THE GOSPEL IS TRULY THE GOOD NEWS

Romans 1:14-17 - "For I have a great sense of obligation to people in both the civilized world and the rest of the world, to the educated and uneducated alike.  So I am eager to come to you in Rome, too, to preach the Good News, (the Gospel of Jesus Christ).  For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ.  It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.  This Good News tells us how God makes us right in His sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith.  As the Scriptures say, It is through faith that a person has life."

1 Corinthians 15:1-9 - "Let me now remind you, dear brothers and sisters, of the (Gospel message) I preached to you before.  You welcomed it then, and you still stand firm in it.  It is this Good News that saves you if you continue to believe the message I told you—unless, of course, you believed something that was never true in the first place.  I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said.  He was buried, and He was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said.  He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve:  that, He was seen by more than 500 of His followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died.  Then He was seen by James and later by all the apostles.  Last of all, as though I had been born at the wrong time, I also saw him.  For I am the least of all the apostles.  In fact, I’m not even worthy to be called an apostle after the way I persecuted God’s Church."

Romans 10:8-17 - "...(The Gospel) is the very message about faith that we preach:  If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.  As the Scriptures tell us, Anyone who trusts in Him will never be disgraced.  Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect.  They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on Him.  For Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.  But how can they call on Him to save them unless they believe in Him?  And how can they believe in Him if they have never heard about Him?  And how can they hear about Him unless someone tells them?  And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent?  That is why the Scriptures say, How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring (the) Good News!  But not everyone welcomes the Good News, for Isaiah the prophet said, Lord, who has believed our message?  So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ."  (Note:  I based these "quotes" on the NLT).

GOOD NEWS - BAD NEWS - AWESOME NEWS

How Jesus began His preaching ministry.

Mt. 5:3 - "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
Mt. 5:4 - "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted."
Mt. 5:5 - "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth."
Mt. 5:6 - "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled."
Mt. 5:7 - "Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy."
Mt. 5:8 - "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God."
Mt. 5:9 - "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Mt. 5:10 - "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
Mt. 5:11 - "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake."

 

How Jesus ended His preaching ministry.

Mt. 23:14 - "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation."
Mt. 23:15 - "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves."
Mt. 23:16 - "Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!"
Mt. 23:23 - "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the Law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone."
Mt. 23:25 - "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess."
Mt. 23:27 - "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness."
Mt. 23:29 - "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous."

He came unto His own - they rejected Him.  Now salvation is offered to all!

Acts 2:21 - "And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Acts 2:22 - "Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by Him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:"
Acts 2:23 - "Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:"
Acts 2:24 - "Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that He should be (held by) it."

ALL YOU "GOTTA DO" IS CALL

GOD AWAITS OUR CALL

1 Chronicles 16:8 - "Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon His name, make known His deeds among the people.

Psalm 18:3 - "I will call upon the LORD, Who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

Psalm 105:1 - "O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon His name: make known His deeds among the people."

Psalm 116:13 - "I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD."

Psalm 116:17 - "I will offer to Thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD."

Zepheniah 3:9 - "For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve Him with one consent."

Romans 10:13 - "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

1 Corinthians 1:2 - "Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours."

GOD PROMISES TO ANSWER ALL WHO CALL UPON HIM

Psalm 91:14-16 - "Because he hath set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known My name.  He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.  With long life will I satisfy him, and show him My salvation."

Isaiah 58:9 - "Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and He shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity."

Isaiah 65:24 - "And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear."

Jeremiah 33:3 - "Call unto Me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not."

GOD DOES NOT HAVE CALL WAITING!

ALL LINES ARE OPEN TO THOSE WHO TRUST IN HIM AS LORD!

BE SATISFIED WITH WHAT THE LORD HAS GIVEN YOU

BE SATISFIED WITH WHAT GOD HAS GIVEN TO YOU

Proverbs 30:5-9 - "Every Word of God is pure: He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him.  Add thou not unto His words, lest He reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.  Two things have I required of Thee; deny me them not before I die:  Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:  Lest I be full, and deny Thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain."

Luke 3:14 - "And the soldiers likewise demanded of Him, saying, And what shall we do? And He said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages."

Philippians 4:11 - "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."

1 Timothy 6:6-8 - "But godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.  And having food and raiment let us be therewith content."

Hebrews 13:5 - "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."

