WHY DO WE NEED SAVING?
God is Holy and hates sin, but He loves the sinner. The Father's hearts-desire through Jesus was to buy back what the enemy Satan had stolen in the beginning of creation (Genesis 3), a loving relationship between God and man.
The fall of man
The moment Adam and Eve disobeyed God and sinned, death as warned by God intervened. Spiritual death immediately followed (separation from the Living God), and physical death was inevitable.
Due to our first parents, Adam and Eve the entire human race was plunged into death and separation from God.
The Good News: When we receive God's gift to mankind; Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord the relationship that was stolen in Genesis is restored as we receive right-standing (righteousness), through his blood. Jesus becomes our righteousness, holiness and redemption.
As we respond to the gospel of grace, the Holy Spirit (the Spirit of adoption), makes His dwelling in us and brand us as God personal property. Our dead spirit is made alive through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit causes our spirit to call out ABBA Father. (meaning: Daddy God)
We are not longer separated from God. We are no longer orphans!
Reading: John 1:12; Romans 8:9,14;15; Ezekiel 36:26; 1 Peter 1:23; Ephesians 3:13
God will is waiting on us to return to Him. He is looking out for you right now, and He will keep looking at the horizon every day to see if His lost sons or daughters are coming home.
He is not angry at you! The new covenant is based on love. And the commandment of God is summarized in one word; LOVE. (Matt 22:37, 1 John 4:8)
THE KINGDOM OF GOD
1. If there is a God, how do I get to know him?
2. Is there a heaven, how can I get into heaven?
HOW DO I BECOME PART OF GOD'S FAMILY & KINGDOM?
Did you know that God has a family?
Regardless your age, if you become part of God’s family, He will always be there for you no matter what trials or tests you might face. He will take your hand and walk through the valley of the shadow of death. He will be your faithful Shepherd, He will not fail you, nor forsake you, nor leave your without support. (Ps 23, 2 Cor 1:10,Heb 13:5)
Our prayer is that ''you'' may you have ears to hear His voice calling out to ''you''. May you have a hearing heart, and respond to the Gospel of Grace that you might have hope and life that overflows. May the God of HOPE touch you with His LOVE.
''Obey My voice, and I will be your God'' - Jeremiah 7:23 KJV 'My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: And I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish''. John 10:27 KJV
NICODEMUS SPEAKS TO JESUS ABOUT ETERNAL LIFE
We read in God's Word (John 3:1-2) how Nicodemus, a Pharisee and ruler (a respected leader, an authority and good man) among the Jews, came at night to speak to Jesus. Maybe he was too busy during daytime, or most probably afraid what other Pharisees, leaders or people will do or say when they see him with Jesus.
What we do know is that Nicodemus as a Pharisee was a very important man and part of the Sanhedrin, an exclusive group, part of the supreme council and tribunal of the Jews, who did not like Jesus at all.
Nicodemus had everything. He was a ruler. So he had power, prestige, position, money, and religion, but he still felt empty and was not sure about his salvation. (John 3)
Nicodemus asked Jesus directly as he wanted to know what to do in order to have God's rule in his life and have surety for his eternal salvation. So Nicodemus asked Jesus 'what must I do'?
JESUS'S ANSWER (Jesus emphasized that being born once - a natural birth - is not enough!
"I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born again (anew, from above), he cannot ever see (know, be acquainted with, and experience) the kingdom of God”. (John 3:3, Ezek. 36:25-26)
THE WORD 'MUST'
Jesus emphasizes the seriousness of being born in Spirit with the following statement.
"Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again” - John 3:7 Note: This is not just anyone, this is the Lord Jesus Himself speaking; and it is NOT a suggestion. (“Must” is not a suggestion, but a clear instruction)
JESUS EXPLAINS TO NICODEMUS
"What is born of [from] the flesh is flesh [of the physical is physical]; and what is born of the Spirit is spirit”
We enter earth through natural or physical seed. We enter heaven through supernatural or spiritual Seed.
(John 3:6; 4:24; James 2:26)
NATURAL BIRTH VS, SPIRITUAL BIRTH
A NEW BIRTH. We read in 1 Peter 1:23 that: "You have been regenerated (born again), not from a mortal origin (seed, sperm), but from one that is immortal by the ever living and lasting Word of God."
A NATURAL BIRTH is who you are in flesh, (born of a natural / earthly father and mother), but a SUPERNATURAL BIRTH (born of the Spirit of God) is who you are in spirit, and is NECESSARY for anyone who desires -
(1) SURETY of his/her salvation
(2) GOD'S RULE (kingdom) in his/her life
(3) RELATIONSHIP with the God the Father. (Spiritual relationship restored that was lost in Eden)
THE TITLES OF CHRIST
When looking at the titles of Christ, He was referred to as the Son of man as well as Son of God.
