Presenting the Gospel
Notes
Transcript
Handout
I. Sharing the Gospel
I. Sharing the Gospel
Before we can present the gospel effectively, we must understand it clearly.
A. Understanding the Gospel
Before you can clearly share the gospel with someone else, you need to be clear on what the gospel is - and isn’t.
Some people view outreach as...
Some preach ideas instead of scripture. When you preach ideas you can only preach to those who agree with your ideas, but if you preach the Bible, you can preach to everyone! Truth transcends time and culture.
God’s thoughts are always right, and always relevant. In our passage of scripture this morning Paul clearly identifies the gospel message. The death, burial, and resurrection.
Avoid the Extremes
Some people over complicate the gospel. They SO
front-load it with elaborate terminology and extra-biblical requirements that becomes more of a discussion point among mature Christians than a gospel invitation to the lost.
It seems some Christians expect an above-average emotional display combined with deep theological knowledge on the part of the lost man in order to be convinced he is truly converted…
In truth, volumes could be written on the doctrine of salvation. But those of us who have shared the gospel with lost people and have people come to Christ know that no one understands all the theology behind salvation the day they are saved, nor do they need to.
They simply need to understand that Jesus died and rose for their sins and turn in faith to Christ.
While others oversimplify it, leaving out crucial elements… Acts 20:21
21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
I will not use word’s like repentance, but we ought to still be able to help people understand what it means to turn from something unto Christ.
Stay balanced—present the full message of salvation without adding or taking away from its core truths.
Emphasize the essentials: Christ's death, burial, and resurrection.
2. Have a Plan
Be prepared with key Scriptures (Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, John 3:16, Romans 10:9-10).
Use a structured approach such as the "Romans Road" or “ABCs of Salvation” (Admit, Believe, Confess).
Practice explaining the gospel in a clear and concise manner.
B. Giving a Clear Presentation
A clear gospel presentation should be simple, biblical, and focused on Christ.
1. Understand That God Loves You
John 3:16– God’s love is the foundation of the gospel.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Salvation is an act of love, not just a religious requirement...
13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
(If you are talking to someone who may be from a different background especially catholic, where they seem hesitant that someone could really know they are going to heaven. maybe have them read the word, “Know” 1 John 5:13 to emphasize it’s significance to them.)
So, if God loves us and wants us to know we have eternal life, why doesn’t everyone automatically go to heaven? That’s what we have to understand next...
2. Realize Your Condition
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
The Bible tells us that we are all lost in sin. Sin is any act contrary to God’s law and commandments. Sin separates us from God, and we cannot save ourselves.
12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
3. Notice God’s Price for Sin
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
A wage is what you earn for what you do… Ex. A man who earns a paycheck...
Even so, we deserve an eternal death in hell for the sins we have committed. The penalty for sin is eternal separation from God...
Some may believe they can pay for the sins they have committed. This may seem logical, but it’s not what the Bible says.
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
4. Believe That Christ Died for You
Though we deserve eternal death for our sin, Jesus paid our payment when He died for us. We were lost and separated from God, but he loved us...
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Jesus took our punishment, fulfilling God’s justice while offering mercy. The work of Jesus on the cross for us is God’s ultimate proof of His love for you. He may give additional proof, but He can give no greater proof.
If the cross is the ultimate demonstration of God’s love, it is also the ultimate demonstration of man’s hatred. It also proves that the height of man’s hatred can’t defeat the height of God’s love.
The demonstration of God’s love isn’t displayed so much in that Jesus died, but it is seen in whom Jesus died for — undeserving sinners and rebels against Him.
5. Confess Your Faith in Christ
To have a relationship with God and an eternal home in heaven we must stop trusting ourselves, our works, or our religion and place our full trust in the Lord Jesus Christ alone for forgiveness of our sins and eternal life.
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Salvation is personal—each individual must respond to Christ.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
God himself promises that if you realize your sinful condition and confess Christ as your Saviour, trusting the payment He made for your sin and turning to Him alone to be your Saviour, He will save you.
C. Leading to a Decision
Encourage the person to respond—don’t force them, but also don’t leave them uncertain… Be sensitive to the Holy spirit and how He is convicting them...
Ask questions… You can finally ask, “Would you like to turn to Christ in faith and call on the Lord for Salvation now?”
If a person is hesitant to respond, ask what would keep them from turning to Christ.. (Always be dependent on the Holy Spirit.) If they have sincere questions we ought to respond with wisdom.
If they need to be urged to Christ then urge them not to delay a decision...
