ROMANS 5:12Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned . . .
Adam, the first man, disobeyed God’s command. He wanted to choose good and evil for himself. He disregarded God’s authority and rejected his love. As a result, Adam and Eve were expelled from paradise.
The world is cursed because of Adam’s sin. Things aren’t the way they are supposed to be. The world is now full of suffering, pain, and evil.
We sin every day in thought, word, and deed by disobeying God’s commands. We worship our jobs, our money, and our comfort more than God. We love people and things more than we love the God who made us.
MARK 2:5–7And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
Jesus is fully human. He had a real body, desires, and emotions.
Jesus is fully God. He was more than a prophet and moral teacher. He demonstrated his divine status and authority by forgiving sins and exercising power over nature, the devil, disease, and death.
Jesus is the Christ, the long-awaited Messiah. He is the Son of God and one with God the Father. Jesus is worthy of our worship, trust, and affection.
See John 1:1–3; 8:56–58; 10:29–31; Hebrews 1; 4:15; 7:26–28; Titus 2:13
Cross
Jesus dies for our sins and is raised to life again
1 CORINTHIANS 15:3–4For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures . . .
Jesus died on the cross to take upon himself the wrath of God so that we might be reconciled to God. God forgives us, not because of our good works, but because of the sacrifice of his Son.
Jesus was a kind of second Adam, fulfilling what the first Adam did not. He obeyed God in place of our disobedience and died the death we deserved.
By his death and resurrection, Jesus demonstrated his Lordship over all things. The risen Christ showed death had been conquered.
See Isaiah 53:4–5; Mark 10:45; John 10:14–18; Romans 5:6–11, 6:23; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 1:19–21; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 1:5–2:2
re-Creation
God is making a new people and a new place
REVELATION 21:5And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.”
God makes us new creations in Christ so that we die to our sinful ways and can learn to love God and our neighbor.
Through Jesus, God has already begun to exercise his reign right here on earth. Those who follow Jesus are to be agents of change, hope, and renewal.
At the end of history, God will finish this work of re-creation. Those who have not received Christ will be eternally punished for their sins. Those who belong to Christ will live forever in a new paradise where we will be free from suffering and enjoy God forever.
See John 3:16–18; Romans 12:1–2; 2 Corinthians 5:16–21; Revelation 21–22
Commitment
Those who trust in Jesus Christ will be forgiven and made new
ACTS 2:37–38Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
God’s forgiveness is entirely an act of grace. We cannot earn it. We receive God’s mercy through faith solely because of Christ’s work on our behalf.
Being a Christian means we renounce our old ways; we trust Christ alone as our Savior, obey him as Lord, and love him as our greatest treasure.
Following Jesus means living for him, obeying his commands, and believing his promises. God empowers us through the Holy Spirit and teaches us by his Word (the Bible) so we can live anew.
See Isaiah 55:6–7; Matthew 4:17; John 20:31; Galatians 5:16–25; Ephesians 2:4–10; 2 Timothy 3:16–17
So what do you believeabout this Story?
Maybe your response is apathy: “I’ve heard this all before—big deal.” Maybe you like the parts about Jesus, but haven’t thought of yourself as a sinner in need of forgiveness.
Perhaps you are confused, wondering how anyone can be saved by grace alone. Or maybe you figure since you’ve been to church before you don’t have to think about your relationship with God. Being a Christian may just seem like a cultural thing you inherit from your family or from growing up in a certain place.
These are honest responses, but they are not Christian responses. Those who believe in the Story of God’s good news will respond with:
Understanding:
“I know I am a sinner, separated from God and can do nothing to earn his favor.”
Faith:
“I believe Jesus is God’s Son, that he died for my sins and rose again from the dead.”
Repentance:
“I am sorry for my sinful thoughts and actions. I turn from them and trust in Jesus alone for forgiveness.”
Purpose:
“I want to live for Jesus, be a new person, and learn to love others.”
Hope:
“I will live forever with God in the joy of his new creation.”
