Saved through the gospel Only the gospel message has the power to save people eternally. We are entrusted with sharing the gospel message so others can be saved.

The “foolish” gospel 1 Corinthians 1:18, 21-24 – For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God…. 23 we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

The “foolish” gospel 1 Corinthians 1:18, 21-24 – For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God…. 23 we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

What is the gospel (good news) that saves us? 1 Corinthians 15:2-4 – By this gospel you are saved... Otherwise, you have believed in vain. 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures and that he appeared… Believe = Trust/rely/depend on… Jesus Christ that He died/paid for my sin and rose from the dead.

What are you trusting in to get to heaven? Ephesians 2:8-9 – For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast. C W C+W Christ + Works Christ Good Works

Understanding HOW God SAVES us WE ARE SINNERS – Romans 3:10 – There is no one righteous, not even one. DOING GOOD CAN’T SAVE – Romans 3:20 – Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the Law. Through the law we become conscious of sin. FAITH IN JESUS DOES SAVE – Romans 3:21-22 – But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known…. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. BECAUSE JESUS WAS JUDGED IN OUR PLACE – Romans 3:23-25 - For all [who have faith in Jesus – v. 22] have sinned and come short of the glory of God and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith.  IF WE HAVE CHRIST’S RIGHTEOUSNESS WE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE – Romans 5:21 – As sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The good news is bad news if rejected John 3:16-18 – For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. John 3:36 – Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.

We represent God’s salvation for the world 2 Corinthians 5:19b-20 – God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.