THE GOSPEL LETTER
Contents (Ten meetings of the Gospel Letter)
1.WHY ARE PEOPLE UNHAPPY?
2.WHY CAN'T WE MEET GOD?
3.HOW CAN WE MEET GOD?
4.WHY IS JESUS THE ONLY WAY FOR US?.
5.WHY DON'T I HAVE ASSURANCE?
6.HOW HAVE I CHANGED AFTER SALVATION?
7.HOW DO WE START LIVING FROM HERE ON?"
8. WHEN IS GOD'S AUTHORITY REVEALED?
9. PRAYER IS A SPIRITUAL SCIENCE
10. WHY ARE WE HEALED WHEN WE PRAY?.
With this booklet every Christian
can share Jesus in a helpful way.
The Gospel Message
First Meeting:
WHY ARE PEOPLE UNHAPPY?
"For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23)
Why are people unable to find happiness? People are afflicted with many problems in their families, finance, mentally, and concerning their career. Some turn to dancing, drinking, or gambling in a desperate pursuit of happiness, only to fall deeper into despair. Why is this so?
1. PEOPLE ARE SEPARATED FROM GOD.
(1) Because of their disobedience, they do not know God (John10:10, Rom.3:23).
(2) They have fallen into a state of sin (Rom.3:10).
(3) They have fallen into affliction.
1) They have mental affliction (Mt.11:28).
2) Their lives lack equilibrium (Mt.12:25).
3) They suffer from physical distress/illness (Acts8:7, 10:38).
4) The true cause of all of these problems is rooted in their spiritual condition.
(4) In order to find answers to these problems, they seek evil spirits and other religions (ex. horoscopes, psychics, fortune tellers, astrology, numerology, etc.). Still, no fulfillment, only dissatisfaction persists.
2. THE BIBLE TELLS US WHEN THIS UNHAPPINESS BEGAN.
(1) It started in the days of Adam and Eve, when the history of mankind began.
(2) The true cause of this was disobedience or "original sin"(Gen.3:1-15).
(3) The result: man’s relationship with God was broken (Gen.3:16-19).
3. HOW LONG DOES THE UNHAPPINESS LAST?
(1) It continues even now (Eph.2:1-2).
(2) It will continue to exist (Mt.11:28-29).
(3) It gets worse in spite of our endeavors to solve the problem (Mt.12:43-45).
4. WHY DOESN'T THIS UNHAPPINESS DISAPPEAR?
(1) There is a being that causes unhappiness.
(2) What is he called?
Satan, Devil, Evil Spirits, Demons
(3) When did he appear?
An angel became corrupt and fell from heaven (Eze.28:14-19).
He was thrown out from heaven and hurled into the air (Eph.2:2).
He roams about the earth to ruin and destroy its inhabitants.
Eventually, he will retreat into hell (Mt.25:41).
5. WHAT IS THE STATE OF THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW GOD?
(1) They are children of the devil (John 8:44).
(2) They are suppressed by sin, death, and Satan (Eph.2:1,2).
(3) They have no joy or peace and face mental sufferings (Eph.2:3).
(4) They face physical sufferings (Acts 8:7, 10:38).
(5) They will face spiritual death (Lk.16:19-31, Rev.14:9).
(6) They will pass this Inheritance to their children (Exo.20:4-5, I Cor.10.20).
6. THE PEACE THE WORLD GIVES IS MOMENTARY.
(1) It is worldly.
(2) It is carnal.
(3) It is for pleasure.
(4) It causes greater unhappiness.
Second Meeting: "WHY CAN'T WE MEET GOD?"
Scripture: "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12)
The reason why people are unhappy is because they are separated from God. Living apart from God is filled with unhappiness. Then why can't people meet God?
1. WE HAVE BEEN SEPARATED FROM GOD.
(1) Our spirits are dead (Eph. 2:1).
(2) This means that God's spirit has left us.
1) In the beginning God created us and His spirit was with us (Gen.1:27).
2) After the fall, God's spirit departed and people became spiritually dead. Therefore without the sacrifice of blood, mankind will immediately face curses (Cain)..
3) Even man’s knowledge and wisdom are darkened and thus, we cannot see God's truths (2 Thes. 2:10-11).
4) Even though we hear the Word of God, we cannot understand it (2 Cor. 4:4-5).