JESUS CHRIST IS TO BE OUR LORD AND ROLE MODEL

Philippians 2:1-11 "If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.  Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind, let each esteem others better than themselves.  Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:  but made himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:  and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name:  that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

THANKSGIVING, LIKE PRAISE, BELONGS TO GOD

Leviticus 22:29 - "And when ye will offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving unto the LORD, offer it at your own will."

Nehemiah 12:46 - "For in the days of David and Asaph of old there were chief of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving unto God."

Psalms 26:7 - "That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all Thy wondrous works."

Psalms 69:30 - "I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving."

Psalms 95:2 - "Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms."

Psalms 100:4 - "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name."

Psalms 147:7 - "Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God."

Jonah 2:9 - "But I will sacrifice unto Thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD."

2 Corinthians 4:15 - "For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God."

Philippians 4:6 - "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."

Colossians 2:7-8 - "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him:  Rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving."

Colossians 4:2 - "Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving."

1 Timothy 4:3-4 - "Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.  For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving."

Revelation 7:12 - "Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God forever and ever. Amen."

THE GOSPEL MESSAGE IN THE CATHOLIC BIBLE

These quotes are from The Douay Rheims Version of the Catholic Bible.

John 3:14-18 - "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:  That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.  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.  For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.  He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 - "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that 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."
Romans 1:15-17 - "So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the Gospel to you that are at Rome also.  For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith."

Romans 10:8-13 - "But what saith it?  The Word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the Word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  For the Sripture saith, Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed.  For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him.  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Ephesians 2:8-9 - "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  Not of works, lest any man should boast."

OUR RESURRECTED LORD IS COMING AGAIN!

Daniel 7:13-14 - "I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought Him near before Him.  And there was given Him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve Him: His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed."

Matthew 16:27 - "For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels; and then He shall reward every man according to his works."

Matthew 19:28 - "And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of His glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel."

Matthew 24:27, 30, 37, 39, 40 - "For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be . . . And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory . . . But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be . . . And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be . . . Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh."

Matthew 25:13, 31 - "Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh . . . When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory."

Acts 7:55-56 - "But (Stephen), being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God . . . And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God."

Revelation 19:11-16 - "And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He doth judge and make war.  His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns; and He had a name written, that no man knew, but He Himself.  And He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and His name is called The Word of God.  And the armies which were in heaven followed Him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.  And out of His mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it He should smite the nations: and He shall rule them with a rod of iron: and He treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.  And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS."

GOD'S PROMISES ARE FOR OVERCOMERS

We often hear religious people talk about the promises of God, as though they all automatically apply to them.  Yet is quite clear from biblical context, that God's promises to Israel, are quite different to those He made to the Church.  For instance, God promised that Israel would inherit a land of their own (Gen. 28:4; Ex. 23:30; Deut. 3:28; 16:20; Ps. 37:29, 34; Isa. 60:21; Ezek. 47:13), while His promises to His Church speak of a heavenly inheritance.  The Apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 1:4 - "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ."  And the Apostle Peter wrote:  "To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time" (1 Pet. 1:4-5). 

In addition, Israel seems to have missed two key factors in their receiving the Lord's promises to them:  1) they were inherited, and not something they earned; Israel certainly did not deserve God's favor, as can be seen throughout their sorry history!  And 2) in order to inherit something, there must be the death of the one bequeathing that which is to be inherited!  The writer of the Book of Hebrews wrote: 
"And for this cause (Jesus) is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.  For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.  For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth" (Heb. 9:15-17).

Yes, there has been much said about the promises of God, but seldom do we hear preached that in order to "qualify" for them, we must be "overcomers."  Only "He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son" (Rev. 21:7).

So how does one become an overcomer?  The Apostle John wrote this in 1 John 5:4-5:  "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.  Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?"

1 John 3:1-2 - "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God . . . . Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is."

REVELATION TWENTY (Easy-to-Read Version)

       I saw an angel coming down out of heaven. The angel had the key to the bottomless pit. The angel also held a large chain in his hand. The angel grabbed the dragon, that old snake, also known as the devil or Satan. The angel tied the dragon with the chain for 1000 years. Then the angel threw the dragon into the bottomless pit and closed it. The angel locked it over the dragon. The angel did this so that the dragon could not trick the people of the earth until the 1000 years were ended. After 1000 years the dragon must be made free for a short time. Then I saw some thrones and people sitting on them. These were the ones who had been given the power to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been killed because they were faithful to the truth of Jesus and the message from God. They did not worship the beast or its idol. They did not receive the mark of the beast on their foreheads or on their hands. They came back to life and ruled with Christ for 1000 years. (The rest of the dead did not live again until the 1000 years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. Great blessings belong to those who share in this first resurrection. They are God’s holy people. The second death has no power over them. They will be priests for God and for Christ. They will rule with Him for 1000 years.

