WHAT SHOULD WE FIRST TEACH THE LOST?

I. INTRODUCTION--- Acts 26:16-18
A.Winning converts is primarily "opening their eyes." Jesus correlated "darkness" with "the power of Satan," and "light" with "God." He said that this enlightening has as its purpose "that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith in me."
B. Jesus said that "coming" to him was "hearing and learning." John 6:44-45
C. The learned Word must be obeyed, in order to be effective. James 1:21-25
II.LESSON-- Many controversies have raged over what needs to be taught to the prospective convert (denominational teachers think first of creeds, catechisms, or their latter-day revelations). What must be the basic truth needed for salvation?
A. Emphasis on the Bible as the source of truth is essential.
1. Evidence of its inspiration.
a.To convince those unconvinced, or to confirm the belief of those who accept the idea of Bible inspiration (many people have never had evidences of inspiration presented to them, even though they have accepted the assertion that the Bible is inspired).
b. I first show the claim of inspiration (2 Tim.3:16-17), and the manner of it (1 Cor. 2:6-13, 2 Pet. 1:21).
c. My evidences for inspiration are drawn from the fulfilment of prophecy through the actions of those disinterested in that result, or antagonistic to it (therefore, beyond the immediate control of Jesus, as in Matt. 13:34-35).
(1) Micah 5:2 fulfilled by a disinterested Roman Emperor, Luke 2:1ff.
(2)Zech. 11:12-13 fulfilled by Judas and vindictive priests, Matt. 27:3-7.
(3) Psalms 22:18 fulfilled by indifferent soldiers, John 19:23-24.
2. The sufficiency of the Bible as a guide.
a. Because of the presence of creeds and latter-day revelations, agreement on the sufficiency of the Bible is essential to a profitable conclusion of the study with a prospect.
b.My tactic is to simply use the statements which express the complete-ness of the revelation. 2 Tim. 3:16-17, 2 Pet. 1:2-4, Jude 3, Gal. 1:6-9, etc.
3. The Bible record is authenticated on the integrity of the witnesses, who hazarded their lives for it. See Acts 2:32 tied to 1 Cor. 15:12-19, or Acts 9:15-16 tied to 2 Cor. 6:1-10).
III.CONCLUSION-- The evidences of the inspiration, sufficiency, and authenticity of the Bible undergird its "authority."
A. The Scripture must be taken at its word. John 10:30-36
B. The Scripture verifies truth, or identifies error. Acts 17:11
C. The meticulous trust of the Scripture prevents error. Mark 12:24-27
APPEAL-- "Receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls..." James. 1:21