By way of review….

So far we have sought to explore the question

Why Don’t We Evangelize? and the corollary solution And How Can We Get Better At It!

We closed our last session (on Resurrection Sunday) with these two basic ideas about evangelism:

1. Evangelism isn’t a method
2. Evangelism is a way of life based upon God’s work in my life (theological/doctrinal)

“The way to tell whether in fact you are evangelizing is not to ask whether conversions are known to have resulted from your witness. It is to ask whether you are faithfully making known the gospel message.” J.I. Packer, Evangelism & The Sovereignty Of God, p. 41

What the Gospel is…

1. The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes. (Romans 1:16)
2. The Gospel is a message of mercy from the Holy God to people who have violated (and are violating) His commands (Romans 5:8-10)
3. The Gospel is a message of hope to people without hope and without God in this world (Ephesians 2:12)
4. The Gospel is a message of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:19) to people separated from God by sin;
5. The Gospel is a message of grace toward people who deserve the righteous anger of the Holy God.
6. The Gospel is a message of the cross (1 Cor. 1:18) which is central to the Gospel.
7. The Gospel is a message which believers have been given the privilege of proclaiming.
8. The Gospel is the good news of how God reconciles His rebellious image bearers to himself by the death and resurrection of His Son. (D.A. Carson, The Gagging Of God, p. 434)
9. The Gospel is telling people the wonderful message about God, the wonderful message about Jesus. (Mark Dever, The Gospel & Personal Evangelism, p. 82)

Some General Statements about the Gospel

1. The Gospel is a message about which all Christians need to be CLEAR.
2. The Gospel is a message about which all Christians need to be COURAGEOUS.
3. The Gospel is a message about which all Christians need to be CONFIDENT

Gospel Synopsis

• God
  • Creator/Owner
  • Holy
  • Just
  • Love
  • Gracious and Merciful

• Sin … What is it?!
  • Tim Keller:  “Ministering the Gospel requires we identify and confront the idols of our day.”

• Christ
  • Came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10
  • Came to give his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45)
  • Came to save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21)

• Faith and Repentance
  • In whom?  Jesus Christ
  • From What?  Sin

J.I. Packer, Evangelism & The Sovereignty of God, pp. 57-73

To prepare for Sunday,   May 3rd, please read Colossians 1.  Also, as in weeks past, we will give opportunity for you to encourage the class by sharing about the doors of opportunity the Lord hass opened to you this past week to proclaim the wonders of His name to others.