       When the 1000 years are ended, Satan will be made free from his prison. He will go out to trick the nations in all the earth, the nations known as Gog and Magog. Satan will gather the people for battle. There will be more people than anyone can count, like sand on the seashore. I saw Satan’s army march across the earth and gather around the camp of God’s people and the city that God loves. But fire came down from heaven and destroyed Satan’s army. And he (the one who tricked these people) was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur with the beast and the false prophet. There they would be tortured day and night forever and ever.

       Then I saw a large white throne. I saw the One who was sitting on the throne. Earth and sky ran away from Him and disappeared. And I saw those who had died, great and small, standing before the throne. Some books were opened. And another book was opened—the book of life. The people were judged by what they had done, which is written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it. Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them. All these people were judged by what they had done. And Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. And anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.

Note:  Their names were not in the Lamb's book because they had chosen to reject Christ and His payment for their sins.  As a result, they were judged, sentenced, and cast into the lake of fire.

WHY IS PRAYER SO DIFFICULT?

One of the most difficult parts of being a born again believer in Jesus Christ, is prayer!  The Bible repeatedly tells us to pray.   The word "pray" appears 313 times in 306 verses in the King James Version.  Here are just a few examples:

Romans 12:12 - "Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer."

Philippians 4:6 - "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 - "Pray without ceasing.  In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

1 Timothy 2:8 - "I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting."

Hebrews 4:16 - "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."

The problem I have with prayer, is that I don't know how to pray according to the will of God!  I do not know His will in most things!  Even Jesus prayed a prayer that obviously was not according to His Father's will; and, He prayed it three times (Mt. 26:39, 42, 44):

"And He went a little further, and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me: nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou wilt.  He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O My Father, if this cup may not pass away from Me, except I drink it, Thy will be done.  And He left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words."

And if that were not bad enough, God's Word even teaches that we cannot pray without His help:

Romans 8:26-27 - "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit (Himself) maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God."

1 John 5:14-15 - "And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us:  and if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him."

Bottom line -  I will pray for those things I know are His will: 

Thanksgiving for all He has given me; and

Food for the hungry;

Clothing for the naked;

Comforting for those who are ill or in prison;

Protection from the "evil one"; and the

Salvation of the lost! 

DANIEL 12:4 - DANIEL'S BOOK UNSEALED

DANIEL 9:24-27 - THE KEY TO UNDERSTANDING THE TRIBULATION

"Seventy weeks (literally: seventy sevens of years) are determined upon thy people (Daniel's people were the Jews) and upon thy holy city (Jerusalem), to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.  Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks (seven sevens of years), and threescore and two weeks (sixty-two sevens of years): the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.  And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off (Christ was crucified for our sins - 1 Cor. 15:3), but not for Himself (Christ was sinless - Heb. 4:15): and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary (the Antichrist - he will be from the territory ruled by Rome, in that, it was Rome which crucified Christ, and destroyed Jerusalem approximately forty years later - A.D. 70); and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.  And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week (one seven): and in the midst of the week (three and a half years; a time, times, and half a time - Dan. 7:35; 12:7; Rev. 12:14; 42 months - Rev. 11:2; 13:5; 1260 days - Rev. 11:3; 12:6) he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate (Dan. 11:31; 12:11; Mt. 24:15; Rev. 13:1-18), even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate."

So, from the command to go rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple (Neh. 2:1-10), to the crucifixion of Israel's Messiah (Mt. 27:35; Mk. 15:24; Lk. 23:33; Jn. 19:18; etc.), would be 483 years - 49 years to rebuild, and 434 years from the completion of the Temple to the death, burial, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ (Mt. 28:1-10; Mk. 16:1-11; Lk. 24:1-12; Jn. 20:1-18; Acts 2:24; 13:33; etc.).  For Israel, one seven-year period remains - the Tribulation.  The parenthetical gap between the Resurrection of Jesus and His Second Coming, includes the Church Age (from Pentecost to the Rapture of the Church - Acts 2:41; Jn. 14:1-3; 1 Cor. 15: 48-54; 1 Th. 4:16-17; etc.) plus the seven-year Tribulation (Daniel's Seventieth Week; also known as "the Time of Jacob's Trouble - Jer. 30:7).  It is not clear whether or not the Tribulation immediately follows the Rapture or removal of the Church.  The Tribulation is described in chapters six through eighteen (see also Mt. 24:3-29). 

