The Gospel and how to share it

[Calvary]

I post these with permission to use. I have translated these for a spanish personal workers bible that is being distributed in the NW. My dear friend Rob Holm has put these together and I find them very Biblical and easy to follow.

Part 1

Most people spend more time during the week thinking about where they’re going for the weekend than they do during their whole life thinking about where they’re going for ETERNITY.

Please take a few moments to considerWHAT you need when earthly life is over, WHY you need it, and HOW to get it



WHAT: Jesus Christ

“And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life...his Son Jesus Christ. This [Jesus Christ] is the true God, and eternal life.”
(1^st John 5:11-12, 20)

WHY: Everyone is missing eternal life and righteousness when we are born. This is because we all inherited death and sin from our first parent, Adam…

“Wherefore, as by one man [Adam] sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:”
(Romans 5:12)

…proven by the fact that everyone has broken the Ten Commandme

nt

s.

“…sin is the transgression of the law.”
(1^st John 3:4)

Exodus 20:3-17

1. THOU SHALT HAVE NO OTHER GODS BEFORE ME

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment”
(Matthew 22:37-38)

2. THOU SHALT NOT MAKE UNTO THEE ANY GRAVEN IMAGE
“…these men have set up their idols in their heart…” (Ezekiel 14:3) “…covetousness, which is idolatry:” (Colossians 3:5)

4. REMEMBER THE SABBATH DAY, TO KEEP IT HOLY

[sabbath: “rest”] “For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.” (Hebrews 4:10-11) “…an evil heart of unbelief…” (Hebrews 3:12)

5. HONOUR THY FATHER AND THY MOTHER
“…He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.” (Matthew 15:4)
6. THOU SHALT NOT KILL

“Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer…” (1^st John 3:15)

7. THOU SHALT NOT COMMIT ADULTERY

“…whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” (Matthew 5:28)

8. THOU SHALT NOT STEAL

“For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within…” (Mark 7:21-23)

9. THOU SHALT NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS [LIE] AGAINST THY NEIGHBOUR

“…why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie…?” (Acts 5:3) “…all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8)

10. THOU SHALT NOT COVET ANY THING THAT IS THY NEIGHBOUR'S

“…for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness.” (Ezekiel 33:31)

God requires a payme

nt

for breaking His law (sinning)…

“For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23a)

“…The soul that sinneth, it shall die…”
(Ezekiel 18:20)

“…into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” (Revelation20:14)

“And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night…” (Revelation 14:11)

…But the good news of the Bible is that God has already made the payme

nt

on your behalf by His

death

for your

sins

“But God commendeth [exhibited] his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” (Romans 5:8-9)

“…Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”
(1^st Corinthians 15: 3-4)

Jesus Christ is the

eternal life

and

righteousness

you are missing!

“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2^nd Corinthians 5:21)

“…Jesus Christ the righteous.” (1^st John 2:1)

“…the gift of God iseternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”(Romans 6:23b)

HOW:to get Jesus before life is over

Today is the day

to

stop

relying on:

• Trying to be ‘good enough’
• Religion or religious organizations
• Sacrifices, idol worship, penance, sacraments, baptism, orpraying prayers
  

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God, not of works…” (Ephesians 2:8,9a).

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us…” (Titus 3:5)

Today is the day

to

believe on Christ. To believe is “to have faith in” or“to e

nt

rust one's spiritual wellbeing” to Christ

“…Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…” (Acts 16:31)

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. “
(John 3:16)

“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:” (John 11:25)

Today is the day

to take God at His word, because you have no promiseof tomorrow:

“Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” (Proverbs 27:1)

“Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” (James 4:14)

**************************************************************

DO N

OT

WAIT

—BECAUSE THERE IS NO

OT

HER WAY!

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;”
(1^st Timothy 2:5)

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)

God bless,
Calvary Edited April 4, 2012 by Calvary

[Calvary]

LESSON ONE

CHRISTIANITY AND THE BIBLE

WHAT IS THE ESSENTIAL MESSAGE OF THE BIBLE?

Although the Bible is still the world's best seller and has been translated into more than 1400 languages, much of its contents are still unknown to most people. Patrick Henry (1736-1799) was, among other things, an influential promoter of the American Revolution and independence from Great Britain. He is well remembered for his “Give me Liberty, or give me Death!” speech. Of the Bible he said: "Here is a Book worth more than all the other books which were ever printed; yet it is my misfortune never to have, ‘til lately, found time to read it with proper intention or feeling." A good grasp of some foundational truths is essential as you study ‘the Book of all books.’

