When it comes to sharing the good news, we must establish that there is first of all some bad news – good news is only “good” when it is understood as contrast with the bad.  The bad news is that our sins will separate us from God for all eternity in hell, but the good news is that Jesus saves. 

Observations:

1. Error #1 – If you don’t see your sin, you won’t seek a Savior 
2. Error #2 – The basic mistake of humanity is a “works–based” salvation
3. Error #3 – We compare ourselves with each other for merit

Conclusions: 

1. The root problem is idolatry
2. The Law brings knowledge of sin
3. Only perfection will make it!

Application: 

1. Pray
2. Ask if they think they’re a good person?
3. When they say “yes” – walk them through the 10 commandments – ask them, “If God were to judge you according to the 10 commandments, would you be innocent or guilty?”
4. Show them how Jesus is perfect, and invite them to place their trust in Him like you would with a parachute

John 8:21-24

“Once more Jesus said to them, “I am going away, and you will look for me, and you will die in your sin. Where I go, you cannot come.” This made the Jews ask, “Will he kill himself? Is that why he says, ‘Where I go, you cannot come’?” But he continued, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins.”

Ezekiel 22:28-29

“Her prophets whitewash these deeds for them by false visions and lying divinations. They say, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says’—when the Lord has not spoken. The people of the land practice extortion and commit robbery; they oppress the poor and needy and mistreat the foreigner, denying them justice.”

2 Timothy 4:3

“For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.” 

Luke 13:1-5

“Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”

Galatians 2:15-16

“We who are Jews by birth and not sinful Gentiles 16 know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.”

Matthew 5:20

“For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”

2 Corinthians 10:12

“We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.”

2 Corinthians 4:4

“The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”

Romans 3:19-20

“Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.”

Galatians 3:23-24

“Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith.”