A Basic Outline of the Gospel

A Basic Outline of the Gospel 1. God has a Purpose for us. We were created to have a loving relationship with Him and to know true happiness in that relationship. (Colossians 1:16; John 17:3; John 10:10; John 7:37-38; Psalm 16:11; 34:8-10) 2. But there’s a Problem. Sin separates us from God, both now and forever. The letter “i” in “sin” reminds us that the primary problem is my self-centeredness. We face three major problems: We are confused about what is true and right, guilty because of our sin, and rebellious in our lives toward God. (Romans 6:23; Isaiah 59:2; Romans 3:23; 2 Thessalonians 1:9; Hebrews 9:27) 3. Thankfully, God made a Provision. Jesus came to remove everything that separates us from God. He came to rescue us; “save” us. (Romans 6:23; 2 Corinthians 5:20-21; 3:16-18; Ephesians 2:11-20; Acts 26:18; 1 Timothy 2:5; Isaiah 53:4-6) a. For our confused lives he gave us his truth (by his teaching) (John 7:16-17; Matthew 23:10) b. For our sinful guilt he gave us forgiveness (by his death) (1 Peter 2:24; 3:18; Titus 3:4-7; Hebrews 9:26-28) c. For our self-centered rebellion he gave us his leadership and righteousness (by his resurrection) (1 John 2:3-6; Romans 10:9; Luke 14:23; Titus 2:11-14; Galatians 5:22-26) 4. But we must Respond. We must humbly receive God’s gift of salvation. a. This involves “turning”—confessing our sinfulness and turning to God’s ways. (Mark 1:15; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 26:20) b. And “trusting”—actively relying on Jesus as Teacher, Savior, Lord, Friend, all that he wants to be for us.. (John 1:12; Ephesians 2:8-9; Acts 20:21; Romans 10:9-10) 5. The gospel brings the following Benefits: a. Fellowship with God (John 14:23; Galatians 4:6; Revelation 3:20; 1 Peter 3:18) b. Forgiveness of sin (Acts 2:38; Ephesians 1:7; Psalm 103:2-3, 10-12) c. Freedom from sin (John 8:32-36; Romans 6:6-7) d. Fullness of life (John 10:10; 7:37-39; Psalm 16:11; Colossians 2:9-10) e. Family of God (Galatians 3:26-28; 4:4-7; Mark 10:29-30; Ephesians 2:19-22) f. Forever-life (Revelation 21:1-5, 22; 1 Corinthians 15:35-53; 2 Peter 3:10-13) This, of course, is the “expanded” version, with the content that most people in our western culture need to hear. If we were to keep reducing it for purposes of increasing simplicity for our own minds, perhaps the successive stages would look something like this:  “We can be rescued from our sinfulness and restored to a right relationship with God through having an active trust in all that Jesus is for us—especially as our Lord and Savior.” Or . . .  God, in love, is rescuing people from their sinfulness and restoring them to himself. Or . . .  Jesus loves you. This is the good news!