THE BIBLE REVEALS HOW EVERYTHING BEGAN: American astronomer, writer and scientist Dr. Carl Sagan (1934-1996) said: “If you want to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first create the universe.” Mr. Sagan understood the Law of Cause and Effect—that things don’t ‘just happen’ and that no mere human can create something from nothing! The God written about in the Bible is the ‘first cause’ of all things:

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” (Old Testament, Genesis 1:1. Genesis means: “Origins” or “Beginnings”)

“In the beginning was the ________, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. _____ things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” (John 1:1-3, pg. 127. See also Colossians 1:16-17, pg. 279.)

In Lesson 2 you will discover Who this God is.

THE BIBLE REVEALS WHY THERE IS EVIL: There is something terribly wrong in the world. At some stage in life, every thinking person becomes painfully aware of an insidious evil that seems to taint nearly everything. We perceive or experience injustice, disappointment, heartache, sorrow, sickness, pain, death. Expressing his disillusionment with earthly life, Roman philosopher Seneca (mid-1^st century AD) said, “Life is like an earthen pot: only when it is shattered, does it manifest its emptiness.”

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Old Testament, Jeremiah 17:9)

“And Jesus knowing their _____________ said, Wherefore think ye _____ in your hearts?” (Matthew 9:4, pg. 11)

“For out of the _______ proceed __________ thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:” (Matthew 15:19, pg. 23)

A sign of Jesus’ soon return is people becoming more and more evil:

“But _______ men and seducers shall wax [increase] _________ and _________, deceiving, and being deceived.” (2^nd Timothy 3:13, pg. 296)

In Lesson 3, you will discover how evil came to permeate our world.

THE BIBLE REVEALS THAT GOD CAME TO EARTH:Thousands of years before He came, the writers of the Hebrew Scriptures (also known today as the Old Testament) gave specific details about how the God Whocreated all things would one day come to earth and take on a body. Among hundreds of other prophecies, the writers declared He would be born in Bethlehem of Judaea (Micah 5:2) to a virgin (Isaiah 7:14), and would be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver (Zechariah. 1:12-13). The prophecies further state that He would die by crucifixion (Psalm 22) and be buried in a rich man's tomb (Isaiah 53:9). There is only one person Who fits all of the numerous messianic prophesies of the Old Testament: Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

“And the Word was made flesh, and _________ __________ _____, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14, pg. 127)

According to John 1:1, the ‘Word was God’ (See also 1^st John 5:7, pg. 332). The ‘Word’ is one of the many names used to describe Jesus Christ, Who came to earth and took on a body just over 2,000 years ago:

“Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, ______ with us.” (Matthew 1:23; pg. 2. See the Old Testament prophecy given over 700 years before in Isaiah 7:14.)

“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: _______ was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, _______________ on in the world, received up into glory.” (1^st Timothy 3:16, pg. 291)

“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after _________. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the _____________ bodily.” (Colossians 2:8-9, pg. 280)

In Lesson 3 you will further discover why God came.

THE BIBLE REVEALS THAT GOD DID NOT COME TO ESTABLISH A RELIGIOUS LEGAL SYSTEM, BUT TO RESTORE A BROKEN LOVE RELATIONSHIP: Religion says heaven is an earned reward for doing religious acts or good deeds, but God says being with Him when earthly life is over is a free gift (Romans 5:15,16,18, pg. 218; Romans 6:23a, pg. 219). Religion says “You must try harder,” but God says “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28, pg. 16). Religion drives people forward with an iron fist; but God goes beforehand, leading and protecting like a loving Shepherd (Old Testament, Psalm 23; Isaiah 40:11). Religion says “Do it our way or you won’t make it,” but God says “I’ve done it all for you.” Religion says “Convert or die,” but God says “…whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die…” (John 11:26, pg. 147).

RELIGION IS NOT THE WAY TO GOD…

“Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.” (Old Testament, Psalm 60:11.“Help of man” in the original Hebrew language means “salvation.”) In other words, man’s salvation is ‘religion’, which is vain.

“But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to ________, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.” (1^st Corinthians 10:20, pg. 241)

“Beware lest any man spoil you through ________________ and vain __________, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” (Colossians 2:8, pg. 280)

“For by grace are ye ________ through ________; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of _________, lest any man should _________.” (Ephesians 2:8-9, pg. 269)

…GOD IS THE WAY TO GOD

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the ______, the ________, and the ______: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6, pg. 152)

“For there is one God, and _____ mediator between God and men, the man _________ _________;” (1^st Timothy 2:5, pg. 290)

In Lesson 3 you will discover what broke the relationship with God. In Lesson 4 you will find out how it can be restored!

THE BIBLE REVEALS THE REMEDY FOR EVIL: God is holy, pure, righteous and undefiled and God is also love:

GOD IS HOLY

“For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.” (Old Testament, Psalm 5:4)

“Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the LORD our God is holy.” (Old Testament, Psalm 99:9)

“For such an high priest [Jesus Christ] became us, who is _______, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;” (Hebrews 7:26, pg. 306)

“Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou _______ art _______: for _____ nations shall come and ___________ before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.” (Revelation 15:4, pg. 350)

GOD IS LOVE

“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is _______.In this was manifested the _______ of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.”(1^stJohn 4:7-9, pg. 331)

“And we have known and believed the ________ that God hath to us. God is _______; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.”
(1^st John 4:16, pg. 332).

