Christ died for our sins ....
was buried ...
and rose again ...
according to the scriptures.
1 Corinthians 15:4
Christ died for our sins ...
He was buried ...
He was raised again
the third day according
to the scriptures.
1 Corinthians 15:3-5
The Gospel means “good news”. The Lord Jesus Christ instructed His disciples to go throughout the entire world and tell everybody about this good news. So, what exactly is this good news? How does it apply to me? Why do I even need it?
Most people go through life with the gnawing thought that something is just not right about life. There must be something more. Or that life, though filled with beautiful moments, lacks true fulfillment; in fact, is filled with injustice, evil and pain. Those that are honest can see failure within – and more than that – a wicked heart, evil thoughts and unholy desires. Why are we plagued with guilt, worry, fear, emptiness? Where does this come from? What is wrong with us? Why do we have so many doubts about God? Why do we fight and hurt each other?
Well, the Bible gives us the answers. Quite simply – we are disconnected from God. We are hopelessly lost in sin.
And sin is serious. It’s a problem for everyone – even for the most loving and caring person you know. All fall below God’s standard. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23
Sin is a major problem with a just and holy God. He cannot compromise. Do you believe for a moment that the judges of our courts should let our law-breakers walk away free – to sin again? Of course not. They must be punished for their crimes. It’s the same with God. The end result of sin is death – eternal death and separation from God. Hell. Yes, sin is serious.
Romans 6:23 says, “The wages of sin is death; but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Nothing unclean or sinful will ever enter heaven.
Can you help yourself? The short answer is ‘No”. Since the dawn of civilization manking has been trying to do so. Is there anywhere on earth that you know of that has succeeded? How about religion, good living, and prayers? No.
Romans 3:20 says that by the works of the law (good deeds) no human being will be justified (made right with God).
Ephesians 2:8-9 says that salvation is not of our own doing, not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
Romans 5:6 says we have no strength to save ourselves.
There it is.
The bad news.
Here’s where the gospel comes in.
God must deal with sin once and for all. That’s exactly what happened on the cross. The entire load of the sins of the world was placed on the Lord Jesus Christ, the innocent one who never sinned. God punished Him instead of you. Jesus became our substitute.
Look at Romans 5: 8: “But God commends His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Isn’t God’s love amazing? He loves the unlovely and the unlovable. He loves sinners!
When Christ died on the cross, He said these amazing words – “Finished!” (John 19:30). The work required for salvation was done. There is nothing left for a sinner to do but to trust in His already finished work.
Three days later, Christ was raised from the dead as a proof that God was satisfied with His great work or redemption.
There is nothing left for a sinner to do but to trust in His already finished work. Two roads lie before you. One leads to a lost eternity. One leads to everlasting life.
You have a decision to make.
Which way will YOU go?