The story of God and man could easily be summed up as follows:
God is Love and His love is pure and holy. God made us in His image. Adam and Eve sinned and it ruined everything.
We inherited that sin and live in a broken world. Because God is holy, He cannot be in the presence of sin.
Therefore, sin separated us from our loving God and gave us a death sentence that declares us guilty. We were incapable of fixing our sin problem and separation from God.
Separation from those you love the most will make you do outrageous and radical things. Our Father did just that. He came up with the greatest plan ever:
A plan that would restore our relationship with God, and bridge the gap back to Him.
A plan that would forgive anyone for all their sins so, they could have a permanent residence in heaven for eternity.
A plan that is free to us, but cost God everything as He sacrificed His one and only Son for payment of our sins.
A plan that solved our sin problem when God’s Son, Jesus Christ, took on our sins, became our sins, died for our sins and defeated our sins on the cross and from the grave.
He did that for us! He did that for you! What is your response to this outrageous act of unprecedented love?
The bible poses this question in 2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?
So what does it mean to respond to the love of God by surrendering my life and will to Jesus Christ? In other words, what does it mean to give your heart to Jesus?
What steps must be taken to know that I am a Christian so I can pass this test?
Anchor #3 is Respond to the love of God by surrendering my life and will to Jesus Christ and that is what we are going to do tomorrow night. Like all the teachings for the 12 Anchors of Hope, it will be a new talk that will address:
· Key issues of salvation
· What is faith and works?
· What happens if I continually sin and abuse the grace of God? Am I still saved?
· What is the finished work of Christ and how can I live that way?
· What if I was never saved and what steps do I need to take to make sure I am.
My guess is that even for most of you who been part of Encounter and have been following my teachings, you very well could fall in the category of never having a salvation experience even if you think you have.
The message that I am giving tomorrow is the clearest message of salvation I have ever given. Whenever we do a message like this it is important for all of us to be there. This is why we do ministry and the reason why Encounter exists. Encounter exists so hope can found and tomorrow night, hope is going to be found at the cross!
My good friend Louie Bookout is coming to lead us in worship and it is going to be a can’t miss night!
Be Blessed and Encouraged
Bill Rieser
Encounter Pastor