The Good News

The Lord Jesus received is holiness begun; the Lord Jesus cherished is holiness advancing; the Lord Jesus counted upon as never absent would be holiness complete… He is most holy who has most of Christ within, and joys most fully in the finished work. (Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret, Christ is All)

My greatest desire is for people to come to know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and savior. The Bible says of the Christ’s promised return: The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).

The problem of sin

The Bible says that mankind has a problem, and that problem is called sin.  Sin is any action or thought that falls short of God's perfect standard (Romans 3:23). Every human being has the problem of sin, the bible says every inclination of man’s heart is evil from childhood (Genesis 8:21). Sin separates us from a holy God (Isaiah 59:2) The Bible teaches us that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23) and that there is nothing that we ourselves can do to solve the problem of sin.

As it is written:

“There is none righteous, no, not one;

11 There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God.

12 They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable;

There is none who does good, no, not one.”

13 “ Their throat is an open tomb; With their tongues they have practiced deceit”; “The poison of asps is under their lips”;

14 “Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.”

15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood;

16 Destruction and misery are in their ways;

17 And the way of peace they have not known.”

18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes," Romans 3:10-18.

Gods Perfect Standard: The Law…

The law (The Ten Commandments) was given to Israel, Gods chosen people, through Moses (Exodus 20). The law is not a means of justification before God but to show us how sinful we truly are. The Bible says whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking it all (James 2:10), and that the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith (Galatians 3:24). The Bibles says that the law will cause every mouth to be stopped, and all the world to become guilty before God (Romans 3:19).

The Law: known to all…

The bible teaches that we have all been given a conscience that bears witness to our actions; we all have the law written on our hearts and God will one day judge the secrets of men (Romans 2:12-16). And God will convict the world of sin, righteousness, and of judgment (John 16:8).

We are without excuse…

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them (Romans 1:18-32).

Justification by works…

But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousness’s are like filthy rags; we all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away, Isaiah 64:6.

Most, if not all, world religions are based on a works principle, in other words you work your way to heaven, paradise, or right standing before a god, and this is simply untrue. Belief in such a god is idolatry, as Jesus said "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me," John 14:6. God says that He will not give His glory to another nor His praise to idols (Isaiah 42:8). The bible teaches by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in Gods sight, for by the law is only the knowledge of sin (Romans 3:20). Man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law (Romans 3:28).

Saved From Gods wrath…

Because God is perfect, good and just. God in His righteousness cannot tolerate sin. God cannot justify the unjust (Proverbs 17:15). We cannot offer sufficient sacrifice to make ourselves right with Almighty God.  The bible says that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18).

For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient (Ephesians 5:5-6).

The Perfect Sacrifice

Jesus, the Son of God, being fully God and fully man came to earth and lived a perfect sinless life. Christ Jesus, who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness, Philippians 2:5-7. He was crucified on a cross, a criminal’s death sentence, even though He was completely innocent. Jesus experienced separation from the Father and was crushed as He took away the sins of the world. He was beaten and scourged until He was completely unrecognizable as a human being, then He was crucified (Matthew 27). He received the punishment that we deserved.

He was put into our place and took on Himself the sentence of death and Gods wrath that should have been ours (Romans 5:8). Jesus was buried but on the third day He rose from the dead and He was witnessed by over 500 people over the period of 40 days (1 Cor 15 and Act 1). Later He ascended into heaven. He will return for all those who are trusting in Him as their Savior.

Saved by Faith…

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16.).

In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins (1 John 4:10).

It is not enough to just know about Jesus Christ and His death on the cross.  God calls us to repent, or turn from sin and to put our faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior in order to receive the free gift of salvation. The bible says that all who call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. We are called as followers of Christ to lay aside everything in our lives that separates us from Him, we can hold nothing back.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.  Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will (Romans 12:1-2).

The Bible encourages us to count the costs because whoever does not forsake all he has cannot be a disciple (Luke 14:26-35). Also consider what is found in salvation, the Bible compare the kingdom of heaven to a pearl of great price that when found, a man went and sold all he had to obtain (Matthew 13). It is written no one will come to God unless the Spirit draws him. There is no special prayer or outward act that can save a person. If the Lord has convicted you of your sin and you desire to be right with God cry out to Him and ask Him to save you. God sees the heart and nothing is hidden from His eyes. The Bible says that the fear of God is the beginning of knowledge.

I surely know that it will be well with those who fear God, who fear before Him (Ecclesiastes 8:12).

The Bible: The Word of God…

2 Timothy 3:16-17

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

1 Thessalonians 2:13

And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.

Psalm 119:11

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

Psalm 33:4

For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.  By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.

Matthew 4:4

Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.' "

Matthew 7:24

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

Matthew 7:26

But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.

Matthew 24:35

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

Mark 8:38

If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels."

Acts 20:32

"Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

James 1:18

He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of all he created.

James 1:21

Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

James 1:22

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

1 John 2:5

But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him.

Prayer

Prayer in a believers life should be as natural as breathing. The Bible tells us that Jesus often withdrew Himself to pray, following the will of God the Father. God desires a close personal relationship with His children. As marriage is a picture of Christ and the church God desires to be even closer

to us than we would be with our spouse. Although we should have a reverence for our Lord we can talk to Him as a friend father or brother as He has said in the Word that we are brethren. God already knows our needs before we ask Him but we are called to pray continually as in any close relationship we treasure the time we spend with someone we delight in. God calls us to be thankful and worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. We are called to approach His throne boldly not because of anything we have done but because we are His children and He loves us. It is a good practice to pray Gods Word. Many people are concerned about praying in accordance with Gods will but we already know His will from His Word.

Fellowship

As Christians we are called to be in a fellowship with other believers. The purpose of this it to worship the Lord together, pray for and encourage one another, to love each other and to bear one another’s burdens. The most important things in any fellowship is that they are truly seeking the Lord. We are given The Bible, the whole counsel of God for a reason; a fellowship should hold fast to the Word of God. We are called as believers to search the scriptures to make sure what we are taught is true. The best way to find a Church is asking the Lord to lead you and also seeking wise counsel (another believer who knows the Lord and has fruit in their life (Galatians 6). The Bible teaches us that it is foolish to isolate oneself (Proverbs 18:1).

Share the Good News

We have the privilege to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with those who have not yet responded to His invitation of eternal life. We do not have the responsibility to convict or draw people to Christ. It is God who works in people's lives to bring them to faith. Because Gods word is so powerful it is important to use scripture when sharing the gospel. A good example is the book of Romans, in the Bible, walks us through the gospel message. In evangelism our motive must be love because without love we are destructive (1 Cor 13 and 14). Our speech is to be gentle but bold and truthful. It is important to always go back to the word and search through the scriptures. There is no one better to learn from than our Lord Jesus Christ as He is perfect in all things. Paul is another example of one with a passion for reaching the lost. The book of Romans or the Gospel of John are great places to begin.

Resources:

Bible Gateway link

http://www.biblegateway.com/usage/

Answers in Genesis link

http://www.answersingenesis.org/link_to_aig.asp