“For God so _________ the __________, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16, pg. 130)

God’sholiness demanded that evil could not be in His presence, but His love was proven by making the way for you to be with Him. His holiness demanded justice for wrongdoing, but His love was displayed when he took your punishment Himself. His holiness demanded death for sin, but His love was shown when He laid down His life as your substitute.

In Lessons 3 & 4 you will further discover how God answered the problem of evil.

THE BIBLE REVEALS THE PURPOSE OF EARTHLY LIFE:If you have a pulse you have a purpose! But most do not know what it is. French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre (1905-1980) expressed this frustration when he said: "Everything has been figured out, except how to live." The Bible tells of your purpose:

“For by him were _____ things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: _____ things were created by him, and _____ him:” (Colossians 1:16, pg. 279)

“Thou art ___________, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy _____________ they are and were created.”
(Revelation 4:11, pg. 340)

There is something essential you need, so you can fully please God:

“But without __________ it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must _____________ that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6, pg. 310)

This subject will be discussed more thoroughly in Lesson 4.

THE BIBLE REVEALS THE REALITY OF ETERNAL EXISTENCE:Although each of us seeks a degree of ‘control’ over our earthly life, this can all too often end in failure. For example, “Money can’t buy happiness,” but many still try. An ailing man may go to countless doctors, but remain sick. A hard worker may give his all to the company for many years, only to lose the job anyway. A rebellious teenager may say: “I want to run my own life!” and end up in trouble. A girl desires to be accepted by others, only to lose her purity. An angry individual may proclaim: “I’ll show them—I’m going to kill myself,” only to survive in a perpetually vegetative state. But it is certain that there is onething over which none of us truly have control—we all have an appointment with death:

“And as it is ­­­______________ unto men once to die, but after this the ______________:” (Hebrews 9:27, pg. 308)

You don’t want to ‘fail’ when your body is left behind and your soul steps into eternity. Therefore it is natural to ask the question:

“Because there is so much failure in the here and now, how can I know for certain that everything will be all right in the hereafter?”

Regardless of how many successes—or failures—you have had in life, ultimately God did not come to give you a good, long life or to deliver you from a bad, short life. He came to save you from a bad eternity:

“Much more then, being now _____________ [declared ‘not guilty’] by his _________, we shall be saved from _________ through him.” (Romans 5:9, pg. 218)

“And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which ­­­­_______________ us from the __________ to come.” (1^st Thessalonians 1:10, pg. 283)

THE BIBLE REVEALS THAT GOD WILL COME AGAIN: God does not want anyone to face His wrath. Rather, He wants everyone to be ready for His return by being in a right relationship with Him:

“And if I go and ___________ a place for you, I will _______ __________, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:3; pg.152)

“And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into ____________? this same _________, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so _________ in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” (Acts of the Apostles 1:10-11, pg. 164)

“Be ye therefore __________ also: for the Son of man __________ at an hour when ye _________ not.” (Luke 12:40, pg. 104)

“Behold, he cometh with clouds; and ­­_______ eye shall see him, and they also which _________ him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.”
(Revelation 1:7, pg. 336)

“And, behold, I come ___________…” (Revelation 22:12, pg. 358)

Lesson 4 shows how to be ready for His return.

THE BIBLE REVEALS HOW EVERYTHING WILL END:

“And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll: and all their host shall fall down, as the leaf falleth off from the vine, and as a falling fig from the fig tree.” (Old Testament, Isaiah 34:4)

“Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.”
(Old Testament, Isaiah 51:6)

“Heaven and __________ shall ________ ________, but my words shall not pass away.” (Matthew 24:35, pg. 38)

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the ____________ shall pass away with a great noise, and the _____________ shall _______ with fervent heat, the __________ also and the works that are therein shall be ___________ up…Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be _____________, and the elements shall melt with ____________ heat?” (2^nd Peter 3:10, 12, pg. 327)

In the following lessons you will discover how to escape from what is to come!

Edited April 4, 2012 by Calvary

[Calvary]

LESSON TWO

WHAT

WHAT YOU NEED TO BE RIGHT WITH GOD

IF LIFE ENDED FOR YOU THIS MOMENT, HOW CERTAIN ARE YOU THAT YOU WOULD BE WITH GOD THE NEXT MOMENT? People give a variety of responses: “I don’t know.” “I’m not sure.” “I’m trying to get to God!” “I hope I’ll be with God when life’s over.” “No one can know for sure.” “I go to church, doesn’t that help?” “I’ve been baptized.” “I’m not into religion.” “I have no idea.”

