Park Cities Presbyterian Church (PCA)
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A brief presentation of the gospel
An adaptation of the gospel presentation developed by D. James Kennedy
By Paul Settle
Published May 26, 2009
“GETTING TO THE POINT”
- Purpose: to build rapport by engaging in friendly conversation leading from general topics, to “religion,” to “church,” to the gospel. Once you have moved from the church to more personal religious beliefs or practices, you ask:
- The First Lead-In Question: Have you grown in your religious experience to the extent that you can say that you know God personally, and that when you die, you will be with Him in heaven? (John 17:3)
- The Second Lead-In Question: If you were to die today, and stand before God, and He should ask, “Do I know you? Why should I let you into heaven with Me?” what would you say? (Matthew 7:21–23)
- The Positive Transition: I have Good News! It is possible to know that God knows you personally, and to know that you know Him, and to know that when you die He will welcome you into His loving presence! Would you like me to share with you how this could be? (1 John 5:13)
THE GOSPEL MESSAGE
A MESSAGE ABOUT GOD
God is the Creator, holy and just.
- He created us. (Psalm 139:13–14)
- He knows us and sees us. (Psalm 139:1,2)
- He made us to worship Him alone. (Psalm 100:1–4)
- He holds all men accountable. (Hebrews 9:27; Matthew 5:48; Galatians 3:10)
- He must punish sin. (Romans 6:23a; Isaiah 6:3)
A MESSAGE ABOUT SIN
- Man is a fallen creature, guilty, depraved, helplessly sinful. (Romans 5:12; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:32; Galatians 2:16b; Ephesians 2:1–2; Romans 8:5–8)
- Man cannot meet God’s demand for perfect holiness. (Romans 3:28; Galatians 2:16; Matthew 5:48; 1 Peter 1:15–16; Hebrews 12:14b)
A MESSAGE ABOUT CHRIST
God is Love—He sent a Savior (John 3:16a); the ”COVENANT” (Genesis 3:15; John 17:2)
Christ: Who He is: the incarnate God-Man (John 1:1, 14)
Christ: What He did:
- He perfectly obeyed the Law of God for His people, fulfilling every one of God’s requirements for them (Romans 3:26; 10:4)
- He fully paid the penalty for their sins (Hebrews 9:26, 28)
- He purchased a place in Heaven for them… (Romans 6:23b; Ephesians 2:8; John 14:1–6)…that He offers as a GIFT, to be received by FAITH and REPENTANCE…
- He sends His Spirit to give life, faith, and repentance (John 16:7–11; Ephesians 2:8–9; 1:17; Philippians 2:13; Titus 3:5–6; Ezekiel 36:26 (Westminster Confession of Faith X)
“Part of the work is done for us by Christ, part of it is done in us by the Spirit. God gave the gift of His Son to work salvation out, and the gift of His Spirit to work salvation in” (G. I. Williamson)
A SUMMONS TO FAITH AND REPENTANCE
Faith
What it is not
- Not trusting facts alone (mere intellectual assent) (James 2:19)
- Not trusting favors alone (Matthew 5:45)
- Not trusting feelings alone (2 Corinthians 7, 9–10)
What it is
- Turning to God (Luke 15:18)
- Trusting Christ alone for salvation (Acts 16:31)
Repentance
What it is not
- Merely feeling sorry (without hating sin)
- Merely feeling disgusted (without turning from it)
- Merely fear of hell (without loving God)
What it is
- a. Changing one’s view of sin (2 Corinthians 7:10; Psalm 51:4; Amos 5:15; Psalm 119:28; 2 Corinthians 7:11
- b. Changing one’s feelings about sin (Psalm 51:2, 10, 14; Ezekiel 36:31)
- d. A change of one’s will and purpose (Psalm 51:5, 7, 10; Psalm 119:6, 59, 106; Luke 1:6)
So, ask God to enable you to…
- …Transfer your trust from self-works to Christ alone (1 Thessalonians 1:9b)
- …Believe in Christ as Savior (John 1:12)
- …Submit to Christ as Lord (Romans 10:9)
- …Repent of your sin and sins and follow Christ according to the Bible (Matthew 11:28–30)
Some recommended reading for Christian witnesses:
- R. B. Kuiper, God–Centered Evangelism
- J. I. Packer, Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God
- Jonathan Edwards, On Evangelism
- Charles Spurgeon, The Soul Winner
- Eden and Wells, The Gospel in the Modern World
- Morton H. Smith, Reformed Evangelism
- Also: The Westminster Confession of Faith chapters 2–3, and 5–18