Sharing the Gospel With Others |1 Corinthians 2:1–5

SERMON OUTLINE

Sharing the Gospel With Others |1 Corinthians 2:1–5**

Theme: Keep the gospel clear by keeping it simple for everyone.

INTRODUCTION

• Illustration: Coffee makers used to be simple—water, grounds, button. Now some machines have “10 buttons, 40 functions,” hot, cold, flavored, grinding, overwhelming.

• We often overcomplicate things, including the Christian faith.

• Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 2: Don’t complicate the gospel—keep it clear and simple.

TT - THREE DECISIONS FOR SHARING THE GOSPEL

I. THE GOSPEL MUST BE PROCLAIMED (v.1)

A. Paul intentionally came to Corinth

• “When I came to you…” — a deliberate mission to a diverse, religious, confused culture.

• Many gods, many backgrounds—but Paul said there is one true and living God who saves.

B. Someone proclaimed the gospel to you

• “Aren’t you thankful someone came to you and proclaimed the gospel?”

• The gospel should not stop with us.

C. The world still needs to hear

• “8.5 billion… 50% have never heard a clear presentation… many never heard the name Jesus.”

• Locally: almost 7,000 people in Perry.

D. A BHAG—Big Hairy Audacious Goal

• If political campaigns can reach all 7,000, surely we can.

• We can reach Taylor County and Perry for Jesus.

E. Practical evangelism moment: restaurant prayer

• Ask your server, “Is there anything we can pray for before we eat?”

• Opens the door for gospel proclamation.

F. Warning: easy to get busy doing church work but not the work of the church

• We talk evangelism without doing evangelism.

G. Challenge: weekly altar commitment

• Pray every Sunday:“Lord, who do You want me to share the gospel with this week?”

  
  

II. CHRIST MUST BE THE CENTER OF THE MESSAGE (v.2)

A. Paul’s determination

• “I determined… to know nothing… except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”

• Not baptism, offerings, attendance, or do’s and don’ts—just Jesus.

B. Difference between Christian conversations and gospel conversations

• Talking about the weather, blessings, or church is not the gospel.

• A true gospel conversation includes:

  • Jesus’ death

  • Burial

  • Resurrection

  • Ascension

  • Return

C. The Gospel must be consistent

• No “your version” or “my version.”

• Tools: “the Four” symbols—Heart, Division, Cross, Question Mark.

1. Heart — God loves us (John 3:16)

• God demonstrated His love through Christ’s death.

2. Division — Our sin separates us

• Wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23).

• Separation began in Genesis 3: “In the day you eat… you shall surely die.”

• John 3:17–18 — unbelievers are “condemned already.”

3. Cross — Jesus is the only way

• John 14:6 — “The way, the truth, the life… no one comes to the Father but through Me.”

• If someone gives good works or baptism as their hope, point them to Christ alone.

4. Question Mark — Bring them to a decision

• Ask: “Will you receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord today?”

• If they say “not yet,” ask permission to pray and follow up.

D. Christ-centered gospel: Jesus paid it all

• Not “gospel plus works”—Christ alone.

  
  

III. WE MUST DEPEND ON THE POWER OF GOD (vv.3–5)

A. Paul’s posture

• “Weakness… fear… trembling.”

• Eternity is at stake—heaven or hell.

B. Not cleverness, not intellect

• “Not with enticing words of man’s wisdom… but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.”

• Too often we try to be clever and overcomplicate the gospel.

C. Only God can save

• Our job: present truth with Christ at the center.

• God’s power must fall.

D. Encouragement

• Sometimes you finish sharing and think, “That was a flop.”

• He gets in the middle of them and provides the power.

CONCLUSION & INVITATION

• Keep the gospel clear by keeping it simple.

• Make the three decisions Paul made:

  1. Proclaim it.

  2. Keep Christ central.

  3. Depend on God’s power.

• Invitation: Come to the altar and pray weekly: “Lord, who do You want me to share the gospel with this week?”