What’s the Good News? (Sermon Outline)
April 19th, 20121. Power of God in Okinawa seen in 1945
2. 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” Romans 1.16-17
3. Dunamos = Power
a. Dynamite – Destructive; Dynamo – Constructive
b. Electricity – Capital punishment; Lighting houses
c. Nuclear Power – Hiroshima; Energy for our cities
4. Gospel is intended to be “good news” – can be used to tear down or build up
a. The same message saved the Hebrews and drowned Pharaoh’s Army
b. The same message will save the faithful and condemn the disobedient
I. The Good News Is God’s Power to Inform
A. The Facts of the Gospel – 1 Corinthians 15.3-4
3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,
1. Most here – grew up in church, knowing these facts
2. Some of us did not grow up with these facts
3. Either way these are the crucial, essential foundation of our lives
B. Facts Bring Understanding
A freshman at Eagle Rock Junior High won first prize at the greater Idaho Falls Science Fair, April 26, 1997. . .
1. While facts are important, we do not have to have a complete understanding of everything God commands us to do
2. Baptism – Naaman – 2 Kings 5; [A. Campbell – translated NT and discovered baptism meant “immersion” – so, he asked a Baptist preacher to immerse him; 15 years later “baptism for the remission of sin”
3. Reenact the DBR; Pre-enact our DBR
C. Understanding Brings Action
1. Change occurs when we LEARN enough Ephesians 3:4-6
2. or Hurt enough
[Eastern European Missions AND World Bible School
Remember when people prayed for the Iron Curtain to come down so we could spread the gospel? IT HAS! God did his part. Here is an opportunity to provide Bibles for public schools in Ukraine. $945/school. $1 Million+ will take care of the schools in 2 States. The plan is to accomplish this by end of school year!
II. The Good News Is God’s Power to Transform – Romans 12:1-2
The true story of the Mutiny on the Bounty . . .
A. Universal Transformation (Jew/Greek) – Hebrews 4:12-13
1. Good News – Luke 2:10-11
2. Bad News – Romans 3:23; 6:23
B. Personal Transformation – Romans 1.16 (I am not ashamed . . .)
1. Shame is a big motivator – Dead Messiah?
2. Impacts Individuals – Paul; Ethiopian; Cornelius; Jailer; Lydia
3. Impacts Groups of Individuals – Pentecost; Priests (Acts 6.7); Philip at Samaria; HOUSEHOLDS
III. The Good News Is God’s Power to Reform
A. When We Fail - 1 John 1:6-7
B. When We Are Confused – Focus on Yeshua (Jesus)– Hebrews 12:1-2
Conclusion
1. Pioneer 10 Story
2. $Million Sunday for Eastern European Missions; Impact of WBS;
