had commanded; she eventually gave in and ate from the forbidden tree; then she gave Adam some to eat. They both ate from the forbidden tree. See Genesis 3:6.
At that moment, SIN entered the world
Now, as a result of sin…..God says that we (mankind) have a SIN PROBLEM
Also, because of sin, we are all born “spiritually dead.” I will talk more about that shortly.
---------------------
(BAD NEWS: CONCEPT #1: SIN PROBLEM)
Adam/Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden and therefore, sin entered the world through them – actually since Adam was given the command, he was held responsible and sin came into the world through him (a man)
Every person inherits sin
We often say that we are not sinners but yet we are born sinners
We inherit sin and we also choose sin; sin is inevitable and its effects are infinitely destructive. Sin is epidemic and ruins everything it touches – relationships, careers, hopes and dreams!
Part of the Bad News is……the nature of mankind is SINFUL; we no longer measure up to God’s standard of perfection
See Romans 3:23 – “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
I have sinned over and over
The First Commandment says “You shall have no other gods before me.” See Exodus 20:3.
I have committed crimes against God in my thoughts, words, and actions
With God being righteous and just, He says that I must pay for the crimes that I have committed against Him. (Refer to definition of righteous and just). God must punish me for my sins and crimes, and the punishment is DEATH!
See Romans 5:12-13 – where God talks about sin coming into the world and death came because of sin
Romans 6:23 – “For the wages of sin is death….”
---------------------------
(BAD NEWS: CONCEPT #2: DEATH PROBLEM)
So, what about a loving God and punishment?
God, being righteous cannot accept unrighteous people
God, being just must punish me for my sins/crimes. God cannot simply ignore my crimes
If He did, He wouldn’t be God because He would not be righteous and just
The punishment (you) and I deserve is DEATH! Death came into the world as punishment from God on sin.
As a result of SIN, we experience three types of DEATH:
---------------------------------
(BAD NEWS: CONCEPT #3: WORKS DON’T WORK!)
I would often think that as long as I would a good, decent person, God would accept me. Or if I did certain things – go to church, forgive people, give money to help others, I’d go to heaven.
That is a universal belief – but a lie! Sadly, many religions believe this false teaching.
Truth is…..there is NOTHING I can do to make myself perfect and acceptable to God
Isaiah 64:6 – “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags…”
(Also, there are a few other Bible verses you can look up at your leisure)
So, we have a SIN PROBLEM, a DEATH PROBLEM, and WORKS DON’T WORK!
That sure is BAD NEWS! But people want to know the bad news! People often research about possible diseases they inherited so that they can make necessary changes and can live healthier and possibly not end up with a potential inherited disease. We believe BAD NEWS from our doctors – we need to believe God about this BAD NEWS!
Those who reject God in this life, He will reject eternally in the next life.
God says we have a SIN PROBLEM, A DEATH PROBLEM, AND WORKS DON’T WORK!
We (in our current condition) are in a hopeless situation!
This is why I said at the beginning that I am going to share with you the outright worst news a person could ever hear.
That was the BAD NEWS and if I stopped right here, there is no hope for any of us!
----------------------------------
BUT GOD…..in His GREAT LOVE for me provided a substitute to take my punishment of death that I deserved.
It was a “man” (Adam) who brought sin and death into the world and therefore a “man” had to overcome sin and death. No one on earth could do the job, so GOD THE FATHER sent GOD THE SON to earth to become a “man.”
(GOOD NEWS: CONCEPT #1: GOD PROVIDED A SUBSTITUTE)
(GOOD NEWS: CONCEPT #2: JESUS CHRIST: GOD THE SON BECAME A MAN – HE IS FULLY GOD AND FULLY MAN – TWO NATURES IN ONE PERSON)
--------------
Are you thinking: “How could God send God to earth?” Good question!
God revealed that He doesn’t exist as we exist.
God is a SPIRIT-BEING; and His “BEING” is one – meaning there is only ONE TRUE and LIVING GOD!
Within one SPIRIT-BEING, there are THREE, SEPARATE and DISTINCT PERSON’S: GOD THE FATHER, GOD THE SON, and GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT. All are co-equal and co-eternal.
