| connecting_with_god.docx |
Connecting with God
1. MAN’S ORIGINAL CONNECTION
In the beginning man lived in perfect harmony with God and carried out His will flawlessly (Genesis 1-2).
2. SIN DESTROYED PERFECT HARMONY
Man and woman deliberately defied God’s command and chose their own way (Genesis 3).
3. SIN IS LIVING FOR MYSELF
Isaiah 53:6 - "We all, like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all."
Sin is a rebellious attitude against the Captain of our “ship”:
No one tells me what to do!
4. Sin is universal
Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Jesus is the measuring stick. Every person falls short of his moral standard. If we can't stand back to back with Jesus morally and spiritually and measure up, we're not as good as we need to be.
5. Because of sin we are separated from God.
"Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from, so that he will not hear" (Isaiah 59:1-2).
6. Because of sin we are spiritually dead.
"As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins" (Ephesians 2:1).
7. Because of sin, we are already condemned.
"Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son" (John 3:18).
8. Jesus Christ is God's Only Provision for Our Sin.
"For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
There's no other way. Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Jesus is the one way back to perfect harmony with God.
9. We receive God's provision [Jesus] by repentance and faith.
Mark 1:15 - “The time has come,” he said, “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!”
a. Repentance means turning from self-centered to God-centered living.
The Heart of Repentance: "God, I'm willing to do what you want."
b. Faith means receiving Christ, God’s provision for our sin.
1) To believe in Christ means to receive him.
2) "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name" (John 1:12).
3) Revelation 3:20 pictures receiving Christ: “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will go in and eat with him, and he with me.”
Only you can open the door of your life to Jesus Christ.
Opening the door means:
1. Being willing to follow Jesus instead of your own selfish desires [Repent]. God gives the desire and ability to obey.
2. Believing that God forgives you, not because of how good you are, but because on the cross Jesus paid 100% of the penalty for your sins [Believe the gospel].
Have you opened the door of your life to Jesus in this way?
You can through the following prayer:
Lord Jesus, Thank you for dying on the cross in my place and taking my sin, death and judgment upon yourself. I open the door of my life to you. I want you to come into my life and take control. Thank you for forgiving my sins and making me a child of God. I want to be like you. Amen.
The moment you open the door to Jesus you receive his life. You are born again. You can know that Jesus came into your life. In Revelation 3:20, He promises to come into your life if you open the door. You can take Jesus at his word. Nothing is more sure! Don’t expect a wonderful feeling inside. God honors trust in His promise. Feelings can mislead you. In 1 John 5:11-12, God promises eternal life to all who have Jesus, the Son. If you have Jesus, you have eternal life. Take God’s word for it!
10. CHRISTIAN GROWTH BASICS
1. Read the Bible daily. Begin with Matthew. Write briefly in a notebook what you’ve learned and will try to apply to your life (1 Peter 2:2).
2. Pray daily asking Jesus to control you and show you how to apply the Bible to your life to make you more like him. Pray about all your concerns (Philippians 4:6-7).
3. Attend Sunday School and worship (Hebrews 10:24-25; Luke 4:16). Join a discipleship group in your church.
4. Share your time, talents, and treasures cheerfully. Jesus wants to serve others through you. Tell others how you received him and the difference he has made in your life.
5. Moment by moment yield to the control of the Holy Spirit of Christ who lives in you.
1. MAN’S ORIGINAL CONNECTION
In the beginning man lived in perfect harmony with God and carried out His will flawlessly (Genesis 1-2).
2. SIN DESTROYED PERFECT HARMONY
Man and woman deliberately defied God’s command and chose their own way (Genesis 3).
3. SIN IS LIVING FOR MYSELF
Isaiah 53:6 - "We all, like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all."
Sin is a rebellious attitude against the Captain of our “ship”:
No one tells me what to do!
4. Sin is universal
Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Jesus is the measuring stick. Every person falls short of his moral standard. If we can't stand back to back with Jesus morally and spiritually and measure up, we're not as good as we need to be.
5. Because of sin we are separated from God.
"Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from, so that he will not hear" (Isaiah 59:1-2).
6. Because of sin we are spiritually dead.
"As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins" (Ephesians 2:1).
7. Because of sin, we are already condemned.
"Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son" (John 3:18).
8. Jesus Christ is God's Only Provision for Our Sin.
"For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
There's no other way. Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Jesus is the one way back to perfect harmony with God.
9. We receive God's provision [Jesus] by repentance and faith.
Mark 1:15 - “The time has come,” he said, “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!”
a. Repentance means turning from self-centered to God-centered living.
The Heart of Repentance: "God, I'm willing to do what you want."
b. Faith means receiving Christ, God’s provision for our sin.
1) To believe in Christ means to receive him.
2) "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name" (John 1:12).
3) Revelation 3:20 pictures receiving Christ: “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will go in and eat with him, and he with me.”
Only you can open the door of your life to Jesus Christ.
Opening the door means:
1. Being willing to follow Jesus instead of your own selfish desires [Repent]. God gives the desire and ability to obey.
2. Believing that God forgives you, not because of how good you are, but because on the cross Jesus paid 100% of the penalty for your sins [Believe the gospel].
Have you opened the door of your life to Jesus in this way?
You can through the following prayer:
Lord Jesus, Thank you for dying on the cross in my place and taking my sin, death and judgment upon yourself. I open the door of my life to you. I want you to come into my life and take control. Thank you for forgiving my sins and making me a child of God. I want to be like you. Amen.
The moment you open the door to Jesus you receive his life. You are born again. You can know that Jesus came into your life. In Revelation 3:20, He promises to come into your life if you open the door. You can take Jesus at his word. Nothing is more sure! Don’t expect a wonderful feeling inside. God honors trust in His promise. Feelings can mislead you. In 1 John 5:11-12, God promises eternal life to all who have Jesus, the Son. If you have Jesus, you have eternal life. Take God’s word for it!
10. CHRISTIAN GROWTH BASICS
1. Read the Bible daily. Begin with Matthew. Write briefly in a notebook what you’ve learned and will try to apply to your life (1 Peter 2:2).
2. Pray daily asking Jesus to control you and show you how to apply the Bible to your life to make you more like him. Pray about all your concerns (Philippians 4:6-7).
3. Attend Sunday School and worship (Hebrews 10:24-25; Luke 4:16). Join a discipleship group in your church.
4. Share your time, talents, and treasures cheerfully. Jesus wants to serve others through you. Tell others how you received him and the difference he has made in your life.
5. Moment by moment yield to the control of the Holy Spirit of Christ who lives in you.