Group six the gospel of life

The condition of man

  Scripture: Rom. 3:23; John 3:18; Psa. 51:5; Jer. 17:9; Rom. 7:18; Eph. 2:1

  I. Man commits sinful acts.

  II. Man has a sinful nature.

  III. Man is under the judgment of God — the punishment for sin.

  IV. Man is under the rule of sin and therefore under the power of sin.

  V. In reality man is altogether a sinner.

  VI. Man is not only a sinner; he is a dead person:
   А. He is dead in his sins, having no feeling for sins whatsoever.

The way of God’s salvation

  Scripture: Isa. 53:6; Rom. 3:24; 1 Cor. 1:4; 2 Cor. 5:21

  Before speaking about the way of God’s salvation, first emphasize that the way of man is to establish his own righteousness and to improve himself.

  I. Through redemption God’s salvation solves the problem of man’s sinful acts:
   God sent His son Jesus Christ to redeem man from sin.

  II. Through resurrection God’s salvation solves the problem of man’s sinful nature:
   God raised His Son from among the dead so that man may have God’s sinless life.

The Savior of life

  Scripture: 4, John 1:14; 10:10

  I. The Savior is God coming to be a man.

  II. Within this Savior is the powerful life of God.

  III. The purpose of God coming to us as the Savior is to impart this powerful life into us.

  IV. There is only one Savior of life:
   All the philosophers, religious founders, and sages throughout the ages are unable to impart life to man. They are all dead teachers. Only Jesus is the living Savior.

What is life?

  Scripture: 1 John 1:1-2; Heb. 7:16 Hymns, #602

  I. The life that the Savior gives to man is the life of God, an eternal life.

  II. Since this life is eternal, it is not only everlasting but also fully unlimited.

  III. This life is bright and shining, holy and righteous, kind and gentle.

  IV. This life is powerful.

  V. This life contains the nature of God and all the riches in that nature.

  VI. The Savior wants to impart this life to man.

The way for man to receive life

  Scripture: Acts 11:18; John 3:16

  I. Confess:
   Man needs to confess that his own nature and behavior are corrupt and that he is dead in sin.

  II. Repent.

  III. Believe.

  IV. Call:
   Man needs to call upon the name of the Lord.

The assurance of having received this life

  Scripture: 1 John 5:10-13

  I. Assurance through God’s Word:
   А. The Word of God is the assurance that a saved one possesses this life.
   B. If one does not believe what the Word of God says, he is making God a liar.

  II. Our feelings are undependable:
   Do not depend on your feelings; depend on the Word of God.

The proof of having received this life

  Scripture: Ezek. 36:26; Titus 3:5; 1 John 3:14

  I. A person is changed psychologically.

  II. Changed in the feeling of his conscience.

  III. Changed in temperament.

  IV. Changed in mind.

  V. Changed in inclination.

  VI. Changed in life.

  VII. Changed in behavior.

  VIII. Changed in his whole being.