Lesson One
God’s motivation
The effects of sin
God’s plan for salvation
THIS LESSON COVERS THE FOLLOWING:
The Heart of the Gospel is about what God desires.
The gospel is both straightforward and complex. Meditating on its truths makes us realise that it is more simple than we think and far more complex than we can grasp.
Explaining this wonderful news of humanity’s rescue, God’s profound love, and renewed hope can leave one feeling awkward and often at a loss for words. It makes sense that many Christians struggle to find the right words to express such deep and transformative feelings.
To help us better understand this great news, we will start with God's motivation.
What does God want?
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What does God want? 〰️
The answer is simple. God wants you!
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Psalms 86 v 15
Isaiah 41 v 10
Zephaniah 3 v 17
Romans 5 v 8-9
Ephesians 2 v 4-5
Despite what God wants, we have a problem…
It is called sin!
By nature, we are sinners!
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By nature, we are sinners! 〰️
Sin separates us from God
We are all born with a sinful nature and can’t overcome it on our own!
Sin affects everything we do, say and think—it taints everything about us. Death, violence and hatred are the results of rebellion and sin. The Bible tells us that the “wages of sin is death” and as a result, we are “alienated from God”.
Because of this sinful nature, we are self-absorbed and rebellious. The Bible calls us “dead in our trespasses and sins”, and we are “ungodly” and therefore live self-destructive lives. Not only that, we are “hostile” towards God because we are His enemies.
Yet God knows all of this and still loves us and wants us in His family.
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Romans 5:6 - 10
Romans 6:23
Ephesians 2:1
Ephesians 4:18
Colossians 1:21
God hates what sin has done to us!
God remains fully committed to providing a genuine and enduring solution to the separation caused by sin
That is why Jesus became the solution! He was the only one who could open the way for us to enter into a relationship with God when we place faith in Jesus and repent from sin. In Mark 1:15 Jesus announces “The time has come… 'The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
“The gospel is this: We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope.”
Take some time to reflect on what you have just read. Write your answers and thoughts in a journal. Be honest with yourself; it will be beneficial.
There are no right or wrong answers. These questions are designed to help you think critically about what you read and understand your own beliefs about God and yourself.
Reflective Questions
What do you think about God's motivation for you?
Do you believe that God recognizes your worth?
Does it upset you when you read that you have a sinful nature and cannot overcome it on your own?
Why do you think that is?
Do you believe that God is committed to bringing you back into His family?