If a percentage scale were used—zero being ‘I would not be with God’ and one-hundred percent being ‘I am absolutely certain I would be with God,’ where would you place yourself on that scale? Most people are approximately 50% sure; a few are as high as 75% or 80%. Those higher on the scale might say, “I’m not so bad—I think I’ll be with God.” But what do you say?

GOD WANTS YOU TO BE WITH HIM:In the “Acts of the Apostles” it says God gave you life, breath and all things, and that you owe your very existence to Him (Acts 17:25, 28, pg. 193). God also wants you to be with Him when your earthly life is over. But if a person had to take a 100-mile trip and he only went 75, 80, or even 95miles—would he have arrived at his destination?

As you saw in Lesson One, there is onething over which none of us have control—we all have an appointment with physical death. Planning for eternity is a good idea. The following verses show what everyone needs:

“And this is the record, that God hath given to us ___________ life, and this life is in his ______. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not _______. These things have I written unto you that ________ on the name of the Son of God; that ye may _______ that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”
(1^st John 5:11-13, pg. 332)

Who is the Son of God? Later in the same chapter, we find the answer:

“…in his Son _________ ________. This is the true God, and eternallife.” (1^st John 5:20b, pg. 333)

‘This’ in the verse is referring to Jesus. It says Jesus is the true God, and Jesus iseternallife. Some verses in Lesson One also showed us that Jesus is God, and that Jesus iseternal life. Jesus is also more fully revealed in the first four books of the NewTestament: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

THE ‘HAVES’ AND THE ‘HAVE NOTS’:Hath means ‘to hold as a possession’ or ‘to have.’ 1^st John 5:12 indicates there are two groups of people in the world: those who have Jesus possess eternal life; those who do not have Jesus do not possess eternal life. To be with God when life is over, you must get from the ‘have not’ group to the ‘have’ group. Verse 13 suggests what is required to have Jesus. Did you notice what it was?

Due to an inheritance from our first parents we are all missing eternal life when we’re born. This is the reason we all need Jesus. Proceed to Lesson 3 for further explanation.

Edited April 6, 2012 by Calvary

[Calvary]

LESSON THREE

WHY

WHY YOU NEED JESUS BEFORE LIFE IS OVER

Lesson One gave a brief overview of some major Bible themes and how true Christianity is not the same as vain religion. Lesson Two declared WHAT each person must have— Jesus Christ—and the need to move from the ‘have not’ group to the ‘have’ group. This lesson gives 10 proofs WHY a person needs Jesus.

Why you need Jesus: THE CREATOR

Scripture declares: “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God…” (Old Testament, Psalm 14:1; Psalm 53:1). Only a fool would say that God does not exist! Not only does He exist, but all other ‘gods’ are false: “…The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens.” (Old Testament, Jeremiah 10:11)

The Bible describes the Creator:

“Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting[eternity past to eternity future], thou art God.” (Old Testament, Psalm 90:2)

“Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the LORD.” (Old Testament, Psalm 106:48)

Here is an interesting Scripture passage found in Deuteronomy:

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD”
(Old Testament, Deuteronomy 6:4)

“God [‘Elohiym’—plural of the Supreme God] is one [‘echad’—united] LORD[‘Yehovah’—Self-existent, eternal].” As the words of the original Hebrew language reveal, the true God is self-existent, eternal and ‘one.’ His is not a singular oneness, but rather a plural oneness. He is three inone. This is borne out in numerous passages. Here are just a few:

“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word(‘the Word’ is Jesus: John 1:1-14, pg. 127), and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” (1^st John 5:7, pg. 332)

Jesus said: “I and my Father are one.” (John 10:30, pg. 145; See also John 8:19, pg. 141)

Jesus said: “…he that seeth me seeth ________ [the Father] that sent me.” (John 12:45, pg.150)

“For in him [Jesus Christ] dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead [God’s three-in-oneness] ___________.” (Colossians 2:9, pg. 280)

“But to us there is but ______ God, the Father, of whom are _____ things, and we in him; and _____ Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are _____ things, and we by him.” (1^st Corinthians 8:6, pg.239)

Jesus “…is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were _____ things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: _____ things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him _____ things ____________ [are set or held together].” (Colossians 1:15-17, pg. 279)

Lesson One showed that God is the ‘first cause’ of all things. The above passages confirm that Jesus Christ was the physical manifestation of the unseen God—“God manifest [shown forth] in the flesh.” (1^st Timothy 3:16, pg. 291)

Why you need Jesus: THE CREATION

Just as there can be no painting without a painter, or no design without a designer, there can be no creation without a Creator! And, just like a painter puts his signature in the corner of the canvas, God put His ‘signature’ on the whole of His creation! The three-in-one God made a three-in-one universe [‘uni’ means ‘one’].A simple example is the book you hold in your hand. It is matter, existing in time and taking up an amount of space. If time or space ceased to exist, so would the book! You cannot have one without the other:

“In the beginning [time] God created the heaven [space] and the earth [matter].” (Old Testament, Genesis 1:1)

“Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being ________________ by the things that are made, even his eternal power and ___________; so that they are without excuse:” (Romans 1:19-20, pg. 213)

No one will be able to stand before God someday and say, “I never knew you existed.” The clearly seen evidence of His amazing creation will leave them without excuse.

