God's Story

God created the world.

But, why did He create the world?

1. Why God Created Us

We were created by God to love, honor, and find joy in a relationship with Him forever.

God's Purpose

". . . all things were created by him, and for him." (Colossians 1:16 KJV)

Abundant Life

". . . I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." (John 10:10b KJV)

Eternal Life

"And this is life eternal, that they might know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." (John 17:3 MKJV)

What keeps us from a relationship with God?

2. Sin Keeps Us From God

We sinned and chose our own path, rejecting His purpose for our lives. Our own choices sever our relationship with Him and earn us an eternity outside of His presence.

All Sin

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23 KJV)

Sin Separates

"But your iniquities have separated between you and your God . . ." (Isaiah 59:2 KJV)

Sin's Penalty

"For the wages of sin is death . . . (Romans 6:23 KJV)

Many people try to earn God's forgiveness and an eternity with Him by doing good things, being a moral person, being religious, pursuing philosophy, etc., but . . .

3. Doing good things doesn't wipe out our sins.

God is holy. If you hold up His love as a standard, none of us measures up because we don't love as much as God does. Therefore, our sins cause us to not measure up and therefore separate us from God.

People try to do good things in order to earn God's favor. They may try to be religious or do good things or believe the right things, but they don't measure up to God.

". . . each of our good deeds is merely a filthy rag . . ." (Isaia 64:6a CEV)

"For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9 MKJV)

We can't bridge the gap between us and God, but He can . . .

4. God bridged the gap!

God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to be the bridge between us and God. Jesus died in our place and rose from the dead. He is alive today and forever!

"but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8 ESV"

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23 KJV)

Jesus rose from the dead and is alive!

". . . Christ died for our sins . . . he rose again the third day . . ." (1 Corinthians 15:3-4 KJV)

Jesus is the way to God--the only way.

Some people want there to be another way. But, since it was God who bridged the gap between us and God, the way is the bridge that He provided. All other efforts are an attempt to climb the wall.

"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.'" (John 14:6 MKJV)

Many try to earn their way to God, but God made a better way . . .

5. Anyone who places their trust in him alone will have eternal life.

Since Jesus died in our place, God offers His forgiveness to us. We receive that forgiveness by faith in Him alone.

"that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9 MKJV)

We enter into God's family by personal invitation.

"But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God," (John 1:12 ESV)

Here is a prayer you might consider. Do these words reflect your heart's desire? If they do, say this prayer now, and Christ will enter your life as promised!

"Jesus, I need you in my life. I know that I don't measure up to You and can't earn my way into your presence. Please forgive me for all of the wrong things that I've done. I believe that You are the Son of God, that You died to take my place, and that You rose from the dead. I turn away from my sins and want You to be my Savior and my Lord. Please take control of my life and teach me to live the way You want and to follow You."

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

6. Your new life with Jesus has just started and will never end!

The Bible teaches us about our new life with Him. God gave us the Bible to teach us and to assure us that we will spend eternity with Him. Here's a few verses to get you started:

"Truly, truly, I say to you, He who hears My Word and believes on Him who sent Me has everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation, but has passed from death to life." (John 5:24 MKJV)

"And this is the record, that God has given to us everlasting life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I have written these things to you who believe on the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have everlasting life, and that you may believe on the name of the Son of God.." (1 John 5:11-13 MKJV)