Easter – The Whole Gospel
Easter is about Jesus, about the Resurrection of Christ and the salvation He brought to mankind. 1 Cor 1:23
Paul tells us why the death and resurrection of Jesus was necessary: Romans 3:21–31 21
Matthew 7:21-27 True and False Disciples21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
God Loves You, You Are in Trouble, Sin Brings the Death Penalty, The Good News: God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Repent of Your Sin and Transfer Your Faith from you own efforts (being “good”) to Jesus Christ:
To repent means to “turn away from.” It means to be sorry for your sin and truly not want to do it anymore; Faith is placing your trust in something: you place your faith/trust in a Doctor when you have surgery, in a pilot when you fly, in a parachute when you jump
“Am I Really Saved?” 2 Corinthians 13:5
Matthew 7:21-27 True and False Disciples
Matthew 7:13-14 The Narrow Way
Fake Christians Matthew 13:24-30
How Does This Deception Happen?
A Shallow or Inaccurate Understanding of the Gospel
The Cost is Not Presented or Considered Luke 14:25-33
False Security
Failure To Examine Yourself or Test Your Faith
2Corinthians 13:5-6 5 Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! 6 I hope you will find out that we have not failed the test.
The Bible gives us many “tests” to help us determine the authenticity of our salvation.
Things That Are Evidence of Genuine Saving Faith
Taking up Your Cross: Mt 10:38
Living Sacrifice: Rom 12:1
Love for God: Rom 8:6-7
Continual Repentance: 1 Jn 1:8-10
A Transformed Life: Rom 12:2
Humility: Jas 4:6
Spiritual Fruit: Ga 5:22
Devotion to God’s Glory: 1 Co 10:31
Selflessness Towards Others: Ro 12:10
Effective Prayer: Jas 5:16
Obedient Living: Mt 7:21
Assurance Tests in 1 John
1 John 2-5 Obedience is evidence of saving faith
1 John 2:11; 3:14 love for brethren is evidence.
1 John 3:16 If we are willing to lay down our lives for our brethren, that is evidence of genuine saving faith.
1 Jn 3:18-19: When we put love into real action and not just talk about it – that is evidence of genuine salvation.
1 John 3:24 Obedience is evidence of saving faith.
1 John 4:2 Confession is evidence of genuine salvation.
1 John 4:7 Knowing and loving God is evidence
1 John 4:13 If the work of the Holy Spirit is evident in our life, this is proof of our salvation.
Conduct of Genuine Saving Faith
Tell people (don’t be ashamed) – Rom 1:16
Live the truth – Php 1:27
Fellowship together the truth – Phil 1:5
Protect the truth – Ga 1:6-8
Suffer for truth – 1 Pe 4:12-13
Defend the truth – Jude 3