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lesson 5 THE POWER
OF THE GOSPEL I. TEXTUAL THOUGHTS
1. 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 - The power of the message does not depend on human ability.
2. Ephesians 3:8-10 - The gospel message is eternal, from the beginning of the ages.
3. 2 Timothy 1:8-10 - It works according to God's purpose and grace.
4. 1 Peter 1:10-12 - It was preached by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven.
5. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 - It is about the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.
6. Romans 1:16 - It is God's power for salvation to those who believe. II. MAIN THEME - The gospel is God's power for salvation to those who believe. God planned from the beginning to save those who would believe in His Son, and the plan was accomplished by His power and grace. All who believe in Jesus as the Son of God and are willing to submit to His will can be saved.
1. The power of the gospel is: a. God's power planned from the beginning, Ephesians 3:8-10, 2 Timothy 1:8-10, Genesis 3:15, 12:12:3, 22:18, Galatians 3:14,16,29, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25. b. In the message about Jesus Christ, 1 Corinthians 2:1-2, 15:1-4, Ephesians 1:13. c. Revealed by the life of Jesus, John 1:1-18, Philippians 2:1-11. d. Proven by Jesus' resurrection, 1 Peter 1:3, Philippians 3:10, Acts 17:18. e. A demonstration of God's love, John 3:16-17, 10:1-18, 13:34-35.
2. God chose the preaching of the gospel to save those who believe. a. Even thought it may be foolish to some people, 1 Cor 1:18-31. b. Those who really believe are obedient, Romans 6:17, 10:16, Hebrews 5:9, John 1:12-13, Mark 16:16.
3. We must hold on to Jesus Christ to be saved. a. By standing in the gospel and holding fast to the word, 1 Cor 15:1-2. b. By loving Jesus, Ephesians 6:23-24, 1 Corinthians 16:22-24, 2 Cor 5:11-15. c. By accepting His grace in our lives, Galatians 6:14-18, 2 Timothy 1:8-12. d. By looking to Jesus to complete our faith, Hebrews 12:1-2. e. By confessing our weaknesses, James 4:7-17, 5:16, 1 John 1:9. III. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
1. Remember that the saving power of the gospel is in what God has done, and not in our ability to speak well or reason effectively, 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, 1:21.
2. God's plan for saving man is Jesus Christ, not five steps that we perform by our own ability, Titus 3:4-7, Ephesians 2:4-10, 3:14-21.
3. Never teach man's response to the gospel as God's plan of salvation, for that puts the emphasis on our ability to obey rather than God's power to save, Rom 1:16.
4. Faith, repentance, and baptism are the response of a heart that receives the gospel and decides to submit to the will of God, Romans 6:3-6, 17, Acts 2:41. IV. MEMORY VERSE - ROMANS 1:16 |