The Gospel
Notes
Transcript
Handout
62 Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate,
63 Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.
64 Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.
65 Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.
66 So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.
36 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.
38 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?
39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.
40 And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.
41 And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?
42 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb.
43 And he took it, and did eat before them.
44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
1. THE INEVITABILITY OF DEATH AND ITS CURSE
Human beings are mortal - we must face death. However as much we may try to domesticate or normalize or anticipate it, when death comes close to us or the ones we love, we see the truth: it isn’t supposed to be here. It is the result of sin interrupting the original plan for paradise.
Death holds the all time record!
Only two people who have ever lives did not experience it first hand; Enoch and Elisha.
Almost NO ONE ever recovered from it; Lazarus and a few others. BUT EVEN THEY FINALLY SUCCUMED TO IT!
Only Jesus recovered and still lives…
12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
Why did death enter the world?
Who is the man who brought sin and death into the world?
Why is death inevitable?
Sin’s cycle:
14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
2. THE NEED FOR A SAVIOR
We human beings are all equally in need of a savior. History and experience teach that there are no exceptions to this need. All of us sin and seek our selfish interests, pushing God away though we need Him desperately.
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Are human beings basically good, given the right tools and knowledge and environment?
Who sins?
Why do you think we struggle with an instinctively selfish nature?
Abraham Joshua Heschel; Holocaust surviver - asked many times after he was liberated
“Where was God when your people wee being starved to death and incinerated in human ovens?”
His answer should give pause to anyone asking the “Where is God in any situation” question.
Why did God allow my parent to die at the hand of a drunk driver?
If there is a God, why is there war, and violence...
“The question is not, ‘Where was God during the Holocaust?’. The real question is, ‘Where was man?’”
In the right circumstance, we are all capable if horrible things WITHOUT THE GRACE OF GOD in our lives!
After the original sin in Genesis, God asked the question;
Adam? Eve? Where are you?
Still asking that question of sinful man today!
It’s the gospel!!!
3. THE AUDACITY OF GOD’S PLAN
No logical reason drove Jesus to the cross. Yet in the face of sin, He showed us grace and submitted to death, destroying the curse and penalty of sin. The Crucifixion showed the depravity of our human nature, and yet Jesus’ sacrifice showed the grace of God.
17 For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
What abounded more than our sin? (V20)
Mercy vs. Grace
Mercy for sins
Grace empowers not to sin
Why can we have eternal life? (V21)
Why do you think God loves us so much he was willing to pay the extreme price of Calvary?
4. THE REMEDY OF THE CROSS
Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection were God’s way of dealing with human sinfulness and the curse of death. Jesus’ death initiated the end of the reign of death and gave hope to all people for all time.
20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.
24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
We’ve heard what the Cross says about us, but what does is say about God? What has the Cross accomplished?
Who will be made alive?
What does Jesus destroy?
The greatest power the world had ever known; death - defeated by Jesus!
CLOSING DISCUSSION
Consider repeating key questions from the opening discussion if the session has brought up biblical principles that could cause participants to revise their previous answers. Then present the following questions.
1. Share a time you were moved by the realization of the price of Calvary Jesus paid to redeem you.
2. What should our response be to this good news of the gospel?