The concept of the Trinity is difficult for us to understand because each one of us is one person in one physical being. But this is the way God told us He exists, so who are we to tell Him He can’t exist this way?
-----------------
2,000 years ago, God the Father sent God the Son to earth to become a man. We know this event as Christmas. We know the man as Jesus. Jesus was born to a virgin named Mary. Important? Yes, because if Jesus had been born with a sin nature, He wouldn’t have been able to save us from sin/death because He Himself would have been a sinner, born physically alive, but spiritually dead. But through a miraculous birth, Jesus was kept from having a sin nature. He was born without sin and He lived a sinless life! See Matthew 1:22-23, Hebrews 4:15, Isaiah 9:6
(GOOD NEWS: CONCEPT #3: CROSS)
Jesus lived a perfect life then allowed Himself to be arrested, tried, convicted and crucified. As Jesus hung on the cross, God the Father, who knew all about me, took all of my sins and put them on Jesus and punished Him in my place. WOW! See John 3:16
Talk about proving God’s love for me! I deserved to be punished and eternally separated from God, and all that is good. BUT JESUS went to the cross to be punished in my place so that God could forgive my sins and accept me.
Jesus took all of the wrath/punishment I deserved, and died. I need to really get this understanding and amazing act of love into my heart and soul!
There was physical pain but that was nothing compared to Jesus taking on all of my sins and bearing the wrath of God for me! (WOW! I should never underestimate this – ever!)
See Romans 5:8, 10, Romans 5:16, Isa. 53:6, 2 Cor. 5:21, 1 Peter 2:24, 1 Peter 3:18
This demonstrated God’s LOVE and His amazing GRACE!
GRACE means God giving the greatest treasure to the least deserving – which is every one of us!
Jesus died, His body was taken down from the cross and placed in a tomb. On the third day Jesus came back from the dead! Death could not keep its hold on Him because He had paid the penalty. Death loses its power where there is no sin! (We know of this event as Easter Sunday)
See Acts 2:24, Matt. 28:7, 1 Cor. 15:21-22
SIN = DEATH
NO SIN = NO DEATH
Jesus remained on earth for 40 days and then ascended into heaven. Jesus commanded His followers to go into all the world and tell others what He had accomplished. God established a “by grace through faith” system as far as how He offers the gift of eternal life. God did ALL the work to make salvation possible for us through Jesus.
God calls people to believe the BAD NEWS about themselves (sin, death, works don’t work) and the GOOD NEWS of what Jesus did for them through His death and resurrection (God provided a perfect substitute, Jesus died on the cross, and was resurrected from the dead)!
Now what?
A person needs to accept this free gift of God’s amazing grace and believe the BAD NEWS and GOOD NEWS by exercising his/her faith!
(This is sometimes hard for many of us to comprehend – free gift of grace – because we are so accustomed to having to earn and deserve everything in life)
People are to trust Jesus to save them FROM sin and eternal punishment and save them TO a new life lived with and for God. God forgives their sins and gives them the gift of life with Him forever. (REFERRED TO AS SALVATION) See Ephesians 2:8-9
Every single person is saved the same way and this is the ONLY way to be saved and go to heaven – by putting his/her faith in Jesus as Savior by accepting God’s free gift of grace. As a result, they:
GOOD NEWS! This is the absolute best news a person could ever hear!
(This should be a relief to us to know that it’s nothing we can do except to accept God’s free gift of grace!)
This was a clear, complete, logical, sequential presentation of the BAD NEWS and the GOOD NEWS! This is the message that is of first importance! This is the life-giving message God has entrusted to us.
Those who proclaim this message will see God work as He raises people from the dead and gives them new life!
God gave us the most expensive, precious gift ever - the free gift of grace from God through our faith in Jesus.
Now remember….THAT is the absolute best news a person could ever hear!
Have you accepted this free gift of grace?
Here is a prayer that can be prayed to God. There is nothing magical about this prayer; it is merely a good example of a prayer that incorporates a full understanding of the gospel. It is helpful for a person who has no experience with prayer.
