25 points: Gospel Presentation

Part I. TRUTH OF THE CROSS

Part II. BENEFITS OF BELIEVING IN JESUS

Part III. HOW CAN I BELIEVE?

23. So how can one believe? According to the Bible there are four(4) stages in believing. First, you must have heard the Gospel. What is the Gospel? That's exactly what I shared this 30 minutes. If you have heard but not understand, even though you believe you are not a Christian, no new life - just fooling yourself. Second stage in believing - you must understand the Gospel. You understand God's standard for sin, not just what we do but also what is inside our heart and mind. You understand that we are separated from God because we have sinned and would be eternally separated from God. But God sent His only Son to shed his blood to cleanse your sin and died in your place. The third stage in believing is that you must agree, identify - acknowledge that by God's standard you are a sinner. Acknowledging is important. One may say that he knows about sin and understand what sins are but still doesn't think he has sinned. If that is so he don't need a savior. Only the sick needs a doctor - a sinner needs a savior. Do you acknowledge that before God you are a sinner? Now that you yourself acknowledge you are a sinner - you need a savior. Who on earth will die on your behalf? Who is without sin and qualifies to die for you? Is there any religion founder that is qualified? If they can't save themselves from death they cannot save you. That is why Jesus said, "I am the Way the Truth and the Life and no man comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6)." Do you acknowledge that Jesus is the only way back to God, He is God and Savior. (Yes) That's good but not enough. Let me illustrate this - Suppose someone tells you that you I made good lemonade drink and understood that lemonade could quench your thirst. You acknowledge that you are thirsty and come to my house and ask for a drink of lemonade. I am happy to see you and serve you a big glass of lemonade. Are you still thirsty? Of course! Why? Unless you take that glass of lemonade from my hands and drink it, you will still be thirsty. This bring us to the fourth and final stage in believing - receiving.
    
    
24. He that believes and receives Jesus, God gives them the right to become His children (John 1:12). When Peter was preaching for the first time, the people realized that they had sinned and they asked Peter, "what shall we do?". Peter replied, "Repent!" (Act 2:38). Repent is not just saying you are sorry. The word repent in it's original text means turning 180 degrees from ones original direction - a total change in attitude. When one says "I think Christianity is the best religion among the others. I will choose to believe in Jesus." Do you think he has believed and his sins forgiven? Very unlikely. A sinner before the Holy Almighty God - we don't have the right to choose Him - we are all sinners each sentenced to die but God chose to love us, chose to forgive us of our sins through Jesus, chose us to be His children, chose to give us a new life through His Holy Spirit. It is by the grace of God we are saved - we are unworthy but God is gracious. We need to come to receive Jesus, repent and come to Him in humility.
    
    
25. Through a special prayer we receive Jesus as our Personal Savior and Lord. All Christians must go through this similar process. It goes like this "Heavenly Father, I thank you for the opportunity to listen to your gospel. I acknowledge that I am a sinner before you. I confess all my sins. I thank you for sending Jesus Christ to die for my sins. I now receive Jesus as my personal Savior and Lord and invite Jesus into my heart. In Jesus name I pray." If you cannot pray yourself, I will help you - you repeat after me. Do you want to receive Jesus as your Savior now? What are man's ways of reaching God? They created many religions and all their founders were dead. We require a concrete evidence - any founders must first conquer death for if they cannot help but die - they are disqualified. If they cannot save themselves how can they save you? Man are taught moral living, be good don't do evil. I do not object moral living but by itself it is not good enough. Sometimes I still may sin in my thoughts, in my heart I may be selfish or proud. That is way the Main truth of the Gospel is not asking you to do good - we cannot. Our sin and death had to be dealt with first. All man's way have failed!
    
    

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