Why you need Jesus: THE FIRST CREATURE

As a representative figure of God’s tri-unity, the first human was also tri-une—one man, comprised of spirit, soul and body:

“And God [singular] said, Let us [The Godhead—Father, Son and Holy Spirit spoke with one another] make man[singular] in our [plural] image, after our likeness:So God created man in his ownimage, in the image of God created he him;” (Old Testament, Genesis 1:26-27)

“For the word of God [the Bible] is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow[body], and is a discerner of the ____________ and ___________ of the ___________.” (Hebrews 4:12, pg. 303)

Why you need Jesus: THE INHERITANCE

You may know the story of the first man, Adam. God created aperfect world and a particular dwelling place for Adam and his wife—the Garden of Eden. God willingly loved them and they willingly loved God. If you truly love someone you will prove your love by doing right by that person, because “actionsspeak louder than words.” God proved His love by providing for them, giving them purposeful things to do, and communing with them. He gave them one simple command to keep:

“And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely [‘very suddenly’] die.” (Old Testament, Genesis 2:16-17)

You may know the rest of the story: “…she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat” (Genesis 3:6). When they ate, they ‘very suddenly’ died. Their body didn’t die that day—they physically lived many more years and had numerous children. Their soul didn’t die thatday (the body is just the ‘tent’ in which the soul resides). It was their spirit—their ‘God connector’—that died that day:

“Wherefore, as by one man [Adam] ______ entered into the world, and _________ by sin; and so death ___________ upon ______ men, for that all have sinned:” (Romans 5:12, pg. 218)

“…the body without the spirit is dead...” (James 2:26, pg.317)

“And you, being dead in your sins…” (Colossians 2:13, pg. 280)

Each descendant of Adam is composed of body, soul and spirit:

You are conscious of the material world with your body through sight,smell, hearing, taste and touch. You are conscious of self and others with your soul, throughimagination, conscience, memory,reason and affections. You werecreatedto be conscious of God with the spirit through faith, hope, reverence, prayer and worship.However, because of the inheritancefrom Adam,the spirit does not function properly on its own—it is dead, and the connection with God broken. This is proven by the fact that we expend our energies living for wrong purposes or goals; we worship or place our faith in wrong things; we pray to someone or something that cannot save us. This spiritual disconnection from God explains why there are so many and varied religions in the world. Through them people search in vain for their greatest need.

One writer said it this way: “In his unfallen state the ‘spirit’ of man was illuminated from Heaven, but when the human race fell in Adam, sin closed the window of the spirit, and pulled down the curtain, and the ‘chamber of the spirit’ became a death chamber, and remains so in every unregenerate heart, until the Holy Spirit floods that chamber with the ‘Life’ and ‘Light’ giving power of the NEW LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS. We see then why the ‘natural’ man cannot understand ‘spiritual’ things. He cannot understand them until his spiritual nature has been renewed.”(From “Rightly Dividing the Word” by Clarence Larkin, pg. 88)

It was not God’s will for the human race to remain in that spiritual deadness and darkness:

Jesus said: “…I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” (John 8:12, pg.141)

Jesus said: “I am come a light into the world, that whosoeverbelieveth on me should not abide in darkness.” (John 12:46, pg.150)

God desires to deliver every person from the:

“…power of darkness…into the kingdom of his dear Son” and “…from the wrath to come.” (Colossians 1:13, pg. 279; 1^st Thessalonians 1:10, pg. 283)

As descendants of Adam and Eve, we all have a spirit which is “…dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1, pg. 269). Missing the spiritual life of God, we are two-in-one, just body and soul, with a dead spirit. This incomplete image is revealed by a frequently overlooked Bible passage:

“And Adam…begat a son in his own likeness, afterhisimage; andcalled his name Seth:” (Old Testament, Genesis 5:3)

Adam was originally in God’s image, but then he disobeyed. As a result, all of us are born—no longer in God’s image, but like Seth—“after his [Adam’s] image.” If you pass into eternity without obtaining Jesus Christ as your very own, you will forever be lacking that spiritual life and connection to God:

“…if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”(Romans 8:9, pg. 221)

Why you need Jesus: THE CURSE ON THE EARTH

Something else happened the day Adam sinned. You may know that ‘act of God’ is a legal term used for disastrous events outside of human control, for which no one can be held responsible.But in reality, the earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis and other ‘natural’ disasters which occur are the responsibility of one man, Adam. Not only did sin and death become the inheritance of the entire human race, the whole earth was also cursed because of his disobedience:

“And unto Adam he [God] said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;” (Old Testament, Genesis 3:17-18)

“The earth mourneth and fadeth away, the world languisheth and fadeth away, the haughty people of the earth do languish. The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed [crossed over, overrun] the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left.”(Old Testament, Isaiah 24:4-6; See also Romans 8:20-22, pg. 221.)