SINNER’S PRAYER
Lord Jesus, I want to become your follower.
I come to you acknowledging that I am a sinner justly deserving eternal condemnation.
I realize there is nothing I can do to make myself acceptable to you through my own efforts.
I believe you are God the Son who became a man, lived a perfect life, and then allowed yourself to be crucified.
I believe that as you hung on the cross, God the Father, knowing all about me, took all of my sins – past, present and future – put them on you and punished you in my place.
I believe you took the wrath of God for me, and you died.
I believe your body was placed in a tomb, but after paying for all of my sins, you came back from the dead and are alive forevermore.
I trust you to save me from sin and the condemnation I deserve.
You are able to do that because you were condemned in my place.
I ask you to forgive my sins and give me the gift of life eternal with you.
I ask you to save me to a new life lived with and for you.
Thank you for your love.
Give me the grace I need so that I might learn your ways and follow you every day.
In Your Name I pray, Amen.
Many of us have heard of the word, GOSPEL, but do we really understand what it means? The word means “Good News.” After I share with you what the Bible says, you should have a better understanding. Take a look at the Bible verse 1 Cor. 15:1-4. (As I go through this presentation, you will see how this passage will unfold)
I hope to answer some of the most common questions:
- What happens after death?
- Will my good deeds outweigh my bad deeds and get me into heaven when I die?
- Are there many ways to God or heaven?
- What does it mean that Jesus died for my sins?
- What does it mean to be saved or born again?
Every person born is a descendent of Adam/Eve
God created man and woman – see Genesis 1:27, 2:7, and 2:22
God created man and woman perfectly and to live forever
Then God put them (Adam first, then Eve) in the Garden of Eden and commanded them not to eat of a certain tree because if they did, they would die. See Genesis 2:15-17.
Then a serpent approached Eve and questioned what God had commanded; she eventually gave in and ate from the forbidden tree; then she gave Adam some to eat. They both ate from the forbidden tree. See Genesis 3:6.
At that moment, SIN entered the world
Now, as a result of sin…..God says that we (mankind) have a SIN PROBLEM
Also, because of sin, we are all born “spiritually dead.” I will talk more about that shortly.
---------------------
(BAD NEWS: CONCEPT #1: SIN PROBLEM)
Adam/Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden and therefore, sin entered the world through them – actually since Adam was given the command, he was held responsible and sin came into the world through him (a man)
Every person inherits sin
We often say that we are not sinners but yet we are born sinners
We inherit sin and we also choose sin; sin is inevitable and its effects are infinitely destructive. Sin is epidemic and ruins everything it touches – relationships, careers, hopes and dreams!
Part of the Bad News is……the nature of mankind is SINFUL; we no longer measure up to God’s standard of perfection
See Romans 3:23 – “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
I have sinned over and over
The First Commandment says “You shall have no other gods before me.” See Exodus 20:3.
I have committed crimes against God in my thoughts, words, and actions
With God being righteous and just, He says that I must pay for the crimes that I have committed against Him. (Refer to definition of righteous and just). God must punish me for my sins and crimes, and the punishment is DEATH!
See Romans 5:12-13 – where God talks about sin coming into the world and death came because of sin
Romans 6:23 – “For the wages of sin is death….”
---------------------------
(BAD NEWS: CONCEPT #2: DEATH PROBLEM)
So, what about a loving God and punishment?
God, being righteous cannot accept unrighteous people
God, being just must punish me for my sins/crimes. God cannot simply ignore my crimes
If He did, He wouldn’t be God because He would not be righteous and just
The punishment (you) and I deserve is DEATH! Death came into the world as punishment from God on sin.