Ex. Often if you have gotten to this point … Ask them to call out to God, but if they seem hesitant than you can lead them in prayer just remember to make it known that they are praying to God and not to you, and they need to mean it in their heart...
“Dear Lord, I know that I am separated from you because of sin. I confess that in my sin I cannot save myself. Right now I turn to you alone to be my Saviour. I ask you to save me from the penalty of my sin, and I trust you to provide eternal life to me. Amen.”
II. Dealing with Common Questions
II. Dealing with Common Questions
It is probably every new soul winner’s greatest fear - What if someone asks me a question to which I don’t know the answer?
Let me put your fear to rest - it will happen. And it’s okay. If you wait to witness until you know the Bible answer to every conceivable question, you’ll never share the gospel until you get to heaven...
Many people have objections to the gospel. We must answer them with grace and truth.
A. Common Objections and Responses
“I have always been a Christian.”
No one is born a christian. Being raised in a Christian home doesn’t equal salvation
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
2. “I’ve asked God to forgive me many times.”
Another variant of this is, “I pray every day.”
Forgiveness is not the same as salvation. We ought to explain that praying to receive Christ as Saviour is different than repeated prayer. It is a prayer of faith, believing in Christ’s ability and willingness to save, and is a one-time decision.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
3. “This is too simple I need to do something to earn it.”
If we could earn salvation, it wouldn’t be a gift… It wouldn’t be grace.
Salvation is simple because Jesus did the hard work.
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
4. “I’m good enough. I’m not a very bad sinner.”
No one is righteous apart from Christ (Romans 3:10, Isaiah 64:6
6 But we are all as an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; And we all do fade as a leaf; And our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
5. “Doesn’t death end everything? How do we know there is a real heaven and hell?”
Jesus spoke clearly about heaven and hell (Luke 16:19-31, John 14:2-3).
The resurrection of Christ proves life after death (1 Corinthians 15:20-22).
27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
6. “I don’t want to give up my lifestyle or my friends.”
Following Christ brings greater joy and eternal rewards...
36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
7. “As long as I’m sincere in what I believe, that’s all that matters.”
Sincerity does not determine truth (John 14:6, Acts 4:12
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
B. The Deity of Christ
One of the most important truths for a soul winner - for every Christian- is to have a firm grasp on the deity of Christ. False teachers and cults will attack the truth that Jesus is, in fact, God.
A vital part of the gospel is recognizing who Jesus is—He is not just a good man, but God in the flesh.
It is Shown Through His Names
Jesus is called “Lord” (Philippians 2:10-11), “God” (John 1:1), and “Immanuel” (Matthew 1:23).
2. It is Shown Through His Works
He forgave sins (Mark 2:5-7), performed miracles, and raised the dead.
3. It is Shown Through Worship
Jesus accepted worship (Matthew 14:33, John 20:28), something only God can do.
4. It is Shown Through His Attributes
He is eternal (John 8:58), all-powerful (Matthew 28:18), and sinless (Hebrews 4:15).
5. It is Shown Through His Resurrection
The resurrection is the ultimate proof of His deity (Romans 1:4
4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
You may not always have the answer to someones question, and it’s fine to say, “That’s a great question; let’s talk again when I can give you an answer from the Bible.”
Always continue to grow in your Bible knowledge...
III. Making a Soulwinning Visit
III. Making a Soulwinning Visit
As you study the New testament you will find that every gospel presentation opportunity was different and unique… Ex. (Nicodemus.)
Majority of the time you will find that you will need to be the one to initiate the conversations much like Jesus did with the woman at the well.
When visiting people to share the gospel, be intentional and respectful.
A. Example Conversations
For a Doorknocking or Canvassing Visit
Keep the conversation short and engaging.
Share a simple gospel message and invite them to church.
Offer a gospel tract and ask if they have questions.
2. For a Specific Visit (Follow-up, Friend, Family Member, etc.)
Build rapport before jumping into the gospel.
Listen to their concerns and objections.
Use personal testimony and Scripture to point them to Christ.
B. Practical Tips
Be Prayerful – Ask God for wisdom and discernment (James 1:5).
Be Bold but Gentle – Speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).
Be Prepared – Have a plan and know key Scriptures.
Be Patient – Not everyone will respond immediately, but God’s Word does not return void (Isaiah 55:11).
Conclusion
Conclusion
The gospel is the power of God for salvation (Romans 1:16
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
We must be faithful in sharing it clearly and confidently.
Will you commit to presenting the gospel to at least one person this week?