These and other evidences of sin and the curse will become more frequent andintense as Jesus’ 2^nd coming draws nearer.

“For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers [various] places. All these are the beginning of sorrows [birth pangs].” Matthew 24:7-8, pg. 37)

Why you need Jesus: THE EVIDENCE

Because it is hidden deep within, no one but God can see that your spirit is dead. But God—in His grace—provided further proof of the inherited sin-sickness, spiritual death and need for Jesus Christ. This spiritual need might be compared to the physical. Suppose you are not feeling well, so you go for a check-up. A few days later the doctor shows you test results revealing ten clear indications of a deadly disease. Once you see the horrible evidence, you greatly desire the healing treatment, and you appreciate the doctor for bringing your condition to light. Although the bad news may have been ‘hard to swallow,’ it was necessary to understand the seriousness of the problem, which then caused you to yearn for a cure. In the same way, God, bygiving the Ten Commandments, gave clear evidence of the inheritance of sin anddeath from Adam:

“Whosoever committeth _______ transgresseth also the law: for _______ is the ___________________ [overrunning] of the law.” (1^st John 3:4, pg. 330)

Every mentally aware person knows the difference between right and wrong. This is because the God of the Bible, Who created us, put His Ten Commandments in ourhearts:

“Which shew the work of the law written in their ___________, their ________________ also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)” (Romans 2:15, pg.215)

Carefully review the Ten Commandments to see which ones you have broken. Since God knows all things (1^st John 3:20, pg. 331), He sees not only the act but also “…the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12, pg. 303).

Exodus 20:3-17

1. THOU SHALT HAVE NO OTHER GODS BEFORE ME
“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment” (Matthew 22:37-38)
2. THOU SHALT NOT MAKE UNTO THEE ANY GRAVEN IMAGE
“…these men have set up their idols in their heart…” (Ezekiel 14:3) “…covetousness, which is idolatry:” (Colossians 3:5)
3. THOU SHALT NOT TAKE THE NAME OF THE LORDTHY GOD IN VAIN
“…how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” (Matthew 12:34)
4. REMEMBER THE SABBATH DAY, TO KEEP IT HOLY
[sabbath: “rest”] “For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.” (Hebrews 4:10-11) “…an evil heart of unbelief…” (Hebrews 3:12)
5. HONOUR THY FATHER AND THY MOTHER
“…He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.” (Matthew 15:4)
6.THOU SHALT NOT KILL
“Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer…” (1^st John 3:15)
7. THOU SHALT NOT COMMIT ADULTERY
“…whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” (Matthew 5:28)
8. THOU SHALT NOT STEAL
“For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within…” (Mark 7:21-23)
9. THOU SHALT NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS [LIE] AGAINST THY NEIGHBOUR
“…why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie…?” (Acts 5:3) “…all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8)
10. THOU SHALT NOT COVET ANY THING THAT IS THY NEIGHBOUR'S
“…for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness.” (Ezekiel 33:31)

Foolishly, religion tells you to “do the best you can” to keep the Commandments. But again, compare the spiritual to the physical. Suppose you worked hard outside all day, and then came inside to look in the mirror. The mirror’s purpose would only be to reveal that you are dirty and need cleansing. You might then take a bath. But to “do the best you can” would be like taking the mirror off the wall and attempting to clean yourself with it! Contrary to religion, God’s purpose for the Law was simply to show the need for cleansing by the Messiah, Jesus Christ (see Galatians 3:24-26, pg. 265).

Religion also treats the Commandments like a ten-rung ladder you must climb in an attempt to get to God. But again, that is not their purpose. Rather, God gave the Ten Commandments to reveal that the whole ‘ladder’ is broken:

“For whosoever shall keep the whole _______, and yet offend in_______ point, he is guilty of _______.” (James 2:10, pg. 316)

Why you need Jesus: SIN AND DEATH

“As it is written, There is ________ righteous, no, not _______:”(Romans 3:10, pg. 216)

“They are _______ gone out of the way, they are ______________ become unprofitable; there is _________ that doeth good, no, _______ one.” (Romans 3:12, pg. 216; See also Old Testament, Psalm 14:1-3; Psalm 53:1.)

“For _______ have sinned, and come short of the _________ ofGod;” (Romans 3:23, pg. 216; See also Romans 3:9, pg. 216.)

