The Gospel Basics
Part 1 of “The Invite” message series
6 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written: “But the righteous one will live by faith.” – Romans 1:16-17 (NASB)
Now I make known to you, brothers and sisters, the gospel which I preached to you, which you also received, in which you also stand, 2 by which you also are saved, if you hold firmly to the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. 3 For I handed down to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 After that He appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; 7 then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; 8 and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also. – I Corinthians 15:1-8 (NASB)
The BIG Idea
A Biblical model for the Church to grow is to lead new people to Jesus, forge new followers of Jesus into disciples, and send out disciples to lead more people to Christ. It is two parts evangelism and one part discipleship. This is simple, but few churches in North America do it. Everyone is a minister in the Church! A “Great Commission” Christ centered Church ministers with authority, goes into all the world, makes disciples, baptizes, teaches, and obeys.
The Church is a place for broken and hurting people to learn about Jesus and study God’s Word.
The Church exists to heal those who need a Savior.
The first century Biblical model for growing the Church of Jesus is . . .
First century Christ followers called the Gospel “Good News.”
Let me now remind you, dear brothers and sisters, of the Good News I preached to you before. You welcomed it then, and you still stand firm in it. 2 It is this Good News that saves you if you continue to believe the message I told you—unless, of course, you believed something that was never true in the first place. – I Corinthians 15:1-2 (NLT)
ILLUSTRATION: Getting bad gas in your vehicle engine
“Saved” means to be saved in every way. It is about transformation.
What is the “Gospel?”
But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. – Romans 5:8 (NLT)
18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:18-20 (NASB)
What does a Great Commission Church do?
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and as far as the remotest part of the earth. – Acts 1:8 (NASB)
Questions for Reflection
Have you ever felt excluded from a group? Why or why not?
When was the last time you invited someone to a Worship Experience or Church event?
Have you ever influenced someone to learn or ask questions about Jesus?
Why is understanding the Gospel so important?
Why is inviting people to worship so important?
Do you know the Gospel?
Are you willing to grow in the Gospel?
Are you willing to share the Gospel?
Now I make known to you, brothers and sisters, the gospel which I preached to you, which you also received, in which you also stand, 2 by which you also are saved, if you hold firmly to the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. 3 For I handed down to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 After that He appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; 7 then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; 8 and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also. – I Corinthians 15:1-8 (NASB)
The BIG Idea
A Biblical model for the Church to grow is to lead new people to Jesus, forge new followers of Jesus into disciples, and send out disciples to lead more people to Christ. It is two parts evangelism and one part discipleship. This is simple, but few churches in North America do it. Everyone is a minister in the Church! A “Great Commission” Christ centered Church ministers with authority, goes into all the world, makes disciples, baptizes, teaches, and obeys.
The Church is a place for broken and hurting people to learn about Jesus and study God’s Word.
The Church exists to heal those who need a Savior.
The first century Biblical model for growing the Church of Jesus is . . .
- Make new followers of Jesus.
- Forge new followers of Jesus into disciples.
- Send out followers of Jesus to make new followers of Jesus.
First century Christ followers called the Gospel “Good News.”
Let me now remind you, dear brothers and sisters, of the Good News I preached to you before. You welcomed it then, and you still stand firm in it. 2 It is this Good News that saves you if you continue to believe the message I told you—unless, of course, you believed something that was never true in the first place. – I Corinthians 15:1-2 (NLT)
ILLUSTRATION: Getting bad gas in your vehicle engine
“Saved” means to be saved in every way. It is about transformation.
What is the “Gospel?”
- Jesus died for our sins.
But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. – Romans 5:8 (NLT)
- The Scriptures are accurate testimony.
- Jesus was buried.
- Jesus rose from the dead.
- There were witnesses to the Resurrection.
18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:18-20 (NASB)
What does a Great Commission Church do?
- Minister with authority (obey Jesus)
- Go into all the world
- Make disciples
- Baptize
- Teach
- Obey
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and as far as the remotest part of the earth. – Acts 1:8 (NASB)
Questions for Reflection
Have you ever felt excluded from a group? Why or why not?
When was the last time you invited someone to a Worship Experience or Church event?
Have you ever influenced someone to learn or ask questions about Jesus?
Why is understanding the Gospel so important?
Why is inviting people to worship so important?
Do you know the Gospel?
Are you willing to grow in the Gospel?
Are you willing to share the Gospel?