I have always taught that when we share the Gospel/the Message that Gives Everlasting Life to remember these three things: 1) It (the Message) is always about Him (not about us); 2) It must always be simple enough for a child to understand; and 3) It must be consistent from Genesis through Revelation.
UPDATE 8/26/2013:
The Gospel--The Greatest Message that Gives Life
When Adam and Eve ate of fruit from the forbidden tree in the Garden, God did not declare them “sinners” (although they were and we are); God declared them “DEAD.” The result is that every human being is estranged from God—"alienated from the life of God" (Ephesians 4:18). Therefore, since that time, what man has needed is not only to have their sins forgiven, but more importantly, they have needed life—everlasting life. In fact, the reason anyone is cast into the Lake of Fire is not because of unforgiven sin, but because their name is not written in the Lamb’s Book of Life (Revelation 20:15) [Unbelief is the cause for the unsaved not having Everlasting Life. Not having Everlasting Life is the reason they are condemned to the Lake of Fire.]. The remedy for that death sentence was given by God as recorded in Genesis 3:15, where the “Seed” Promise was given. This Seed of the woman would “crush” the seed of the serpent. From that declaration on, the Scriptures add more and more detailed information concerning that “Seed.” [E.g., Genesis 3:15; 4:1; 12; Isaiah 9:6; 52:13—53:12; John 1:1—16.] He is the one who would come and give Life (everlasting life) instead of the Death (everlasting death) sentence all mankind is under. By the time we get to the New Testament we find that the “Promised Seed/Messiah” is Immanuel, God with us. [He is able to keep His promises – Hebrews 7:25; 10:10-14; John 10:27-29 and He chooses to keep His promises – John 6:39-40, 44, 54 (see how hesed is used throughout the OT as it describes God’s “covenant-keeping love.”)]
At the cross, the righteous justice of God was satisfied for all humanity (2 Corinthians 5:19; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; 1 Peter 2:24). Jesus Christ is the propitiation for the sins of the whole world (2 Corinthians 5:19; 1 John 2:2), and it is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ (based on His death and resurrection) alone that we receive the free gift of everlasting life (the remedy for everlasting death).
Therefore, the person comes to God through believing in Jesus Christ. In His role as Mediator, He bestows everlasting life on the believer, thus introducing them to God. In response, God accepts the believing person and pronounces him/her justified. So, when God says, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved,” [Paul’s response to the Philippian Jailer as recorded in Acts 16:23—31.] He does not merely want belief in Christ’s existence. Nor does He mean we should believe in certain doctrines about Christ, e.g. that He was born of a virgin, that He was God in the flesh, that He died for the sins of the world, or that He is coming again. Believing about Christ is one thing… believing in Him is another. To believe in Him is to trust Him alone for our salvation [everlasting life] … it is to depend upon Him to get us to Heaven …it is to believe Him, that He will do what He promised to do—give us everlasting life.”
The Gospel--The Greatest Message that Gives Life
When Adam and Eve ate of fruit from the forbidden tree in the Garden, God did not declare them “sinners” (although they were and we are); God declared them “DEAD.” The result is that every human being is estranged from God—"alienated from the life of God" (Ephesians 4:18). Therefore, since that time, what man has needed is not only to have their sins forgiven, but more importantly, they have needed life—everlasting life. In fact, the reason anyone is cast into the Lake of Fire is not because of unforgiven sin, but because their name is not written in the Lamb’s Book of Life (Revelation 20:15) [Unbelief is the cause for the unsaved not having Everlasting Life. Not having Everlasting Life is the reason they are condemned to the Lake of Fire.]. The remedy for that death sentence was given by God as recorded in Genesis 3:15, where the “Seed” Promise was given. This Seed of the woman would “crush” the seed of the serpent. From that declaration on, the Scriptures add more and more detailed information concerning that “Seed.” [E.g., Genesis 3:15; 4:1; 12; Isaiah 9:6; 52:13—53:12; John 1:1—16.] He is the one who would come and give Life (everlasting life) instead of the Death (everlasting death) sentence all mankind is under. By the time we get to the New Testament we find that the “Promised Seed/Messiah” is Immanuel, God with us. [He is able to keep His promises – Hebrews 7:25; 10:10-14; John 10:27-29 and He chooses to keep His promises – John 6:39-40, 44, 54 (see how hesed is used throughout the OT as it describes God’s “covenant-keeping love.”)]
At the cross, the righteous justice of God was satisfied for all humanity (2 Corinthians 5:19; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; 1 Peter 2:24). Jesus Christ is the propitiation for the sins of the whole world (2 Corinthians 5:19; 1 John 2:2), and it is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ (based on His death and resurrection) alone that we receive the free gift of everlasting life (the remedy for everlasting death).
