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Do You Know Jesus?
Contributed by Joe Burke on Jan 18, 2007 (message contributor)
Summary: Christianity is much more than knowledge and facts about Jesus.
Do You Know Jesus?
The Bible says we are to "experience the breadth and length and height and depth of Christ’s love" (Eph 3:18)
We may know many facts about Jesus, just like we may know many facts about basketball superstar Michael Jordan, but that is not the same as knowing him as a personal friend.
Christianity is much more than knowledge and facts about Jesus that I give intellectual assent to. It is a deep personal relationship with Jesus which touches every part of my being. including my spirit, soul, body, intellect, emotions, and feelings. Everything that comprises who I am. I am created to know and experience to the deepest core of my being the very personal love of Jesus. For example, I know much more about my wife than some facts about her. I know her intimately in body, mind, emotions and spirit. Jesus came to bring us to that same kind of relationship with Him and much more!
The Bible says we are to "experience the breadth and length and height and depth of Christ’s love" (Eph 3:18). How do we experience this love? Who qualifies for this love?
IF YOU ARE BREATHING - YOU QUALIFY!
For all the negative things we say to ourselves, God has a positive answer for it.
You say: "It’s impossible, God can’t love and forgive somebody like me"
God says: All things are possible, you are just the type of person I came for (Luke 18:27)
You say: "Nobody really loves me"
God says: I love you (John 3:16 & John 13:34)
You say: "I can’t go on"
God says: My grace is sufficient (II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)
You say: "I feel all alone"
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)
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You say: "I can’t do it"
God says: You can do all things (Philippians 4:13)
You say: "It’s not worth it"
God says: It will be worth it (Roman 8:28)
You say: "I can’t forgive myself"
God says: I FORGIVE YOU (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)
You say: "I’m afraid"
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear (II Timothy 1:7)
You say: "I don’t have enough faith"
God says: I’ve given everyone a measure of faith (Romans 12:3)
WHAT MUST I DO TO EXPERIENCE THIS
GREAT LOVE OF JESUS FOR ME?
The good news of Jesus Christ is very simple to understand. We are all separated from God by the sins of our parents Adam and Eve, and our own sins. Jesus came to bridge that infinite gap between God and us, by dying for our sins on that bloody cross at Calvary. All we have to do is personally accept that death of Jesus for ourselves and our sins. We commit our life totally to Jesus as our Savior and Lord. There are three simple parts to this commitment:
Sorry
Thank You
Please
SUGGESTED PRAYER OF COMMITMENT TO JESUS
Lord Jesus Christ, (Say it out loud if possible)
I am sorry for the things I have done wrong in my life. (Take a few minutes to ask His forgiveness for anything particular that comes to mind.)
Thank You that You died on the cross for me so that I could be forgiven and set free.
Thank You that You offer me forgiveness of my sins and the gift of Your Spirit.
I now receive that gift of your Holy Spirit.
Please come into my life and be with me forever.
Thank You, Lord Jesus. Amen.
If you sincerely prayed that prayer, pick up your Bible and begin reading at Mark’s gospel. It will have much new meaning to you.
***** Jesus is Lord *****