The Biblical Mandate for Evangelizing in light of

GOD’S ONLY SOLUTION TO HUMANKIND’S PROBLEMS:

 

JESUS CHRIST

 

I.   WHAT DOES THE N.T. SAY ABOUT JESUS CHRIST AS THE ONLY SOLUTION?

 

A.  Statements.

1)  What Jesus said of Himself:

-                    “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).

-                    “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25).

 

2)  What the Apostles said of Jesus:

-      Jesus is the only name (Acts 4:12).

-      Jesus’ Name is above all names (Phil 2:9-11)

-      Jesus is the only mediator between God and man (1 Tim. 2:5-6).

-      Jesus is the eternal life (1 John 5:12,20).

 

II.  WHY IS JESUS CHRIST THE ONLY SOLUTION TO MAN’S PROBLEMS?

 

A.  Because of whom Jesus Himself claimed to be.

1)  He claimed to be the One who has brought in the kingdom of God on earth. (Matt 4:17; Luke 11:20).

2)  He claimed to be God’s chosen “Messiah” who had come to deliver his people. (Luke 9:20; John 4:25-26).

3)  He claimed to be the “Son of Man” — the divine/human (Luke 19:10).

4)  He claimed to be the “Son of God” (Mark 14:60-63).

 

B. Because of what only Jesus could do.

1)  He forgive sins (Mark 2:3-12).

2)  He did miracles (Matt 4:23; 11:3-5).

3)  He cast out demons (Mark 3:11; 5:13; Luke 11:20).

4)  He lived a life of holiness (Luke 23:22)

5)  He brought salvation from sin (Matt 1:21; Lk. 19:10; John 3:17).

6)  He gives us life. (John 10:10).

 

C. Because only the death of Jesus has salvation power. (Eph. 1)

 

Act 4: 12 “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

 

1 Tim 2:5 “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men...”

 

-             Psychological proof: “no one would be proud to spread the news of the death of his leader unless it really happened and led to something great.” (J.M.)

 

 

D. Because only Jesus rose from the dead by his own power.

 

Act 10:4 1 “He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen--by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.^1~

And see (1 Cor 15:1-58).

E. Because only Jesus ascended to heaven and is enthroned.

 

Ph 2:6-11 ‘Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

 

F.  Because Jesus is GOD!

1) Jesus is before all and the reason for all (Col. 1:16-17).

2) Jesus is the Eternal God incarnate (John 1:1; 14:8-11; Col 1:15).

3) Jesus is the true God and eternal life (1 John 5:20).

 

 

Ill. WHY DO CHRISTIANS BELIEVE THAT JESUS IS THE ONLY SOLUTION?

 

A.  Because of the new relationship they have:

1) With God: a relationship of peace and constant communion (Rom 5:1-2; 8:28-39).

2) With others: Hostility and barriers are laid aside (Eph 2:11-22).

 

B.  Because of the new power they have:

1) To love and forgive enemies (Acts 7:55-60).

2) To face death with hope and without fear (1 Cor 15:55-57; Phil 1:21-24).

3) To live a God-pleasing life (1 Tim 1:12-17; 2 Cor 5:17).

 

 

 

Implication:

 

1) If there is only one name, one saviour and one way to God: Jesus Christ, how can we be silent and leave people in darkness?

 

2) If Jesus is so unique, and only his death has salvation power, only his blood can cleanse from sin, and if we have experienced it, and we know that he has risen and ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of the father, how can we be quiet, how can we receive God’s grace in vain?!

 

3)  If Christ can change any life, how can we ignore those who have no other way to achieve freedom?

                                  

“for there is one and one mediator between God and men,  the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men...”

1 ‘Tim 2:5