Unit 4

Discuss: In the light of 2_Corinthians_5:14-21 - what is on God's agenda? What is God's provision for people? What is the ministry God has given to us?

Priorities of wisdom and love

We have a wonderful saviour and a wonderful message. The Church is His witness to the unbelieving world - to bring others to reconciliation with God. To be witnesses, the gospel must first be true in our own lives, demonstrated by a consistent life style. The Christian message is so profound, only a passion for its liberation is a worthy response!

We can do nothing of ourselves to witness. We must be empowered by the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to vitalise our motivation of love and our obedience. Our presentation of the gospel must have love and wisdom as priorities.

IF YOU DON'T WALK THE WALK,
DON'T TALK THE TALK!

Sharing the gospel - a practice run

Let's imagine a scenario where God places you in a situation where someone enquires of you - "How do I become a Christian?" This is an opportunity to put the following scripture into practice:

"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience..." (1_Peter_3:15)

You may like to use 2_Corinthians_5:14-21 to prepare an outline of the kind of answer you would like to give. This should take into account the following points, in the order and way you would like this to occur:

. Our condition without God;

. Why God cares - the consequences of life apart from God;

. How God cares - His only provision for our salvation;

. What it means to you to be a Christian (something of your personal story);

. How to appropriate God's provision, i.e. how to pray to God.

Where to go from here

In a Bible Class a young student questioned: "I can't understand what the death of a man (Jesus) has to do with the forgiveness of sin?" How would you answer this?

Your answer should include the idea of substitution: Our sin has breached God's perfect law. God cannot and will not change His law - and the judgment for our being guilty of breaking His law is death.

This would result in our eternal separation from God. Yet in God's mercy He provides a way to overcome this absolute outcome. His son, Jesus, 'steps into the dock' on our behalf and accepts the death sentence as payment for our sin.

This is Jesus' substitution for us - while He is without sin. He pays the ransom to set us free. As we accept this transaction we are honouring God's provision.

This step of faith is what God requires for us to obtain complete and eternal forgiveness, thus opening up the way of restoration of relationship with Himself.

1	Isaiah_58:3-4
2	Matthew_28:18-20
3	Mark_5:1-20
4	John_20:21-22
5	Acts_16:22-34
6	1_Corinthians_12:4-11
7	2_Corinthians_5:14-20

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