Sin is breaking the Commandments which isevil, and evil could not dwell with God:

“For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.” (Old Testament, Psalm 5:4)

Sin separated us from God because God is holy, perfect, and morally pure in character:

“But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, andyour sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” (OldTestament, Isaiah 59:2)

One of the signs of Jesus’ 2^nd coming is that sin (including false Bible teaching) will increase greatly:

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;” (2^nd Timothy 3:1-4, pg. 296)

“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers [promoters of falseBible teaching] among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.” (2^nd Peter 2:1, pg. 326; See also 2^nd Timothy 4:1-3, pg. 296; 2^nd Peter 3:3,pg. 327; 1^st John 2:18, pg. 329; Jude 1:18, pg. 335.)

Why you need Jesus: THE PENALTY DESERVED

God instilled two moral principles within each one of us: the principle of ‘sowing and reaping’ and the principle of ‘law and justice.’ When you do well, you expect a good result. When you do wrong, you expect punishment. But when you do well and the result is negative, you sense an injustice has been done. Conversely, when evildoers are not punished, you perceive an injustice has been done. But God is always just, and always does what is right. He required a punishment for breaking His Commandments:

“For the wages of _______ is _________; but the ________ of God is eternal _______ through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23, pg. 219)

“Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.”
(Old Testament, Ezekiel 18:4)

According to God, death is the only satisfactory payment for sin. That is why any religious effort is offensive to God:

“…all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags…”
(Old Testament, Isaiah 64:6)

In other words, sacrifices, trying harder, going to church, getting water baptized, sacraments, praying prayers, asking for forgiveness, denying yourself, giving

money, and all other ‘religious righteousness’ offends God.

The death God demanded for sin was not only the death of the spirit in the Garden of Eden, but will also be a never-ending death of the body and soul—if you pass away without Jesus:

“And fear not them which kill the _________, but are not able to kill the _________: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28, pg. 14)

The end of earthly life is just the beginning of an unending existence! To the person without Jesus Christ, his or her eternal problems have just started:

“And I saw the ________, small and great, _________ before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the ________ were ___________ out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.” (Revelation 20:12, pg. 356)

“And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was _______ [thrown down] into the lake of fire.”
(Revelation 20:15, pg. 356)

“The Son of man shall send forth his __________, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall _______ them into a furnace of fire: there shall be ___________ and ____________ of teeth.”
(Matthew 13:41-42, pg. 20)

“And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for _______ and _______: and they have no ________ day nor night, who worship the beast [anti-Christ] and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark [666] of his name.” (Revelation 14:11, pg. 349)

“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the ___________ death.” (Revelation 21:8, pg. 356)

The Bible declares that everyone deserves to go to hell. The ‘second death’ is the death of the body and soul—eternal suffering and pain which will never end.

Why you need Jesus: THE PENALTY PAID

Although the sin of Adam and Eve passed upon each one of us, God is love. “Actions speak louder than words,” and He proved that love by taking action. In the most amazing act of love the world has ever known, God came to earth and took on a body. God, in the person of Jesus Christ, died for all sins as your substitute. The prophet Isaiah foretold the event more than 700 years before it happened:

“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORDhath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Old Testament, Isaiah 53:5-6)

The following Psalm was written hundredsof years before crucifixion was inventedby the Romans:

“For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me. They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.” (Old Testament, Psalm 22:16-18. See also John 19:23-24, pg. 160.)

Before his conversion to Jesus Christ, the Apostle Paul was a religious zealot andmurderer of those who had Jesus. He records the fulfillment of these prophecies:

“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our ________ according to the scriptures; And that he was _________, and that he ________ again the third day according to the scriptures:” (1^st Corinthians 15:3-4, pg.246)

“For he [God] hath made ______ [Jesus]to be sin for us, who knew _____ sin; that _____ [sinners] might be made the ____________________ of God in him.”
(2^nd Corinthians 5:21, pg. 254)

The Apostle Peter also:

“For Christ also hath once suffered for ________, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to __________ in the flesh, but quickened [made alive again] by the Spirit:” (1^st Peter 3:18, pg. 323)

Religions require their followers to keep trying until they’ve done enough. But Jesussaid, “It is finished:” (John 19:30, pg. 160)

“By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ ­________ for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can _________ take away sins: But this man [Jesus], after he had offered ______ sacrifice for sins for ________, sat down on the right hand of God… (14) For by _____ offering he hath ___________________ for ______ them that are sanctified [made holy, through faith in Jesus].” (Hebrews 10:10, 11, 12, 14, pg. 309)


Why you need Jesus: HIS LIFE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS

The problem is not a lack ofreligion, but rather a lack of life and righteousness!