Therefore, the person comes to God through believing in Jesus Christ. In His role as Mediator, He bestows everlasting life on the believer, thus introducing them to God. In response, God accepts the believing person and pronounces him/her justified. So, when God says, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved,” [Paul’s response to the Philippian Jailer as recorded in Acts 16:23—31.] He does not merely want belief in Christ’s existence. Nor does He mean we should believe in certain doctrines about Christ, e.g. that He was born of a virgin, that He was God in the flesh, that He died for the sins of the world, or that He is coming again. Believing about Christ is one thing… believing in Him is another. To believe in Him is to trust Him alone for our salvation [everlasting life] … it is to depend upon Him to get us to Heaven …it is to believe Him, that He will do what He promised to do—give us everlasting life.”
The Golden Rule of Interpretation
“When the plain sense of Scripture makes common sense, seek no other sense;
therefore, take every word at its primary,
ordinary, usual, literal meaning
unless the facts of the immediate context,
studied in the light of related passages
and axiomatic and fundamental truths,
indicate clearly otherwise.” [David L. Cooper]
“When the plain sense of Scripture makes common sense, seek no other sense;
therefore, take every word at its primary,
ordinary, usual, literal meaning
unless the facts of the immediate context,
studied in the light of related passages
and axiomatic and fundamental truths,
indicate clearly otherwise.” [David L. Cooper]
UPDATES:
06.22.12 JORDAN MINISTRY--Friday morning we were taken south of Amman, through Madaba to the remains of the fortress of Machaerus (Mukawer) originally built by the Jewish leader Alexander Jannaeus in the 2nd century B.C. and where Herod later built a palace within it and where Josephus believed John the Baptist was beheaded. This fortress was finally taken by the Romans (through the use of a seige ramp, similar to Masada) during the Jewish Revolt of AD 68--72. The remains of the Roman encampments can still be seen from the hill looking down toward the Dead Sea on the west side.
06.22.12 JORDAN MINISTRY--Friday morning we were taken south of Amman, through Madaba to the remains of the fortress of Machaerus (Mukawer) originally built by the Jewish leader Alexander Jannaeus in the 2nd century B.C. and where Herod later built a palace within it and where Josephus believed John the Baptist was beheaded. This fortress was finally taken by the Romans (through the use of a seige ramp, similar to Masada) during the Jewish Revolt of AD 68--72. The remains of the Roman encampments can still be seen from the hill looking down toward the Dead Sea on the west side.
UPDATES:
06.18.12 JORDAN MINISTRY--Friday afternoon, the 16th we were taken to the Roman Ruins of Umm Queis, north of Amman near the Syrian border (Golan Heights) and next to the Sea of Galilee with our friend and guide Chris (who is form the UK).
06.18.12 JORDAN MINISTRY--Friday afternoon, the 16th we were taken to the Roman Ruins of Umm Queis, north of Amman near the Syrian border (Golan Heights) and next to the Sea of Galilee with our friend and guide Chris (who is form the UK).
UPDATES:
06.18.12 JORDAN MINISTRY--Friday morning, the 16th we were taken to the Roman Ruins of Jerash, just north of Amman with our friend and guide Chris (who is form the UK).
06.18.12 JORDAN MINISTRY--Friday morning, the 16th we were taken to the Roman Ruins of Jerash, just north of Amman with our friend and guide Chris (who is form the UK).
06.07.12 JORDAN MINISTRY--We arrived safely in Amman, Jordan on the evening of June 2 after a 12 hour flight from Chicago (the leg room on the flight was the shortest to date--which made for a very long flight) and began teaching on Monday the 4th. A great group of students from various parts of the Middle East. Thursday after class a friend took us to old Amman to the Citadel and to the Theater at Philadelphia. I am posting some of the photos taken that day.
The entrance to the Citadel located in Old Amman, Jordan.
Steve at the Roman Period Temple remains at the Citadel in Amman, Jordan.
Jordan Museum at the Citadel in Amman, Jordan.
The remains of the Roman Period on top of the Citadel in Amman, Jordan.
Steve and Chris inside the 8th Century Palace at the Citadel
Water well located on the Citadel in Old Philadelphia in Amman, Jordan
Shan standing inside the entrance of the small theater at Old Philadelphia.
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Steve & Shan in the Old Roman Theater at Philadelphia.
Overlooking the Old Roman Theater Complex from the Citidel.
The Colonnade outside of Roman Theater at Philadelphia
The Colonnade just outside of the entranc to the Philadelphia theater from the Roman period.
The main entrance into the Theater at Philadelphia.
View looking to the top of the seats in the Roman Theater at Old Philadelphia in Amma, Jordan.
Inside the Roman Theater at the stage floor in old Philadelphia.
Lower section under the Roman Theater in old Philadelphia
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One of the entrances of the small Roman Theater in Amman, Jordan.
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02.02.12: UPDATE--Beginning my 6th week since surgery on my right ankle and hanging in there (literally “leaning on everyone” through this process). My wife, Shan, has displayed amazing patience. I have only one more week before they will let me put much weight on that ankle, but very glad to have 5+ weeks behind me. God is so good—it could have been so much worse! Please keep me in your prayers as they have made such a difference. Thanks so much!