2. PEOPLE ARESTRUGGLING IN ORDER TO MEET GOD..
(1) Because man is a spiritual being, there is a natural longing to seek God.
(2) People believe that if they live truthful lives then they will meet God. However, they fail to do so.
(3) People believe that if they have any religion and follow its rituals, then they will meet God (Mt. 12:43-45).
(4) They try to meet God philosophically, but they fail and are again plunged deeper into hopelessness (Col. 2:8-9; hollow & deceptive philosophy; this is based on human tradition and the basic principles of this world).
(5) Because people do not know what original sin is, they cannot meet God.
3. THOSE WHO ARE NOT SAVED CAN NOT MEET GOD.
(1) First we must be saved to meet God.
(2) We must be born again to see God (Jn. 3:3-5).
(3) Salvation is complete freedom from Satan and our fate and destiny.
(4) Salvation is complete freedom from sin.
(5) Salvation is freedom from the power of hell.
(6) Hell is where the children of Satan go (Mt. 25:41).
(7) Heaven is where the children of God go..
4. A DEAD PERSON CANNOT MOVE, LIKEWISE, A DEAD SPIRIT'S EFFORTS ARE USELESS.
(1) Man’s efforts cease to bring anything more than external changes.
(2) These efforts are good, but they do not qualify for salvation.
(3) No one can gain heaven through the things of the world.
5. WHY ARE OUR EFFORTS INSUFFICIENT FOR SALVATION?
(1) We can't revive our spirit through own effort.
(2) We can't revive our spirit with the help of others.
(3) No hero has been sent to the earth to conquer the devil (Acts 4:12).
(4)Salvation comes by the grace of God (Eph. 2:8).
Third Meeting: "HOW CAN WE MEET GOD?"
"Jesus answered, 'I am .the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.'" (John 14:6)
1. GOD IS SPIRIT.
(1) Since God is spirit, we cannot see Him with our eyes.
(2) Therefore, He is not limited by anyone. It is not God but idols that are limited by men. Demons are in those idols (1 Cor 10:20).
(3) Since God is spirit, He is omnipresent.
(4) He is omniscient.
(5) He is omnipotent.
(6) Therefore, we call Him Jehovah.
(7) Because people are spiritual beings, salvation itself is meeting God who is spirit (Is.40:18-31).
2. PEOPLE, HOWEVER, HAVE PHYSICAL BODIES.
(1) Therefore, we cannot see God.
(2) The human spirit is confined to the physical body.
(3) Death is when man’s spirit leaves his body.
(4) Opportunity for salvation exists only when the spirit is within the body (Luke 16:19-31).
3. THE WAY TO MEET GOD.
(1) God put on flesh and came to the earth to save mankind (John 1:14).
(2) Therefore, He was without sin and His spirit is God (1 Cor 15:45).
(3) He is Jesus Christ.
(4) Jesus has both divine and human nature (Matt. 16:16-19).
1) Messiah (Christ) - Savior, God
2) Son of God - image of man
(5) Receiving Jesus Christ is the way to meet God (John 1:12, Revelations 3:20).
(6) When we receive Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit (Jesus Life) dwells within us. This is salvation (John 14:16, 26-27).
(7) At this time, the devil's power goes away forever.
(8) Let's pray truly to accept Jesus Christ (Rom. 10:10).
4. EVIDENCE THAT GOD IS WITH US
(1) From the moment the Holy Spirit dwells within us, He will guide us and sanctify us every day (John 14:26-27).
(2) When we receive the Word correctly we will receive the Holy Spirit's guidance.
1) Word of God is living and active (Hebrews 4:12).
2) Our spirit lives when we accept the words of God (Psalms 119:25).
(3) When we have solution of our sins, we receive the Holy Spirit's guidance (Ps. 66:18, Gal. 5:16-18).
(4) If we pray sincerely having set a specific time, a specific topic and we pray continually then God’s power will be revealed.
(5) Because he has lost hold of us, Satan sends demons to interfere with us. Therefore, God tells us to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18).
(6) When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we receive power (Acts 1:8).
1) Over ourselves
2) Over the world
3) Over Satan
(7) The doors of evangelism open.
(8) Results that show that God is alive will appear..
(9) Can you understand John 14:6?
Fourth Meeting: "WHY IS JESUS THE ONLY WAY FOR US?"
