TEXT: 1 COR. 15:1-22
INTRODUCTION: God gives a very solemn warning in Ezekiel 33:8 and 9. He says “if thou
dost not warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his
iniquity; but his blood will I require at thy hand. Nevertheless, if thou warn
wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, that wicked
man shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.” If you
profess to be a true Christian today, when was the last time you witnessed to
an unsaved person? Have you ever told them what Christ has done for you and
what He can likewise do for them? When was the last time you passed out a
Gospel tract? It is easy for us to criticize the cultists (who erringly claim
to be Christians) who knock on our doors from time to time, but could teach us
something about zeal. We’re the ones who should be knocking on doors to tell
the unsaved of their need of Christ as their own and personal Saviour.
ELEMENTS OF THE TRUE
GOSPEL
When you preach, these are some of the most important message
God expects you to communicate…..
A. CHRIST WAS CRUCIFIED FOR OUR SINS….
In love God offers His Son as a “propitiation”
(sacrifice) for our sins! (1 Jn.4:9-10). This is fundamental to the gospel Paul
preached (1 Cor.15:1-3). It was as foretold by the Old Testament scriptures
(Isa.53:4-6). Why did Jesus die for our sins? Because we are all sinners!
(ROM.3:23) and the wages of sin is death! (Rom.6:23).
B. CHRIST WAS RAISED
FROM THE DEAD….
Raising Jesus verifies the justification offered on the
cross! (Rom.4:25). This also is fundamental to the gospel Paul preached (1
Cor.15:5-8). It was also proclaimed by Peter in the first gospel sermon (Acts
2:22-32). Christ was seen by many eyewitnesses (1 Cor. 15:5-8).
C. CHRIST IS EXALTED AS
KING AND SAVIOR…..
God has made Jesus ruler over the kings of the earth!
(Rev.1:5). He is now both Lord and Christ (Acts 2:33-36). He is head over all
things (Eph. 1:20-23). All authorities and powers are now subject to Him
(1Peter 3:22).
D. CHIST IS COMING
AGAIN…..
His coming will cause many to mourn, while others rejoice
(REV. 1:7; 22:20), as promised when He ascended to heaven (Acts 1:9-11). Christ
is coming to offer both rest and tribulation (2Thess. 1:7-10); rest to those
who responded to the call of the gospel (2Thess.2:13-14) and tribulation to
those who obeyed not the gospel (2Thess.1:8-9).
YOUR FIRST LOVE…. What
Happened?
In Matthew Chapter 10 and verses 32 and 33, Jesus said,
“Whosoever, therefore, shall confess Me before men, him shall I confess also
before My Father, which is in Heaven. But whosoever shall deny Me before men,
him will I also deny before My Father which is in Heaven. “Perhaps the reader
of these words is a professing Christian who was once noted for their spiritual
boldness in witnessing for their professed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, but
today you are silent. For various reasons, known but to you, God and Devil,
you’re no longer a faithful testimony to God’s love, mercy and grace expressed
in His dear Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Remember what the Lord said in
Revelation 2:4, “Nevertheless, I have
somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.” HAVE YOU
LOST YOUR FIRST LOVE?
Discuss: Why many Christians do not
evangelize. What are the practical ways out of this?
MEMORY VERSE:
1 Corinthians 9:16.
