Called Together: What is The Gospel?
September 13, 2015 | Todd Cyphers
John 3:1-8
Called Together: What is The Gospel?
John 3:1-8, 16-21
Page # 1060
I. Why Community Groups?
1. Shaping a Christ–centered community
1 John 2:6 – “Whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.”
2. Serving together in our community
Ephesians 4:11-13 – “…God gave some as ….pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to be mature, to the …fullness of Christ…”
3. Sharing the Gospel in our community
1 Thessalonians 2:8 – “…Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.”
II. Basic truths of the Gospel
1. The Gospel is the historical story of God the Father
transforming lives and His world through the Lord Jesus
Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 15:3-6 – “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Peter, then to the twelve…and then five hundred…”
2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”
2. The core of the Gospel is the message of individuals being
delivered from sin and self through grace alone, through
faith alone, in the Lord Jesus alone.
Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
Romans 10:9 – “...if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
3. The Gospel also is missional responsibility for every follower
of Christ to be involved in God’s story to the world.
John 20:21 – “…Jesus said…As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”
4. Therefore, together we are to proclaim the Gospel because
we as human beings do not hate our sin enough, nor
rightly love God. Only the Gospel of Christ can bring to life
dead and dull hearts.
Ezekiel 36:26-27 – “…I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you...I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of life. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My ways...”
John 3:1-8, 16-21
John 16:5-11
John 7:37-39
Faith Sheet
Transformation Verse (September) – You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind...and You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:37-39
Main Themes
~ The Gospel is the historical story of God the Father transforming individual lives and His world through the Lord Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.
~ The Gospel is needed for every person because we do not hate our sin enough nor rightly love God.
~ The Gospel is the power of God that produces total transformation in cities, families, schools, work places, churches, and in all individuals.
#1- Reviewing This Past Sunday
Called Together: What is The Gospel
John 3:1-8, 16-21
1. Read John 3:1-8, 16-21. What truths stand out to you?
2. Discuss what the Gospel is and why it is needed.
3. Why must the Gospel be “doctrinal”, “personal”, and
“missional”?
4. Discuss how the Gospel of Christ differs from prominent beliefs
in Erie and how you and your community group can engage
these beliefs.
5. Discuss also how your family or group can serve together in the
city.
# 2- Preparing for Next Sunday
The Gospel is Personal
Romans 6
1. Read Romans 6 and discuss it with someone.
2. What kind of changes does God make in our lives when we
follow Christ?
3. In what ways is a follower of Christ truly free?
4. What should be our attitudes toward sin?
5. What are the benefits and pleasures of righteous living?