Defining the Gospel
God is Holy

1 Samuel 2:2


“There is none holy like the Lord:
for there is none besides you;
there is no rock like our God.

  • What does it mean to be holy?
  • In what way is holiness dangerous?
  • How did Israel become pure before a Holy God?

Revelation 4:8


And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say,

Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty,
who was and is and is to come!

  • What does it mean to be holy?
  • In what way is holiness dangerous?
  • How did Israel become pure before a Holy God?

Romans 9:14


What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means!

  • What does it mean to be holy?
  • In what way is holiness dangerous?
  • How did Israel become pure before a Holy God?

Psalm 5:4


For you are not a God who delights in wickedness;
evil may not dwell with you.

  • What does it mean to be holy?
  • In what way is holiness dangerous?
  • How did Israel become pure before a Holy God?
We are sinful

Romans 5:12


Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—

  • Is there such thing as a good person? Why / Why not?
  • What are the consequences of sin?
  • Can we be with a holy God as sinful people?

Romans 3:10-12


as it is written:

“None is righteous, no, not one;
no one understands;
no one seeks for God.
All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;
no one does good,
not even one.”

  • Is there such thing as a good person? Why / Why not?
  • What are the consequences of sin?
  • Can we be with a holy God as sinful people?

Ecclesiastes 7:20


Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.

  • Is there such thing as a good person? Why / Why not?
  • What are the consequences of sin?
  • Can we be with a holy God as sinful people?

1 John 1:8


If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

  • Is there such thing as a good person? Why / Why not?
  • What are the consequences of sin?
  • Can we be with a holy God as sinful people?

James 1:13-15


Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

  • Is there such thing as a good person? Why / Why not?
  • What are the consequences of sin?
  • Can we be with a holy God as sinful people?
We fall short

Romans 3:20


For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

  • Can our efforts earn our way to God?
  • How have you tried to earn peace with God?
  • According to God's word, how good is good enough?

James 2:10


For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.

  • Can our efforts earn our way to God?
  • How have you tried to earn peace with God?
  • According to God's word, how good is good enough?

Isaiah 59:2


but your iniquities have made a separation
between you and your God,

and your sins have hidden his face from you
so that he does not hear.

  • Can our efforts earn our way to God?
  • How have you tried to earn peace with God?
  • According to God's word, how good is good enough?
We need saving from God's wrath

Matthew 10:28


And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

  • If God is a good God, why should we fear him?
  • Do you fear God? How so?
  • What would happen if God got rid of all evil?
  • If hearing about God's judgment makes it harder for us to love God, then probably the God we love is a figment of our imagination and not the real and true God.
    - John Piper

Galatians 6:7


Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.

  • If God is a good God, why should we fear him?
  • Do you fear God? How so?
  • What would happen if God got rid of all evil?
  • If hearing about God's judgment makes it harder for us to love God, then probably the God we love is a figment of our imagination and not the real and true God.
    - John Piper

John 12:48


The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.

  • If God is a good God, why should we fear him?
  • Do you fear God? How so?
  • What would happen if God got rid of all evil?
  • If hearing about God's judgment makes it harder for us to love God, then probably the God we love is a figment of our imagination and not the real and true God.
    - John Piper

2 Thessalonians 1:8-10


in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.

  • If God is a good God, why should we fear him?
  • Do you fear God? How so?
  • What would happen if God got rid of all evil?
  • If hearing about God's judgment makes it harder for us to love God, then probably the God we love is a figment of our imagination and not the real and true God.
    - John Piper

Revelation 21:8


But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

  • If God is a good God, why should we fear him?
  • Do you fear God? How so?
  • What would happen if God got rid of all evil?
  • If hearing about God's judgment makes it harder for us to love God, then probably the God we love is a figment of our imagination and not the real and true God.
    - John Piper

Revelation 20:11-15


Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

  • If God is a good God, why should we fear him?
  • Do you fear God? How so?
  • What would happen if God got rid of all evil?
  • If hearing about God's judgment makes it harder for us to love God, then probably the God we love is a figment of our imagination and not the real and true God.
    - John Piper
God is Love

Micah 7:18-19


Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity
and passing over transgression

for the remnant of his inheritance?
He does not retain his anger forever,
because he delights in steadfast love.
He will again have compassion on us;
he will tread our iniquities underfoot.
You will cast all our sins
into the depths of the sea.

  • How is God love? How have you experienced his love?
  • Do we have to be perfect to earn his love?
  • Is it fair to be loving to someone deserving punishment?

Isaiah 1:18


“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord:
though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;

though they are red like crimson,
they shall become like wool.

  • How is God love? How have you experienced his love?
  • Do we have to be perfect to earn his love?
  • Is it fair to be loving to someone deserving punishment?

Romans 5:8


but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

  • How is God love? How have you experienced his love?
  • Do we have to be perfect to earn his love?
  • Is it fair to be loving to someone deserving punishment?

