God, Man, Sin, Savior: A Simple Gospel Outline

God tells us we were created by him to love, serve, and enjoy endless fellowship with him forever. Indeed, the New Testament reveals that it was Jesus himself who created everything (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16). Therefore, he also owns and rules everything (Psalm 103:19). This means that he has authority over our lives and we owe him absolute allegiance, obedience, and worship. Our great daily need is to renew our minds according to His Word with the great truths and promises there for us, because of the great mercy and grace that we have received from God (Romans 12:1-2). 

Whether preaching these gospel truths and treasures to your own heart, or seeking to share them with others, here is a simple gospel outline adapted from one of my favorite gospel tracts* for you to meditate on and give liberally to those in need around you:

GOD IS HOLY. God is absolutely and perfectly holy (Isaiah 6:3), therefore He cannot commit or approve of evil (James 1:13). God. requires holiness of us as well. First Peter 1:16 says, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."

MANKIND IS SINFUL. According to Scripture, everyone is guilty of sin: "There is no man who does not sin" (1 Kings 8:46). That doesn't mean we're incapable of performing acts of human kindness. But we're utterly incapable of understanding, loving, or pleasing God on our own (Romans 3:10-12).

SIN DEMANDS A PENALTY. God's holiness and justice demand that all sinners be punished by eternal death in hell (Ezekiel 18:4; Romans 6:23). That's why simply changing our patterns of behavior can't solve our sin problem or eliminate its consequences.

JESUS IS LORD AND SAVIOR. The New Testament reveals that, as God the Son, Jesus Himself created everything (Colossians 1:16). Therefore, He owns and rules everything (Psalm 103:19). That means He has authority over our lives and we owe Him absolute allegiance, obedience, and worship. Romans 10:9 says, "If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved." Even though God's justice demands death for sin, His love has provided a Savior who paid the penalty and died for sinners (1 Peter 3:18). Christ's death satisfied the demands of God's justice and Christ's perfect life satisfied the demands of God's holiness (2 Corinthians 5:21), thereby enabling Him to forgive and save those who place their faith in Him (Romans 3:26).

THE CHARACTER OF SAVING FAITH. True faith is always accompanied by repentance from sin. Repentance is agreeing with God that you are sinful, confessing your sins to Him, and making a conscious choice to turn from sin (Luke 13:3,5; 1 Thessalonians 1:9) and pursue Christ (Matthew 11:28-30; John 17:3) and obey Him (1 John 2:3). It isn't enough to believe certain facts about Christ. Even Satan and his demons believe in the true God (James 2:19), but they don't love and obey Him. True saving faith always responds in obedience (Ephesians 2:10).

*https://www.gracebooks.com/gcc-god-is-holy-tract-100-pack.html