The good news of the gospel

How to know Jesus

John 17:3 says that eternal life is knowing the true God, and Jesus Christ, whom He sent. But why was He sent, and what does it all mean?

Intro

God loves you, but you are separated from Him

You are not here by accident. God created everything you see around you, and it is a result of His creative power that you are alive. Whether you realize it or not, your life has purpose.

Unfortunately, you are separated from Him because of sin. “Sin” is rebellion against God’s will or commands. It is anything we have done that doesn’t measure up to His perfect nature. Romans 3:23 says that we have all sinned.

Our perspective vs. God’s perspective

We tend to categorize sin. Some as small and inconsequential, and others as huge and far reaching. But God has a totally different view of our sins. Each one is followed by negative consequences.

“Small” Sin…

The first man and woman God created walked with Him in a garden He prepared for them. Ultimately both Adam and Eve disobeyed God.

We would not necessarily consider what they did a huge and far reaching sin. But it was rebellion against God and it was a big deal.

When they sinned, the whole earth fell under sin’s curse. Man could no longer walk with God and everyone born since then has entered the world with a nature that cannot help but sin.

… big problem

Separation from God is not the only consequence of our sin. It also brings death. That death is not just a future physical death, but we are spiritually dead as well.

But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear. Isaiah 59:2

For the wages of sin is death. Romans 6:23a

The Good News

God’s Rescue Plan

God’s rescue plan runs through the entire Bible. Since that very first sin by Adam and Eve, it has been the shedding of blood that covers sin. For many years before Jesus, that price was paid by bulls and goats. This sort of sacrifice was not perfect and it pointed to our need for a perfect savior.

When Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’

Hebrews 10:5-7

Jesus came into the world, and experienced life like you and I. Although He was God, he humbled himself to be like us. He faced temptation, felt pain, and experienced hunger. Through all of this, He never sinned. He willingly died in our place so that we could live. He took the punishment we deserved upon himself. He became the perfect sacrifice.

And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God… For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

Hebrews 10:11,12, & 14

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

a gift must be received

Our role in God’s work of salvation

It is Jesus Christ’s grace and forgiveness that is our only real hope in this fallen world.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9

We cannot receive this free gift without repenting of our sin. If we confess our sins, we will be forgiven.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

I John 1:9

Father in heaven, I want to have life. I know that I have sinned and that I need Your forgiveness. I believe that You sent Jesus to die on the cross for my sin, and that He rose again. I now accept You as my personal Savior. I want to live for you, with your help. Thank You for saving me and for giving me a new life.