The Gospel for Dummies
E.A. Johnston contrasts the man-centered gospel with the God-centered gospel, emphasizing that true salvation is a sovereign work of God that demands repentance and submission to Christ's lordship.
In "The Gospel for Dummies," E.A. Johnston challenges the popular man-centered gospel by contrasting it with a biblical, God-centered gospel. He emphasizes that true salvation is not a human decision but a sovereign work of God that requires repentance and submission to Christ’s lordship. Johnston calls believers to a deeper reverence for God and warns against the dangers of false conversions. This sermon is a compelling call to return to the biblical gospel that glorifies God above all.
Full Transcript
In the last 60 years, the church in America has diluted the gospel of its saving power by reducing salvation to a few simple steps, and in the process, modern evangelists have broadened the way of salvation in ways Jesus never did. The modern, man-centered gospel has three simple steps to heaven. It goes like this.
Do you believe John 3.16? Yes. Do you want to go to heaven? Yes. Will you accept Jesus as your personal savior? Yes.
Congratulations, you are now a Christian. The man-centered gospel allows men to affirm one's salvation. The God-centered gospel relies only on the Holy Spirit to affirm one's salvation.
The man-centered gospel has taken salvation out of the hands of God and placed it in the hands of men. The God-centered gospel places salvation in the hands of God and it declares that if you have saving faith, it's because God gave it to you. The man-centered gospel revolves around the happiness of man.
The God-centered gospel centers on the glory of God. The man-centered gospel lets you become a Christian and still hang on to your sins. Since it's an only-believed gospel, there's no need for repentance.
The God-centered gospel demands man's duty of repentance for pardon of sin. It declares, except you repent, you shall likewise perish. The man-centered gospel places all its focus on the love of God and it says God is too nice to send anyone to hell and God wants all men saved.
The God-centered gospel balances mercy and justice and declares the way to salvation is a narrow way and few there be that find it and that if God sent you to hell for your sins he is just to do so. The man-centered gospel allows men to remain seated on the throne of their lives and rule there. The God-centered gospel dethrones self and another is enthroned there, the Lord Jesus Christ.
The man-centered gospel presents an impotent Christ helplessly standing outside the door of the heart with his hat in his hand like a insurance salesman. He's knocking and knocking. Won't you let him in? The God-centered gospel declares the sovereignty of God in election and the rights and claims of the Lordship of Christ on the daily life.
That one doesn't accept Jesus but one must submit to God to receive a revealed Christ. The man-centered gospel speaks of the help God gives man. The God-centered gospel declares man is helpless without saving faith and only God can give it.
The man-centered gospel says man is saved by a decision he makes. The God-centered gospel declares that men are saved by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. The results are these friends.
One produces no reverence for God and no fear of God. The other produces a life of holiness in submission to a thrice holy God. One produces false conversions because it is faulty evangelism.
The other produces sincere converts because it is biblical evangelism.
Sermon Outline
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I
- The modern man-centered gospel reduces salvation to simple steps
- Salvation is often presented as a decision made by man
- This gospel focuses on man’s happiness rather than God’s glory
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II
- The God-centered gospel places salvation in God's hands
- Saving faith is a gift from God, not a human decision
- Repentance is a necessary duty for pardon of sin
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III
- The man-centered gospel allows continued sin and false conversions
- The God-centered gospel demands holiness and submission to Christ
- True evangelism produces sincere converts and reverence for God
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IV
- Christ’s lordship is central to the God-centered gospel
- Salvation is by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit
- The sovereignty of God is emphasized over human decision
Key Quotes
“The man-centered gospel has taken salvation out of the hands of God and placed it in the hands of men.” — E.A. Johnston
“The God-centered gospel demands man's duty of repentance for pardon of sin.” — E.A. Johnston
“The man-centered gospel presents an impotent Christ helplessly standing outside the door of the heart with his hat in his hand like an insurance salesman.” — E.A. Johnston
Application Points
- Examine your understanding of salvation to ensure it aligns with a God-centered gospel.
- Practice genuine repentance as a necessary response to God’s call.
- Submit daily to the lordship of Christ rather than relying on your own decisions.