In him [Jesus] was ________; and the life was the light of men. (John 1:4, pg. 127)

He [any person] that believeth on the Son hath everlasting _______: and he that believeth not the Son shall ______ see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36, pg. 131)

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have _________ it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal ________, which was with the Father, and was _____________ unto us;)”(1^stJohn 1:1-2, pg. 328)

“For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the _____________ of God in him.”(2^ndCorinthians 5:21, pg. 254; See also Romans 3:22; 2^nd Peter 1:1, pg. 325)

A nation that has a negative financial balance is considered ‘in the red.’ If the account is not reconciled, the following generation inherits that burden of debt. In the same way, we inherited a negative balance of sin and death from Adam and were ‘in the red’ of sin. The whole world needed Jesus. But God foretold of a clearing of the ‘balance sheet’:

“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as whiteas snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”
(Old Testament, Isaiah 1:18)

The only way to be justified (found ‘not guilty’ of sin) and have the debt forgiven would be through Jesus’ blood:

“But God commendeth [exhibited] his __________ toward us, in that, while we were yet ____________, _________ ________ for us. Much more then, being now justified [found innocent] by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the _________ of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his _________.” (Romans 5:8-10, pg. 218)

“In whom we have ________________ [ransom in full] through his __________, the _________________ of sins, according to the riches of his __________;”(Ephesians 1:7, pg. 268; See also Colossians 1:14, pg. 279.)

“And, having made _________ through the ­­__________ of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.” (Colossians 1:20, pg. 279)

“And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and _________ us from our _______ in his own __________,”
(Revelation 1:5, pg. 336; See also Revelation 7:14, pg. 343.)

A blood sacrifice to temporarily cover sin has always been required (Old Testament: Exodus 30:10, Leviticus 17:11; 2^nd Chronicles 29:24; See also Hebrews 9:11-16, pg. 308; Hebrews 10:1-5, pg. 309). Remember the mirror? It only showed you needed cleansing. The onlything that could ultimately cleanseaway sin would be an eternally acceptable blood sacrifice. That is why God shed His blood (Acts 20:28, pg. 198) and died in your place. Rising from the dead, Jesus proved who He is and proved that He accomplished what He came to do:

“And ______________ to be the Son of God with power, accordingto the spirit of holiness, by the __________________ from the _________:” (Romans 1:4, pg. 213)

“But for us also, to whom it shall be _____________ [credited to your personal account], if we ___________ on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was ___________ again for our _____________________ [acquittal for Christ's sake].” (Romans 4:24-25, pg.218)

Your sin debt has been fully paid by God. But to be with God when earthly existence ends, you must also have a ‘positive balance’ in your ‘account’—the eternal life of God and the righteousness (sinless perfection) of God. If you do not have Jesus, you do not yet have these two gifts that God offers:

“For if by one man's [Adam’s] offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of _______________________ shall reign in _________ by one, Jesus Christ.) Therefore as by the offence of one judgmentcame upon all men to condemnation; even so by the __________________________ of one the ________ gift came upon all men unto justification of _______.”(Romans 5:17-18, pg. 218)

“That as _______ hath reigned unto __________, even so might grace reign through ____________________ unto eternal ________ by Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 5:21, pg. 218)

“And therefore it was _____________ [credited] to him for __________________. Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, ___ we _____________ on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;” (Romans 4:22-24, pg. 217; See also Romans 4:7-8, pg. 217)

“…Jesus Christ the ____________________:” (1^st John 2:1, pg. 328)

Some false teachers say that Jesus died for only a select few. But Jesus died foreveryone including you:

“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which ____________ away the _______ of the __________.” (John 1:29, pg. 128; See also John 4:42, pg. 133, John 11:51-52, pg. 148, and 1^st John 4:14, pg. 331.)

“To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the ___________ unto himself, ______ imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.” (2^nd Corinthians 5:19, pg. 254)

“And he is the propitiation [satisfaction of a payment due] for our ________: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the ____________ world.” (1^st John 2:2, pg. 328)

SO WHY DO YOU NEED JESUS? Because once you have Him, the inherited spiritually dead image of Adam will be no more and you will be made spiritually alive; once again in the image of God and accounted with His righteousness:

“And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam [God in the flesh—Jesus Christ] was made a quickening [life-giving] spirit.” (1^st Corinthians 15:45, pg. 248)

“Even as Abraham ____________God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” (Galatians 3:6, pg. 264)

“And you hath he [Jesus Christ] quickened [made spiritually alive again], who were dead [spiritually] in trespasses and sins;” (Ephesians 2:1, pg. 269)

“And have put on the ______ ______, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:[3 in 1]” (Colossians 3:10, pg. 281)

“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1^st Thessalonians 5:23, pg. 286)

Jesus Christ is WHAT you need. Sin and death is WHY you need Him. In Lesson 4 you will learn HOW to have Jesus for yourself.

For further study: WHY you need Jesus is also taught in the 13 New Testament Bible books written by the Apostle Paul, Romans through Philemon. You also need Jesus because of future events—revealed in the New Testament Bible book of Revelation.