May 20, 2020

Good morning Fellow Believers,

In last Sunday’s message we learned that the believer is called and equipped to proclaim these three things. Proclaim judgement, the glory of God, and the truth of Jesus Christ. In fact, Jesus teaches this to His disciples after His resurrection and before his ascension.

He said to them, go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. Mark 16:15-16 (NIV)

How do ordinary messengers proclaim something so glorious?

There are some key verses we need to have an in-depth knowledge of in order to share Jesus with someone. Having this knowledge will enable us to teach these simple truths to people who simply do know the truth.

This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3:22-24 (NIV)

Unbelievers don’t realize that the sin in their lives causes a separation between them and God. Sinning confirms our status as sinners, and sin cuts us off from our holy God. Furthermore, sin leads to death, because it disqualifies us from living with God, regardless of how great or small each sin may seem. Sins are deadly, but sinners can be forgiven.

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

The result of sin is not just physical death, everyone dies physically, believers and nonbelievers alike. This refers to eternal separation from God in hell. This is the wage that a person receives for his or her rebellion against God. Those in hell will find no comfort in the truth that they have been given exactly what they wanted. The unbeliever’s decision to reject Jesus is really their decision to pay the penalty for their own sins.

And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Acts 2:21 (NIV)

Salvation is available to anyone. Unbelievers should know that forgiveness of sins, which cause separation between them and God, can be forgiven. There is no need to pay the penalty for our own sin. The very reason Jesus died on the cross was to pay the penalty for the sins of mankind. Any person who calls on the name of the Lord will be forgiven and saved for all eternity. Access to God, for all people, is available, but only to those who call on His name in faith.

Forgiveness and salvation only come through Jesus Christ.

May God richly bless you today,

Pastor Dennis