SLIDES

The Letter to the Galatians

Evaluation of Gospel Presentations

Part 5B

Introduction

Someone invested a lot of time and money in a new business venture. Part of that expense was for advertising.  The day of the grand opening was approaching fast. They were very busy every day and rushed. As a result, the information sent to the firm was late. Getting the information to the advertising firm late also caused them to rush to get the order ready for the grand opening date. On the day of the grand opening, it was brought to the owner’s attention that the address on all the of the advertising was incorrect. It was the owner’s home address not his business address. Do you think that the incorrect address on all the advertising caused a problem for the owner? Potential customers could not get to the business because they were given the wrong address.

When sharing the Gospel to the lost, it is imperative that the way to get to heaven is clear, complete, and accurate. After all, what is at stake is whether a person goes to heaven or hell.

For the last several of weeks, we have reviewed that Jesus died, was buried, and was resurrected to give sinners eternal life to those who trust Him. That is the Gospel - pure and simple.  We discussed that when witnessing to individuals we should present a complete, accurate, and clear presentation.  After presenting the Gospel, one should stress that receiving forgiveness of sin and eternal life ls by trusting Christ as Savior. There is nothing one can do to receive salvation except to trust in Christ as Savior.  Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.  We discussed some proper closings and now we are going to discuss some improper closings.                                                           

2.  Improper Closings

It is important to remember that the clearer the message of the Good News the more powerful the message.  There are times when improper language is used that works against the simple faith, trust, or belief as presented in the Bible concerning salvation.

A. Confession – The word confession means “to agree with.”  When one confesses, one agrees with God that he or she is a sinner, and that Jesus is God. Confession to both of these are prerequisites to salvation, not conditions for it. If someone does not acknowledge he is a sinner, then he will not feel a need for salvation. Also, one must confess or agree that Jesus is God before one can be saved. This is a stumbling block to the Jewish people.

B.  "Ask Jesus into your heart" - Is the biblical issue of trusting in Jesus who died for our sins being communicated here? Would this not be confusing to a child who thinks in terms of concrete ideas instead of abstract ideas?  How does asking Jesus into your heart convey the biblical message?  (Illustration of mother and daughter) Nowhere in Scripture does it say that a person can ask Jesus into their heart to be saved. Let’s look at Galatians 4:6.

Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”

C.  "Give your heart to Christ" - The issue here is twofold.  One, the issue of having our sins removed is not what we can give God to save us but what He gives to us as a free gift. Second, Jeremiah 17:9 says,

“The heart is more deceitful than all else

And is desperately sick;

Who can understand it?”

Does the New Testament teach that giving our deceitful, desperately wicked heart to God save us?  No.  The problem is that we need a new heart from Him. In Ezekiel 36:26 God promised to give Israel a new heart as part New Covenant that we are part of.

26 “Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

The Old Testament speaks about God giving Israel a new heart and a new spirit under the New Covenant. Since we are part of the New Covenant, we also receive a new heart which is equivalent to a new spirit or a new nature. As a matter of fact, there is absolutely nothing we can offer Him to remove our sins. So no, giving Jesus our heart to Jesus is not the way one receives forgiveness of sin and eternal life.

D. "Give your life to Christ” - Again the issue of salvation is not what we give to God to remove our sins but what He gives to us as a free gift that we can receive.  The New Testament, particularly Paul, speaks of the old man, the old nature, the flesh as synonymous terms.  Does giving God this old sinful man that one was born with save someone?  No.   1 John 5:11 says, And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son."  The issue is receiving God's gift of His' life, not us giving our sinful, unholy, unrighteous life to Him.

E.  "Invite Christ into your life" - Remember that it is Christ who does the inviting.  Another form of this is "open up the door of you heart" which is based on Revelation 3:20, “Behold I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.” This verse was written to the Laodicean church as a whole and is an invitation for fellowship not salvation.  Again, children think in concrete not abstract terms. We can certainly be clearer in our presentation of the message of the Good News.