THE SAVING WORK OF THE HOLY TRINITY

John 3:5-8, 14-15 - "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.  That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.  The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.  And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:  that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life."

John 6:37-40, 44 - "All that the Father giveth Me shall come to Me; and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.  For I came down from heaven, not to do Mine own will, but the will of Him that sent Me.  And this is the Father's will (Who) hath sent Me, that of all which He hath given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.  And this is the will of Him that sent Me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.  No man can come to Me, except the Father (Who) hath sent Me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day."

John 12:31-33 - "Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.  And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me.  This He said, signifying what death He should die."

John 14:1-6 - "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father's house are many mansions:  if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.  And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.  Thomas saith unto Him, Lord, we know not whither Thou goest; and how can we know the way?  Jesus saith unto him, I am THE Way, THE Truth, and THE Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me."

John 16:5-14 - "But now I go My way to Him that sent Me; and none of you asketh Me, Whither goest Thou?  But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.  Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you.  And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:  of sin, because they believe not on Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father, and ye see Me no more; of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.  I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.  Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will show you things to come.  He shall glorify Me: for He shall receive of Mine, and shall show it unto you."

YOUR ENEMIES KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO!

BELIEVERS ARE TO FORGIVE EVERYONE

 

Matthew 5:38-44 - "Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:  but I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.  And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.  And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.  Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.  Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you."

Matthew 6:12, 14-15 - "And forgive us our debts, AS we forgive our debtors.  For IF ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:  but IF ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."

Matthew 18:21-22 - "Then came Peter to Him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?  Till seven times?  Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven."

Ephesians 4:31-32 - "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:  and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even AS God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."

BELIEVERS ARE TO LOVE EVERYONE

Romans 13:8-10 - "Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the Law.  For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the Law."

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 - "Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things."

Galatians 5:13-14 - "For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.  For all the Law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."

JESUS PRACTICED WHAT HE PREACHED

 

Luke 23:33-34 - "And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.  Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."

THREE TRANSLATIONS: ONE MESSAGE

Romans 10:8-17 - "But what saith it? The Word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the Word of faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the LORD Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same LORD over all is rich unto all that call upon Him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved. How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the Gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the Gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" (based upon the KJV).

Romans 10:8-17 - "In fact, it says, "The Message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart." And that Message is the very Message about faith that we preach: If you openly declare that Jesus is LORD and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. As the Scriptures tell us, "Anyone who trusts in Him will never be disgraced." Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same LORD, who gives generously to all who call on Him. For "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." But how can they call on Him to save them unless they believe in Him? And how can they believe in Him if they have never heard about Him? And how can they hear about Him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, "How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!" But not everyone welcomes the Good News, for Isaiah the prophet said, "Lord, who has believed our Message?" So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ" (based upon the NLT).

Romans 10:8-17 - "What it says is this: "God's Message is near you, on your lips and in your heart"—that is, the Message of faith that we preach.  If you confess that Jesus is LORD and believe that God raised Him from death, you will be saved.  For it is by our faith that we are put right with God; it is by our confession that we are saved.  The Scripture says, "Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed."  This includes everyone, because there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles; God is the same LORD of all and richly blesses all who call to Him.  As the Scripture says, "Everyone who calls out to the LORD for help will be saved.  But how can they call to Him for help if they have not believed? And how can they believe if they have not heard the Message? And how can they hear if the Message is not proclaimed?  And how can the Message be proclaimed if the messengers are not sent out? As the Scripture says, "How wonderful is the coming of messengers who bring good news!"  But not all have accepted the Good News. Isaiah himself said, "Lord, who believed our Message?"  So then, faith comes from hearing the Message, and the Message comes through preaching Christ" (based upon the LNT).

THE TWO HALVES OF THE TRIBULATION

Daniel 9:24-27 - "Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.  Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.  And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.  And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week (7 years): and in the midst of the week (after the first half of the Tribulation - 3 1/2 years) he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate."

Daniel 12:5-7 - "Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river.  And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?  And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half (the second half of the Tribulation - 3 1/2 years); and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished."