1. Son of man. Jesus was born of Joseph and Maria, yet he was also -
2. Born of God. Matt 1:20 "...Joseph, descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary [as] your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of (from, out of) the Holy Spirit."
WHY BORN IN SPIRIT? (See also Romans 8:9; Ez 26:36; 1 Peter 1:23)
A new birth (spiritual birth) can not come of an earthly father, but only from God through the Holy Spirit. To be born again, is to be born from above. The result: The Holy Spirit causes our spirit to cry out Abba Father! (Romans 8:15)
If Jesus was born of natural-seed, his earthy father, (Joseph), He would have been contaminated with Adams' sin, called imputed sin. Therefore the reason of a virgin birth through the virgin Maria.
The moment we receive Jesus Christ in our life (John 1:12; Rom 8:15), the relationship man had with God before the Fall in Eden is restored. This refers to our inner man /spiritual condition or the condition of our heart.
BEFORE THE FALL (MAN'S DISOBEDIENCE TO GOD)
We see in the book of Genesis that Adam and Eve were born related in spirit with God. (Gods likeness) Their spirit was alive to the things of God.God created them to know Him. Yet, they lost this intimate relationship and constant fellowship with God when they chose to disobey God and follow the Satan's advice.Their God-consciousness was replaced with self-consciousness. (Genesis 3)
Satan not only stole man's in-depth understanding of God, but he caused man's self-concept (identity) to be distorted. The FALL was the beginning of man's death, first spiritual then physical. The spiritual- death refers to their relationship (relatedness in spirit) with God that was stolen. After man's spiritual death, physical death eventually followed. Jesus said that he, (Satan) came to steal, kill and destroy, but that He (Jesus) came to give life. (spiritual and relationship restoration)
Jesus didn't come to make bad people good, he came to make spiritual dead people alive. (Jesus paid the price in full, and saved us from spiritual deadness through His atoning death)
When we ACKNOWLEDGE that we are sinners, and NEED SAVING, Jesus can become our Savior. We ALL fall short. We all have sinned and need saving. The Word of God says: "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" ( Romans 3:23).
GOD'S GRACE, BUT OUR CHOICE (RESPONDING TO THE GOSPEL)
Free will: The moment we receive Christ willingly in our life as Lord through faith, (confess, repent, believe and receive Him) we are born in Spirit. At that very moment we receive imputed justification through the blood of Jesus. The Holy Spirit makes His abode now IN us causes our spirit to cry out to our heavenly Father, Abba Father, as our lost spiritual condition is now restored through the blood and finished works of Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary. (*See Our Father Prayer)
The Words says, that God divides soul and spirit. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must do so in spirit and truth. The soul (our will, emotions and intellect communicates through reasoning - our flesh), but our spirit communicates with Spirit, therefore a spiritual birth is required. *Rd. John 4:24; Gen 1:26. James 2:26 , Heb 4:12
Jesus said unto her, "I am the resurrection and life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live" John 11:25.
All creatures of the human race belong either to God (John 1:12) or to Satan (John 8:44). Before we receive Christ in our life we are all 'spiritually dead' as mentioned by Jesus in the verse above. We are cut-off from Father God due to imputed sin. The wages of sin is death (Rom 6:23), but the gift of eternal life is to be IN UNION WITH Christ (Rom 3:26).
WHAT DO WE NEED TO KNOW?
Man is a triune being. Man is spirit, has a soul and lives in a body (1 Thessalonians 5:23)
The saving process is as follow -
- The spirit is saved through regeneration. Being born again through the Holy Spirit (1 Peter 1:23). This is by God's grace alone, and our choice to willingly responding to the invitation to believe and receive what Jesus did on the Cross of Calvary. God will never force us to receive Jesus as our Lord and Saviour. It's by God's grace and our free will.
The soul is saved through being transformed according to the Word of God
(Romans 12:2 ; James 1:21 This involves crucifying the self-life - fruit of the flesh)
- The bodyis saved (transformed) when we receive our heavenly bodies on our Lord's imminent return. The word imminent implies ''at any moment in time'', therefore the command to us to be ready and watchful. It is as applicable to us today as to the early church. This question was raised by Jesus' disciples. ''When will these things happen?'' (Mark 13:4)
- Jesus answered plainly: ''Of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.'' Then Jesus warned then as He do us: ''Take heed, keep on alert, for you do not know when the appointed time will come.'' (13:32,33).