F.  "Make Christ Lord of your life" Other forms of this are "Make Christ Lord and Savior" and "Surrender your life to Christ"- Jesus is Lord.   When one obeys the command to "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ," one is ascribing the divine nature and attributes to Jesus as Yahweh of the Old Testament.  This verse is not saying to make Him Lord but trust in Jesus who is God, Yahweh of the Old Testament.  One must believe that Jesus is God before He can be saved as seen in Roman 10:9 which says, “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord (Jesus as Yahweh of the Old Testament) and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Confession that Jesus is God is a prerequisite of salvation, not a condition for it.  So, in Galatians 1:3 Paul was saying that both the Father and Jesus are God. “ Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ…” This is not only where grace and peace come from, but Paul’s calling and the Good News he was preaching. The word “make” is used in the NASB New Testament 171 times. In none of the 171 occurrences is the word “make” to suggest someone has to make Jesus anything to be Lord. 

Sometimes people mix justification (salvation) and sanctification (maturity or growing in Christ) in a message of the Good News presentation. Salvation is free to us but costly to God in the death of His son, Jesus.   Sanctification or maturity or growing in Christ costs us everything.  Romans 12:1 says," Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.”   Submission to the Lordship of Christ in our lives is not a condition of salvation but is crucial to the growing in Christ after one is saved.  Appeals for dedication or for surrender like in Romans 12:1 is addressed in the New Testament to believers not to unbelievers needing salvation.

Now, let us not look at some gospel presentation to determine if they are biblical, clear, accurate, and complete.

Several weeks ago I heard this gospel presentation or really a non-gospel presentation recently. “If you have never given you life to Christ, come and do so today.”

What is needed to obtain salvation?

Salvation is being saved or rescued from the penalty of separation from God. To be saved from your sin, take these three steps: Ask forgiveness for your sins; be willing to turn from your sins; and believe that Jesus Christ—our Lord and Savior—died for your sins and rose again.

What things are necessary for salvation?

The belief that God exists and that he will bless those who attempt to please him are directly related to salvation. So are belief in Jesus as Savior (Acts 4:12), and the means by which we receive salvation, such as the need for repentance and faith.  

What are the 6 steps to salvation?

Hear the Gospel

Believe the Gospel

Repent of past sins

Confess faith in Jesus Christ

Be Baptized

Be faithful unto death

Here is how you can receive Christ:

Admit your need. (I am a sinner.)

Be willing to turn from your sins (repent) and ask for God's forgiveness.

Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross and rose from the grave.

Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life through the Holy Spirit. (Receive Jesus as Lord and Savior)

How can I be saved by God? What are the steps to be saved?

In order for us to receive forgiveness of our sins through Jesus, and therefore eternal life, we must accept the salvation which Christ has made possible. There are six steps which we must take to receive this salvation, as outlined in the Bible.

1. Hear

First, we must hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

2. Believe

Second, one must believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:16). Jesus said: “…if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins” (John 8:24).

3. Repent

Third, one must repent of his sins in order to be saved.

When the Jews on Pentecost Day learned from Peter that they had crucified the Son of God, they “were cut to the heart” (Acts 2:37). They wanted to be forgiven of their sins, so they asked, “What shall we do?” They were told to “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…” (Acts 2:37-38).

When one repents, he turns away from his sins (1 Thessalonians 1:9).     

1 Thess. 1:9 For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and a true God,

4. Confess

Fourth, one must confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.

5. Be Baptized

Fifth, one must be baptized in order to be saved.

6. Remain faithful to God

The Bible makes it clear that anyone who is willing to come to Christ and humbly submit himself to His terms and commandments can and will be saved. However, there is more to becoming a Christian than just being saved.

In order to be saved from an eternity in hell, you just need to understand a few simple things.

Realize we have all done what is wrong

The punishment for the wrong we've done, is an eternity in hell

You must be perfect to go to heaven

Man cannot save himself. He needs God's help

God loves us. Christ died for our sins, taking our punishment, so we don't have to go to hell

Salvation is a free gift to EVERYONE.

Salvation is by Faith Alone

So, what must I do to be saved? Since we cannot do anything on our own to be justified before God, how exactly do we get saved? This question was asked in the Bible and a simple answer was provided in response:

Acts 16:30-31 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

Simply believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, that’s all it takes. This may sound too simple for many people, especially those who are used to doing something to earn something. But salvation works differently!

I want to encourage you and challenge you to examine your presentation of the Good News whether it is one on one, giving of a tract, or in small group meeting.  Examine your Gospel presentation to see if it is consistent with what the Bible presents and if it is complete, accurate, and clear.  So, remember that the eternal destiny of Jews and Gentiles, men and women, boys and girls hangs in the balance.