Revelation 11:3-7 - "...I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days (the first half of the Tribulation - 3 1/2 years), clothed in sackcloth.  These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth (Satan - 2 Cor. 4:4).  And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.  These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.  And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them."

Revelation 13:1-5 - "And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.  And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.  And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.  And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?  And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months (the second half of the Tribulation - 3 1/2 years)."

WE SIN BUT WE DO NOT MAKE IT A PRACTICE

- 1 John 1:5-10 based upon the New Living Translation -

 

       This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in Him at all. So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us from all sin.

       If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that His Word has no place in our hearts.

 

  - Galatians 5:11-26 based upon the New Living Translation -

 

      Dear brothers and sisters . . . you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters.  But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature.  Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole Law can be summed up in this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out!  Beware of destroying one another.

       So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the Law of Moses.

       When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
       But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to His cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.

RELIGION REQUIRES WORKS; OUR RELATIONSHIP IS A GIFT

John 3:16 - "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 4:10 - "Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and Who it is that saith to thee, Give Me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of Him, and He would have given thee living water."

Romans 5:15-18 - "But not as the offence, so also is the free gift.  For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.  And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.  For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.  Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life."

 

Romans 6:23 - "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

 

2 Corinthians 9:15 - "Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift."

 

Ephesians 2:8-9 - "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  not of works, lest any man should boast."

 

James 1:17 - "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."

 

1 Peter 4:10 - "As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God."

 

JOHN 6:28-29 (Paraphrased)

When asked, "What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?" 

Jesus said, "This is the work of God, that ye believe on Me whom He has sent."

LUKE'S MESSAGE: CHRIST'S REMISSION OF OUR SIN

Luke's Gospel is very clear when it comes to the Gospel message Christ's disciples are to preach; he wrote:  "And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem" (Lk. 24:47).

According to God's Word, the Gospel message is "good news!"  The Apostle Paul wrote:  "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand . . . For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that 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 Cor. 15:1-4).

There are "three parts" to the Gospel message:  1. we are all sinners (Rom. 3:23; 5:12; etc.); 2. the payment, or wages for sin, is death (Rom. 6:23a); and 3. Jesus paid our penalty for sin by dying on the cross, shedding His own blood for that payment, those wages which were due to us (Rom. 6:23b)!  According to Leviticus 17:11, when there is a sacrifice for sin, the "life blood" of the sacrifice is poured out.  That is exactly what happened to Jesus:

Matthew 26:28 - "For this is My blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins."

Acts 10:43 - "To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins."

Romans 3:24-25 - "Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:  Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God."

Hebrews 9:22 - "And almost all things are by the Law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission."

According to Ephesians 2:8-9, our salvation is the result of our believing the Gospel; it is by God's grace (His unmerited favor): 

 

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:

It is the gift of God:  not of works, lest any man should boast."

MATTHEW LEAVES NO DOUBT AS TO JESUS' IDENTITY

Matthew 1:22-23 -  "Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us."

Matthew 2:14-15 - "When he arose, he took the young child and His mother by night, and departed into Egypt:  and was there until the death of Herod:  that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called My Son."

Matthew 2:21-23 - "And he arose, and took the young child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel.  But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:  and he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene."

Matthew 4:13-16 - "And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:  that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; the people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up."

Matthew 8:16-17 - "When the even was come, they brought unto Him many that were possessed with devils: and He cast out the spirits with His Word, and healed all that were sick:  that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses."

Matthew 12:15-18 - "But when Jesus knew it, He withdrew Himself from thence: and great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them all; and charged them that they should not make Him known:  that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Behold My servant, whom I have chosen; My Beloved, in whom My soul is well pleased: I will put My Spirit upon Him, and He shall show judgment to the Gentiles."

Matthew 13:34-35 - "All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake He not unto them:  that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world."

Matthew 21:4-7 - "All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.  And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, and brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set Him thereon."

Matthew 27:33-35 - "And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull, they gave Him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when He had tasted thereof, He would not drink.  And they crucified Him, and parted His garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted My garments among them, and upon My vesture did they cast lots."

Only Matthew uses this phrase!

GOD IS LOVE, BUT HE IS ALSO JUDGE!

THE BAD NEWS FOR THOSE WHO REJECT JESUS

John 3:36 - "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."

Romans 1:18-19 - "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them."

Ephesians 5:3-6 - "But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient:  but rather giving of thanks.  For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.  Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience."

Colossians 3:5-6 - "Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:  for which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience."

