The four images of the gospel
Great Commission Church
Jacob Schwegel
Right at this moment, your liver, kidneys, heart, saliva glands, all the things, are working to keep your body going. You don’t even have the power to switch them off and on.
George Gallup, the famous statistician, said, “I could prove God statistically; take the human body alone, the chance that all the functions of the individual would just happen, is a statistical monstrosity.”
Even Charles Darwin said, “To suppose that the eye could have been formed by natural selection, seems, I freely confess, absurd in the highest degree.”
You were created on purpose
God the creator is amazing
Did you know that the same God that makes all that stuff happen...
Created you in His image... He loves you and wants you to know Him.
Creation reflects the genius of the Creator’s hand.
Today I’m going to teach you an easy way to share the Gospel of Jesus with anyone that asks.
The gospel prestation has four symbols with four phrases.
The idea is you can point to the picture on your wrist...
Say a couple of words and share a bible verse…
As it helps guide you through the Gospel.
I like this method because it can be simple if you need a quick conversation in a line at the store
Or it can be as detailed as you want
if you get a chance to sit across from someone at a restaurant.
Should be in your worship guide
(Heart) God Loves you - He created you in His image, unique from anything else in creation. He is real and wants you to know Him. Genesis 1:27 / John 3:16
(Divided) Sin Separates you – Not trusting God and ignore His ways is called sin in the Bible. Sin damages relationships with people and God. Sin leads to eternal death. Romans 3:23 / Romans 6:23 / Isaiah 59:2
(Cross) Jesus Rescues You - At the cross, Jesus took your place and paid the penalty that your sins deserve. He secured eternal life by conquering death through the resurrection. Romans 5:8 / 1 Peter 3:18 / 1 Corinthians 15:3-8
(Question mark) Will you trust Jesus? This involves agreeing that you are sinful and turning away from your wrong view of Jesus. Believe and confess that Jesus is Lord, surrendering your life to Him. Romans 10:9-10/ John 1:12/ Rev. 3:20/ Ephesians 2:8-9
Drew story- “It was after the Freedom conference; I had a gentleman stop me in Home Depot. He saw my THE FOUR bracelet. He asked if he could talk to me for a little bit. He told me that he was having troubles at home with his marriage. Told me about past relationships and things in his past he was not proud of. Everything I learned from the Freedom conference came to mind. I told him to pray for his soul ties from past relationships to be broken and move on from them, pray that the things in his past will not be a burden on him or his family anymore. That his anxiety goes away and that he and his wife will be happy and not speak of divorce. He had a lot of built up tension that he was getting off his chest to a person he doesn’t know but he knew I believed in God and put my trust in him. I was able to speak clearly to him about the Lord. We talked for about 30 minutes in Home Depot and had a prayer. He said he already felt better and the advice I gave him, he would go home and tell his wife.”
Here is how it starts
(Heart) God Loves you - God created you in his image. Humans are unique from anything else in creation. He is real and wants you to know Him. Genesis 1:27 / John 3:16
Genesis 1:27 (NKJV) 27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God, He created him; male and female He created them.
Human life was created in the image of God (v. 27).
This image was imparted only to humans nothing else in creation (2:7).
“Image” is used figuratively here, God does not have a human form.
Being in God’s image means that humans share, though imperfectly, in God’s nature, that is, in His communicable attributes life, personality, truth, wisdom, love, holiness, justice, and so we have the capacity for spiritual fellowship with Him. The creator
Humans are created uniquely from any other part of creation. We are image bearers.
Now, if the incredibly brilliant, creative “force” made all things, then it is not only infinitely more intelligent than man whom it made, but it is surely familiar with what it has made.
Not only did it create every one of the 100,000 hairs on the average non-bald human head,
but it is also familiar with each individual hair.
(Heart) God Loves you - He created you in his image, unique from anything else in creation. He is real and wants you to know Him. Genesis 1:27 / John 3:16
The next Verse in our four phrases to share the gospel is John 3:16 and it answers the question... How do we know God loves us…
As if being created in the image of God and seeing creation were not enough…
John 3:16 (NKJV) 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
God’s love is chiefly displayed through the death of Jesus Christ.
I wanted to focus on the third word in John 3:16, it’s the word “so”
John 3:16 (NKJV) 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
That word “so” is the hinge in this verse which can be understood two different ways.
It could mean God really, really loves us—he SOOOOO loves us.
Emphasizing the intensity of God’s love.
Like when you ask a child how big something is and she stretches out her arms and says, “It was sooo big.”
OR the word “so” could refer to the demonstration of God’s love.