As a result of SIN, we experience three types of DEATH:
- SPIRITUAL DEATH – we are all born with a spirit but it is dead because it is dead in our sinful state (see Eph. 2:1-2 and 1 Cor. 2:10-15); In other words, we are born without the Spirit of God - a dead spirit that cannot hear from God or discern any spiritual truths from God. Spiritually dead people have no ability to understand life or its meaning. We don’t seek God and our motives will never please God. See Romans 3:11-12
- PHYSICAL DEATH – separation of the soul from the body. When sin entered the world, we were separated from our creator and therefore our physical bodies are decaying, dying; just look in the mirror and look around you at people dying every day. See 1 Cor. 15:42-43 and 2 Cor. 4:16
- ETERNAL DEATH – when sin entered the world, we were separated from God. We will spend eternity apart from God – completely separated from Him for all eternity. Does this mean HELL? Yes, this means HELL! See Matthew 25:46; 2 Thess. 1:9. Our souls live forever…..either in heaven or in hell.
---------------------------------
(BAD NEWS: CONCEPT #3: WORKS DON’T WORK!)
I would often think that as long as I would a good, decent person, God would accept me. Or if I did certain things – go to church, forgive people, give money to help others, I’d go to heaven.
That is a universal belief – but a lie! Sadly, many religions believe this false teaching.
Truth is…..there is NOTHING I can do to make myself perfect and acceptable to God
Isaiah 64:6 – “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags…”
(Also, there are a few other Bible verses you can look up at your leisure)
So, we have a SIN PROBLEM, a DEATH PROBLEM, and WORKS DON’T WORK!
That sure is BAD NEWS! But people want to know the bad news! People often research about possible diseases they inherited so that they can make necessary changes and can live healthier and possibly not end up with a potential inherited disease. We believe BAD NEWS from our doctors – we need to believe God about this BAD NEWS!
Those who reject God in this life, He will reject eternally in the next life.
God says we have a SIN PROBLEM, A DEATH PROBLEM, AND WORKS DON’T WORK!
We (in our current condition) are in a hopeless situation!
This is why I said at the beginning that I am going to share with you the outright worst news a person could ever hear.
That was the BAD NEWS and if I stopped right here, there is no hope for any of us!
----------------------------------
BUT GOD…..in His GREAT LOVE for me provided a substitute to take my punishment of death that I deserved.
It was a “man” (Adam) who brought sin and death into the world and therefore a “man” had to overcome sin and death. No one on earth could do the job, so GOD THE FATHER sent GOD THE SON to earth to become a “man.”
(GOOD NEWS: CONCEPT #1: GOD PROVIDED A SUBSTITUTE)
(GOOD NEWS: CONCEPT #2: JESUS CHRIST: GOD THE SON BECAME A MAN – HE IS FULLY GOD AND FULLY MAN – TWO NATURES IN ONE PERSON)
--------------
Are you thinking: “How could God send God to earth?” Good question!
God revealed that He doesn’t exist as we exist.
God is a SPIRIT-BEING; and His “BEING” is one – meaning there is only ONE TRUE and LIVING GOD!
Within one SPIRIT-BEING, there are THREE, SEPARATE and DISTINCT PERSON’S: GOD THE FATHER, GOD THE SON, and GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT. All are co-equal and co-eternal.
The concept of the Trinity is difficult for us to understand because each one of us is one person in one physical being. But this is the way God told us He exists, so who are we to tell Him He can’t exist this way?
-----------------
2,000 years ago, God the Father sent God the Son to earth to become a man. We know this event as Christmas. We know the man as Jesus. Jesus was born to a virgin named Mary. Important? Yes, because if Jesus had been born with a sin nature, He wouldn’t have been able to save us from sin/death because He Himself would have been a sinner, born physically alive, but spiritually dead. But through a miraculous birth, Jesus was kept from having a sin nature. He was born without sin and He lived a sinless life! See Matthew 1:22-23, Hebrews 4:15, Isaiah 9:6
(GOOD NEWS: CONCEPT #3: CROSS)
Jesus lived a perfect life then allowed Himself to be arrested, tried, convicted and crucified. As Jesus hung on the cross, God the Father, who knew all about me, took all of my sins and put them on Jesus and punished Him in my place. WOW! See John 3:16
Talk about proving God’s love for me! I deserved to be punished and eternally separated from God, and all that is good. BUT JESUS went to the cross to be punished in my place so that God could forgive my sins and accept me.
Jesus took all of the wrath/punishment I deserved, and died. I need to really get this understanding and amazing act of love into my heart and soul!
