Participatory Study Series Pamphlets

Gospel Tract: What is the Good News?

Are you wondering what it means to be saved?

What is humanity's relation to God?

Paul writes in his letter to the Romans that "All of us have sinned and fallen short of God's glory." (Romans 3:23).

This doesn't say that:

• God has rejected everyone.
• God doesn't like them.

It does say that we, as human beings, have fallen short of the glory of God.

• We are created to be like God (Gen. 1:26)
• We were given control over the earth (Gen. 1:28)
• We were made a little lower than God (Psalm 8:5)
• We have fallen short of this wonderful goal of emulating God's character and of using our full capabilities.

God hasn't separated Himself from us, we have separated ourselves from God. (See Luke 15:11-32)

Who is Jesus?

Let's ask first what Jesus did.

• He brought to us understanding of God's character. (Hebrews 1:3)
• He carried the burden of our sins (1 Peter 2:24)
• He gave us a way to live right (1 Peter 2:24)
• He opened the way to God (Hebrews 4:14-16)

Jesus has shown us the glorious purpose God has for us and how we can attain it.

God's Son has all the brightness of God's own glory and is like him in every way. (Hebrews 1:3) What does it mean to surrender my life to Christ?

The idea of surrendering control of one's life to someone else is very frightening to some. But what is it that God is actually asking of us? Think of someone standing by a high cliff. There is a choice to be free of the laws of nature and jump, or to accept them and take proper care. To choose life by surrender is not to give up anything good. One simply accepts the physical laws that exist and by which the universe runs. Accept them and live; reject them and die. It is the same thing with Christ's moral laws: accept and live or reject and die.

Today I am giving you a choice. You can choose life and success or death and disaster. (Deuteronomy 30:15)

What does it mean to live a Christ-like life?

Jesus said that the most important commandment of the law was: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. . . . The second most important commandment is like this one. And it is, 'Love others as much as you love yourself.'"

The Bible also teaches that we must put this love into action (1 John 4:20,21).

Children, you show love for others by truly helping them, and not merely by talking about it. (1 John 3:18)

What about heaven and hell?

For many people the point of Christianity or any religion is to assure one's place in another world. But there is much more to following Jesus than that. Jesus showed as a good way of life here and now! The Bible tells us about an eternal reward and eternal punishment, but what it tells us most about is following Jesus in this world.

By following Jesus in this life we are preparing to be in His presence for eternity. (See John 14:1-3)

What about doctrines? What about those theological terms? Do I need to believe specific things about God in order to be saved?

When Jesus was asked a question about this very topic he responded by using an illustration about a shepherd separating sheep from goats. He said of the ones who would be accepted into the kingdom: "Whenever you did it for any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you did it for me." (Matthew 25:31-46)

What is repentance?

Repentance means "to turn away." If we find we are going the wrong direction, we will not be able to get where we are going no matter how fast we go. In fact, we might be considered foolish for not slowing down. If we want to accomplish our goals we need to be unafraid of acknowledging when we are going in the wrong direction. This is why Ezekiel tells the Israelites that God doesn't want anyone to die. "I enjoy seeing them turn from their sins and live." (Ezekiel 33:11,12) And this is followed with a promise: "And remind them that when wicked people stop sinning, their past sins will be completely forgiven, and they won't be punished."

What should I do?

1. Pray and accept the message God has sent you through Jesus.
2. Determine to turn from the things that keep you away from God's full purpose for your life.
3. Find a group of Christians who believe in living the love of Jesus on a daily basis and join with them for worship and action.
4. Look for ways to make your world better.
5. Read your Bible, listening for the voice of God as you do.

You know God's laws, and it isn't impossible to obey them. . . . Today I'm giving you a choice. You can choose life and success or death and disaster. . . . On the other hand, you might choose to disobey the LORD and reject him. So I'm warning you that if you bow down and worship other gods, you won't have long to live. (Deuteronomy 30:11-18 selected)

Using God's Good News for You!

Parts of the text of this pamphlet are available in an outreach tract called God's Good News for You! available from Energion Publications. To use that pamphlet:

• Put information about your church in the space provided on the back of the middle panel. Include times, address and directions.
• Put your name in that section as well and ask them to look for you. Then be there!
• Put your brief testimony in the space provided including where you were without Jesus, what Jesus did for you, and your joy and peace now.
• Be prepared to lead your contact through the steps above.

Salvation Prayer

Dear Father in Heaven,

I admit that I have sinned and fallen short of Your glorious purpose for me.

I acknowledge Jesus as Your Son and my Lord and Savior. I accept the message of love You sent through Him.

I turn from my sins and ask to be brought back to Your plan for me.

I surrender my life to You.

I ask You to fill me with Your Spirit so that I can live a Christ-like life.

In Jesus' name,

Amen

We offer a shorter version of this pamphlet for use in outreach ministry. It's called God's Good News for You and is available in PDF format. As with all these pamphlets, you are free to print as many as desired without charge.

Energion Publications
P. O. Box 841
Gonzalez, FL 32560

Phone: (850) 525-3916
Web: Energion Publications (http://energion.com)
E-Mail: pubs@energion.com

This brochure is available in quantity. Contact Energion Publications for more information.

All scripture quotations taken from the Contemporary English Version, Copyright © 1995 American Bible Society.

Copyright © 2004, Henry E. Neufeld
Rev. 1.0