The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple - simple enough to be outlined in a few statements. It is a message from the Bible about God and his son, Jesus. It is about life and death, and the choice that we all face.
#1
God is the loving ruler of the world. He made the world. He made us rulers of the world under him.
Revelation 4:11 – “You are worthy our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things and by your will they were created and have their being.” But is that the way it is now?
#2
We all reject the ruler - God - by trying to run life our way without him. But we fail to rule ourselves or society or the world.
Romans 3:10-12 – “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away.” What will God do about this rebellion?
#3
God won’t let us rebel forever. God's punishment for rebellion is death and judgement.
Hebrews 9:27 – “Man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.” God's justice sounds hard. But...
#4
Because of his love, God sent his Son into the world: the man Jesus Christ. Jesus always lived under God's rule. Yet by dying in our place he took our punishment and brought forgiveness.
1 Peter 3:18 – “Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.” But that's not all...
#5
God raised Jesus to life again as the ruler of the world. Jesus has conquered death, now gives new life, and will return to judge.
1 Peter 1:3 – “In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” Well, where does that leave us?
#6
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A. Our way:
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B. God's new way:
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Result:
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Result:
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John 3:36 – “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him.”