Consider the Gospel (Good News)
A. Consider the wonder that Almighty, Holy God would create us for relationship with Himself!
II Corinthians 6:16-18 – “…As God said, ‘I will make My dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people…I will welcome you, and I will be a Father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me, says the Lord Almighty.”
Psalm 8:4 – “…what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?”
B. Consider the devastation of sin, keeping us from God!
Ephesians 2:1-3, 12 – “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience – among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind…separated from Christ,…having no hope and without God in the world.”
Romans 3:10-12, 23 – “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” “…For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…”
Romans 6:23 – “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
C. Consider the love and grace of God, who gave His Son, Jesus Christ to die in our place, paying our penalty for our sin, to reconcile us to God!
I Peter 2:24 – “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed.”
I Peter 3:18 – “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring us to God…”
D. Consider the simplicity of faith! Repent (change your mind about living for yourself and turn to God), believe and receive Jesus Christ.
John 1:12 – “But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God…”
John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”
John 5:24 – “…Whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.”
Romans 10:9-10,13 – “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved…For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
E. Consider the difference Jesus makes – To know God and be His and be changed by Him!
John 14:23 – “Jesus answered him, ‘If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word, and My Father will love him and we will come to him and make our home with him.”
Romans 5:1 – “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Romans 8:1 – “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
II Corinthians 5:14-15, 17 – “For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that One died for all, therefore all have died; and He died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for Him who for their sake died and was raised.” “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.”
Titus 2:11-14 – “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works.”
Consider and believe the Gospel! Come to faith in Christ! Give yourself to God! Know Him and be His child!
If you have questions about what is written above and would like to talk with someone about what you have read, or if you would like to pray with someone, please contact me privately. Or please feel free to come to the church as there are many people here who would love to meet you and talk with you. God bless! -Pastor Burks