God’s Purpose:
Peace and Life
God loves you and wants you to experience peace and life -- abundant and eternal.
The Bible Says…
“…we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1
Of all the things the world needs today, it is peace.
We seek peace in our own lives.
We try to find it in our jobs, in our possessions, in our family, and in our own self-pleasures.
However the only true peace is found in Jesus Christ.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
“…I have come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10b
Peace and true life is in Jesus Christ. We are all dead in our sins.
Since God planned for us to have peace and the abundant life right now. Why are most people not having this experience?
Our Problem:
Separation
God created us in His own image to have an abundant life.
He did not make us as robots to automatically love and obey Him, but gave us a will and freedom of choice.
We chose to disobey God and go our own willful way.
We still make this choice today.
This results in separation from God.
The Bible Says…
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23
I we listen to the world, it will tell us that it’s OK.
It’s not sin.
This is not your father’s world.
It belongs to you, and you are the most important thing in this world.
Our choice results in separation from God.
People God
(sinful) (Holy)
Our Attempts
Through the ages, individuals have tried in many ways to bridge this gap…without success…
The Bible Says…
“There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but in the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 14:12
“But your iniquities have separated between you and your God; and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear.” Isaiah 59:2
We think we have the answers to all things.
We apply the wisdom of the world and…
We seek the power within using the Zen.
Zen is really the sin of our flesh.
The Zen and any other religious experience that separates or eliminates God, is the ways of death.
Our iniquities will separate us from God.
Cry out, all you want to but God will not hear you, unless you turn from your iniquities.
There is only one remedy for this problem of separation.
People God
(sinful) (Holy)
Good Works (falls short)
Religion (falls short)
Philosophy (falls short)
Morality (falls short)
God’s Remedy:
The Cross
Jesus Christ is the only answer to this problem.
He died on the Cross, rose from the grave, paying the penalty for our sin and bridging the gap between God and people.
The Bible Says…
“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ, Jesus.” I Timothy 2:5
There are many religions, but only one God and one mediator and that is Jesus Christ the son of God. The only way to God!
“For Christ also has suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God…” I Peter 3:18a
He paid the price for our sins.
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
It’s his love that gives us hope.
God has provided the only way… we must make the choice…
People God
(sinful) (Holy)
Our Response:
Receive Christ
We must trust Jesus Christ and receive Him by personal invitation.
The Bible Says…
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him and will sup with him, and he with Me.” Revelation 3:20
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” John 1:12
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Romans 10:9
Are you here… Or here?
People God
Sin Peace
Rebellion Forgiveness
Separation Abundant Life
Eternal Life
Is there any good reason why you cannot receive Jesus Christ right now?
How to receive Christ:
1. Admit your need Christ (I am a sinner.)
2. Be willing to turn from your sins (repent)
3. Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the Cross and rose from the grave.
4. Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life through the Holy Spirit. (Receive Him as Lord and Savior.)
What to Pray:
Dear Lord Jesus,
I know that I am a sinner and need your forgiveness.
I believe that you died for my sins. I want to turn from my sins.
I now invite you to come into my heart and life.
I want to trust and follow Your as Lord and Savior.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
