Christianity is about knowing Jesus.
To know Him, I must meet Him.
Meet Jesus
Hear the Gospel. Respond to the Gospel + Be Born Again.
What is the Gospel?
1 Corinthians 15:1-4
"Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures"
"Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures"
What is the Gospel?
At our core, we need God. We were created by God to walk in relationship with Him. And He wants us.
The issue is, we are lost. This is because of sin. And we need a savior.
Sin separates us from God. But remember, God wants us. Because He wants us, God Himself came to redeem us form our sinful condition, and put us back in relationship with Him.
In order to do this, God became a man like us, lived a life just like us, yet without sin. And as a sinless man, Jesus gave His very own life for us, taking on Himself the guilt, shame & penalty of sin – which we so rightly deserved.
Jesus was crucified for our sins. Jesus was buried in a tomb. Jesus rose again three days later, victorious over the very death what held us in defeat.
This great act of love, has made it possible, through His death, burial & resurrection, to have our sinful state forgiven, so that we can walk in relationship with God once again. Just like we were created. Just like He wanted.
The issue is, we are lost. This is because of sin. And we need a savior.
Sin separates us from God. But remember, God wants us. Because He wants us, God Himself came to redeem us form our sinful condition, and put us back in relationship with Him.
In order to do this, God became a man like us, lived a life just like us, yet without sin. And as a sinless man, Jesus gave His very own life for us, taking on Himself the guilt, shame & penalty of sin – which we so rightly deserved.
Jesus was crucified for our sins. Jesus was buried in a tomb. Jesus rose again three days later, victorious over the very death what held us in defeat.
This great act of love, has made it possible, through His death, burial & resurrection, to have our sinful state forgiven, so that we can walk in relationship with God once again. Just like we were created. Just like He wanted.
In short, Jesus took on death, so that I could, through Him, take on life.
Jesus died for us, so that we could truly live.
How do I respond to the Gospel?
Acts 2:37-39
"Now when they heard this (the Gospel) they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”
"Now when they heard this (the Gospel) they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”
How do I respond to the Gospel?
Because we believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ – we respond just like they did in the Bible, in the Book of Acts. In obedient saving faith, through:
Repentance
Turning from our way, to His way. Turn from following the desires of our own heart, to follow JESUS. (Acts 2:38)
Being Baptized in the Name of Jesus
For the forgiveness of our sins. (Acts 2:38)
Receiving the Free Gift/Promise of the Holy Spirit
Filled with His Spirit, and power. (Acts 2:4)
Repentance
Turning from our way, to His way. Turn from following the desires of our own heart, to follow JESUS. (Acts 2:38)
Being Baptized in the Name of Jesus
For the forgiveness of our sins. (Acts 2:38)
Receiving the Free Gift/Promise of the Holy Spirit
Filled with His Spirit, and power. (Acts 2:4)
In short, we respond in faith to the Gospel of Jesus just like they did in Acts 2:38.
Repent. Be baptized in the name of Jesus. Receive the gift/promise of the Holy Spirit.
New life through the New Birth
John 3:3-5
"Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God"
"Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God"
John 10:10-11
"I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep"
"I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep"
John 14:6
"Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
"Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."