Many people know about God, while others claim to know God. But how many people truly know God?
Perhaps you have never considered this, but thinking about it now, you are not sure which group you fit in.
Here are some other important questions to consider:
Perhaps you have never considered this, but thinking about it now, you are not sure which group you fit in.
Here are some other important questions to consider:
- WHY do we need to know God?
- HOW do we know God?
WHY DO WE NEED TO KNOW GOD?
PURPOSE
We all seek purpose and meaning. This uniquely human trait is found in all of us, from the successful businessman to the depressed teenager to the busy mother. Motivational speakers sell it, religious teachers proclaim it, and philosophers ponder it, but all of it leaves people still searching.
In the famous lyrics of U2:
I have climbed the highest mountains I have run through the fields...
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
The great king Solomon put it this way:
It is useless, useless, said the Philosopher. Life is useless, all useless. 3 You spend your life working, laboring, and what do you have to show for it? 4 Generations come and generations go, but the world stays just the same. Ecclesiastes 1:2-4
You can live a thousand lifetimes, but no matter what you do, you will never find true fulfilment, because this can only be found in one thing - a genuine relationship with God. What proof is there of this? Ask yourself, the last time you obtained something or achieved something you really wanted, how long did that 'mountaintop experience' last? Only until you set your eyes on the 'next thing'; is that right?
We need to know God because He is the only One who can give us true fulfilment and meaning.
SIN
There is no gentle way to put it. Something is very wrong with this world. Something is very wrong with people. Something is very wrong with you and me. No matter how much we would like to see the good in the world and in people, we need to admit that something is very wrong, very broken with all of us. Yes, we occasionally see good in the world, but that 'good' only reflects the GOOD that comes from God, and even then it pales in comparison to His goodness. That 'wrong' inside each of us is called a 'sinful nature', and that nature compels us to do, think, and say wrong things. No matter how hard we try, we cannot overcome this nature.
Mark 7:21-23 For from the inside, from your heart, come the evil ideas which lead you to do immoral things, to rob, kill, 22 commit adultery, be greedy, and do all sorts of evil things; deceit, indecency, jealousy, slander, pride, and folly— 23 all these evil things come from inside you and make you unclean."
According to Jesus, hatred is just like killing someone, and lust is just like committing adultery (Matthew 5). God's standard is perfect, and we are not, therefore our sins separate us from Him - in this life, and also in eternity, in a place called hell.
We need to know God because He is the only One who can take away our sinful nature.
We all seek purpose and meaning. This uniquely human trait is found in all of us, from the successful businessman to the depressed teenager to the busy mother. Motivational speakers sell it, religious teachers proclaim it, and philosophers ponder it, but all of it leaves people still searching.
In the famous lyrics of U2:
I have climbed the highest mountains I have run through the fields...
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
The great king Solomon put it this way:
It is useless, useless, said the Philosopher. Life is useless, all useless. 3 You spend your life working, laboring, and what do you have to show for it? 4 Generations come and generations go, but the world stays just the same. Ecclesiastes 1:2-4
You can live a thousand lifetimes, but no matter what you do, you will never find true fulfilment, because this can only be found in one thing - a genuine relationship with God. What proof is there of this? Ask yourself, the last time you obtained something or achieved something you really wanted, how long did that 'mountaintop experience' last? Only until you set your eyes on the 'next thing'; is that right?
We need to know God because He is the only One who can give us true fulfilment and meaning.
SIN
There is no gentle way to put it. Something is very wrong with this world. Something is very wrong with people. Something is very wrong with you and me. No matter how much we would like to see the good in the world and in people, we need to admit that something is very wrong, very broken with all of us. Yes, we occasionally see good in the world, but that 'good' only reflects the GOOD that comes from God, and even then it pales in comparison to His goodness. That 'wrong' inside each of us is called a 'sinful nature', and that nature compels us to do, think, and say wrong things. No matter how hard we try, we cannot overcome this nature.
Mark 7:21-23 For from the inside, from your heart, come the evil ideas which lead you to do immoral things, to rob, kill, 22 commit adultery, be greedy, and do all sorts of evil things; deceit, indecency, jealousy, slander, pride, and folly— 23 all these evil things come from inside you and make you unclean."
According to Jesus, hatred is just like killing someone, and lust is just like committing adultery (Matthew 5). God's standard is perfect, and we are not, therefore our sins separate us from Him - in this life, and also in eternity, in a place called hell.
We need to know God because He is the only One who can take away our sinful nature.
ACCEPTING YOUR CURRENT POSITION
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.
There is not one exception to this; if you are human you have sinned. The person who has not sinned is perfect, and there is only one perfect person in history (more later).
'Coming short of the glory of God' means that we have not reached His standard which is perfection. In our sinful state, we are separated from Him.
Man's sinfulness cannot be in the presence of God's holiness, otherwise we would be instantly destroyed.
John 3:20 Those who do evil things hate the light and will not come to the light, because they do not want their evil deeds to be shown up.
There is not one exception to this; if you are human you have sinned. The person who has not sinned is perfect, and there is only one perfect person in history (more later).
'Coming short of the glory of God' means that we have not reached His standard which is perfection. In our sinful state, we are separated from Him.
Man's sinfulness cannot be in the presence of God's holiness, otherwise we would be instantly destroyed.
John 3:20 Those who do evil things hate the light and will not come to the light, because they do not want their evil deeds to be shown up.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR FUTURE POSITION
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
The first death came into the world through sin. Humans are spirit beings created in the 'image' of the Father God, who is Spirit. The first two humans, Adam and Eve were not created to die, but when they disobeyed God, sin entered them, and so death came into the world. All of their descendants would also face physical death. Sin would also cause people to die spiritually, which is separation from God, by being in an eternal place of torment called hell.