Revelation 14:9-11, 19 - "And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:  and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up forever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name....And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God."

Revelation 15:1, 7 - "And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God....And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth forever and ever."

Revelation 16:1 - "And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth."

 

THE GOOD NEWS FOR BELIEVERS IN CHRIST

 

Romans 5:9 - "Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him."

 

1 Thessalonians 1:10 - "(We) wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, (Who) delivered us from the wrath to come."

 

1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 - "For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him."

THE DOWN-HEARTED BECAME WARM-HEARTED

       And, behold, (two disciples) went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.  And they talked together of all these things which had happened.  And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus Himself drew near, and went with them.  But their eyes were holden that they should not know Him. 
       And He said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? 
       And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto Him, Art Thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass therein these days? 
       And He said unto them, What things? 
       And they said unto Him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:  and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death, and have crucified Him.  But we trusted that it had been He which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, today is the third day since these things were done.  Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; and when they found not His body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that He was alive.  And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but Him they saw not.
       Then He said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:  ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into His glory?   And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.
       And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and He made as though He would have gone further.  But they constrained Him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.  And He went in to tarry with them.
       And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.  And their eyes were opened, and they knew Him; and He vanished out of their sight.  And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while He talked with us by the way, and while He opened to us the Scriptures? (Luke 24:13-32).

When we realize that Jesus died for our sins, that men buried Him, but that God raise Him from the dead, all as the Scriptures foretold, we have a choice:  receive Him as Lord, or reject Him and die in our sins!   Jesus is the Savior, and that all we must do to be forgiven, is to call upon Him as Lord!  The Apostle Paul wrote: 

"But what saith it?  The Word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the Word of faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  For the Scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed.  For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him.  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."  (Romans 10:8-13).

"BELIEVE" IS ALWAYS PRESENT TENSE

John 3:14-18 - "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:  that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.  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.  For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.  He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."

John 11:25-27 - "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:  and whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die. Believest thou this?  She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that Thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world."

Acts 10:39-43 - "And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:  Him God raised up the third day, and showed Him openly; not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with Him after He rose from the dead.  And He commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is He which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.  To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins."

Romans 3:20-26 - "Therefore by the deeds of the Law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight: for by the Law is the knowledge of sin.  But now the righteousness of God without the Law is manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets; even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:  for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:  Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; to declare, I say, at this time His righteousness: that He might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus."

BELIEVE AND YOU WILL BE AN OVERCOMER

1 JOHN 5:1-13

[1] Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth Him that begat loveth Him also that is begotten of Him.

[2] By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep His commandments.

[3] For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous.

[4] For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

[5] Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

[6] This is He that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.

[7] For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

[8] And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.

[9] If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which He hath testified of His Son.

[10] He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made Him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of His Son.

[11] And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.

[12] He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

[13] These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life . . . . . . .

OUR TRANSFORMATION IS THE WORK OF GOD

Romans 8:28-30 - "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.  For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.  Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified."
1 Corinthians 15:50-52 - "Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.  Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."

2 Corinthians 3:18 - "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."

Ephesians 2:4-10 - "But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:  that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  not of works, lest any man should boast.  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."

Philippians 1:6 - "Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."

1 John 3:1-2 - "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not.  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is."

Why has God done all this for us?

According to John 17:23, God loves us as much as He loves Jesus!!!!!!!

OUR PROBLEM - HIS OFFER - TRUST HIM

THE PROBLEM:  ONLY THE RIGHTEOUS WILL INHERIT ETERNAL LIFE

Romans 3:10 - "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one."

JESUS' RIGHTEOUSNESS IS OFFERED TO ALL

Luke 23:46-47 - "And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, He said, Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit: and having said thus, He gave up the ghost.  Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly (Jesus) was a righteous man."
2 Corinthians 5:21 - "For (God) hath made (Jesus) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in (Jesus).
Romans 5:17-21 - "For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by One, Jesus Christ.  Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of One the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.  For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of One shall many be made righteous.  Moreover the Law entered, that the offence might abound.  But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:  that as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord."

 

OUR FAITH, OUR TRUST, IN GOD BRINGS US HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS

 

Genesis 15:6 - "And (Abraham) believed in the LORD; and He counted it to him for righteousness."

Matthew 5:6 - "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled."

Matthew 6:33 - "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

Romans 5:16-17 - "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith."

Romans 3:23 - "Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference."

