Our Need for a Savior

2000025

Subject: first principles

Introduction:

A. Today the religious world is focused upon the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

B. While they do this once a year – we do it weekly – through our partaking of the Lord’s Supper.

1. It is because of Christ’s coming to earth, dying on the cross, and being resurrected on the 3^rd day – that the Christian has hope of eternal life – if he lives in obedience to the will of God.

2. But…. have you ever wondered why Jesus had to die on the cross?

C. Couldn’t there have been another way?

1. Have you ever wondered what God’s plan for man is?

2. What does He expect of us?

3. Why did God give us the Bible? Even more importantly, - why does God expect man to obey all that is in the Bible?

D. We’ll talk about these things today. Hope that today’s lesson will be beneficial to you in some way.

I. Why the Bible?

A. Contrary to what some might think: God did not give us the Bible in order to restrict us from doing things that are enjoyable.

1. Some: Can’t have any fun now b/c I’m a Christian.

2. Tend to think Christianity nothing more than a bunch of prohibitions.

a) Yes…. man has been commanded to keep the commandments of the Lord: Deut. 10:12-13.

b) The Bible is like a manufacturers owners manual.

3. The purpose is not to restrict the owner – but that the owner gets the most enjoyment possible from the product.

4. We are to get the most out of this life – within God’s laws.

B. The primary reason for the Bible is so that we can become like God – so we can live with Him.

1. The ultimate reason God made us is because he wants us to live with Him – Look at all He has done for us to make living with Him possible!

2. Mt. 5:48 – God’s law is a reflection of who He is – it represents perfection.

3. The closer we strive to adhere ourselves to His will – the better person we’ll be. The stronger we’ll grow up in Christ.

4. The more we learn & apply in the Scriptures – the more we’ll learn to love – just as God and Christ have.

a) See Jhn. 13:34-35; Eph. 4:32

II. Man has a problem – SIN.

A. There is one big problem with this – we do not always live, as God would have us to live.

1. We have not kept His laws – we have sinned & violated the law.

2. 1 Jhn. 3:4; Rom. 3:9-10; 23

B. What is the result of sin?

1. The one who sins cannot live with God. There will be NO sin in heaven – Rom. 6:23.

2. Isa. 59:1-2 – death is being separated from God.

C. It does not matter how many times we have sinned or even how “bad” our sins were.

1. One sin separates us from God & leaves us in a condition of not being able to live with Him.

2. Lk. 7:36-50 – parable of sinful woman.

a) Pharisee thought he would be saved because he had sinned less than a very sinful woman who was there w/Jesus.

b) Note 7:41-42 – this Pharisee was in the exact same condition of the woman.

3. We are all in the same boat with sin. All men are lost and unable to get out of their condition through their own good works.

D. No one will be saved because they lived a “good” and “moral” life.

1. Acts 10:2 – we can’t make up for our sin by being good! See also 10:6 – still something lacking in Cornelius’ life.

2. Forgiveness is the only way we can be saved.

III. God has an answer to our problem.

A. Here is where the love of God and the grace of God come in.

1. While it is true…. we are lost in our sins…God does not want us to remain in that condition.

2. But…. He can’t simply overlook our sins – that would not be justice – that is not the character of God.

B. How does God remain just & forgive our sins? How do we b/c justified?

1. Rom. 3:21-26 – God does so by having someone else suffer punishment that we deserve!

2. Doing this – justice has been served – God’s perfect character remains intact – God can then forgive us based on that fact – b/c the penalty has been paid.

C. Who could God get to suffer the punishment that we deserve?

1. He could not choose one of us – we’re already in debt to Him.

2. He had to find someone who was innocent of sin – owning no debt for his own sin – willing to pay our debt with his life – His life for ours.

3. God’s own Son – Jesus – came to this earth because of His love for us!

4. He lived a perfect life & died on the cross – paying the penalty we owed!

a) Died via crucifixion – the worst death man has ever known)

b) See also Isa. 53:1-10 – a beautiful picture of God’s plan to save man.

IV. How doe we obtain this great salvation?

A. If Jesus died for us paying our penalty – we need to come to God through Jesus.

1. Ephesians 1 repeatedly states that salvation is in Christ! See Eph. 1:7-12.

2. This means that I must do whatever Jesus has asked me to do in order to obtain forgiveness.

3. Heb. 5:8-9 – to do whatever He has asked of me is to have TRUE FAITH in Him!

B. Acts 2:21 – Peter: Whoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

1. Throughout the rest of that sermon – Peter showed that Jesus was the Lord upon whom men should appeal to if they would obtain salvation.

a) Acts 2:37-38 – people asked what they needed to do.

b) Repent & be baptized!

2. Heb. 10:22-26 – after doing that – we must hold fast the confession of our hope WITHOUT WAVERING.

C. We must consider one another (help each other stay saved) by not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together.

1. To stimulate one another to love & good works.

2. Once we are in Christ – we can continue to have the forgiveness of our sins.

D. We did not live perfectly before we became Christians and we won’t after we become Christians.

1. Our salvation continues to be on the basis of forgiveness.

2. 1 Jhn. 1:7-2:5 – how we obtain forgiveness after we have been saved.

3. By obeying God & confessing our sins when we fall short we can maintain ourselves in a state of being “cleansed from all sin.”

Conclusion

A. So how about you? Do you understand God’s purpose for you? Do you want to go home to heaven?

1. Are you a child of God?

2. Obey the gospel today!

3. Get the burden of sins lifted off of your heart.

4. Find the true happiness and fun of being a Christian!

B. My brethren – how is your life? Living faithfully? Need to get your life right? You can – by repenting of sin, and asking God to forgive you.

