So, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. 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. Romans 1:15- 16

Be eager & unashamed! Appreciate & Own its significance “…it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”

Be eager & unashamed! Appreciate & Own its significance It is POWERFUL -“power of GOD for salvation” - Unique in the world - Acknowledges our plight

Be eager & unashamed! Appreciate & Own its significance It is POWERFUL The Gospel fully acknowledges our plight Lesson 1 – Who is God? He is absolutely holy – perfect. We are imperfect and incapable, therefore, of fellowship with Him.

Be eager & unashamed! Appreciate & Own its significance It is POWERFUL -“power of GOD for salvation” - Unique in the world - Acknowledges our plight - Fully solves our problem

Be eager & unashamed! Appreciate & Own its significance It is POWERFUL The Gospel fully solves our problem Lesson 2 – Who is the Son? Fully man = appropriate sacrifice Hebrews 2:14-18 Fully God = effective/infinite sacrifice Hebrews 9:24-26

Be eager & unashamed! Appreciate & Own its significance It is POWERFUL -“power of GOD for salvation” - Unique in the world - Acknowledges our plight - Fully solves our problem - Defeats death & empowers living

Be eager & unashamed! Appreciate & Own its significance It is POWERFUL It is COMPREHENSIVE -“to everyone who believes” - not culturally/behaviorally bound - receivable within any culture

Be eager & unashamed! Appreciate & Own its significance Don’t fear rejection “…I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ”

Be eager & unashamed! Appreciate & Own its significance Don’t fear rejection Believe/own that this IS good news

“I’ve always said that I don’t respect people who don’t proselytize. If you believe there’s a heaven and a hell and that people could be going to hell (or not getting eternal life), and you think it’s not worth telling people this because it would make it socially awkward… Penn Jillette

…I mean...how much do you have to hate somebody to NOT proselytize… to believe that everlasting life is possible and NOT tell them that? If I believe there is a truck bearing down on you and you don’t believe it, then there is a point where I tackle you…” Penn jillette

Be eager & unashamed! Appreciate & Own its significance Don’t fear rejection Believe/own that this IS good news Rejection is a Christian norm

Be eager & unashamed! Appreciate & Own its significance Don’t fear rejection Prepare to communicate it well Paul lived/taught readiness 2 Timothy 1:13; 2:2, 8, 15; 3:14; 4:2 Am I…Are we…ready to share?

So What is the “good News”? The Bible says…

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures... 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

So What is the “good News”? The Bible says…1 Cor. 15:3-4 In communicating, we should… Share biblically Share clearly & simply

“bad news/good news” Know the name, know the outline 2 main points, 2 sub points (4 total) 1 verse, 1 illustration with each point Simple, biblical, memorable

The bad news of separation # 1 - You are a sinner Key verse: Romans 3:23

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23

# 1 - You are a sinner Key verse: Romans 3:23 What is sin? (also Gen. 1-3, Rom. 5:12) Illustration: swimming the ocean Bad right? It gets worse… The bad news of separation

# 2 - Sin’s Penalty is Death Key verse: Romans 6:23a (use b later) The bad news of separation

For the wages of sin is death… Romans 6:23a

# 2 - Sin’s Penalty is Death Key verse: Romans 6:23a (b comes later) What is death? (Rom. 1, 5; 2 Thes. 1, notes) Illustration: wage (something you earn!) Really bad right? Now, it gets better… The bad news of separation

The good news of salvation # 1 - Christ died for you and was resurrected. Key verse: Romans 5:8

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

# 1 - Christ died for you and was resurrected. Key verse: Romans 5:8 Died for us? (also 1 Pet. 2:24, 3:18) Illustration: Judge, Incurable Disease GOD solves the sin problem…and… The good news of salvation

We believe that Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice, and that our redemption is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead (Romans 3:24-25; 4:25; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 1:20; 1 Corinthians 15). Gbc constitution

# 2 - You can be saved through faith in Christ. Romans verses: 3:21-26, 4:5, 10:13-14 Key verse: Ephesians 2:8-10 The good news of salvation

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of your- selves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before- hand so that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2:8- 10

# 2 - You can be saved through faith in Christ. Key verse: Ephesians 2:8-10 Faith in what? (1-7) What is faith? TRUST! Illustration: chair The good news of salvation

What’s next? Ask… “Is anything keeping you from trusting Christ right now?” Yes? Write/discuss objections, ask again. No? “Let’s pray and tell God you receive His gift by trusting Christ.”

Transitions to “good news” Non-spiritual conversation – Point to human need. Spiritual conversation – Do they know Christ? Illustrative moment – Especially good with kids. Your Personal Testimony

Preparing your testimony My life before knowing Christ Acts 22:1-5 How I came to trust in Christ Acts 22:6-11 My life after trusting Christ Acts 22:12-21

Let’s do this! Before school starts in August Write out and learn your testimony. Practice sharing the gospel. Share this good news with someone. Teach a friend/disciple to share it. Have you trusted in Christ? Why not now?