This is reflected in other translations clearer… Look at the CSB and NLT translation of this verse.
John 3:16 (CSB) 16 For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son…
John 3:16 (NLT) 16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son…
Jesus’ death is a demonstration of God’s love
It doesn’t diminish the intensity of God’s love for us, but it shows us his love was demonstrated in a real and tangible way.
“For God loved the world in this way: He gave …” The proof of God’s love is that he acted on it.
How do we know someone loves us? They could say three magic words: “I love you.” These words make your heart explode inside you the first time someone whispers them in your ear.
But those words are not the only reason we know someone loves us. In fact, they’re probably not the main reason we know we’re loved.
We’ve had conversations around our dinner table about love. I remember one time my wife asked our boys how they knew I loved them. Now, I tell them I love them every day, but when they were asked, none of them said, “Because he says so.”
Without fail, they answered with something I’ve done, generally involving time or money: “He plays video games with me,” or, “He bought such and such.” It’s always the demonstration of my love that assures them I love them.
My little girl is very expressive with her love. She tells us all the time. Its usually when we are having some family time. Watching a movie.. Or ive bought something for her… Like a meal at wendys. Quility time, gifts all the things.. She looks at me and says.. Daddy I love you. Mommy I love you.
God’s love for the world is remarkable not because the world is so big but because the world is so bad.
We did not deserve his love. We did not earn it. We were rebels against God, yet God still gave us the gift of his Son (Rom 5:8).
God’s righteousness was on display at the cross. God’s wrath was on display at the cross God’s Jealousy was on display at the cross God’s love was on display at the cross.
His holiness and hatred for sin were seen in the severity of the punishment.
When Jesus took upon himself the punishment our sin demanded, he testified to the world that God is absolutely and unquestionably righteous.
Let’s never doubt the love of God.
You were not on the cross; God’s own Son hung there.
You did not pay that terrible price; Jesus did.
(Heart) God Loves you - He created you in his image, unique from anything else in creation. He is real and wants you to know Him. Genesis 1:27 / John 3:16
(Divided) Sin Separates you – Not trusting God and ignore His ways is called sin in the Bible. Sin damages relationships with people and God. Sin leads to eternal death. Romans 3:23 / Romans 6:23 / Isaiah 59:2
Romans 3:23 (NKJV) 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Every single person has fallen short of God’s glory.
Compared to other people, you may feel pretty good about yourself.
But you are NOT asked to compare yourself to others...
Your plumb line is God’s standards.
He even gave us some laws to follow called the 10 commandments…
Ever since the first human stepped foot on this planet…
We keep missing the mark.
I thought it would be helpful to share a list of sins that we don’t think are sins
Or we tend to justify them…
I want you to feel how easy it is to constantly fall short of the standard of our loving creator.
This exercise will either convict you and urge you into salvation
Or it will cause your heart to soar and worship our creator even more.
I’m not going to read the big obvious sins...
We might miss the point of his verse if I did that...
Here is a list of ways we fall short and tend to justify that its ok:
Holding grudges (Romans 12:19 / Hebrews 10:30)
Justifying wrong attitudes (Colossians 3:8 / Proverbs 21:29)
Putting your desires first before God (Matthew 6:33 / John 3:30)
Feeling annoyed over the success of others (James 3:14-16 / 1 Corinthians 3:3)
Getting hurt easily and reacting out of the hurt (Ephesians 4:32 / Matthew 5:44)
Underpaying or taking advantage of others’ work (Proverbs 3:27 / Jeremiah 22:13)
Skimping on the work you are being paid to do (Colossians 3:23-24 / 1 Corinthians 10:31)
Criticizing and finding fault — secretly or outwardly (Romans 3:23/ Romans 2:1)
Focusing on the cares of the world — putting your full attention and trust in the “things” of the world, like money, power, possessions and image. (1 John 2:15 / Mark 4:19)
Gossiping or speaking unkindly of those not present (Romans 1:29, 32 / 2 Corinthians 12:20)
We are not just a little naughty.
We are not just a little bit mischievous.
We have fallen way short of the glory of God.
This is why we need God’s saving righteousness.
Following the rules cannot save you.
In fact, the spirit of legalism crushes people;
it does not liberate them.
It is a false gospel.
Following any set of religious rules as a means of gaining salvation is not the gospel.
