Use this outline to help you in sharing the gospel.
1. God formed us
Talk about design. Genesis 1:27-31 God creating us in his image, likeness (meaning the same thing).
Life is precious, meaningful and purposeful. Human beings have value, dignity and worth
We are not an Accident, with no point or future. Ps 139 talks about God knitting us together in our mothers womb, so on.
We are not animals… we see like God, we hear like God, we communicate like God, we can love and show mercy like God, we can forgive as God does, we are creative like God, we can create and build some spectacular, beautiful things, we love art, music, food, nature/creation, relationships, etc.
We did not evolve over millions of years.
We are in fact the crown, the pinnacle of God’s creation. Ephesians 1 God planned and thought of us before the creation of the world. The Creator seeks relationship with us, not animals.
John 1 Jesus (God’s Son) did not come as an animal, but took the form of a human being. He became a physical man as well as remain God.
2. Sin deformed us
Talk about chaos, disorder, rebellion and sin.
Genesis 3, Adam and Eve (first parents). Tell the story. People relate to stories…
God made them to Rule and be Fruitful. They were kings in the garden over everything God made. They had freedom…
God only put one prohibition on them (2:17) ‘You must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil’.
Did they obey or rebel? They chose to rebel and exchange the truth for a lie. They disobeyed God.
Sin had a consequence. Like a virus on a computer, it infects corrupts files.
Sin affects our thinking today, our relationship with God and others. Every part of us and every area of life.
Sin separated Adam and Eve from God. They were asked to leave the garden of Eden, away from the presence of God.
We still today live with the consequences. We need someone to come who can rescue us…
3. Christ Jesus transforms us
Talk about deliverance, salvation, pardon and forgiveness
Genesis 3:15 ‘the seed of the woman will crush the serpents head’
Jesus came and sacrificed himself on a cross for us. There He took our place, our punishment our sin.
Jesus on the cross crushed our greatest enemy Satan ‘disarmed the powers and authorities… made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross’ (Colossians 2:15).
The cross is God’s great act of rescue.
Remember what Jesus means; ‘God saves’
Jesus came to save us from disorder, sin and death. By dying for us he took God’s wrath upon Himself so we could know pardon and forgiveness
Jesus can exchange our condemned life with his life, which is eternal life. Where we will spend and live with God forever.
Jesus through his death, resurrection and ascension declares and guarantees us victory over sin and death.
The bible declares; we are a ‘new creation in Christ Jesus’.
4. The bible instructs us
Talk about your story (testimony). Take 3 minutes.
Talk about the importance of decision. What it means to be a Christian, a follower of Jesus. The difference it has made.
John 1, show people they can become ‘Children of God’…
v12 shows we MUST do two things: (1) Receive Jesus & (2) Believe in Jesus “To all who receive him, to those who believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God”.
A Christian, according to the Word of God, is someone who:
1. BELIEVES in Jesus Christ. This means turning from sin (repentance) and trusting completely in Jesus and his teaching.
2. RECEIVES Jesus Christ into their life as Saviour, Master & King.
3. FOLLOWS Jesus Christ wholeheartedly. This will mean as ‘children of God’ now we will seek to put God first, we will worship Him, love him, serve Him & totally surrender our all to Him.
Jesus said, “I will be with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). God’s living presence will be with YOU forever.
God promises: “Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).
May this be helpful. Remember that the gospel is still the power of God unto salvation.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark S.