Romans 10:9-10 - "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

THE REAL BATTLEGROUND: WITHIN THE BELIEVER

"So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin." (Rom. 7:14-25 NLT).

 

"So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses. When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another." (Gal. 5:16-26 NLT).

 

Read Hebrews 13:20-21.

SALVATION: FAITH IN THE REMISSION OF OUR SINS

Remission:  Christ's blood bought our forgiveness of sin!

 

Leviticus 17:11 - "For the life of the flesh is in the blood (Christ's blood, His very life, was poured out): and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul."

Matthew 26:26-28 - "And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is My body.  And He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; for this is My blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins."

Luke 24:44-48 - "And He said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the Law of Moses, and in the Prophets, and in the Psalms, concerning Me.  Then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures, and said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:  and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.  And ye are witnesses of these things."

Acts 10:38-43 - "...God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: Who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him.  And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:  Him God raised up the third day, and showed Him openly; not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with Him after He rose from the dead.  And He commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is He which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.  To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins."

Hebrews 9:22 - "...without shedding of blood is no remission.

TRUE BELIEVERS LONG TO BE LIKE JESUS

John 14:1-3 (NLV) - "Do not let your heart be troubled. You have put your trust in God, put your trust in Me also.  There are many rooms in My Father’s house.  If it were not so, I would have told you.  I am going away to make a place for you.  After I go and make a place for you, I will come back and take you with Me.  Then you may be where I am.  You know where I am going and you know how to get there."

1 Corinthians 15:51-53 (GNT) - "Listen to this secret truth: we shall not all die, but when the last trumpet sounds, we shall all be changed in an instant, as quickly as the blinking of an eye.   For when the trumpet sounds, the dead will be raised, never to die again, and we shall all be changed.  For what is mortal must be changed into what is immortal; what will die must be changed into what cannot die." 

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (ICB) - "Brothers, we want you to know about those who have died.  We do not want you to be sad as others who have no hope.  We believe that Jesus died and that He rose again.  So, because of Jesus, God will bring together with Jesus those who have died.  What we tell you now is the Lord’s own message.  We who are living now may still be living when the Lord comes again.  We who are living at that time will be with the Lord, but not before those who have already died.  The Lord Himself will come down from heaven.  There will be a loud command with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God.  And those who have died and were in Christ will rise first.  After that, those who are still alive at that time will be gathered up with them. We will be taken up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.  And we will be with the Lord forever.  So comfort each other with these words."

Titus 2:11-13 (TLB) - "For the free gift of eternal salvation is now being offered to everyone; and along with this gift comes the realization that God wants us to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures and to live good, God-fearing lives day after day, looking forward to that wonderful time we’ve been expecting, when His glory shall be seen—the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ."

1 John 3:1-3 (MEV) - "Consider how much love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God. Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.  Beloved, now are we children of God, and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be.  But we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.  Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure."

We are like "caterpillars," but one day soon, He will change us into "butterflies!"

THE NEW BIRTH: BEING BORN AGAIN

BORN AGAIN BY THE WILL OF THE FATHER

John 1:10-13 - "He (Jesus) was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not.  He came unto His own (the Jews), and His own received Him not.  But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name:  which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."

 

BORN AGAIN BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

John 3:1-8 - "There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:  the same came to Jesus by night, and said unto Him, Rabbi, we know that Thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that Thou doest, except God be with Him.  Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.  Nicodemus saith unto Him, How can a man be born when he is old?  Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?  Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water (the physical birth) and of the Spirit (the Spiritual birth), he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.  That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.  The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit."

BORN AGAIN BY FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST

1 Peter 1:23-25 - "Being born again (the Spiritual birth), not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.  For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass.  The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:  but the Word of the Lord endureth forever.  And this is the Word which by the Gospel is preached unto you." (see Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 15:1-4).

 

1 John 5:1 - "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth Him that begat (the Father) loveth Him also that is begotten of Him." (Jesus AND all who are born again - see 1 Pet. 1:3)!

SALVATION IS FREE TO ALL WHO WILL BELIEVE

John 4:10 - "Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of Him, and He would have given thee living water."

Romans 5:15 - "But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many."

Romans 5:16 - "And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification."

Romans 5:17 - "For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ."

Romans 5:18 - "Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of One the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life."

Romans 6:23 - "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Romans 11:29 - "For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance."

2 Corinthians 9:15 - "Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift."

Ephesian 2:8 - "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."

James 1:17 - "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."