Last weekend, John Piper spoke to our community group at Passion in Ft. Worth. He spoke on memorizing scripture and part of it was focused on memorizing for the purpose of sharing the Gospel. I found this article on his website and it is exactly what he talked to us about. I have, for a long time, had a problem with the "If you were to die today, would you go to heaven or hell?" approach to evangelism. This is why I liked the way John Piper presented the Gospel. It was such a beautiful presentation of the Gospel that I wanted to share it so that you may be encouraged but also be better equipped to share the Gospel with others. Instead of starting with how bad you are, he begins, as does Paul and everyone else in the Bible, with God and His glory. I do believe firmly that we need to be brought face to face with our sinful nature but this can only truly happen as we are brought face to face with how holy and glorious God is. Also if you are not strong in memorizing Scripture (like me), I would encourage you to memorize some of the verses in this Gospel presentation to help you explain better where the Bible talks about these things. I hope this blesses and encourages you.
A Summary of the Gospel to Help You Enjoy It and Share It
October 08, 1984 | by John Piper | Topic: Evangelism
God Created Us for His Glory
“Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth, everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory” (Isaiah 43:6-7). God made all of us in his own image so that we would image-forth, or reflect, his character and moral beauty.
Every Human Should Live for God’s Glory
“Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). The way to live for the glory of God is to love him (Matthew 22:37), trust him (Romans 4:20), be thankful to him (Psalm 50:3) and obey him (Matthew 5:16). When we do these things we image-forth God’s glory.
We Have All Sinned and Fallen Short of God’s Glory
“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). “Although they knew God they did not glorify him as God or give thanks to him…but exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images…” (Romans 1:21-23). None of us has loved or trusted or thanked or obeyed God as we ought.
We All Deserve Eternal Punishment
“The wages of sin is (eternal) death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Those who did not obey the Lord Jesus “Shall suffer the punishment of eternal destruction and exclusion from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might” (1 Thessalonians 1:9). “They shall go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life" (Matthew 25:46).
In His Great Mercy God Sent Forth His Only Son Jesus Christ to Provide for Sinners the Way of Eternal Life
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us” (Galatians 3:13). “Christ also died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God" (1 Peter 3:18).
Eternal Life Is a Free Gift to All Who Will Trust in Christ as Lord and Savior
“Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). “If you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). “By grace are you saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God—not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8). “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” (Galatians 2:20).
http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/taste-see-articles/a-summary-of-the-gospel-to-help-you-enjoy-it-and-share-it
By John Piper. © Desiring God. Website: desiringGod.org
