The Gospel Matters
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TITLE: The Gospel Matters
SUBJECT: Things that Matter
PROPOSITION: In this lesson we will look at the gospel. 1) What is it? 2) Why does it matter? 3) To whom does it matter? 4) Where does it matter? 5) How do we spread the gospel? 6) When does it matter?
OBJECTIVE: Each person should understand that the gospel matters.
AIM: This lesson will provide an overview of the gospel and why it matters.
INTRODUCTION:
1. Read: Acts 14:7 – “and there they preached the gospel.”
2. About the Text:
1) Paul and Barnabas were on their first missionary journey.
2) They had left Iconium and come into the region of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe.
3) They had established churches where they had been.
4) After their arrival, Luke records this simple statement.
5) Why did these men hazard their lives to proclaim this message?
6) The gospel matters.
3. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.
DISCUSSION:
I. What is the gospel?
1. In summary, the gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
2. “Now I make known unto you brethren, the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye received, wherein also ye stand, by which also ye are saved, if ye hold fast the word which I preached unto you, except ye believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which also I received: that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried; and that he hath been raised on the third day according to the scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).
3. Who is Jesus Christ?
4. “Many other signs therefore did Jesus in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book: but these are written, that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye may have life in his name” (John 20:30-31).
5. God came down to earth, lived perfectly as a man, taught us how to live, died on the cross for our sins, and returned to heaven to reign.
II. Why does the gospel matter?
1. It is God’s power for salvation today.
2. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is revealed a righteousness of God from faith unto faith: as it is written, But the righteous shall live by faith” (Romans 1:16-17).
3. Without the gospel, no one would be saved.
4. “And in none other is there salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
III. To whom does the gospel matter?
1. It matters to me and you, and to everyone.
2. “And Jesus came to them and spake unto them, saying, All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth. Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:18-20).
3. The gospel is personal in nature; it makes a difference to every individual.
4. If it hasn’t made a difference in your life, then you are not doing it right!
5. “Or know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with men, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye were washed, but ye were sanctified, but ye were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
6. “Or know ye not that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have from God? and ye are not your own; for ye were bought with a price: glorify God therefore in your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
IV. Where does the gospel matter?
1. It matters everywhere there are people.
2. “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned” (Mark 16:15-16).
3. God wants the gospel to go to the whole world!
4. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God sent not the Son into the world to judge the world; but that the world should be saved through him” (John 3:16-17).
V. How does the gospel matter?
1. Through preaching and teaching the gospel, people’s lives are changed.
2. “For seeing that in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom knew not God, it was God’s good pleasure through the foolishness of the preaching to save them that believe” (1 Corinthians 1:21).
3. We hear the message, believe it, and develop faith in God.
4. Trusting in God changes us for the better.
VI. When does the gospel matter?
1. Right now!
2. “Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).
3. “And they spake the word of the Lord unto him, with all that were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, immediately” (Acts 16:32-33).
CONCLUSION:
1. The Gospel Matters
1) It matters because it is the story of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.
2) It matters because it is the power of God to salvation.
3) It matters because it addresses everyone’s relationship to God.
4) It matters because there’s not a single place where it’s not needed.
5) It matters because it changes people’s lives through preaching and teaching.
6) It matters because now is the best time to do something about it.
2. Invitation