The GOSPEL is simply the GOOD NEWS of how God reconciled us to Himself.
Its message will be explained in nine concise, logical points that give answers that most people want to know but don’t understand beginning with God Himself, why we got separated from God in the first place and how He brought us back to Himself.
By S. S. Salas Jr.
Unless otherwise indicated all Bible quotations herein excluding words in brackets and parentheses are from the NIV
POINT ONE
THERE IS A PERSONAL GOD
HE IS THE CREATOR OF ALL THINGS
…anyone who comes to [God] must believe that he exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. (Heb. 11:6b [italics mine])
EVIDENCES OF A CREATOR
THE ONLY ADEQUATE EXPLANATION OF ORIGINS
It is impossible for nothing to be the source of everything.
The view that matter is eternal violates the law of entropy.
Only an all powerful God can create the universe.
THE ONLY SOURCE OF LIFE
The genome (the complete genetic code) of a species cannot exceed itself in the next generation. It can only vary in combination or decrease but never increase without intervention hence evolution cannot happen! There is no reproducible development into higher forms. Life cannot come from non-life. Only the living God can make life.
THE INTELLIGENE BEHIND DESIGN
The universe operates by unchanging and definite rules.
There is symmetry and order. Even what appears to be chaotic operates by definite rules. Who makes the rules? Only a very intelligent designer – God.
What are the qualities of God, our Creator?
THE PERFECT CHARACTER OF GOD
ABSOLUTE RIGHTEOUSNESS
The LORD (Yahweh) is righteous in all His ways.
(Psalm 145:17)
PERFECT JUSTICE
For the LORD (Yahweh) is a God of justice.
(Isaiah 30:18b)
COMPASSIONATE LOVE
He (God) will show compassion,
So great is His unfailing love. (Lamentations 3:32b)
With God’s perfect character, how can anything go wrong?
GOD’S CREATION BEGAN PERFECTLY
PERFECT CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE
Through [God] all things were made; without Him nothing was made that had
been made. (John 1:3)
PERFECT MAKER OF ALL LIVING CREATURES
In wisdom [God] made them all; the earth is full of [His] creatures….living things
both large and small. (Psalm 104:24b, 25c)
CREATED MAN PERFECT TO RULE THE EARTH
Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule….over all the
earth, and over all the creatures. (Genesis 1:26a,c)
How did God’s perfect work become the imperfect way it is now?
POINT TWO
PERFECT MAN FELL BECAUSE OF AN ENEMY
SATAN SABOTAGED OUR PERFECT PLANET
WITH GREAT MALICE, SATAN RUINED OUR LIVES
THE ENTICED FALL OF MAN
ADAM AND EVE CREATED PERFECT
…male and female [God] created them (perfectly). (Genesis 1:27)
DECEIVED BY THE DEVIL
You (Isha [Eve’s name before she fell]) will not surely die [when you eat the
forbidden fruit]….[instead] you will be like God, knowing good and evil.
(Genesis 3:4a, 5b)
ADAM AND EVE SINNED
She took some and ate it. She also gave to her husband, who was with her, and
he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they
were naked. (Genesis 3:6b, 7a)
What were the consequences of their sin?
LASTING CURSES SINCE THE FALL
OUR PAIN HAS BEEN GREATLY INCREASED
[God] will greatly increase your pains in child bearing, with pain will you give
birth to children. (Genesis 3:16a)
EARTH AND ITS CREATURES ARE CURSED
Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the
days of your life. (Genesis 3:17b)
SATAN IS NOW RULER OF THIS WORLD
The whole world is under the control of the evil one [Satan]. (1 John 5:19 [italics
mine])
With the above being the case, how can things get better, or will things only get from bad to worse?
POINT THREE
THE PERPETUATED SINFULNES OF MAN
From Generation to Generation
THE CONTINUING PROBLEM OF SIN
TO THIS VERY DAY
THE REALITY OF MAN’S SINFULNESS
CONCEIVED WITH A SINFUL NATURE
Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. (Psalm
51:5 [italics mine])
TEMPTED TO SIN
…each one is tempted…by his own evil desires, he is dragged away and enticed.
(James 1:14)
PRACTICE SIN
There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right [all the time] and
never sins. (Ecc. 7:20)
What are the consequences of my own sinfulness?
GOD’S PENALTY FOR MAN’S SIN
DEATH
For the wages (deserved payment) of sin is death. (Romans 6:23)
SEPARATED FROM GOD
But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his
Face from you so that He will not hear [you pray]. (Isaiah 59:2)
BOUND FOR HELL
Anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into
The lake of fire. (Rev. 20:15 NLT)
How can I pay the penalty for my sins?
