"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."
1 Corinthians 1:18
1 Corinthians 1:18
The Message of The Cross
The cross. It has been discussed, idolized, argued over, recreated, symbolized, disregarded, misused, spat upon, worshiped, and loved. A symbol of hate for some, a picture of ultimate sacrifice for others. A symbol of foolishness to the seemingly wise of this world, and a symbol of salvation to those who realize how desperately we are in need of a Savior. The message is simple. Christ, fully God and fully man, was born into this world as a sin offering. To bear the weight of our sin upon His shoulders. Like a lamb to the slaughter, He was crucified on the cross as the final sacrifice to pay for the sins of all mankind, past, present, and future. Although we deserve death and Hell, Christ made a way through His death and resurrection to offer us life and hope, in this world and in the world to come. The choice is simple. You can count the message of the cross as foolishness and live according to your own flesh and what you believe is right or you can count it as your one chance at freedom in a world that has offered you nothing but bondage. The cross is not a symbol to grace the mantles of our fireplaces. It is not an idol in which we can cling to. It is not a figure to which we pray. The cross of Jesus Christ is a picture of ultimate sacrifice, of ultimate love. One that embodies a message of freedom and hope to those of us that are burdened and heavy laden and desire rest for our souls. "Come to me," Jesus says, "all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28) The choice is simple, but be very mindful that the choice is yours and yours alone. No one else can make it for you.
Salvation Explained
"And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved."
Acts 4:12
"And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved."
Acts 4:12
1. What is Salvation?
Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3)
Salvation is a term used to describe what Jesus referred to as being Born Again. It is the need for man to be rescued from death into life. A way in which man is given a new life, by the work of Christ on the cross, though His death and resurrection. To be saved or born again is to be made right before God. The only way to be made right before a pure and Holy God is to repent of our sins and ask God to reside in us. That transformation is what Christ refers to as being born again, dying to sinful man and becoming a Christ follower
Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3)
Salvation is a term used to describe what Jesus referred to as being Born Again. It is the need for man to be rescued from death into life. A way in which man is given a new life, by the work of Christ on the cross, though His death and resurrection. To be saved or born again is to be made right before God. The only way to be made right before a pure and Holy God is to repent of our sins and ask God to reside in us. That transformation is what Christ refers to as being born again, dying to sinful man and becoming a Christ follower
2. Who needs Salvation?
Romans 3:10-12, 23 says, “No one is righteous—not even one. No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God. All have turned away; all have become useless. No one does good, not a single one.... For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard." Everyone needs salvation because we have all sinned.
Romans 3:10-12, 23 says, “No one is righteous—not even one. No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God. All have turned away; all have become useless. No one does good, not a single one.... For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard." Everyone needs salvation because we have all sinned.
3. Why is Salvation needed?
The price, or consequence, of sin is death. According to Romans 6:23, "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord." The only way to escape eternal death and condemnation is to be saved.
4. How does God provide Salvation?
Jesus died for our sins. He paid the ultimate price for our death. According to Romans 5:8, "But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners." Christ paid for our sins on the cross. Through His death and resurrection He made a way for us to be able to stand righteous before a Holy God. When we are covered by the blood of the Son of God, we are made right in the Father's eyes. He no longer sees a sinful, wretched man, or the multitude of sins we have committed, but a cleansed child without blemish.
The price, or consequence, of sin is death. According to Romans 6:23, "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord." The only way to escape eternal death and condemnation is to be saved.
4. How does God provide Salvation?
Jesus died for our sins. He paid the ultimate price for our death. According to Romans 5:8, "But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners." Christ paid for our sins on the cross. Through His death and resurrection He made a way for us to be able to stand righteous before a Holy God. When we are covered by the blood of the Son of God, we are made right in the Father's eyes. He no longer sees a sinful, wretched man, or the multitude of sins we have committed, but a cleansed child without blemish.
5. How do we receive Salvation?
We receive salvation and eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. Romans 10:9-10,13 says,"If you confess with your mouth 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 confessing with your mouth that you are saved ... For Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
We receive salvation and eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. Romans 10:9-10,13 says,"If you confess with your mouth 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 confessing with your mouth that you are saved ... For Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
6. The results of Salvation.
(Matthew 16: 24-26) Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
(1 John 2: 3-6) By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.
Salvation through Jesus Christ brings us into a relationship of peace with God, free of condemnation, full of love.
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)
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)
(Matthew 16: 24-26) Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
(1 John 2: 3-6) By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.
Salvation through Jesus Christ brings us into a relationship of peace with God, free of condemnation, full of love.
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)
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)
How To Be Saved
Pray to God and...
Admit you are a sinner before Him
Understand that as a sinner, you deserve death.
Believe Jesus Christ, being God, died on the cross to save you from sin and death.
Repent by turning from your old life of sin to a new life in Christ.
Receive, through faith in Jesus Christ, his free gift of salvation.
Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins;
and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38)
Admit you are a sinner before Him
Understand that as a sinner, you deserve death.
Believe Jesus Christ, being God, died on the cross to save you from sin and death.
Repent by turning from your old life of sin to a new life in Christ.
Receive, through faith in Jesus Christ, his free gift of salvation.
Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins;
and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38)
