Sermon for 10/3/2010
1 Corinthians 15:1-8
The “Gos” Pill
HoHum:
One day this week I was looking for something in our medicine cabinet at home. I was amazed to see how many different types of pills there were in there. I've brought a few examples to show you this morning. Take a few samples and talk about them.
As I looked at all of these pills, I started thinking, wouldn't it be wonderful if someone could develop a pill that would cure everything! No matter what was wrong with you, this one pill would cure it. That would be wonderful, wouldn't it?
I was thinking, wouldn't it be wonderful if there was a pill that would help people with every problem? What kinds of problems do you have? Well, thanks to God, there is such a pill. It is called the "Gos-pill." It is the "Gos-pill" of Jesus Christ. The word gospel means "good news". What is some good news that you like to get?
The best good news is that Jesus loves us, cares for us, died for us, and He is able to take away the suffering and pain today and especially in heaven. The one pill that can help us through all the hurt and pain in our life is the "Gos-pill" of Jesus.
WBTU:
A. we began a series of "G's". Last week it was grace. This week it is the good news.
B. Christianity has taken over the term "the gospel." Original meaning it meant good news.
Thesis: This morning let's talk about the "P's" of the gospel.
I. The passion is the gospel.
A. Without the passion of the Christ, the rest of his life would have little meaning.
B. What is the passion? Acts 1:3 (King James) To whom (the apostles) he showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs
C. Because of translation issues some English translations have in place of suffering, passion. Today when we see a production of the crucifixion of Christ we call it a passion play.
D. This is why he came to the earth. John the Baptist had a good idea of who Jesus was after his baptism. John 1:29- The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"
E. Jesus knew what was going to happen. Mark 8:31-32: He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. He spoke plainly about this.
F. This is why the Garden of Gethsemane was so difficult for him. He knew what was coming.
G. The passion is the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15 that this should be of first importance. I love Easter time where I can talk about the main thing and that is the gospel.
II. The Principles of the Gospel
A. Jesus, being the Son of God, was the only holy and acceptable sacrifice for our sins.
B. While Jesus was on that cross, he was taking the penalty for our sins. God is perfect in justice and God's justice had to be satisfied and so while Christ was on the cross the justice of God was being fulfilled. Jesus Christ has taken our punishment for us.
C. 2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV God made him who had no sin to be sin [Or be a sin offering] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
D. 1 Corinthians 15:3- Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.
E. After three days of being in the grave, Jesus arose on the third day. Because of his resurrection, the power of sin has been broken; death is defeated; Satan suffered the ultimate defeat. Christ has defeated sin, Satan, and the grave.
F. We are no longer slaves of sin; no longer have to fear Satan; Everyone is going to heaven.
III. the Plan of the gospel
B. John 14:6- Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
C. The gospel is free of charge. Think about those free things in life. Don't you have to do something to get the free thing? Same way with the gospel.
D. I had a hospice chaplain call me and ask, "Are you still looking for a car?" I said Yes. I asked him, "How much does the car cost?" He said, "It's free." I said, "Where are you, I"m coming as fast as I can?!" I went there and it turns out that a hospice patient wanted to give his car to someone who would use it for a good cause. The car was free but I had to do certain things to get it. First of all, I had to visit with the hospice patient. Next, we had to have a gift letter made. After this we both had to sign the gift letter in the presence of a notary public. After this, I had to contact my insurance agent to get insurance on the car. I had to go to the Department of Motor Vehicles after this and get a plate. The car was free but that doesn't me I don't have to do anything.
D. Plan of salvation: Show the hand. First finger- hear; second finger- believe; third finger- repent; fourth finger- confess; fifth finger- baptism; palm- live the Christian life.
IV. The Promise of the Gospel
Acts 2:38- Peter replied, Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Chris for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Two promises:
1. Remission or forgiveness of sins- Not responsible for any sins committed. Sounds like a good deal, it is the best deal we will ever receive.
2. Gift of the Holy Spirit- God lives within us. We are reconciled to God. He will never leave us nor forsake us. He is a friend that sticks closer than any brother.
V. The Power of the Gospel
A. Romans 1:16- I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes
B. On May 18, 1980, Mt. St. Helens in Washington exploded with what is probably the most visible indication of the power of nature that the modern world has seen. At 8:32 am the explosion ripped 1,300 feet off the mountain, with a force of 10 million tons of TNT, or roughly equal to 500 Hiroshima’s. 60 people were killed, most by a blast of 300 degree heat traveling at 200 miles an hour. Some were killed as far as 16 miles away. The blast leveled 150 Douglas firs, as far as 17 miles away. A total of 3.2 billion feet of lumber were destroyed, enough to build 200,000 3 bedroom homes.
C. The power of God through the gospel is powerful too. Lord, now indeed I find Thy power and Thine alone, Can change the leper’s spots and melt the heart of stone.
V. The Praise of the Gospel
A. Every Sunday we meet together and partake of the Lord's Supper.
B. One thing we can count on and that is the Lord's Supper.
C. A new preacher came to minister with an aging congregation. He told them that he was thinking about serving them prune juice in place of grape juice for Communion. When they asked him why he said, "Well, if the Holy Spirit won't move you, maybe the prune juice will."