" He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appears was to destroy the devil's work"(1 John 3:8)
1. MANY PEOPLE CAN'T DISTINGUISH SALVATION FROM LIFE.
(1) People think that all religions are the same.
(2) People believe that the purpose of religion is to do good things.
(3) People believe that the way to salvation is virtuous and meritorious deeds.
(4) Christianity is not a religion but life itself.
(5) Religion is created by man but the gospel is given by God.
(6) Religion is man searching for God, but the gospel is God coming to us.
(7) The standard of religion is mankind’s actions, but the Gospel is God's standard of salvation.
2. PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW THE CONDEMNED STATE OF THOSE WHO ARE NOT SAVED.
(1) "Original sin" refers to the condition of one who is not saved (Romans 3:10, 23).
(2) This means that we are in the state of being under the power of Satan, who appears in Genesis chapter 3 (Eph.2:2-3).
(3) The condemned state (of one who is not saved) is a dreadful state.
(1) Man’s spirit receives the spirit of Satan.
(2) Their spirit is condemned.
(3) Therefore, they resort to idol worshipping, pagan sacrifices, superstition, psychic readings, and other religions only to continue in sufferings and face eternal condemnation (Rom.1:21-23).
(i) They fail in the present reality and pass away.
(ii) Destruction continues until the 3rd and 4th generations (Ex. 20:4, 5).
(iii)They suffer physically from mental illnesses, diseases caused by demon possession and unclassified diseases (Mt.8:16-17).
(4) Also, they are destined to enter hell (Lk.16:19-31, Rev.14:9).
3. THERE IS ONLY ONE SAVIOR
(1) He must have the power to defeat Satan's authority.
(2) He must be clothed in the flesh of man (Jn.1:1, 14).
(3) However He must be without sin (Heb.4:15, 1 Peter 3:18).
(4) He must not simply be a descendant of Adam.
(5) The one without sin must die for sin (Gen.2:17).
(6) As evidence that He is God, He must resurrect from the dead (1 Cor.15:3-5).
(7) This savior is Jesus Christ.
(8) Only Jesus who is God, can defeat Satan's authority and save mankind (Ph.2:6-9).
(9) The power of Jesus Christ is verifiable even today (Acts 16:16-18).
4. WHAT IS SALVATION? (Ep.2:1-6)
(1) It is definite freedom from all sins that bring destruction.
1) Original sin - sin that results in eternal curses (Ep.2:1).
2) Consequential sin –these are the transgressions that came about because of original sin (Eph 2:1).
3) Sins of ancestors – as a result of idol worship, disasters are passed down to descendents (Ex.20:4).
(2) This means freedom from Satan's power and fate in the present (Ep.2:2).
(3) We will be seated in the heavenly realms in the future (Ep.2:6).
(4) Evidences will arise in the present reality (Ep.2:7).
* Do you understand 1 John 3:8?
Fifth Meeting: "WHY DON'T I HAVE ASSURANCE?"
"And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son does not have life" (1 John 5:11-13)
Many church goers often admit that they do not have assurance of salvation. There are many so called "Christians" who live without assurance. Why do they live without this assurance? We need to find the answer to this question.
1. IT IS BECAUSE THEY DO NOT KNOW THE NEW LIFE OF THOSE WHO ARE SAVED.
(1) Being saved (receiving salvation) means confessing and accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior with our mouths, our minds and our hearts (John 1:12, Rev.3:20, Rom.10:10).
(2) Regardless of our own power, the Holy Spirit guides those who accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. This itself is life (Rom 8:2, 1Cor.3:16, 12:3).
(3) What is the state of those who do not have life (Holy Spirit)?
1) It is the state in which Adam and Eve were corrupted and lost the life they had (before salvation).
2) Satan is in control of people's spirits (John 8:44, Act 10:38).
3) Even if man gains many things there is no peace (Mt.11:28).
4) Even if they seem successful, they struggle with unending disputes (Matt 12:25).
5) Unknowingly, they are physically under the rule and guidance of the devil (Eph 2:2-3).
6) The time will come when they will physically face disease (Act 8:4-8).
7) They suffer both mentally and emotionally (Act 16:16-18).
8) The day they leave this world, they will go to hell (Lk. 16:19-31).