- The imminent return: 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Rev 4:1,2. The rapture of the Saints, the Body of Christ. This is destined only for those IN Christ Jesus. The imminent return must not be confused with the second coming when Jesus Christ will return in glory to set up His Kingdom. (Revelation 19)
- Note: The word ''rapture'' in not found in English translations. The new testament was written in Koine Greek therefore we have to look at the Greek. 1 Thessalonians 4:17 uses the Greek verb ''harpazo'' meaning that ''we shall be caught up'' or ''taken away'' Cf 2 Kings 2; 2 Corinthians 12:2-4; Acts 8:39; Revelation 12:5
WHO QUALIFIES TO BE SAVED? (Strongs 3956)
JESUS' INSTRUCTION
"And He said to them, Go into all the world and preach and publish openly the good news (the Gospel) to every creature [of the whole human race]." - Mk 16:15 (Does the Lord's instruction exclude any person or nation?)
WHO DID JESUS PURCHASE WITH HIS BLOOD? (Revelation: revealing or unveiling)
Revelation 5:9 And [now] they sing a new song, saying, You are worthy to take the scroll and to break the seals that are on it, for You were slain (sacrificed), and with Your blood You PURCHASED MEN unto God from EVERY tribe and language and people and nation. [Ps. 33:3.]
GOD GAVE HIS SON AND HIS SON GAVE HIS LIFE - FOR YOU
"For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world (YOUR NAME) that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life." - John 3:16 Amplified
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever G3956 believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
ORIGINAL MEANING (GREEK)
Definition of "whoever"
Whatever person, no matter who. Strongs 3956 shed some light - each, every, any, all, the whole, everyone, all things or everything.
The “whoever” in the verse above refers to anyone for “who so ever will”.
Meaning; every tribe and language and people and nation who willingly responds and believes in the substitution death of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Why every tribe and language and people and nation?
It is about His grace and the glory of God. (For Yours is the kingdom, the power and glory, for ever. Amen)
The good news message is for all. It's only limit is humanity.
SAVED BY FAITH
Jam 2:23 And [so] the Scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed in (adhered to, trusted in, and relied on) God, and this was accounted to him as righteousness (as conformity to God's will in thought and deed), and he was called God's friend. [Gen. 15:6; II Chron. 20:7; Isa. 41:8.]
This means YOU, if you choose to believe what God the Father had done through Christ on the Cross of Calvary. (God fully dealt with man in the body of Christ. Jesus did not only died for you, but AS you)
YOUR HEAVENLY PASSPORT
Your new birthright and heavenly passport (John 1:12)
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
HEAVENLY CITIZENSHIP
Through your natural birth, you receive automatic citizenship, that gives you 'the right' of stay in a particular country. This is indicated on your passport. In the same token heavenly citizenship requires a super-natural or spiritual birth, giving you the right as a child of God to enter and stay heaven. (Our Father who art in heaven...) Your heavenly passport is called 'the book of life', we read about the book of life in Revelation 20:15 "And if anyone's [name] was not found recorded in the Book of Life, he was hurled into the lake of fire."
*You are son / daughter of (......name......) in the flesh. (your earthly mother and father through natural seed).Yet, when accepting Jesus, you are now child of God! (through supernatural Seed / Holy Spirit)
*Meaning of words: Marvel: to “be surprised, astonished”
*God's nature can only be IN those who are born (begotten) of God. Repentance causes me to turn to God. Born in Spirit causes me to belong to Him.
SURETY OF SALVATION
Can I be sure? Yes!
HOW CAN I BE SURE OF MY SALVATION?
IN YOUR HEART
Divine attestation. Holy Spirit confirmation within ourselves
The Word gives us surety within our inner man. 1 John 5:10 "He who believes in the Son of God [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] has the testimony [possesses this divine attestation] within himself” (This is Holy Spirit confirmation within oneself) ,
AND,
IN YOUR MIND
Knowledge, the soul dimension, 'that we may know'
1 John 5:13 “I write this to you who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) the name of the Son of God [in the peculiar services and blessings conferred by Him on men], so that you may know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that you [already] have life,yes, eternal life” (This is knowledge - soul dimension.
I THOUGHT THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO GOD AND INTO HEAVEN? - NO!
Jesus is THE ONLY way to the Father (Which are in heaven)
THE WORD SAYS -
"For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and people. He is the man Christ Jesus” 1 Timothy 2:5 NLT
"There is salvation in no one else! There is no other name in all of heaven for people to call on to save them" Acts 4:12 NLT
Jesus Himself says that He is the only way to Father God. John 14:6
ARE WE ALL CHILDREN OF GOD?
