1. God Loves Us
“For this is how God loved the world:
He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will
not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world
not to judge the world, but to save the world through him." John 3:16
2. We Rebel Against God
"For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard." Romans 3:23
"It’s your sins that have cut you off
from God. Because of your sins, he has turned away. and will not listen
anymore. Isaiah 59:2
What can we do about this?
3. We Cannot Solve this Problem by Ourselves
"Not a single person on earth is always good and never sins." Ecclesiastes 7:20
"So it is clear that no one can be made right with God by trying to keep the law. For the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.” Galatians 3:11
What is the solution to this problem?
4. Jesus Christ is the Solution
"The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! Luke 2:11
"Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me." John 14:6
"For, there is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. 6 He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time." 1 Timothy 2:5-6
What does God give us in Jesus Christ?
5. In Christ We Have Every Spiritual Blessing
"He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding." Ephesians 1:7-8
"Therefore, since we have been made
right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what
Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us." Romans 5:1
"And
anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t
obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s
angry judgment.” John 3:36.
Where can we find Christ Today?
6. Christ Comes to us in the Word of God and in the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son." John 1:14
21 And that water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God from a clean conscience. It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 3:21
"As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take this and eat it, for this is my body.” And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, “Each of you drink from it, for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many." Matthew 26:26-28
7. God uses his Holy Spirit to give us Faith to Believe in Him and Gives Us Power to Live for Him.
"Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned." Mark 16:16
" For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives." Romans 6:4
"My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20