Titus 3:5


he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,

  • How is God love? How have you experienced his love?
  • Do we have to be perfect to earn his love?
  • Is it fair to be loving to someone deserving punishment?
He paid for us

1 Corinthians 15:22


For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.

  • What was the payment for our sins?
  • Why weren't animal sacrifices enough?
  • What is the significance of the one who paid for us?

Romans 5:8


but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

  • What was the payment for our sins?
  • Why weren't animal sacrifices enough?
  • What is the significance of the one who paid for us?

John 3:16-17


“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

  • What was the payment for our sins?
  • Why weren't animal sacrifices enough?
  • What is the significance of the one who paid for us?

2 Corinthians 5:21


For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

  • What was the payment for our sins?
  • Why weren't animal sacrifices enough?
  • What is the significance of the one who paid for us?

1 Peter 2:24


He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

  • What was the payment for our sins?
  • Why weren't animal sacrifices enough?
  • What is the significance of the one who paid for us?
Saved by Grace

Ephesians 2:8


For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,

  • How much do we contribute to our payment for sins?
  • Define mercy and grace.
  • How does this compare to the greatest gift you've ever received?

Titus 2:11


For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,

  • How much do we contribute to our payment for sins?
  • Define mercy and grace.
  • How does this compare to the greatest gift you've ever received?

Titus 3:4-7


But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

  • How much do we contribute to our payment for sins?
  • Define mercy and grace.
  • How does this compare to the greatest gift you've ever received?
Turn from Sin and Trust

Acts 3:19


Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,

  • How can someone be saved?
  • What does it mean to repent? How have you done this?
  • Define faith.

Acts 2:38


And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

  • How can someone be saved?
  • What does it mean to repent? How have you done this?
  • Define faith.

Galatians 5:24


And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

  • How can someone be saved?
  • What does it mean to repent? How have you done this?
  • Define faith.

Romans 10:9-10


because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

  • How can someone be saved?
  • What does it mean to repent? How have you done this?
  • Define faith.

Hebrews 11:6


And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

  • How can someone be saved?
  • What does it mean to repent? How have you done this?
  • Define faith.
Adopted Coheirs

1 Peter 2:9


But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

  • What is your new identity? Do you have faith in this?
  • How does this identity change how you live now?
  • When did he choose to save us?

Ephesians 2:19


So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,

  • What is your new identity? Do you have faith in this?
  • How does this identity change how you live now?
  • When did he choose to save us?

Ephesians 1:5


he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,

  • What is your new identity? Do you have faith in this?
  • How does this identity change how you live now?
  • When did he choose to save us?

John 1:12


But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,

  • What is your new identity? Do you have faith in this?
  • How does this identity change how you live now?
  • When did he choose to save us?
New Creation

2 Corinthians 5:17


Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

  • If we are a "new creation", what changes has God made in your life?
  • If we have grace, can't we just sin with the comfort we'll be forgiven?
  • Why is suffering a part of being a new creation?

1 Thessalonians 5:5


For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.

  • If we are a "new creation", what changes has God made in your life?
  • If we have grace, can't we just sin with the comfort we'll be forgiven?
  • Why is suffering a part of being a new creation?

Romans 6:15-16


What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?

  • If we are a "new creation", what changes has God made in your life?
  • If we have grace, can't we just sin with the comfort we'll be forgiven?
  • Why is suffering a part of being a new creation?

Galatians 2:20


I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

  • If we are a "new creation", what changes has God made in your life?
  • If we have grace, can't we just sin with the comfort we'll be forgiven?
  • Why is suffering a part of being a new creation?

John 14:12


He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

  • If we are a "new creation", what changes has God made in your life?
  • If we have grace, can't we just sin with the comfort we'll be forgiven?
  • Why is suffering a part of being a new creation?

1 Peter 2:21


For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.

  • If we are a "new creation", what changes has God made in your life?
  • If we have grace, can't we just sin with the comfort we'll be forgiven?
  • Why is suffering a part of being a new creation?
Redemption

Hebrews 13:14


For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.

  • Where do we go when we die?
  • What are the characteristics of this place?
  • Where else in scripture have you seen a place like this?

Isaiah 65:17


“For behold, I create new heavens
and a new earth,

and the former things shall not be remembered
or come into mind.

  • Where do we go when we die?
  • What are the characteristics of this place?
  • Where else in scripture have you seen a place like this?

Revelation 21:1-5


Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

  • Where do we go when we die?
  • What are the characteristics of this place?
  • Where else in scripture have you seen a place like this?

Revelation 21:22-27


And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life.

  • Where do we go when we die?
  • What are the characteristics of this place?
  • Where else in scripture have you seen a place like this?

Revelation 22:1-5


Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.

  • Where do we go when we die?
  • What are the characteristics of this place?
  • Where else in scripture have you seen a place like this?