POINT FOUR
THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
THE SAVIOR OF SINFUL MAN
GOD’S ONLY SOLUTION TO MAN’S PROBLEM
JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY SAVIOR
According to Jesus Himself
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the
Father except through me.” (John 14:6)
According to the Apostle Peter
Salvation is found in no-one else, for there is no other name [apart from Jesus
Christ] under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. (Acts 4:12 [italics mine])
According to the Apostle Paul
For there is one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 2:5
[italics mine])
Why is Jesus the only Savior and no other?
REASONS WHY ONLY JESUS IS QUALIFIED
ONLY ONE CONCEVED WITHOUT A SINFUL NATURE
[the Angel Gabriel assuring Joseph]….what is conceived in her (virgin Mary) is from the
Holy Spirit. (Matt. 1:20)
LIKEWISE TEMPTED TO SIN JUST AS WE ARE
…for forty days he (Jesus Christ) was tempted by the devil. (Luke 4:2)
BUT NEVER SINNED HIS ENTIRE LIFE
…we have one (Jesus Christ) who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet
was without sin. (Heb. 4:15)
As only Savior, how does Christ solve our sin problem?
HOW CHRIST SAVED US
JESUS, THOUGH SINLESS, DIED IN OUR PLACE
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died
in out place. (Romans 5:8 personal translation)
HE RESURRECTED TO LIFE IN VICTORY OVER DEATH
…he (Jesus) was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he
appeared to Peter, then to the twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five
hundred. (1 Corinthians 15:4b6)
HE ASCENDED AND NOW REIGNS ALIVE IN HEAVEN
…he (Jesus) was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
(Acts 1:9)
Knowing what Christ did for me, how do I come to Him?
POINT FIVE
GOD HIMSELF ENABLES SINFUL MEN TO COME TO CHRIST
GOD IN HIS SOVEREIGNTY
Empowers those who Recognize their need for the Savior
MAN’S COMPLETE INABILITY TO COME TO GOD
THEY ARE CAPTIVES OF THE DEVIL
[The devil] has taken them [non-believers] captive to do his will. (2 Timothy 2:26c)
WITH MINDS BLINDED BY SATAN
The god of this age (Satan) has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see
(comprehend) the light of the gospel of Christ. (2 Cor. 4:4)
ENSLAVED TO SIN
…everyone who sins [and we all do] is a slave to sin. (John 8:34b)
If I cannot come to God, how can I be saved?
WHAT MAN CANNOT DO GOD ENABLES HIM TO DO
ONLY THOSE DRAWN BY THE FATHER WILL COME TO THE SON
No-one can come to me (Jesus) unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will
raise him up at the last day. (John 6:44)
ONLY THOSE CHOSEN BY THE SON WILL BELIEVE
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit
that will last. (John 15:16)
ONLY THOSE CONVICTED (ENLIGHTENED) BY THE SPIRIT WILL TURN FROM DISBELIEF TO FAITH
[The Holy Spirit] will convict the world (population) of guilt in regard to sin and
righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me…
(John 16:8,9)
Now that God enables me, what must I do to be saved?
POINT SIX
HOW TO RESPOND TO THE SAVIOR
Individually Accepting God’s Solution For Yourself
GOD’S MEANS OF SALVAION AS HE ENABLES YOU
MAKE A PERSONAL DECISION TO BELIEVE IN CHRIST
“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” (Acts 16:31)
NOT RELYING ON YOUR OWN WORKS
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – this is not from yourselves, it is
the gift of God – not by [good] works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8,9)
DO NOT DELAY, THE TIME TO BELIEVE IS NOW
God is ready to help you now. Today is the day of salvation. (2 Cor. 6:2b NLT)
Do you want to make a genuine decision now to believe in Christ as Savior?
IF YOU WANT TO BELIEVE, THEN THE FOLLOWING IS A SUGGESTED PRAYER TO EXPRESS FAITH IN CHRIST
Dear LORD, my heavenly Father,
As You enable me, in submission to Your will, I believe in Your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ as my personal Savior who resurrected to life and fully trust Him as my undiminished infinite God. Thank You, my Father for sending You only begotten Son to die in my place on the Cross. Be the Lord of my life and teach me Your ways. Transform me day by day into the person You want me to be.
Only in Jesus’ most precious name,
I fervently trust and pray, amen
Now that I believe in Christ, what good does it do me?