2. IT IS BECAUSE THEY DO NOT KNOW THE BLESSINGS OF THOSE WHO ARE SAVED.
(1)Those who are saved are freed from sin, which is the guarantee of disasters (Eph 2:1).
1) Original sin 2) Consequential sin 3) Ancestors' sin
(2) They are freed from the world's burdens and Satan's power (Eph 2:2).
(3) They are eternally freed from the power of Hell (Eph 2:6).
(4) They will be witness of the "incomparable riches" of God's grace in the coming ages (Eph 2:7).
3. IT IS BECAUSE THEY DO NOT KNOW THE PRIVILEGES OF THOSE WHO ARE SAVED (MATT 16:13-20)
(1) The privilege of spreading the Gospel is given only to the believers.
1) He will make them strong like a rock (sanctification).
2) He will establish his church (salvation).
(2) The privilege of victory over the authority of Satan is given only to the believers.
1) We need to have the mindset of fighting this battle (1 Pet 5:8).
2) To the very end we need to approach things with this attitude (Lk 18:5).
(3) The privilege of receiving answers to prayer is given only to the believers.
1) The blessings of the non-believers, which are apparent, come from Satan's power (Prov 16:4).
2) The believers need to have the key (to the kingdom of heaven) of prayer.
4. IT IS BECAUSE THEY DO NOT KNOW THE WAY OF LIFE OF THOSE WHO ARE SAVED.
(1) We need to confirm non-believers’ method of living.
(2) Believers need to be guided by the Holy Spirit (Jn 14:26-27).
1) We must cast our anxieties upon him (1 Pet 5:7).
2) When we completely give up ourselves, we will find ourselves (Gal 2:20).
3) We must throw away our hidden motives. Our own efforts always end in failure (Acts 5:1-10).
(3) In order to be guided by the Holy Spirit....
1) Jesus Christ must be the center of our lives (2 Cor 5:17).
2) Prayer must be the first priority (Acts 16:13, 16).
3) Spreading the gospel must be everything for us (Acts 1:8).
Sixth Meeting: “HOW HAVE I CHANGED AFTER SALVATION?"
"But God has revealed it to us by Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. The man
without the Spirit does not accept the thing that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolish to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1Cor. 2:10, 14).
In order to save His people, God brought together the eternal plan of heaven and earth. He came to earth in the flesh (Jn 1:14), shed His blood on the cross, rose from the dead, ascended into heaven and even now His spirit now dwells and works in our lives. Most people, however, misunderstand the meaning of salvation.
1. WHAT ARE SOME MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT SALVATION?
(1)Some think that having any religion is salvation (Jn 3:1-10). Religion is something that people create randomly, but this is not the Gospel. People have good motives, but those who are not saved cannot do good works, and the good of those who are dead spiritually is not good at all (everything a pirate does on a pirate ship is for the sake of pillaging).
(2) Some think that attending church is salvation However, in Matt 12:43-45, Jesus explains this as a life that has no effect on life and just enlarges the burdens we suffer with.
(3) Some think that diligence brings salvation. Have you heard of the diligence of the Pharisees? Have you seen the devotion of those serving other gods? These efforts result in failure and disappointment.
(4) Some think that salvation is found through philosophical convictions. Philosophical ideas bring irrelevant outcomes and a sense of failure when they are alone.
(5) Also some think that memorizing prayers and reciting verses will lead to salvation. These physical acts do not result in spiritual changes, but only in temporary outward change. In Matt 11:28-30 Jesus explains sincerely the solution for those in religion and invites them back.
2. WHAT THEN, IS THE STATE OF BEING SAVED?
(1) This is a state of internal (spiritual) change taking place.
(2) Being saved means that the Holy Spirit indwells and subjects us to Himself.
(3) Rom. 8:2 says that the Holy Spirit is life and also Jn 3:3-5 declares that no one can enter kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.
(4) Jn 14:16-17 says that the Spirit of truth cannot be cast out.
(5) If we realize concerning the indwelling of the Holy Spirit,
1) Rom 8:2, 4, 9 the Holy Spirit fulfills our salvation and brings fulfillment of the law.
2) As in 1 Cor 2:10-14, we will come to know God's will, blessing, and grace.
3) As in 1 Cor 3:16, God will allow us to realize that we are God's temple.
4) According to Gal 5:16-18, the Holy Spirit corrects our wrong doings.