Principles of the Gospel (4)

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.

Currently we have been looking at 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?!

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.

That is…

#2: God’s Remedy

Last…

#3: Man’s Choice

Man’s problem of sin and God’s remedy for sin through Jesus Christ are the first two aspects of the Gospel, but man’s problem will only be solved if he makes the choice to accept God’s remedy by faith.

Understanding the Gospel

Before a man can be saved, he must first fully understand that he is a sinner in need of a Savior.

This understanding is necessary if he is to repent before God and accept Christ as Savior by faith.

Acts 20:21 KJV 1900

Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

Notice the main verse that I used this past Sunday:

Acts 26:18 KJV 1900

To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

Repentance and faith go hand in hand.

Repentance means to turn around and go in the opposite direction, or to change one’s mind.

A man repents when he realizes that he is a sinner before God, that he deserves God’s righteous judgment, and that he can do nothing to save himself.

Faith is turning to and trusting in Jesus Christ.

Faith is believing that Jesus Christ is the only means by which to be forgiven and to receive eternal life.

Repentance and faith cannot be separated; they work together in the single action of turning from self-effort and trusting in Jesus Christ as Savior.

When a man trusts God, he first confesses himself a sinner in need of salvation and then acknowledges his understanding of God’s remedy for him through the Gospel.

Understanding the Gospel

Exercising Genuine Faith

I have stated this many times…

Everyone has faith.

What (or who) is that faith in?

It is entirely possible for a person to know that he is a sinner and that Christ died for his sins yet still not be saved.

A simple head knowledge of the Gospel does not save a person from his sin, nor does it give him the hope of eternal life.

Hebrews 11:6 KJV 1900

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Exercising genuine faith is claiming, by personal choice, God’s promises and relying exclusively upon Christ’s work on the cross to be sufficient payment for sin.

Genuine faith involves choice.

Every individual must choose whether to accept or to reject Christ.

John 1:12–13 KJV 1900

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: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Genuine faith involves trust.

There is no room for trusting in anything (or anyone) other than Christ!

Illustration: Witnessing to Catholic couple. “In order to be saved from the fire in their home, they would have to let go totally of their faith in the house for protection and safety and completely trust the firemen.

Faith involves trusting, relying, grasping, claiming, seizing, and believing.

Each of these words involves taking possession of something.

Exercising Genuine Faith

It is history when one says, “Christ died on Calvary.”

It is theology when one says, “Christ died on Calvary for the sins of mankind.”

It is salvation when one can say, “Christ died on Calvary for my sins, and I have accepted Him as my personal Savior.”

Romans 10:16 KJV 1900

But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

#1: Man has a problem.

#2: God offers a remedy.

#3: Man has a choice.