THE IMMEDIATE BENEFITS OF SALVATION
YOU HAVE RECEIVED EVERLASTING LIFE FOREVER
I tell you the truth, he who believes [in Jesus as Savior] has [at that moment of faith]
everlasting life. (John 6:47)
YOU HAVE NOW BEEN RECONCILED TO GOD
All this (believes becoming a new creation) is from God, who reconciled us to himself
Through Christ. (2 Cor. 5:18a)
YOU ARE NOW BOUND FOR HEAVEN
Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus
Christ. (Philippians 3:20)
Now that I am saved, what’s next?
POINT SEVEN
A CHANGED LIFE
THE GRADUAL RESULT AFTER YOU HAVE ALREADY BEEN SAVED
GOD’S SOLUTION IN ACTION
MEANS OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH
THE ASSURANCE OF ETERNAL SECURITY
I (Jesus) give them [who believes] eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can
snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all;
no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. (John 10:28, 29)
LIVING ONE DAY AT A TIME BY THE WORD OF GOD
[The spiritual] man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from
the mouth of God. (Matthew 4:4)
THE PERMANENT INDWELLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
…God’s Spirit lives in you [who believes in Christ]. (1 Corinthians 3:16b)
EVIDENCE OF A CHANGED LIFE
REALIZATION OF THE CERTAINTY OF SALVATION
I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may
know [for a fact] that you have eternal life. (1 John 5:13)
A LIFE GUIDED BY THE TRUTH OF GOD’S WORD
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. (Psalm 119:105)
A DIVINELY EMPOWERED LIFE
…you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my
witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
(Acts 1:8)
But what about our daily physical needs?
POINT EIGHT
GOD WILL ALWAYS PROVIDE ADEQUATELY
DIVINE PROMISES OF PROVISION
GOD WILL SUPPLY ALL OUR NEEDS WITHOUT FAIL AT THE RIGHT TIME
GOD WILL PROVIDE ALL OUR DAILY NEEDS
BUT NOT NECESSARILY ALL OUR WANTS
And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 4:19 NASB)
GOD WILL NOT LET BELIEVERS
NOR THEIR CHILDREN GO HUNRY
[David testified in his old age,] “I was young and now I am old, yet you have never seen the
righteous forsaken nor their children begging bread.” (Psalm 37:25)
CONTENTMENT AND THANKFULNESS TOWARDS GOD
But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. (1 Tim. 6:8)
Give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18a)
POINT NINE
A GLIMPSE OF ETERNITY
THE BELIEVER’S INHERITANCE BEYOND THIS LIFE
FANTASTIC BLESSINGS AWAIT US
POSSESSIONS OF ALL BELIEVERS IN ETERNITY
A PERFECT INDESTRUCTIBLE AND ETERNAL SPIRITUAL BODY (1 Cor. 15:42-44)
A PERFECT, TAILORED-FIT (EXACTLY AS YOU LIKE IT) RESIDENCE IN THE NEW JERUSALEM WITH
FULL ACCESS TO THE NEW HEAVEN AND NEW EARTH (John 14:2-4; Rev. 21, 22)
PERFECTION IN THOUGHT, SPEECH, BEHAVIOR AND SERVICE JUST LIKE THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
HIMSELF BEING COMPLETELY PURGED OF MAN’S SINFUL NATURE FOREVER (1 John 3:2)
POSSESSIONS OF WINNING BELIEVERS ONLY
VARYING COMBINATIONS AND DEGREES OF ETERNAL, UNFADING REWARDS OF GLORY AT THE
BELIEVER’S SERVICE EVALUATION AT THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST (1 Cor. 3:11-15)
THE PRIVILEGE TO REIGN PERFECTLY WITH CHRIST FOR ETERNITY (Rev. 20:4-6)
THE PRIVILEGE TO BE INVITED AT THE GREATEST CELEBRATION OF THE WEDDING SUPPER OF
THE LAMB – THE LORD JESUS CHRIST (Rev. 19:9)
A FINAL WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT
You, as a new believer, need nurture from the Word of God from a mature believer plus the care and company of fellow believers in a local church, which is God’s embassy in the hostile devil’s world. The Bible welcomes you and admonishes us believers in the family of God to:
Let us not give up meeting together [to fellowship, learn and pray for each other] as some are
in the habit of doing, but let us encourage on another – and all the more as you see the day [of
Christ’s return] approaching. {Heb. 10:25 [italics mine])
For your continuing spiritual growth, please find a local church where Christ is honoured as perfect Savior and almighty Lord and where the Bible is taught as the Word of God.
As you begin your Christian life, would you like to meet again for a follow up appointment? For your convenience, perhaps we can start a Bible study with your friends in a place of you choosing.
