PREPARED TO RECEIVE THE GOSPEL

August 30, 2017
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PREPARED TO RECEIVE THE GOSPEL
#1 in Series entitled “Grace Works!”
by Pastor Richard Tow
April 3, 2016
Text: 1 Timothy 1:8

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Description: What prepares a person to have a life-changing transformation through the gospel? This message addresses four awakenings that need to happen in preparation for a person receiving the good news of Jesus. The offer of salvation is only good news if we know we need to be saved. Otherwise, people may just be “joining the team” called Christianity, without understanding what the offer really is. The result can be very superficial commitments and, even worse, people thinking they’re saved when the transformation has not actually occurred.

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OUTLINE

Intro

  1. Billy Graham, “If there is no change in a person’s life, he or she must question whether or not they possess the salvation that the gospel proclaims. Many who go to church have not had a life-changing transformation in Christ.”
  2. Four Awakenings that Prepare People to Receive the Gospel

I.  An Awakening to God’s Existence

  1. Heb. 11:6 “…for He who comes to God must believe that He is….”
    Fool tells himself there is no God (Ps53:9)
    Creation evidences His reality (Rom. 1:20)
  2. Personal levels of awareness

II. An Awakening to  Moral Accountability

  1. Heb. 11:6 “…for He who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
    Are some things that God rewards.
  2. How do I know that God is a moral being?
    Design of creation hints at it.
    I have a sense of right and wrong that came from my creator

III. An Awakening to Personal Transgression

  1. The first law (Gen. 2:16-17) given and broken
  2. Mosaic Law given as schoolmaster (Gal. 3:24)
    Rom. 3:19-20 “by the law is the knowledge of sin.”
  3. Jesus did not destroy the law (Matt. 5:17-18) but explained it intensity (Matt. 5:21-28)
  4. The Law is good if used correctly (1 Tim. 1:8-9)

IV. An Awakening to Pending Judgment

  1. Gerizim and Mt. Ebal (Deut. 27-29) (Deut. 27:15-26 notice)
    It gets detailed and personal
    The final nail in the coffin (word “all” in vs 26) 3. “And all the people shall say, ‘˜Amen!'”
  2. We have been describing conviction of sin.
    This conviction must occur before the gospel is perceived as the “good news” that it is.
    We are responsible to preach the whole counsel of God but— Only the Holy Spirit can bring these realities to bear on the heart. (John 16:7-11)
  3. Have you realized your utter need for the Savior? Then the good news is for you!

 

QUESTIONS

  1. What has been your experience with these awakenings?
  2. What is the intent of the Law? How are we to use it in helping people come to the cross?
  3. Why does a lack of process and understanding sometimes result in superficial confessions of faith? Explain the deception Billy Graham talked about in regard to people believing in a God who requires no change in them (repentance).
  1. Have you received a life-changing transformation in Christ?
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