C. Turn to Christ – He can save you from your sins!

D. I N V I T A T I O N



Our Need for a Savior 2000025 Subject: first principles Introduction: A. Today the religious world is focused upon the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. B. While they do this once a year – we do it weekly – through our partaking of the Lord’s Supper. 1. It is because of Christ’s coming to earth, dying on the cross, and being resurrected on the 3^rd day – that the Christian has hope of eternal life – if he lives in obedience to the will of God. 2. But…. have you ever wondered why Jesus had to die on the cross? C. Couldn’t there have been another way? 1. Have you ever wondered what God’s plan for man is? 2. What does He expect of us? 3. Why did God give us the Bible? Even more importantly, - why does God expect man to obey all that is in the Bible? D. We’ll talk about these things today. Hope that today’s lesson will be beneficial to you in some way. I. Why the Bible? A. Contrary to what some might think: God did not give us the Bible in order to restrict us from doing things that are enjoyable. 1. Some: Can’t have any fun now b/c I’m a Christian. 2. Tend to think Christianity nothing more than a bunch of prohibitions. a) Yes…. man has been commanded to keep the commandments of the Lord: Deut. 10:12-13. b) The Bible is like a manufacturers owners manual. 3. The purpose is not to restrict the owner – but that the owner gets the most enjoyment possible from the product. 4. We are to get the most out of this life – within God’s laws. B. The primary reason for the Bible is so that we can become like God – so we can live with Him. 1. The ultimate reason God made us is because he wants us to live with Him – Look at all He has done for us to make living with Him possible! 2. Mt. 5:48 – God’s law is a reflection of who He is – it represents perfection. 3. The closer we strive to adhere ourselves to His will – the better person we’ll be. The stronger we’ll grow up in Christ. 4. The more we learn & apply in the Scriptures – the more we’ll learn to love – just as God and Christ have. a) See Jhn. 13:34-35; Eph. 4:32 II. Man has a problem – SIN. A. There is one big problem with this – we do not always live, as God would have us to live. 1. We have not kept His laws – we have sinned & violated the law. 2. 1 Jhn. 3:4; Rom. 3:9-10; 23 B. What is the result of sin? 1. The one who sins cannot live with God. There will be NO sin in heaven – Rom. 6:23. 2. Isa. 59:1-2 – death is being separated from God. C. It does not matter how many times we have sinned or even how “bad” our sins were. 1. One sin separates us from God & leaves us in a condition of not being able to live with Him. 2. Lk. 7:36-50 – parable of sinful woman. a) Pharisee thought he would be saved because he had sinned less than a very sinful woman who was there w/Jesus. b) Note 7:41-42 – this Pharisee was in the exact same condition of the woman. 3. We are all in the same boat with sin. All men are lost and unable to get out of their condition through their own good works. D. No one will be saved because they lived a “good” and “moral” life. 1. Acts 10:2 – we can’t make up for our sin by being good! See also 10:6 – still something lacking in Cornelius’ life. 2. Forgiveness is the only way we can be saved. III. God has an answer to our problem. A. Here is where the love of God and the grace of God come in. 1. While it is true…. we are lost in our sins…God does not want us to remain in that condition. 2. But…. He can’t simply overlook our sins – that would not be justice – that is not the character of God. B. How does God remain just & forgive our sins? How do we b/c justified? 1. Rom. 3:21-26 – God does so by having someone else suffer punishment that we deserve! 2. Doing this – justice has been served – God’s perfect character remains intact – God can then forgive us based on that fact – b/c the penalty has been paid. C. Who could God get to suffer the punishment that we deserve? 1. He could not choose one of us – we’re already in debt to Him. 2. He had to find someone who was innocent of sin – owning no debt for his own sin – willing to pay our debt with his life – His life for ours. 3. God’s own Son – Jesus – came to this earth because of His love for us! 4. He lived a perfect life & died on the cross – paying the penalty we owed! a) Died via crucifixion – the worst death man has ever known) b) See also Isa. 53:1-10 – a beautiful picture of God’s plan to save man. IV. How doe we obtain this great salvation? A. If Jesus died for us paying our penalty – we need to come to God through Jesus. 1. Ephesians 1 repeatedly states that salvation is in Christ! See Eph. 1:7-12. 2. This means that I must do whatever Jesus has asked me to do in order to obtain forgiveness. 3. Heb. 5:8-9 – to do whatever He has asked of me is to have TRUE FAITH in Him! B. Acts 2:21 – Peter: Whoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 1. Throughout the rest of that sermon – Peter showed that Jesus was the Lord upon whom men should appeal to if they would obtain salvation. a) Acts 2:37-38 – people asked what they needed to do. b) Repent & be baptized! 2. Heb. 10:22-26 – after doing that – we must hold fast the confession of our hope WITHOUT WAVERING. C. We must consider one another (help each other stay saved) by not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together. 1. To stimulate one another to love & good works. 2. Once we are in Christ – we can continue to have the forgiveness of our sins. D. We did not live perfectly before we became Christians and we won’t after we become Christians. 1. Our salvation continues to be on the basis of forgiveness. 2. 1 Jhn. 1:7-2:5 – how we obtain forgiveness after we have been saved. 3. By obeying God & confessing our sins when we fall short we can maintain ourselves in a state of being “cleansed from all sin.” Conclusion A. So how about you? Do you understand God’s purpose for you? Do you want to go home to heaven? 1. Are you a child of God? 2. Obey the gospel today! 3. Get the burden of sins lifted off of your heart. 4. Find the true happiness and fun of being a Christian! B. My brethren – how is your life? Living faithfully? Need to get your life right? You can – by repenting of sin, and asking God to forgive you. C. Turn to Christ – He can save you from your sins! D. I N V I T A T I O N