How to Preach the Gospel to Yourself

 

I.                   DOWN THE SLOPE OF REPENTANCE

a.      See and own your sin (Psalm 51:2-3)

                                                              i.      Examine yourself in the mirror of God’s Word: negative thinking, feeling, our negative emotions and attitudes, how people respond to us.

                                                             ii.      Guard yourself against sin’s deceitfulness: the tendency to water down God’s standard, comparing ourselves to others, shifting blame.

                                                           iii.      Look out for self-reliance: the tendency to just try harder by either working only on our will power or by working only on our emotions.  This will lead to either a feeling of superiority or a feeling of inferiority.

b.      See the sin beneath your sin (Psalm 51:4)

                                                              i.      Ask the “why?” questions until you find what you are looking to other than Jesus for meaning and sweetness of life.

                                                             ii.      Don’t jump too quickly to confess your sin until this work has been done.

c.      Expose the Idols/False lovers of your heart (Psalm 115:4-7)

                                                              i.      They are weak

1.      They can’t deliver when you succeed; they can only raise the bar.

2.      They can’t forgive when you fail; they will only condemn you.

                                                             ii.      They are harmful to you and to others

1.      They hurt you spiritually, emotionally and physically.

2.      They hurt others by undermining your ability to love.

                                                           iii.      They are grievous to God

1.      By pursuing this idol you are saying to God, “Jesus is not enough.  I also need ______ to be happy.”

 

What’s the point?: You are a far bigger sinner than you could have ever imagined.  You are a worthy recipient of God’s judgment.  You are helpless and hopeless in your own strength and resources.  BUT there is One…

 

II.                UP THE SLOPE OF FAITH

a.      Jesus lived for you (Romans 8:3-4)

                                                              i.      Think about and give thanks for the specific ways Jesus has lived obediently where you have failed.

b.      Jesus died for you (Romans 5:8)

                                                              i.      Think about Jesus’ death on the cross for your specific sins and idolatry.  Thank God that your sin has been punished once and for all in Christ.

c.      God sees you in Jesus (Colossians 3:3)

                                                              i.      Think about how God sees you in Jesus, clothed with His perfect righteousness.

                                                             ii.      Thank Him specifically for how He provides for you in Christ everything that your idols/false lovers promised but couldn’t deliver.

d.      Jesus lives in you (Romans 8:9)

                                                              i.      Thank God that He does not leave you to live the Christian life on your own, but the Spirit of Christ now dwells in you. 

                                                             ii.     

Originally created by Richard P. Kaufmann at Harbor Presbyterian Church.  Kaleo Church is responsible for any modification from the original.   

 
Ask Him to live His righteous life through you, specifically in the areas where you have confessed your sin.