If you are NOT willing to accept or invite Jesus Christ in your life, you are NOT GOD'S child. Do not be deceived by people in authority who says there are many ways to God (The New Age lie)
Only when receiving Jesus into your life, as Lord, he becomes your Master/ Adonai. He (Jesus gives you the authority (thrrough His blood) to become a child of God. We read in John 1:12 "But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name [Isa. 56:5.], and -
Then our born-again spirit cries out to our heavenly Father, ABBA FATHER meaning Daddy. The Holy Spirit makes His dwelling in us as we become the righteousness of God in Christ. (2 Cor 5:21, 1 Cor 1:30)Joh 14:6 Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me.
The Lord's Prayer (Our Father) can only be prayed by His children. We can't say 'Our Father' if we are not His child. (John 1:12 - If we refuse to become His child through the blood of Jesus Christ.)
Your free will: The condition for any free gift is acceptance. No true relationship can exist without a free will. And true love can’t exist without a free will.
WE ARE PARDONED FROM PUNISHMENT AND ETERNAL DEATH
Jesus Christ offers us this gift (willingly). If we refuse, we are not pardoned. Without the pardon (the Blood of Christ), we will face eternal death and eternal separation from a loving and the Living God. (*Rom 3:23,24)
A new birth happens through connecting with God, heartfelt prayer - (spiritual connecting with God)
WHY CONFESS WITH YOUR LIPS?
According to the wisest man who ever lived (King Solomon Prov 18:21) "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life]. [Matt. 12:37.]
According to Romans 10:9 "... if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (Confess means to to say it with the mouth)
Romans 10:10 says: "For with the HEART a person believes (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Christ) and so is justified (declared righteous, acceptable to God), and with the MOUTH he confesses (declares openly and speaks out freely his faith) and confirms [his] salvation” (*Rd also Matt 10:32;James 2:23)
PRAY WITH YOUR LIPS (VERBALLY)
"The Word is near you, even in your mouth and in your heart; that is, the Word of Faith which we proclaim", and Romans 10:17 "Then faith is of hearing, and hearing by the Word of God."
When we pray with our lips (mouth), our spirit hears the life-giving spiritual words of Spirit and life (John 6:63) and; as we confess it - it not only builds our faith, but is absorbed into the soil of our heart.
DO YOU WANT TO ACCEPT JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOUR?
(It's your choice to accept or reject His sacrifice)
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, I confess with my mouth that you are the Son of the Living God, who raised You from the dead. Thank you for your finished work on the cross of Calvary. I turn to You Lord for my salvation.Thank you for redeeming and cleansing me from my sins with your blood. I place my life in your hands. I believe You are risen and alive, sitting on the right hand of Father God. I want to know You and be in relationship with you. Thank you for forgiving me my sins, and thank you that I can through your grace forgive those who have sinned against me. Fill me with the precious Holy Spirit. Heal me, restore me, and be my Lord. In Jesus Name, Amen
*Confess = say with the mouth *Repent = turn around completely in your heart.Change your thoughts and actions and way of thinking *Believe =Jesus Christ is the Saviour, Son of the Living God. *Receive = to accept by faith what Jesus did on the Cross of Calvary for you.
WELCOME TO THE FAMILY OF FATHER GOD
"All honor to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for it is by his boundless mercy that God has given us the privilege of being born again” 1 Peter 1:3 NLT
SHARE THE GOODNEWS THAT YOU HAVE ACCEPTED CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOUR!
Share with family and close friends that you have received Jesus Christ as your Saviour -
SHARE THE GOOD NEWS WITH OTHER PEOPLE
THE GOSPEL OF GRACE, (The Good News), should be preached to everyone. However, not everyone will respond with joy. People may reject the good news of what Jesus Christ had done on the cross of Calvary. (How he bought you back with His own blood, paying the price, which is death)
You can only share the good news,but, it is the individual's personal choice (free will) if he or she wants to receive the gift of eternal life.
Bible study: You are know a child of God, born in Spirit: John 1:12; John 3:3,16; Col 1:13, Rom 8:1, 2 Cor 5:18-19, Eph 1:13, 1 Peter 1:23
WHAT NOW?
You have made the most important decision that will impact not only you, but also those around you.
