What is another word for the story of Jesus?
(Eph. 2:1-10; Rom. 5:1-5; Heb. 10:19-22; 1 John 4:10; 5:13) Blog Sep. 6-12, 2020
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: Believers in Jesus tell others about God’s saving love. Since every human being is a creation of God and a purchase of Jesus then God’s desire is to save everyone. Through intercessory prayer and the help of the Holy Spirit we are enabled to win others to Jesus. If we follow the example of New Testament believers, the Bible will be the basis of our testimony and Jesus’ methods will be ours. We will present the truth in love and organize small groups for Bible study, prayer, encouragement, and outreach.
Our Story (Eph. 2:1-10; Rom. 5:1-19; 7:7; 12:3)
1. Before we were justified by faith who directed our lives? Satan, “the prince of the power of the air”.
2. Before we were justified by faith what was our position before God? Condemned to eternal death.
3. Before we were justified by faith what was our moral state? We were dead in trespasses (sins of omission) & sins (sins of commission), like dead fish floating downstream.
4. Before we were justified by faith what did we spend our time doing? Satisfying the lusts of our flesh in dress, music, food, & entertainment & satisfying the desires of our mind in covetousness.
5. When did God provide eternal life and translation to heavenly places for us? While we were dead in trespasses & sins.
6. Why did God provide eternal life and translation to unworthy sinners? Because he loved us & is rich in mercy.
7. From where did we get faith to believe the Gospel of our salvation? From God himself who through his Holy Spirit gives to everyone a measure of faith.
8. Being justified by faith what do we receive? We receive peace with God, the hope of glorification, & the Holy Spirit who plants love in our hearts.
9. Is our changed life the Gospel we are to share with others? No, the Gospel is the life, death, & resurrection of Jesus.
The Story of Jesus (Rom. 1:16-17; 1 Cor. 2:2; 10:13; 15:1-8; )
10. What is another word for the story of Jesus? The Gospel.
11. Where in the Bible does the hot-tempered apostle John tell how his life was changed by Jesus? Nowhere, rather in his gospel four times he refers to Jesus’ love for him.
12. Of what do Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John write in their gospels? They write about Jesus & what he did & taught.
13. What should be the center of our witness to others? Jesus Christ & him crucified which is the demonstration of the love of God for humanity.
14. When telling others of our own experience with Jesus what should we avoid? We should avoid relating the things we think we have given up for Jesus & avoid giving the impression that anything we have done merits in any way our justification.
15. When telling others of our own experience with Jesus what should we emphasize? We should emphasize the love & power of God, the gift of his Son who provided a complete salvation for all who believe in him, & God’s faithfulness.
16. Where does Paul say that the power of God for salvation is found? In the Gospel.
Our Testimony (Rom. 5:1-5; 8:1; 1 Tim. 5:24; Heb. 10:19-22; 1 John 5:13; Rev. 14:6-7)
17. If we desire for those to whom we witness to have assurance of salvation what must we have? We must have the assurance of our own salvation.
18. According to the book of First John how can we have assurance of our own salvation? By seeing that we keep God’s commandments (2:3), by having love for the brethren (2:10), by not loving the world (2:15), by living righteously (2:29), & by having God’s Holy Spirit within us (4:13).
19. Must a person have assurance of salvation in order to be saved? No, even those with little faith & no assurance of salvation can be saved, for justification is by faith alone, even if that faith is as small as a grain of mustard seed.
20. What should every justified believer in Jesus have? All justified believers should have peace with God, the hope of glorification, & love shed abroad in their hearts by the Holy Spirit that is given unto us.
21. Since we live in “the hour of God’s judgment” what special instructions should we be giving to others to do that we ourselves should be doing? To fear God & give him glory, courageously approaching his judgment seat, trusting in the perfect life & atoning death of Jesus & sending our sins beforehand to judgment while living lives of sanctified obedience.