I still hear “Jesus + something else” gospel being preached…
Mike Bird states this point provocatively:
In my short time, as a follower of Jesus, I’ve had people tell me that in order to be saved, I need to speak in tongues, partake of some sacrament, only read the King James Bible, subscribe to a certain confession, believe in this diagram of the end times, jump through a dozen other hoops that seem to serve the purpose of validating the rantings of some lunatic with an opinion and a desperate desire to force it on others. Fortunately for me, I was well discipled by Christian leaders and attended churches where the pastors were committed to biblical preaching, so I never got suckered into the “Jesus plus” stairway to salvation. But sadly, many do. – Mike Bird
(Heart) God Loves you - He created you in his image, unique from anything else in creation. He is real and wants you to know Him. Genesis 1:27 / John 3:16
(Divided) Sin Separates you – Not trusting God and ignore His ways is called sin in the Bible. Sin damages relationships with people and God. Sin leads to eternal death. Romans 3:23 / Romans 6:23 / Isaiah 59:2
(Cross) Jesus Rescues You - At the cross, Jesus took your place and paid the penalty that your sins deserve. He secured eternal life by conquering death through the resurrection. Romans 5:8 / 1 Peter 3:18 / 1 Corinthians 15:3-8
Our God is not distant or remote
but full of love and personally involved in our redemption.
In the book of Romans - Paul underlines two truths regarding the greatness of God’s love displayed at the cross.
First, The greatness of God’s love is displayed in the cost of it (Romans 5:8).
Romans 5:8 (NKJV) 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
God’s love was not a sentimental kind of love.
God did not merely say he loved sinners;
he acted on their behalf by putting Christ in their place.
And Jesus willingly gave himself up,
paying a price,
that we will never fully comprehend.
He would leave heaven for earth;
he would live a sinless life;
he would be betrayed;
he would be abandoned;
he would be tortured;
and he would endure the father’s wrath
in place of those who deserved it.
Genuine love is always sacrificial.
Second, The greatness of God’s love is displayed in our unworthiness of it (Romans 5:6–8).
Romans 5:6–8 (NKJV) 6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
We were unable to save ourselves.
We were “helpless” when, “at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly” (v. 6).
Not only were we “ungodly,” but verse 8 says we were “sinners”
and then verses 9–10 go on to remind us that we were “enemies.”
God’s love is uncommon,
Christ did not die for a “good person” (v. 7).
Maybe you would take a bullet for a national hero, but what about for a serial killer?
Christ died for his enemies,
for people who did not deserve to be saved.
Sinners, who have been justified by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, know a love like no other love.
God’s love for you is displayed in creation and on the cross through Christ.
Sin has divided you from God.
Sin enters the world, Adam was kicked out of the garden,
Death comes screaming into humanity as the first murder is committed by Cain.
And in Gods perfect plan Jesus, becomes our rescuer by paying the penalty of Death that we owed God…
What will do you with all this information… The final image is a question mark.
(Question mark) Will you trust Jesus? This involves agreeing that you are sinful and turning away from your wrong view of Jesus. Believe and confess that Jesus is Lord, surrendering your life to Him. Romans 10:9-10/ John 1:12/ Rev. 3:20/ Ephesians 2:8-9
John 1:12 (NKJV) 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:
When we change our mind about who Jesus is and he rescues us, we become “children of God” (v. 12).
We, who were dead in our trespasses and sin,
His Enemies
are now brought into the family of God.
Our lives are radically altered by our position in the family of God.
We don’t need to fear the future
because we are going to the Father’s house (John 14).
We can stop worrying about whether our needs on this earth will be met
because our Father gives good gifts to his children (Matt 7).
We don’t need to be anxious about our 401k
because we recognize that our inheritance is not in earthly banks but in the heavenly realm (Col 1).
Our hope, our expectation, is not in this world.
Someday, as children of the King,
we will “shine like the sun in [our] Father’s kingdom” (Matt 13:43).
Will you reject Jesus or will you receive him?
What will you do with Jesus?
(Heart) God Loves you - He created you in His image, unique from anything else in creation. He is real and wants you to know Him. Genesis 1:27 / John 3:16
(Divided) Sin Separates you – Not trusting God and ignore His ways is called sin in the Bible. Sin damages relationships with people and God. Sin leads to eternal death. Romans 3:23 / Romans 6:23 / Isaiah 59:2
(Cross) Jesus Rescues You - At the cross, Jesus took your place and paid the penalty that your sins deserve. He secured eternal life by conquering death through the resurrection. Romans 5:8 / 1 Peter 3:18 / 1 Corinthians 15:3-8
(Question mark) Will you trust Jesus? This involves agreeing that you are sinful and turning away from your wrong view of Jesus. Believe and confess that Jesus is Lord, surrendering your life to Him. Romans 10:9-10/ John 1:12/ Rev. 3:20/ Ephesians 2:8-9