The Bad News

Sermon Notes

In this short series, here is what we are going to do explore about the gospel:

1. What it is
2. What it can do
3. A specific application

When we understand the gospel better, we understand Jesus better.
When we ignore the gospel, we are ignoring Jesus.

A simple definition of the gospel: God saves sinners through Jesus.

What the gospel is not:

• The gospel is not a new religion (rules and restrictions from a system)
• The gospel is not antinomianism (freedom and desire for a person)

The good news is really good because the bad news is really bad.

1. Paul defines how broken we really are – Rom. 7:15-20
2. Paul defines the source of this condition – Rom. 5:12
3. Paul shows how Christ reversed the effect of Adam’s disobedience –
   Rom. 5:17-19, 6:5-7

What makes grace so powerful is that sin is so real.

Consider the following:

• To know and understand Jesus is to know and understand the gospel.
• To know and understand the gospel is to know and understand our need for grace.
• To know and understand our need for grace is know and understand ourselves.

Final Question: Are you aware that you are a sinner in need of God’s grace?

Discussion Questions

MAIN TEXT

Romans 5:12-19, 6:5-11, 7:15-20

TALK IT OUT

1. Read Romans 5:12, 7:15-20. Think back to when you were a child. Did anyone have to teach you to do wrong or did that come “naturally” to you? How does that experience correlate with what Paul writes in these verses?
2. Read Ephesians 2:1-3. What is the bad news about our spiritual condition? Read Romans 5:12 again. To whom does this bad news apply?
3. Read Romans 5:6-9,18-19 and Ephesians 2:4-7. What is the Good News God has shared with us? To whom does this Good News apply?
4. Read Ephesians 2:8-9. How much do our good works factor into God’s love for us?
5. Read Romans 5:17 and John 1:9-13. According to these passages, how do we apply this Good News to our individual lives?

LIVE IT OUT

• Think about some of the things you’ve done in your life just recently (not to mention in your entire life) that were offensive to God. How does it make you feel to know He has provided a way for you to still have a loving relationship with Him in spite of all you’ve done?
• Have you personally received the gift of God’s grace? If so, take a few moments to thank HIm for that amazing gift. If not, why not consider receiving His grace right now?