Three Keys to Sharing the Good News
I’ve had the privilege of attending numerous conferences on evangelism. These events are normally encouraging, as you get to mix with people who are passionate about reaching others for Jesus. Often at these conferences, I find myself making new friends and building connections with different people. At one meeting in Brisbane, I found myself having a conversation with a young man who told me he was called by God to be an evangelist to young people. As we chatted, he shared his dreams and plans – he then detailed the different methods he was developing, all with the purpose of seeing people saved.
Clearly, this young man was passionate – you couldn’t help feeling stirred and excited as you listened to him speak; but something wasn’t right... it was hard to put my finger on it, but something was missing.
As the conversation progressed, I said, “You’ve told me many wonderful things, but you haven’t told me the message you intend to share; could you tell me, what is the gospel?” Silence fell, the young man paused and looked at me as if I had grown an extra head. Confusion crossed his face. Here we were at a conference aimed at evangelists, yet he hadn’t told me about the message he wants young people to hear.
No answer came from the young man; his face betrayed the confusion he was feeling, so I asked again, “What is the gospel? You’ve told me you are an evangelist, so I am hoping you can explain the gospel to me.” It was clear he had never been asked such a question before. After thinking, he replied, “The gospel is saying the sinner’s prayer.” Now it was my turn to be confused, so I asked him where that message was found in the Bible. The young man smiled and said, “It is found in John 14:6. Jesus said, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life, and no one comes to the Father, except by saying the sinner’s prayer.’”
I really wish this story was made up; but this was a serious discussion at an evangelistic conference. The young man was passionate and sincere, but he didn’t have a clue as to the central message of Christianity.
Sadly, this young man isn’t unique (although his interpretation of John 14:6 is!!). There are many people who attend church, including those who desire the lost to come to know Jesus, who don’t understand the biblical gospel.
Ray Comfort recommends a good way to test if someone knows the gospel is to ask them to imagine you have a knife in your back, and only three minutes to live. Then ask the person to explain the good news to you, so you can be assured of going to Heaven. I have used this type of questioning many times, and unfortunately, many Christians get confused over the gospel.
Perhaps you are reading this, and you’ve realised you couldn’t articulate the good news either. If that is the case, let me show you from Scripture the gospel message; if you remember the following three points, it will help you understand and explain the good news to anyone.
Let’s read 1 Corinthians 15:1-4,
Now I want to make clear for you, brothers and sisters, the gospel I preached to you, which you received, on which you have taken your stand and by which you are being saved, if you hold to the message I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.
In this passage, the Apostle Paul seeks to remind the church in Corinth of the good news he has preached to them. He then unpacks the gospel and highlights a few key points that we need to remember. It is important to notice that the Scripture tells us that this message is 'most important' (v3), or as some other translations state, 'of first importance.' In other words, the gospel is the fundamental message we need to understand and share; it is vital we have clarity on this issue.
Let me give you three key points from this passage which should be included in every gospel presentation. These truths need to be present when we share the good news in a one-to-one setting, or even if you are preaching to a crowd of people in a crusade.
1) The Reason Christ Died (v3)
If you've been around Christianity for any length of time, chances are you've heard the saying, 'Jesus Saves.' This is a true statement, yet what is missing is the information of WHY we need Jesus to be our Saviour. It is well and good to know the truth that Jesus saves, but why does someone need salvation?
Think of it this way. Imagine I came running into your home, picked you up, and then dragged you out of the house saying, “I’ve saved you! I’ve saved you!” If I did that, chances are you’d think I was crazy. However, if I came into your home and explained that you were in great danger, then carried you out, my actions would make sense.
The same is true with the gospel, which is why Paul explains that 'Christ died for our sins...' (v3). The Apostle wants his readers to understand their personal need for salvation because they, as individuals, have sinned against God. Sin brings judgment and death (Romans 6:23) – sin makes us in need of rescue.
If we are going to tell people about the salvation Christ offers, we need to explain why they need that salvation in the first place. The reason people need the Saviour is that they have sinned.
2) Christ Died (v3)
Once you've explained why someone needs Jesus, you can move on to proclaim the wonderful news that Christ has died on the cross in the place of sinners. Our goal in evangelism must be to declare that Jesus went to the cross to die as a substitute for sinful humanity.
The cross is the central symbol of Christianity for good reason, as without the cross of Jesus, there is no salvation. If Jesus hadn’t died to pay the penalty for sin, then there would be no hope. Sin brings death, but Jesus, in love, dies for sinners. He takes the punishment and judgment for sin upon Himself.
When we share the gospel, we must talk about Jesus dying on the cross, but as we do so, we need to stress that Christ, out of love, willingly died in the place of sinners. Jesus didn’t deserve to die, but because He loves us, He chose to die in our place.
Share the truth that our sin brings judgment and death, but then share the wonderful love of Christ – His death on a cross. Magnify the love of God by proclaiming Jesus crucified for sinners (Romans 5:8).
3) Christ is Risen! (v4)
The resurrection of the Lord Jesus is perhaps the easiest part of the gospel message to forget. I have read many tracts that overlook this point and listened to numerous sermons that leave Jesus in the tomb. But if we are going to be faithful in sharing the good news, we must talk about the victory of Jesus. He is risen!
Paul, when reminding the church of the gospel, speaks about sin, the cross, and then the amazing truth: Christ isn’t dead – He is alive! Do not leave Jesus dead on the cross; speak of the marvelous reality that sets Jesus apart from all others. Every religious leader who dies stays in the grave, but not Jesus.
If we want to faithfully share the gospel, then we must tell people about the resurrection because if they are going to be saved, they must believe this truth (Romans 10:9).
Be warned, though, out of all the points of the gospel, this is the one people will object to the most. People hear of sin and the cross, but when it comes to the resurrection, many will scoff. This is what happened in Acts 17:30-33 when Paul proclaimed the gospel. Yet despite the mockery, the resurrection must be proclaimed. Even though some may laugh, others will believe.
Share the resurrection of Jesus, as we are justified through Christ being risen from the dead (Romans 4:25).
Summary
We've briefly seen the three key elements of any gospel message. If you follow this outline, you will be able to share the gospel with anyone. Remember, you must talk about sin, the cross, and the resurrection. Once you've proclaimed these truths, then follow the example of Jesus in Mark 1:15 by calling on people to 'Repent and believe the good news!'
I hope this simple outline assists you in sharing the gospel. Try to commit these three key points to memory so that next time you evangelise, you are ready to go.
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