If there is one thing sure in this life, it is that we all die. Furthermore, those who die still having their sinful nature will also die spiritually.
The first death came into the world through sin. Humans are spirit beings created in the 'image' of the Father God, who is Spirit. The first two humans, Adam and Eve were not created to die, but when they disobeyed God, sin entered them, and so death came into the world. All of their descendants would also face physical death. Sin would also cause people to die spiritually, which is separation from God, by being in an eternal place of torment called hell.
If there is one thing sure in this life, it is that we all die. Furthermore, those who die still having their sinful nature will also die spiritually.
ACKNOWLEDGING YOUR HOPELESSNESS
Through the ages, people have tried many ways to bridge this gap between themselves and God, including: trying to do good works, being moral, following a religion...but no matter what approach people take, it fails dismally because there is still a sin problem.
The Bible says “There is a way that seems right to man, but in the end it leads to death.” Proverbs 14:12
Isaiah 59:2 “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.”
To use a simple illustration, imagine you have fallen into a very deep ditch. You yourself cannot get out no matter what you try. Now imagine that everyone else in the world is with you in that ditch, they too cannot help you get out. The only hope you have is if someone outside the ditch can pull you out. The ditch is our sin, and the one who is outside the ditch is the ONLY One without sin.
The Bible says “There is a way that seems right to man, but in the end it leads to death.” Proverbs 14:12
Isaiah 59:2 “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.”
To use a simple illustration, imagine you have fallen into a very deep ditch. You yourself cannot get out no matter what you try. Now imagine that everyone else in the world is with you in that ditch, they too cannot help you get out. The only hope you have is if someone outside the ditch can pull you out. The ditch is our sin, and the one who is outside the ditch is the ONLY One without sin.
SEEING THE SOLUTIOn
God's answer for humanity's sin problem came in the form of His Son, Jesus Christ.
John 1:29 The next day John sees Jesus coming to him and says, Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
How did Jesus Christ take away our sin?
Romans 5:8 But God has shown us how much He loves us — it was while we were still sinners that Christ died for us!
By dying in our place.
2 Corinthians 5:21 For He (God) has made Him (Jesus) to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, took upon Himself the sin of humanity, and God's punishment and judgement came upon Him - that is death and separation from God in hell. But hell could not hold the Perfect and Righteous One. He defeated Satan, took back the keys of death and hell, and rose again.
Acts 10:40 but God raised Him up the third day and showed Him openly,
1 Corinthians 15:4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures;
Revelation 1:18 ...the Living One, and I became dead, and behold, I am alive for ever and ever, Amen. And I have the keys of hell and of death.
Jesus Christ is the ONLY way to God
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but by Me.
John 10:8-9 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
John 1:29 The next day John sees Jesus coming to him and says, Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
How did Jesus Christ take away our sin?
Romans 5:8 But God has shown us how much He loves us — it was while we were still sinners that Christ died for us!
By dying in our place.
2 Corinthians 5:21 For He (God) has made Him (Jesus) to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, took upon Himself the sin of humanity, and God's punishment and judgement came upon Him - that is death and separation from God in hell. But hell could not hold the Perfect and Righteous One. He defeated Satan, took back the keys of death and hell, and rose again.
Acts 10:40 but God raised Him up the third day and showed Him openly,
1 Corinthians 15:4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures;
Revelation 1:18 ...the Living One, and I became dead, and behold, I am alive for ever and ever, Amen. And I have the keys of hell and of death.
Jesus Christ is the ONLY way to God
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but by Me.
John 10:8-9 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE
- You are a sinner, separated from God.
- You are on course to be separated from God eternally, in hell.
- You have no way to get yourself out of this situation.
- God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for your sins.
God's invitation to you today
Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and dine with him and he with Me.
John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.
Romans 10:9 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.”
Will you make the decision today to accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour?
How to receive Christ:
- Admit your need (I am a sinner).
- Be willing to turn from your sins (repent).
- Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross and rose from the grave.
- Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and rule your life through the Holy Spirit. (Receive Him as Lord and Savior.
- Father God, I acknowledge that I am a sinner and that I have fallen short of your standard of perfection. I know that because of this, I am deserving of hell, which is eternal suffering and an eternal separation from you. I accept right now, that Jesus Christ, Your Son was send to this world to pay the ultimate price for the sins of humanity. Right now I receive the free gift of salvation which You freely provide through Jesus Christ. I repent (turn away) from my sinful ways, and I turn to you to follow you all the days of my life. Lord Jesus, I declare that You are my Saviour, and You are my Lord (the ruler of my life). Thank You for saving me, and I ask You to help me live for You from this day forward until I see You, in Jesus' Name, Amen.
WELCOME TO YOUR NEW LIFE!
If you have sincerely accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, the Bible promises:
Romans 10:13 For ‘whoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
Now you can have the assurance that you truly 'know God'. What happens now?
God's Plan: Get Started
This is just the beginning of a wonderful new life in Christ. To deepen this relationship you should:
Romans 10:13 For ‘whoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
Now you can have the assurance that you truly 'know God'. What happens now?
God's Plan: Get Started
This is just the beginning of a wonderful new life in Christ. To deepen this relationship you should:
- Read your Bible every day to know Christ better.
- Talk to God in prayer every day.
- Tell others about Christ.
- Worship, fellowship, and serve with other Christians in a church where Christ is preached.
- As Christ's representative in a needy world, demonstrate your new life by your love and concern for others.
- Get plugged into the New Believers Class at Calvary.