Know that you have made the most important decision in your life that will not only impact you, but also those around you. Know also that you now belong to God's family and that an exiting and new journey had begun.(Read Ephesians 1:5; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 and Philippians 1:6)
MY FIRST CHRISTIAN STEPS (free online course)
BE THANKFUL FOR BEING SAVED BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST
Thank You Prayer
Thank you Abba Father for bringing me into union and fellowship with You through the blood of Jesus Christ, thereby giving me right standing, and making me part of Your heavenly family. Thank you Holy Spirit for you indwelling, which brands me as God's property. Thank you Precious Holy Spirit for comforting me, defending me, teaching, and guiding me as I study the Word of God. Give me insight and understanding. Thank you LORD, In Jesus’ name Amen
BAPTISM. THE NEW BELIEVERS NEXT STEP
The believers sign to the world regarding his or her personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. A co-death and resurrection IN Christ. All believers are commanded to be baptized. Those who are born of God (The Holy Spirit), are our brothers and sisters in Christ - regardless of their nationality, race or background.
We, who are in Christ, belong to the Kingdom of Heaven, God's family. In Christ there is no difference between Jew and Gentile. We ought to pray for all nations and people, and for God's grace to touch their lives with the gospel truth, so that the lost may receive Jesus Christ as their personal savior.
Baptism means to'dip' or 'immerce'.
Jesus' ministry started only AFTER His baptism. After His baptism He became the Christ, the Messiah (The Anointed of God) God anointed Jesus of Nazareth, as man with the Holy Spirit. Only after Jesus' baptism miraculous signs followed. His first miraculous sign was in Cana of Galilee. Miracles BEGIN with the anointing OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. Jesus demonstrated what happens when man is ANOINTED with the HOLY SPIRIT.
<The video below from Russia Missions will touch your heart. (click play)
Share the Baptism clip here
MEANING
Baptism speaks of co-death, burial and resurrection in Christ Jesus – The person who has become a Christian has died to the old life of sins at repentance, is buried with Christ in baptism so that he can start (be raised) or walk in a new life.
The Holy Spirit renews your life:
2 Corinthians 5:17 If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new.
AN ACT OF OBEDIENCE
Baptism is an act of obedience, based on the work that you believe God has done in your life.You accept your salvation and the new life in God has given to you by faith. To you this is a fact that needs no further evidence. You symply believe God. You are ready to make a public testimony that all things have become new in your life.
"I have been [will be] buried with Him in baptism, in which I also was [will be] raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead." (Col 2:12)
Acts 22:16 reads: "And now what are you waiting for? Get up! Be baptized"
"He was wounded for our (your) transgressions, He was crushed for our (your) iniquities,
by His wounds we (you) are healed”
ISAIAH 53 (700 Yrs BC)
THE LORD'S SUPPER
"For the story and message of the cross is sheer absurdity and folly to those who are perishing and on their way to perdition, but to us who are being saved it is the [manifestation of] the power of God." 1 Corinthians 1:18
Jesus gave instructions to His followers that the Lord's Supper should be practiced.
REFLECT
The purpose of this is to remember what the Lord had done. In this time of reflection we focus on His sacrifice for us. The broken bread reminds us of Christ's physical body that was wounded for us, and the the cup we drink is a reminder of His blood that He had shed for us.
Remember. Mankind whom the Living God created and therefore BELONGED TO GOD, was sold into bondage to sin into the SLAVE MARKET and had to be purchased with a price. Jesus became that PRICE for YOU. LIFE is in the blood. And Jesus the Christ REDEEMED MAN by paying with His life blood. And through the CROSS He delivered us from the CURSE of the LAW. (Col 2:14)
THE TWO ASPECTS OF SALVATION
Once we have submitted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ two aspects of salvation should manifest in our life as a born-again believer. The FIRST is the forgiveness of sin; the SECOND is our deliverance from sinning.
"Anyone who is not experiencing both of these aspects in his life is living beneath the priviledges that God has accomplished for us in Christ" - Watchman Nee by Sentinel Kulp
THE BLOOD & CROSS OF JESUS CHRIST
THE BLOOD of Christ deals with our SIN (giving us right-standing before God)
THE CROSS deals with the SINNER (crucifying our old nature, the unrenewed-self), leading to a victorious life IN Christ Jesus.
The blood can wash away my sins, but it can't wash away the "old man" (Rom 6:6) For this we are in need of the Cross,so that the old man (our old nature) may be crucified. Through the blood deals with sins, it's the Cross that deals with the sinner. - Watchman Nee by Sentinel Kulp
"The greatest negative in the universe is the Cross, for with it God wiped out everything that was not of Himself; the greatest positive in the universe is the RESURRECTION, for through it God brought into being all He will have in the new order of things. The Cross is God's declaration that everything within us from the old creation must die, because nothing of the first Adam can pass beyond the Cross" - Sentinel Kulp