A Relationship with Jesus Christ

What does it mean to be a Christian?

Most people live their entire lives without ever knowing “WHY?” They exist year after year with no idea of why they live or God’s purpose for their lives.

One of the most basic questions a person can ask is, “What is mankind’s greatest problem?”

Mankind’s Greatest Problem: SIN

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23

1. God is holy, humanity is sinful, and sin creates an UNCROSSABLE BARRIER between God and us.

2. Our attempt to cross that barrier is called GOOD WORKS.

3. But, good works are never enough to bring us to God and His forgiveness.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

Why Did God Allow Sin?

“Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness…’” Genesis 1:26

1. Humans are ETERNAL.

2. Humans have a CAPACITY TO LOVE with feelings and emotions.

3. Humans have REASON AND INTELLECT to understand God’s revelation (Bible).

Humans can make a CHOICE. God Gave a Choice “And the LORD God commanded the man, ‘You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.’” Genesis 2:16-17

Adam and Eve chose AGAINST GOD, and sin became a reality. “When Adam sinned, sin entered the entire human race. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.” Romans 5:12

God’s Story

“How can I save and forgive sinful humankind since he is under the curse of my penalty for sin?”

Penalty for Death

1. Physical: The physical body will CEASE to function.

“…until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken;for dust you are and to dust you will return.” Genesis 3:19

2. Spiritual: ETERNAL SEPARATION from God in hell.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23

God’s Solution

There is no problem too big for God’s power.

There is no person too small for God’s love. Jesus Paid the Price!

1. Physically: Christ was CRUCIFIED AND DIED in our place.

“When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” John 19:30

2. Spiritually: Jesus suffered our SEPARATION from God.

“At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?’—which means, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’” Mark 15:33-34 “For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.” Romans 5:19