There was physical pain but that was nothing compared to Jesus taking on all of my sins and bearing the wrath of God for me! (WOW! I should never underestimate this – ever!)
See Romans 5:8, 10, Romans 5:16, Isa. 53:6, 2 Cor. 5:21, 1 Peter 2:24, 1 Peter 3:18
This demonstrated God’s LOVE and His amazing GRACE!
GRACE means God giving the greatest treasure to the least deserving – which is every one of us!
Jesus died, His body was taken down from the cross and placed in a tomb. On the third day Jesus came back from the dead! Death could not keep its hold on Him because He had paid the penalty. Death loses its power where there is no sin! (We know of this event as Easter Sunday)
See Acts 2:24, Matt. 28:7, 1 Cor. 15:21-22
SIN = DEATH
NO SIN = NO DEATH
Jesus remained on earth for 40 days and then ascended into heaven. Jesus commanded His followers to go into all the world and tell others what He had accomplished. God established a “by grace through faith” system as far as how He offers the gift of eternal life. God did ALL the work to make salvation possible for us through Jesus.
God calls people to believe the BAD NEWS about themselves (sin, death, works don’t work) and the GOOD NEWS of what Jesus did for them through His death and resurrection (God provided a perfect substitute, Jesus died on the cross, and was resurrected from the dead)!
Now what?
A person needs to accept this free gift of God’s amazing grace and believe the BAD NEWS and GOOD NEWS by exercising his/her faith!
(This is sometimes hard for many of us to comprehend – free gift of grace – because we are so accustomed to having to earn and deserve everything in life)
People are to trust Jesus to save them FROM sin and eternal punishment and save them TO a new life lived with and for God. God forgives their sins and gives them the gift of life with Him forever. (REFERRED TO AS SALVATION) See Ephesians 2:8-9
Every single person is saved the same way and this is the ONLY way to be saved and go to heaven – by putting his/her faith in Jesus as Savior by accepting God’s free gift of grace. As a result, they:
- Are the ones who experience God’s love!
- Are the ones whose “dead spirits” are made alive so they are able to live with God and relate to Him.
- Are “born again” – to a new, spirit-led life with God. (REFERRED TO AS BORN AGAIN) See John 3:3; they are alive not only in the physical realm but also in the spiritual realm.
- Are filled with God’s Spirit (the Holy Spirit) who indwells them so that they have the power to live a godly life
GOOD NEWS! This is the absolute best news a person could ever hear!
(This should be a relief to us to know that it’s nothing we can do except to accept God’s free gift of grace!)
This was a clear, complete, logical, sequential presentation of the BAD NEWS and the GOOD NEWS! This is the message that is of first importance! This is the life-giving message God has entrusted to us.
Those who proclaim this message will see God work as He raises people from the dead and gives them new life!
God gave us the most expensive, precious gift ever - the free gift of grace from God through our faith in Jesus.
Now remember….THAT is the absolute best news a person could ever hear!
Have you accepted this free gift of grace?
Here is a prayer that can be prayed to God. There is nothing magical about this prayer; it is merely a good example of a prayer that incorporates a full understanding of the gospel. It is helpful for a person who has no experience with prayer.
SINNER’S PRAYER
Lord Jesus, I want to become your follower.
I come to you acknowledging that I am a sinner justly deserving eternal condemnation.
I realize there is nothing I can do to make myself acceptable to you through my own efforts.
I believe you are God the Son who became a man, lived a perfect life, and then allowed yourself to be crucified.
I believe that as you hung on the cross, God the Father, knowing all about me, took all of my sins – past, present and future – put them on you and punished you in my place.
I believe you took the wrath of God for me, and you died.
I believe your body was placed in a tomb, but after paying for all of my sins, you came back from the dead and are alive forevermore.
I trust you to save me from sin and the condemnation I deserve.
You are able to do that because you were condemned in my place.
I ask you to forgive my sins and give me the gift of life eternal with you.
I ask you to save me to a new life lived with and for you.
Thank you for your love.
Give me the grace I need so that I might learn your ways and follow you every day.
In Your Name I pray, Amen.