Your Relationship With God - 02 July

We’ve discovered that Jesus came to die in our place. We learned that without shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins. And we know that Jesus, once dead, came back to life on the third day. However, in Christ’s time as in ours, some people didn’t believe in the resurrection. If there was no resurrection, would our relationship and salvation be impacted?

Your Relationship With God - 29 June

Any authentic relationship is based on truth. Last week we read Christ’s claim that we are free in Him, and this week we saw Paul outline the basis of the gospel – Christ died, was buried, and is risen. Today we look at the reason that Christ could pay the penalty for our sin.

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22  All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 23  “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). Matt 1:18-23 (ESV)

Your Relationship With God - 27 June

If we want to believe in Christ – if we want that relationship with Him, what do we need to believe? We hear so many things today. Some say that there are many paths to heaven. Some say you need to be a good person. But that’s not what the Bible says. Paul gives us the answer:

Your Relationship With God - 25 June

Now that we’ve been reminded that we are all sinners we need to find out what the consequences of our sin are. Earthly children receive consequences for their misbehavior from their loving parents. Our heavenly Father also doles out consequences for our sin.

Jesus spoke to the religious leaders of His time at the Temple Mount. He told them that He IS God. He let them know that simply having a religious background and following all the law was not enough for salvation.

I am the one who bears witness about myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me.” 19 They said to him therefore, “Where is your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” 20 These words he spoke in the treasury, as he taught in the temple; but no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come. 21 So he said to them again, “I am going away, and you will seek me, and you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.” 22 So the Jews said, “Will he kill himself, since he says, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come’?” 23 He said to them, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. 24 I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.” John 8:18-24 (ESV)

What one thing did the leaders need to believe to keep from dying in their sins? Remember, these people lived and breathed the Torah (the first 5 books of the Old Testament). They followed all the laws. They were the “super religious”. But yet, Jesus said they would die in their sins if they didn’t believe that He was Messiah.

Just in case you don’t know what “sin” is J, let’s look at specific examples of unrighteousness that the Bible clearly says will keep us from inheriting the Kingdom of God.

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Cor 6:9-11 (ESV)

Your Relationship With God - 22 June

Have you found an accountability partner: someone to walk with you as you struggle with the sins in your life?  If you need someone to walk beside you, email me or talk to a pastor. We’ll help you find that person who will challenge you to walk the way Christ demands.

The Bible is filled with sinners. We see stories of rape, murder, theft, lying, adultery and more. Yet even those sinners had the opportunity to be saved. Some of the “worst” sinners were later called faithful and a man after God’s heart. So we know that it doesn’t matter what kinds of sin we’ve committed – God is willing and able to save us.

Your Relationship With God - 20 June

When you think of Christians, what image comes to your mind? Two-faced hypocrites who do one thing on Sunday and another the remainder of the week? People who want to help the less fortunate? Saints who are perfect? Something in the middle? Do we as Christians help or hinder society’s perceptions? As a Christian, do you let people know that you still sin, still make mistakes? Or do you seem “holier than thou” to those you associate with? Your relationship with the Father and your behavior as a Christian will either help or hinder the Kingdom of God.

Your Relationship With God - 18 June

Welcome to our new study. This study is for everyone who breathes! If you are a Christian, you will learn more about your relationship with the living God. You will learn why Jesus needed to come. You’ll see that only He can take away sins. If you’ve not accepted God’s free gift, you will find out more about His everlasting love for you.

I’ve been burdened lately about our relationships with God. You see so many “versions” or definitions of Christianity, but what’s right? Can we just pray a prayer with a pastor and be saved? Is that REALLY all there is to it? Or is this salvation thing more than insurance against going to hell? Is God a big “eye in the sky”, waiting for us to do something wrong, or is it possible that we can have a relationship with Him – talking to Him, listening to Him, and being guided by Him?