Principles of the Gospel (100125)

Text: 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

Opening: We have thus far looked at the “Principles of Soul-Winning” which included the mandate (the command) to proclaim the Gospel, the motive in proclaiming the Gospel, and the ministry of the one proclaiming the Gospel.

We next looked at the “Preparation of a Soul-Winner.” One of the first things that a soul-winner needs is to have a full understanding of what exactly happened to them when they got saved.

Tonight we come to the “Principles of the Gospel.”

A thorough understanding of the Gospel message is vital in soul winning.

A serious soul winner must be “saturated” with the message of the Gospel!

And, I will remind you of something that I stated last week:

If all you know is the Bible, just give them the Bible!

The Principles of Soul Winning, while there are many ways to state, are…

#1: Man’s Problem

#2: God’s Remedy

#3: Man’s Choice

#1: Man’s Problem

At some point, a person must realize that they have a problem and that they are not the answer!

All Have Sinned

How many ways, from the Bible, aside from Romans 3:23, can you “prove” this truth?

And, because all have sinned, we must understand…

Sin Separates from God

Not only does sin separate us from God but…

Sin Condemns Mankind to Hell

John 3:17–18 KJV 1900

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

#1: Man’s Problem

#2: God’s Remedy

The Gospel is not just a presentation of the darkness and destructiveness of sin.

The “good news” of the Gospel is that God freely offers the forgiveness of those sins through Jesus Christ to all who will receive Him.

1 Corinthians 15:3 KJV 1900

…Christ died for our sins…

John 3:16 KJV 1900

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.

It is imperative that the soul winner understand and master the answer to this question: Who is Jesus Christ?!?!

We call this the deity of Christ.

Why is this important? Why is this imperative to the Gospel?

Because…

Only God can offer the sinless sacrifice needed for our sins!

So,

If Jesus Christ is not God than His death upon the cross, for us, would have been useless!

God’s remedy “hinges” upon whether or not Jesus Christ is God!

Can you “prove,” from Scripture, that Jesus is God?1?!

Last week, we looked at, from the Bible, how that…

Divine names are given to Christ and claimed by Christ.

Jesus Christ is called “God.” And, Jesus Christ accepted worship as God.

Divine attributes are ascribed to Christ and possessed by Him.

Jesus was pre-existent.

Jesus is self-existent.

Jesus Christ is/was uncreated; He has always been and He is dependent upon no one/nothing.

Jesus Christ has life-giving power.

Tonight, we want to continue to consider, from the Bible, the deity of Jesus Christ in that…

Divine attributes are ascribed to Christ and possessed by Him.

Jesus Christ is omnipotent.

Ryrie’s Basic Theology G. Omnipotence

Omnipotence means that God is all-powerful and able to do anything consistent with His own nature.

God is omnipotent. Jesus Christ is God. Therefore, Jesus Christ is omnipotent.

Jesus Christ is omnipotent. God is omnipotent. Therefore, Jesus Christ is God.

Matthew 28:18 KJV 1900

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Revelation 1:18 KJV 1900

I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

John 17:2 KJV 1900

As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

Ephesians 1:20–22 KJV 1900

Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

Hebrews 1:3 KJV 1900

Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

Hebrews 2:8 KJV 1900

Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.

Practical application - aside from salvation:

There is no problem too big God cannot solve it There is no mountain too tall He cannot move it There is no storm too dark God cannot calm it There is no sorrow too deep He cannot soothe it

If He carried the weight of the world Upon His shoulders I know, my brother, that He will carry you If He carried the weight of the world Upon His shoulders I know, my sister, that He will carry you

Jesus Christ is omnipotent.

Jesus Christ is omniscient.

Ryrie’s Basic Theology I. Omniscience

Omniscience means that God knows everything, things actual and possible, effortlessly and equally well.

John 16:30 KJV 1900

Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.

John 2:24 KJV 1900

But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men,

Colossians 2:2–3 KJV 1900

…and of Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Mark 2:8 KJV 1900

And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?

John 1:48 KJV 1900

Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.

Jesus Christ is omniscient.

Jesus Christ is omnipresent.

Ryrie’s Basic Theology H. Omnipresence

Omnipresence means that God is everywhere present with His whole being at all times.

Matthew 18:20 KJV 1900

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Matthew 28:20 KJV 1900

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Ephesians 1:23 KJV 1900

Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Understanding Ephesians 1:18-19 The eyes of your understanding being en- lightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power

Thus, in the local church is the potential fulness of Him who can and at His discretion may fill all believers in all places. Again, Jesus is the head thereof.

How can we prove Christ’s deity?

Divine names are given to Christ.

Divine attributes - attributes that can only be possessed by God - are ascribed to and possessed by Christ.

Divine offices/abilities are ascribed to Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ is Creator.

John 1:1–3 KJV 1900

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Colossians 1:16–18 KJV 1900

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

Jesus Christ is Creator.

Jesus Christ has power to forgive sins.

Turn to and read Mark 2:1-12.

Jesus Christ has power over death.

John 6:39–40 KJV 1900

And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

John 6:54 KJV 1900

Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.

John 10:18 KJV 1900

No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

Jesus Christ has power over death.

How can we prove Christ’s deity?

Divine names are given to Christ.

Divine attributes - attributes that can only be possessed by God - are ascribed to and possessed by Christ.

Divine offices/abilities are ascribed to Jesus Christ.

With that firmly settled…

God’s provision for our salvation is not simply found in the Person of Jesus Christ but also in His work.

Christ’s work on Calvary was a work of redemption.

The following verses can be used to explain and clarify the work of Christ on the cross:

1 Peter 1:18–19 KJV 1900

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

Romans 5:8 KJV 1900

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Christ’s completed work of redemption is summarized in 1 Corinthians chapter 15:

1 Corinthians 15:1–4 KJV 1900

Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

This passage explains how Christ was offered up on the cross as the perfect sacrifice.

Jesus Christ fulfills the Scriptures, and He fulfills God’s righteous demand for the payment of sin by His death, His burial and His resurrection.

It is important to remember that God gave only one provision for man’s in problem.

Acts 4:12 KJV 1900

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

It has been stated that for everything God has given to man; Satan has made a counterfeit.

In the area of salvation, Satan has helped man devise hundreds - thousands - of supposed ways to gain salvation that are contrary to the Bible.

Men would like to believe that they have the power to save themselves, but the Scriptures plainly teach that salvation is found through Jesus Christ alone.

The Principles of Salvation:

#1: Man’s Problem

#2: God’s Remedy

#3: Man’s Choice

#3: Man’s Choice