The Simple Gospel (Baptism: Cliff) -- 10/31/10

The Simple Gospel -- Sunday, October 31, 2010

* This is a simple outline we used in the Sunday morning service, in conjunction with the baptism of Cliff Simpson. May these simple truths grip us, as we meditate on them and share them with others.

GOD

Creator……. Gen. 1:1; often read of God, “which made heaven and earth” (Ps. 121:2, etc.)

Holy………. Is. 57:15; Is. 6:3; I Sam. 2:2. Holy = set apart; in a class by Himself. When Moses asked what His name was, God had no one to compare Himself to (I am who I am -- Ex. 3:14).

Righteous… Deut. 32:4; Ps. 11:7. Righteousness is a part of who God is. The Lord is always right.

Sovereign… Ps. 115:3; 135:6. God is over all. Note the recurring designation “Almighty.”

MAN

Creature….. God is Creator; man is created being. God is sovereign; man is not. Ps. 8:3-4.

Sinner……. Man is not holy & righteous, as God is. Rom. 3:10-18; Is. 53:6; Rom. 3:23.

PROBLEM = Sin

From man’s viewpoint… Cut off from God > As a result, bound for hell. This separation began with Adam. Is. 59:2; John 3:36 (under the wrath of God)

Dead > Eph. 2:1-3

From God’s viewpoint… His creatures have become His enemies. Man was created for God’s glory, but where is the glory, when man has rebelled against His Creator?

SOLUTION

Man’s… Be religious (strive to reach God) -- Babel (Gen. 11); Nicodemus (John 3:1-8)

Get better -- But how good? Perfection required

Compensation (good deeds outweigh bad) -- Rom. 3:23

Comparison (I’m better than many others) -- Luke 18:9-14 (the Pharisee & the publican)

God’s… Jesus Christ (John 1:14; Gal. 4:4)

Life He lived… John 8:29; 4:34; Heb. 4:15

Lamb of God… John 1:29,36; I Cor. 5:7. Jesus died (I Pet. 3:18; I John 4:8-10; Rom. 3:20-28)

Life in Me……. Man is born dead in his trespasses and sins. Jesus lives, but how can I have that life in me?

What life? Jesus’ life. He not only died, but He rose again. But how can that holy, resurrected life be in me, who carries the stench of spiritual death? (See Psalm 15)

Miracle required for me to be an appropriate dwelling place for the Son of God (John 3:1-8)

Miracle demonstrated through repentance & faith (Mark 1:15; Eph. 2:8-9)

NEW CREATION -- Eph. 2:10; II Cor. 5:17